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Biography
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James Cameron was born on August 16, 1954, in Kapuskasing, Ontario, but grew up in nearby Niagara Falls, NY. In 1971 he moved to Brea, CA, where he worked as a truck driver while studying physics at a local college.
In 1977, at the age of 23, Cameron decided that he should make his own science fiction epics. The decision came after viewing George Lucas' 'Star Wars'. Cameron produced a short movie which got him some attention, and ended up joining Roger Corman in 1980 on the movie 'Battle Beyond the Stars'. After that he became second unit director when they went on to make 'Galaxy of Terror'.
Cameron wrote the script for 'The Terminator' in 1982 and, while waiting for financing, wrote 'Rambo: First Blood II' (with Sylvester Stallone) and a first draft of 'Aliens'. All three movies became hits, and Cameron got a go-ahead on the 'The Abyss' (1989). The spectacular special effects were not quite mature, and the original three-hour length too risky for the studio. Cameron had to cut and compromise. The movie got mixed reviews, and became a disappointment at the box office. He then decided to revive the Terminator story, with the help of William Wisher Jr.
'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991) went on to become one of the highest-grossing action movies of all time (exceeding $500 million world wide). Cameron reteamed with Schwarzenegger in 1994 to film the action-drama 'True Lies', which also went on to become a box office success. The solid record taught the studios to trust his judgement, and Cameron subsequently got to make his epic drama 'Titanic'. It premiered in December 1997 and quickly went on to become the most successful movie of all time, out-grossing 'Star Wars' and receiving a record 11 Oscars at the Academy Awards (1950 'Ben Hur' tie). |
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| Filmography: |
| 2002 True Lies 2 |
| 1997 Titanic |
| 1996 Terminator 2: 3-D |
| 1994 True Lies |
| 1991 Terminator 2: Judgment Day |
| 1989 The Abyss |
| 1986 Aliens |
| 1985 Rambo: First Blood Part II |
| 1984 The Terminator |
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| 1995 Strange Days (uncredited) |
| 1991 Point Break (uncredited) |
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| Recommended reading |
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James Cameron's Titanic
by Douglas Kirkland (Photographer), Ed W. Marsh, James Cameron
An illustrated book about the making of James Cameron's epic 'Titanic', from the initial dives to the ship wreck on the bottom of the Atlantic in 1995 (by James Cameron himself), to the recreation of the ship by thousands of artists and craftsmen for the filming of the movie in 1997. This book is filled with pictures and illustrations that will take you back to the movie, to Jack and Rose, and to the site where the drama was brought to life.
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