Isabella Wen
Art of Video 2nd
1/20/10
1. Production: What challenges did James Cameron have in realizing his vision?
A: The challenges that James Cameron might have had in realizing his vision was creating the setting, the characters, and the plot that will interest all audiences. Cameron might have had difficulty connecting the story with the world today. Cameron needed to create needed to find a way to transfer the emotions and performance of the actors to the animated characters of the movie. The movie wouldn’t be so successful if the actors and the crew didn’t use the performance capture suits.
2. Creating the Virtual World: What was the process used in creating Pandora?
A: In order to create Pandora, the movie’s setting, the animation designer had to combine Earth’s environment and creatures with the imaginary world made up by James Cameron. The trees, plants, animals, and the Na’Vi all resemble our planet’s inhabitants/surroundings. However, there are several distinctions, the Pandora environment and creatures contain an element that enables them to omit light in beautiful patterns and also the world is inhabited by the seeds of the sacred tree. The Avatar crew had to spend a lot of time planning, drawing sketches, and actually creating images on the computer. The movie has mind-blowing special effects and the world Pandora is just enchanting and realistic in 3D.
3. Performance Capture verses Motion Capture: How has performance capture changed the filmmaking process?
A: Thanks to the performance capture suits the movie creators can transfer the facial features, facial emotions, and performance of the actors to the animated characters for the movie. This makes the characters more realistic and not just some animation created on a computer. The character is an actual human experiencing the emotions and performing the actions by the actors/actresses. Filmmaking in Hollywood from now on will be changed because directors have the advantage of improving the quality and style of the films they produce.
4. Avatar Earnings to Boost News Corp:-
a. How much money was spent on marketing for the film?
A: Avatar cost an estimated 150 million dollars to market
b. What challenges does News Corp face in realizing profits?
A: They have to face the fact that although they made a huge profit for the past month, theatre chains such as Regal Entertainment Group and Cinemark Holdings Inc’s profited more than them. This is because audiences rather watch the movie in the theaters in 3D rather than at home in the living room.
c. In your opinion, does the massive budget spent on the film effect the authenticity of its message?
A: No, the budget doesn’t affect the authenticity of its message because it doesn’t matter how much money was spent to market or create a film, what matters is the content of the film. In my opinion, the message was successfully given through the characters and the plot.
5. Socio-Cultural Impact-
a. 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.
A: Yes I do agree with the statement because when people are greedy, they have evil intentions to only obtain money. They don’t have the heart to care if their actions hurt others because their only goal is to become rich and successful. They lack the spiritual nature inside of them that makes them respect nature and its creatures. For example, the corporation traveling to Pandora in search for the rare/ valuable mineral has no respect for the Na’Vi and their sacred tree or home. They have no good intentions and no human compassion for other cultures or species. They view the Na’Vi as savages who threaten their whole operation, but they fail to understand that it isn’t worth it to destroy their home for their financial satisfaction. Out of all the people in the corporation, Jake Sulley is the only person who gets the opportunity to learn about the Na’Vi and how they, like us, have dreams, family, spiritual beliefs, and problems. Jake and three of his friends go to extreme lengths to protect the Na’Vi. Jake loves the Na’Vi so much that he eventually “betrays” his own species. However, he made the right choice and managed to preserve what is good and pure in Pandora.
