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James Cameron is a name that needs no introduction in Hollywood. Known for creating some of the most iconic films like Avatar, Titanic, and Terminator, the legendary director recently shared his thoughts on the future of filmmaking, particularly when it comes to the rise of AI technology. While he’s generally optimistic about the possibilities, he also has some important thoughts on how generative AI should be used in the creative process.
Cameron made an appearance on the Boz to the Future podcast, hosted by Andrew Bosworth, the Chief Technology Officer at Meta (formerly Facebook). During the conversation, Cameron expressed some reservations about AI tools that try to mimic specific directors’ styles.
He said, “I think we should discourage the text prompt that says, ‘in the style of James Cameron,’ or ‘in the style of Zack Snyder.’” Cameron acknowledged that the technology can produce some interesting results, especially when it helps replicate the work of filmmaking legends. But he pointed out that, as a filmmaker himself, he doesn’t want the creative process to simply be about copying others.
As the conversation continued, Cameron shared how he sometimes thinks in the style of other directors, too. For instance, he admitted that he often imagines making films in the style of Ridley Scott or Stanley Kubrick, two giants in the filmmaking world known for their unique approaches. “That’s my text prompt that runs in my head as a filmmaker,” he explained, showing how every director has their own personal influences and inspirations.
Cameron also mentioned his admiration for George Miller, the director behind Mad Max: Fury Road, explaining how he would love to create films with Miller’s distinct visual style: “wide lens, low, hauling ass, coming up into a tight close-up.”
The podcast also dove deeper into the topic of generative AI. For those who may not know, Cameron has been involved in the AI world since joining the board of Stability AI, the company behind the popular image model Stable Diffusion. Reflecting on how things have changed in the tech world, he said, “In the old days, I would have founded a company to figure it out.” But now, he’s learned that joining an established, competitive company is a better way to go. “I’ll join the board of a good, competitive company that’s got a good track record,” Cameron added.
In addition to his thoughts on AI, Cameron is currently working on the next installment of his Avatar franchise, titled Avatar: Fire and Ash, which is set to hit theaters in December.