Before the filming of “Avatar”, to prepare his actors as well as possible, James Cameron took them on a strange adventure. He recently recounted all of this in a crossover interview with Denis Villeneuve.
Avatar: welcome to Pandora
In 2009, the world discovered Avatar by James Cameron. A visual slap that took us to the magical world of Pandora, a planet located light years from Earth, inhabited by the Na’vi people. The film was a resounding success in global box office, and always ranks first on the podium with more than two billion dollars of recipes. It had been a time passed by Avengers: Endgame, but its release in theaters allowed it to resume its leadership position.
Most of the film was shot using the performance capture technique. The actors were equipped with sensors so that their movements (body and face) were then processed by computer, to create the Na’vi. If they appear so realis that they were interpreted by real actors. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana in the lead.
The preparation wanted by James Cameron
The visionary director wanted above all that the Na’vi appear as realistic as possible. And he insisted on the release saying thatAvatar was not an animated film. Indeed, the actors delivered a intense physical performance by playing the scenes on a green background. James Cameron wanted them to exude the most human emotions possible.
In order for them to soak up their characters as much as possible, the director took the actors on what he calls a “sensory memory odyssey”. He explained this preparation in Variety, during a discussion with Denis Villeneuve.
We went to Kauai, where we lived in the rainforest for several days. We cooked on the fire, and drank rainwater. I said “OK we’re going for a hike and I want you to watch where you put your feet, and your hands when it goes up.” The idea was to soak up these real sensations as much as possible, and bring them back to the stage. It was a great adventure that we all lived together
James Cameron confided.
For the sequels of the film, and in particular Avatar 2, the director attempted a new technical feat. He first used the performance capture underwater. Indeed, most of the film will take place in the oceanic part of Pandora. And he did not spare his actors! Kate Winslet, for example, had to hold several minutes in apnea for her scenes, since she plays the leader of the people of the Reef.
