James Cameron: Challenging the Deep
Don't miss this major immersive exhibition that traces filmmaker James Cameron’s lifelong pursuit of and achievements in deep ocean science, technology and exploration, including his record-breaking dives in DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, the submersible vessel he co-designed, which was built in Sydney.
Experience how James Cameron’s passion for understanding and exploring our oceans has shone a light on the least known place on earth. The exhibition immerses you in an underwater environment using cinema-scale projections, artefacts and specimens from his expeditions.
Created by the National Maritime Museum Australia, this exhibition explores James Cameron’s passion and pursuits in deep ocean scientific, and technical innovations, creative achievements and his relationship between filmmaking and deep ocean exploration.
Visitors will see models, hand props and costumes from Cameron’s blockbuster film Titanic, including the dress worn by actress Kate Winslet’s character Rose, the iconic ‘Heart of the Ocean’ necklace and a copy of Jack’s sketches drawn by James Cameron himself.
Cameron is famous for essentially being a combination of inventor and director on most of his sets — for the first Avatar movie, for instance, he built a camera rig that let him see characters in their CG environments in real time as he was shooting. The use of 3D and motion capture effects can be found in many films. However, Cameron has taken motion capture to the next level during the production of the Avatar series.
Cameron didn’t just use this cutting-edge technology — he invented it. Cameron invented filming tools and techniques such as head rigs for performance capture, a digital stage called "volume," virtual cam and fusion cam, all of which made a significant contribution to the immersive experience for the audience. Cameron raised the bar for the next chapter of the Avatar franchise by moving the location to film under water, an immensely challenging hurdle — particularly when motion capture is involved.