Avatar

1. Production: What challenges did James Cameron have in realizing his vision?

Cameron didn't want his film to be a science-fiction movie. He wanted it to be more like an fantastical action and adventure film. He created the idea of the film in 1990, but technology wasn't advanced enough. So he had to wait until 2009 to make his vision come true.

2. Creating the Virtual World: What was the process used in creating Pandora?

Pandora was ll digitally created. It reflected a lot of what our planet is like but more fantastical. It is all tropical rainforest.

3. Performance Capture verses Motion Capture: How has performance caputure changed the filmmaking process?

The film is not animated. It physically is the actor's performances and isn't just digitally created. That way, it made the actor's performance realistic and unique to them. They used CGI technology so that actors didn't have to do hours of makeup. Actors can play any character designed on the computer. Cameras capture the performance of a character and translate it to a digital character. Their faces were photographed so they would match avatars. Then actors were put in suits with markers on them with multiple cameras in the room from different angles. The computer creates a realtime moving skeleton from the actor. The computer generated character is applied to the skeleton. That way digitally created characters are almost as realistic as regular actors. Producers can then create characters that are impossible to create in real life. This also included facial expressions. True human emotion was performed by a non human character, which is an amazing breakthrough. Avatars actually had personality of the characters.

4. How much money was spent on marketing for the film? What challenges does News Corp face in realising profits? In your opinion, does the massive budget spent on the film effect the authenticity of its message?

Avatar costed $400 million dollars to make and market it. They spent $250 million on the movie, and $150 on marketing. The movie is expected to make a billion dollars by the end of the year. And they are still raking in millions more. The challenge is to not waste all this money on an expensive film that will be a flop in the future. I believe that in order for a film to be strong, its narrative has to be strong. And if in order to create a strong narrative, a lot of money has to be spent, I'm all for it. It worked in this case, The authenticity of the message was strong, so a high budget worked. A high budget isn't always necessary, but it can enhance the message and narrative.

5. Socio-Cultural Impact-Do you agree with the critic's claim that Avatar "identifies the profound spiritual bankruptcy that underlies our financial insolvency...and reminds us (to)... make new choices for the greatest good of all". Or is this film just a trite recycling of previous plots that reinforces racist stereotypes? Explain with examples from the film.

I think it recycles from previous plots. But as you look throughout all of history from multiple different cultures in periods of times where there were no forms of communication, this same stories are being told. Avatar is another rendition of multiple archetypes that have been told throughout history. But, I think Avatar has so far been the best in expressing these archetypes like the hero in Jake Sully. It reinforces racial stereotypes, yet shows the message of acceptance as Jake Sully becomes a part of the Navi tribe. Also, the Navi are portrayed as less civilized, yet their planet has a global network through nature, although it is not digital like ours. Avatar ultimately borrows from older plots and puts its own twist to it in that it has its own distinct feel.