The Art of Avatar: James Cameron's Epic Adventure

Front Cover
Harry N. Abrams, Nov 1, 2009 - Performing Arts - 108 pages
Academy Award-winning writer/director James Cameron, the maker of Titanic and the creator of the Terminator series, has been crafting Avatar for over four years. The film follows the story of an ex-marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on a distant planet filled with exotic life forms. As an avatar, a human consciousness in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people. The Art of Avatar, the companion book to this epic 3-D action adventure, explores the developmental and conceptual art used by the creative team to create the original world of Avatar. With over 100 exclusive full-color images including sketches, matte paintings, drawings, and film stills, The Art of Avatar reveals the process behind the creation of set designs for the imaginative vistas, unique landscapes, aerial battle scenes, bioluminescent nights, and fantastical creatures. Interviews with art directors, visual effects designers, animators, costume designers, and creature makers bring insight into this creative process. The Art of Avatar brings readers behind the scenes of this unprecedented moviegoing experience.

Other editions - View all

About the author (2009)

James Francis Cameron was born in Kapuasking, Ontario, Canada on August 16, 1954. He studied physics and English at California State University before dropping out to pursue screenwriting. In 1990, he formed his own production company called Lightstorm Entertainment and in 1993, he founded a computer special effects company called Digital Domain. In 1984, he wrote and directed The Terminator. His other movies include Aliens, The Abyss, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, True Lies, and Avatar. In 1997, he wrote and directed Titanic, which earned eleven Academy Awards. He took home Oscars for best editing, best directing, and best picture. He created the television shows Dark Angel and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. He is the author of several books including Terminator 2: Judgment Day and James Cameron's Titanic.

Bibliographic information