James Cameron

Oscar-winner James Cameron is a triple-threat in the world of filmmaking: director, producer, and writer. His use of innovative and cutting-edge technologies frequently allows him to push the boundaries of science fiction filmmaking.

After seeing 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and Star Wars (1977), Cameron became interested in special effects and how they could be used to combine science and art. He began his career in film as a miniature-model maker, and soon progressed to become art director for Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) and production designer for Galaxy of Terror (1981).

His big break came when he sold the script to The Terminator (1984) for one dollar, with the stipulation that he would direct the film. The film, shot on a minimal budget of $6.5 million, was an international success. Cameron’s second film, Aliens (1986), received critical acclaim and Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Effects.

Cameron is an innovator, designing new equipment and utilizing cutting-edge technologies to realize his films, from the underwater shooting gear for The Abyss (1989) to the virtual camera system for Avatar (2009). Cameron had originally wanted to film Avatar in the late 1990s, but had to wait a decade for the technology to catch up with his vision.

Induction Year: 2012

TV/FILM ADAPTATIONS

The Terminator (1984)
Aliens (1986)
The Abyss (1989)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
True Lies (1994)
Avatar (2009)