James Cameron: Pioneer of CGI and Filmmaking

Almost exactly a year ago, Colossus entered into a partnership with David Senra and the Founders podcast to join the Colossus network. The show has since exploded with more devoted fans than any podcast that I've encountered. With that in mind, we are excited to share an example episode from his show here today on the director, James Cameron. It's my favorite recent episode of David's. Please enjoy this episode, and if you haven't already, subscribe to Founders.

This is what he learned from reading The Futurist: The Life and Films of James Cameron by Rebecca Keegan and The Return of James Cameron, Box Office King by Zach Baron.

Join Colossus live in NYC with Patrick O’Shaughnessy and David Senra on Oct. 19.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.

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Show Notes

(00:04:00) - I watched Titanic at the Titanic. And he actually replied: Yeah, but I madeTitanic at the Titanic.

(00:07:10) - I like difficult. I’m attracted by difficult. Difficult is a fucking magnet for me. I go straight to difficult. And I think it probably goes back to this idea that there are lots of smart, really gifted, really talented filmmakers out there that just can’t do the difficult stuff. So that gives me a tactical edge to do something nobody else has ever seen, because the really gifted people don’t fucking want to do it.

(00:07:20) - At 68 years old, Cameron wakes up at 4:45 AM and often kick boxes in the morning.

(00:07:45) - Self-doubt is not something Cameron has a lot of experience with. His confidence preceded his achievements.

(00:09:00) - I basically gave myself a college education in visual effects and cinematography while I was driving a truck.

(00:16:00) - Every idea is a work in progress.

(00:17:30) - He's been on a planet of his own making ever since.

(00:18:00) - The Return of James Cameron, Box Office King by Zach Baron

(00:22:00) - His outlook is that we can take fate in our own hands.

(00:34:00) - Cameron had only been at Corman's for a matter of days, but he was already taking charge. He seems constitutionally incapable of doing otherwise. (What a line!)

(00:35:30) - Your mediocrity is my opportunity.

(00:37:40) - Cameron finds writing torture. He does it anyway.

(00:43:00) - Cameron is willing to let ideas marinate for decades.

(00:55:30) - I'd just made T2 for Carolco and I admired how they rolled, being their own bosses, mavericks, entrepreneurs.

(00:57:30) - Mute the world. Build your own world.

(01:04:50) - Opportunity is a strange beast. It commonly appears after a loss.

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