James Cameron interview on Directing (1999)

“Everyone around me had basically said, ‘You stink. You suck. You don’t know what you’re doing.'”

James Cameron was out of luck. After working for years as a model builder, production designer and second-unit director on low-budget horror films, he had been fired from his first job as director in a feature film. Stranded in Rome, swiping rolls off of room service carts, he had hit bottom. But he had an idea for another film; that idea became The Terminator. The script was easy to sell, but no studio wanted to take a chance on Cameron as director. His unbridled enthusiasm won over a few brave producers and star Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film was a runaway international hit and Cameron was on his way.

Aliens and True Lies consolidated Cameron’s reputation as a director of action films, but he wanted more. Cameron’s Titanic went on to become the first motion picture to gross more than $1 billion worldwide and also earned an unprecedented 11 Academy Awards, including Oscars for Director, Cinematography, Film Editing and Best Picture. It became the top-grossing motion picture of all time, until it was surpassed by Cameron’s Avatar, a breathtaking science fiction spectacle photographed in a revolutionary 3D process invented by the director himself. With these historic achievements in motion picture production, Cameron has become, in the words of Titanic‘s Jack, “King of the World.”

[TheRobloxianTacoLord]

James is a such a legend that when his agent told him that the Terminator 1 script was awful, he fired the agent almost immediately after that remark. Confidence is key.

[srik]

If you are into film making or even if you have a dream of some sort, I'd say this interview is worth every minute of your time . He is not only a film making genius but also a very insightful and inspiring human

[ronandrews]

Damn Cameron is rapid firing pearls of wisdom here.

[tolulawson]

So sad so many people tried to break him down and suppress him and keep him away from his great destiny. His story is inspirational...

[thenothing]

here i am at the age of 36, driving across america to southern california, living in my car, not a penny to my name but i’m finally chasing my dreams.

[jordiortega]

When there’s so many film artists that like to present themselves as “the chosen ones” or those born with the magic, then there’s this guy who basically is saying: you can do it, there is a process. James Cameron all the way.

[migol]

I never was a total fan of James Cameron movies... But damn, I did not think I'd learn so much from him in just one hour. I am completely sold.

[J.Arnold]

I watched the entire hour and six minutes of something I thought I was originally just going to skim through. I have a newfound respect for James Cameron.

[cannibalholocaust]

James just doesn’t BS, he doesn’t have to and doesn’t tolerate it in others. Singular drive and vision. Inspirational.

[mrragingphoenix]

I wanna be a musician and everything he says can be applied to it. What he says is a universal truth in every profession

[KushagraaDubeyy]

if you set your goals ridiculously high and its a failure, you will fail above everyone elses success
James Cameron

Just sums up who he is.

Also the quality of the questions were simply mind blowing.

[countys]

This is one of the best seminars on filmmaking I have ever seen, everything he says is golden save yourself 2-3 years of film school and just got out and fucking do it!

[ejeffreyhorn]

This video should be re-titled "James Cameron Interview on Life." Like most I have loved JC's films but have a new appreciation for the man.

[joshkidd]

Cameron gave an articulate, thoughtful interview. His leadership comments were very interesting (eg. choose your team well, inspire them then accept their result even if it doesn't coincide with the vision in your mind.)

[eaaeeeea]

It is so fascinating to me to listen to humble people that are smart, great storytellers and at the top of their field. Their life lessons can be quite universal.

[CannibalWHORE]

The beginning part of commitment is so true. You have to have 100 percent or nothing at all. No wonder he is one of the biggest directors ever

[mychalsimmons]

Thank you James. You made realize I was meant to do this. I was BORN TO DO THIS
Im 63 but Ive already been a platinum record producer songwriter I started out wanting to make movies and became a songwriter producer because I was also musically gifted. THANK YOU JAMES

[shootingblankzz]

Inspirational, even if you are not in the film industry, moral of the story, grab life by the balls, take risks, no one made millions by not taking risks, FACT

[tuveuxlademocratieoutuveux]

*I really dig this magnificent quality in this video, this is great !!!... The sound and image are absolutely gorgeous, it feels like you're litterally talking to the guy standing in front of you, and he's talking about his experience and thoughts on film-making and highly intelligent perspectives on things and life in general in the end... I mean this is what is commonly called "A Perfect Interview Video Example". Hence my thanking you like crazy for it. Love to you guys, whomever you may be.*

[LizNeptune]

It’s crazy because a lot of things that he thought and felt or things that I think and feel as an aspiring director… It definitely makes me feel like I’m on the right track and I’m not alone. Especially when he talked about seeing George Lucas make films that he wanted to make and that it made him want to get off his butt… I’m going through that right now and finally getting the ball rolling on my first budgeted short!