From The Terminator and Titanic to Avatar, James Cameron has directed some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. Now, for the first time in his 40-year career, he opens up about his process. Through behind-the-scenes breakdowns, James shares his approach to developing ideas, storylines, and characters; harnessing technology; and worldbuilding on any budget. Explore the innovation and imagination behind epic moviemaking.
“Every filmmaker stands on the shoulders of the filmmakers who came before them, and I hope that my MasterClass will allow members to filter and develop my techniques through their own subjective lens and experiences.”
Using specific scene breakdowns from his renowned films, including Aliens, The Terminator, Titanic and Avatar, Cameron teaches members how to identify stories that demand telling, build tension, create compelling characters—whether man, machine or alien—and harness technology to fully immerse audiences in imagined worlds. Cameron also offers practical advice that applies to all levels of film production, no matter the budget, big or small. Interlaced with intimate insights from his storied career, from how dreams inspire his work to lessons on leadership, Cameron’s class will leave members inspired to share the insider knowledge they’ve learned with others and empowered to make their own movies.
“I’ve been directing films for almost four decades, and if there’s one thing I’ve realized, it’s that learning is a constant process,”
Cameron’s prominent filmmaking career has given the world many cinematic gifts, starting with the breakthrough box-office success of The Terminator in 1984. Following the mainstream hit with a string of celebrated science fiction action films, including Aliens and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Cameron wrote and directed the epic blockbuster film Titanic, which shattered all box-office records, nabbed 11 Academy Awards and became the highest-grossing movie of all time.
Cameron then surpassed his own record with the 2009 sci-fi blockbuster hit Avatar, which blended live-action sequences with digitally captured performances in a 3D-generated world that blazed a trail for innovation in film technology and visual effects. As a three-time Academy Award winner and a six-time nominee, he’s earned the rare achievement of having directed the first two of the five films in history to gross more than $2 billion worldwide.
Cameron most recently executive-produced the National Geographic docu-series Secrets of the Whales, and will release the long-awaited sequel Avatar 2 in December 2022.
James Cameron’s MasterClass includes:
15 video lessons
Over 3 hours
Lifetime access, with classes that never expires
Learning materials and workbooks
Accessible from any device
Watch, listen and learn as James Cameron teaches her most comprehensive filmmaking class ever
There’s a moment when you’re just a fan. And there’s a moment when you’re a filmmaker.
And the one moment can follow the other by about one minute.
I’ve been directing films for almost four decades, and I’ve picked up a few things along the way.
For the first time ever, I’ll share some of the things that I haven’t shared before.
Really, every filmmaker starts as a fan.
I get my ideas, the same place everybody gets their ideas out of your imagination. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of curiosity, every film you’ve ever watched, every book you’ve ever read, every dream you’ve ever had, before you can radiant need to absorb
creativity, law of thermodynamics.
In this masterclass, I’m going to talk about storytelling, suspense, action, visual effects, design, all the things you’re going to need to know. So I’m going to show a scene right now and then I’ll go back and break it down. The thing that it’s important to remember about the Terminator is that it’s a love story. Their eyes meet across a crowded room, full of story with shotguns. And my goal with Avatar was to help people dream with their eyes wide open. I feel like I’m there. It looks real.
But it has to be a dream. When I started out, I was working as a truck driver didn’t have much spare cash, certainly couldn’t port film school. But all you have to do is pick up a camera and start shooting something with the intention of making a film and you’re a filmmaker. And I think it’s the duty of filmmakers that have been down the roadway to turn around and say, Alright, there’s a landmine over here. It’s a landmine over here. Don’t step on it. So why not share that?
I’m James Cameron. And this is my master class.
