James Cameron Discusses Na’vi Boobs

James Cameron Discusses Na’vi Boobs
by Dan Zinski of Lightly Buzzed
 

It never occurred to me that this was an issue, but apparently, some people are annoyed that the Na’vi have boobs, because technically the Na’vi aren’t mammals and therefore shouldn’t possess mammaries.  This whole quasi-controversy falls roughly under the heading of Stuff Know-it-All Geeks Whine About on IMDb Because What Else Are They Going to Fill Their Empty Hours With?, but nevertheless, James Cameron felt compelled to address it.  Speaking to James Lipton and his audience of film school students on a soon-to-be-aired Inside the Actors Studio, Cameron said the following about Na’vi boobage and why it exists:

Because this is a movie for human people.

That’s a much better answer than the one I might’ve expected.  You know, something along the lines of, “Well, you see, the Na’vi are actually descended from blahblahblah so the breasts are really vestigial blahblahblah and they still serve a decorative blahblahblah function…”  Thank you James Cameron for not insulting us by making up some crap just to placate the five nitwits who think this matters.  “People like boobs so we gave the Na’vi boobs” is more than sufficient.

Avatar... with Babies!

James Cameron's epic tells the story a baby given a adult/baby hybrid body, which he must pilot to learn the ways of the grown-up world.

Avatar... with Babies from The Midnight Show

Is the *Avatar* concept really possible?

Is the 'Avatar' concept really possible?
By Elizabeth Landau, CNN

(CNN) -- Now the highest-grossing film ever, "Avatar," has captivated millions of viewers with its picturesque scenery, extraterrestrial battles, and nature-loving, blue-skinned aliens.

The premise of the film is that humans can enter the world of these 10-foot aliens, called the Na'vi, by way of half-human, half-Na'vi hybrids. A high-tech interfacing mechanism allows a human to remain inert while controlling one of these avatar hybrids just by thinking.

Not only does the human manipulate the avatar's movements and speech, but he or she also experiences life -- every sensation, feeling and emotion -- through the eyes of the hybrid, as if consciousness were transferred.

Scientists say we are many decades, even centuries, away from making this kind of sophisticated interaction possible, if it can be done at all. But the fundamentals of components required to create this complicated system of mind-controlled avatars are already in the works, and have useful applications in medicine.

"We're starting to understand the basic building blocks, but the biggest challenges will be emotion and thought -- how to make another organism think what you think, to feel what you feel -- because those networks are much more difficult to sort out," said Dr. Brian Litt, associate professor of neurology and bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE ON CNN where they cover:
Moving remote objects by thinking
Uploading information
Understanding brain networks
Transferal of sensations and emotions
    

5 Possible Plots for Avatar 2

5 Possible Plots for Avatar 2 
2Blue 2Furious

By Hanso of Mania.com

James Cameron ain't in the movie failure-makin' business; he’s in the movie success-makin’ business. And cousin, business is a-boomin'. After stepping away from the game for 12 years, he finally delivered his latest epic, Avatar, and movie audiences around the world have answered with their wallets to the tune of over one billion dollars worldwide. That kind of cheddar can mean only one thing: sequel! We know that it’s coming, but with no official word on the sequel, we are left to wonder what is in store for the return trip to Pandora. The possibilities are endless but here are a few to make Avatar: 2Blue 2Furious even better than the original.

5. Avatar 2: A Na’vi Odyssey

James Cameron has gone on the record stating that he has envisioned the possible Avatar sequel taking place off Pandora and instead on one of the many moons orbiting the planet Polyphemus.  Under Cameron’s direction, there is no doubt that Polyphemus’s moons will be filled with great wonders and something amazing for the sight to see, but the fact is the audience already discovered a new world so why go through that again?  Besides, the Na’vi don’t need to be going off moon anyway, they got everything they need right in Pandora.  Is James Cameron’s idea to send Jake and Neytiri off Pandora on a search of a Macguffin? The idea could work as a start up point for the sequel but unless James Cameron has devised a way for the Na’vi to have conquered space travel via flying Ikrans (the banshees) his best bet seems for him to keep the sequel set in Pandora.

4. Avatar 2: A Fistful of Na’vi

First thing that is needed in the sequel is for the audience to get to know more about Jake’s tribe, the Omaticayan, because so far this is what we know about them:  they love nature, have a tribal chief, a shaman, hunters, sleep on hammocks and are constantly saying “I see you.”  It is essential that the sequel delves deeper into the Omaticayan culture because a lot of questions are still out there.  For example, what do the Omaticayan women do?  What happens to the guy that fails in capturing an Ikran? Is he the laughing stock of the tribe forced to wear a scarlett letter and live the rest of his life in shame?  What other roles besides hunters do the men play?  What is their average life span? How do they train their children for combat?  Do the different tribal face paints have meanings?  The Omaticaya look like they enjoy toking up the occasional magical herb, is that their drug of choice or do they prefer psychedelics? 

While the Omaticayans are being explored, a perfect opportunity arises for James Cameron to touch on some of the secrets of Pandora.  Like the Island on Lost, Pandora seems to possess mystical qualities.  We know it’s a sentient moon that can transfer people’s souls into other bodies, hear people’s prayers and control the local fauna but what else can it do?  Can it control the weather patterns? Can the mother brain that is the Tree of Souls be shut down? Can it send people back in time by the turn of a frozen donkey wheel?  We don’t know but Cameron does and he should take the time to address these things and allow the audience to have a better understanding of the world of Pandora and its inhabitants.

3. Avatar 2: Shakespeare in Na’vi

James Cameron has previously given us the Alien Queen and the T-100 so he knows a key factor for the sequel to be a success is a better class of villain. Avatar gave us Miles Quaritch who was 100 percent pure bad ass as the main villain but he was kind of a one note type of guy.  The sequel needs to up the ante villainwise and this time he should be a native that is causing conflict from within the tribe. Avatar 2 needs a character like Shakespeare’s Iago.  Let’s take a look at the following fact.  Jake Sully is an outsider who benefited from the deaths of Eytucan and Tsu Tey, in order to assume leadership of the Omaticaya. With that in mind, who better to be the sequel’s villain than the guy second in line to assume leadership prior to Jake’s arrival?  Think about it, here is a guy that has forgotten more things about Pandora and the Omaticaya than Jake has learned, with Eytucan and Tsu Tey dead it’s his time to become tribal chief but somehow gets screwed over because Jake Sully came riding in a big fancy scary red dragon. So now you have this character that didn’t get the promotion he views is rightfully his, has an inferiority complex because he only has four fingers while Jake has five and to top it off he is upset that Jake gets to do the no-pants dance with the hottest chick in the tribe, under the Tree of Souls while he has to settle for an ugly chic and a hammock up in a tree.  The motives are clearly in place to set up a more complex villain this time around, one that quietly creates discord among Jake and Neytiri by playing off their weaknesses, proceeds to manipulate tribe members into setting off a civil war and doing it all under the guise of friendship.

2. Avatar 2: Full Metal Na’vi

Aside from a great villain, the sequel to Avatar also needs WAR!  Towards the end of Avatar, James Cameron introduced a few more Na’vi tribes like the water tribe and the plains tribe.  With the Omaticaya being the Earth tribe, one has to wonder if there are also fire and wind tribes and if with all these tribes’ powers combined they can summon Captain Planet.  Interesting but not as interesting as getting to know these tribes and how they feel about each other.  Yes they were all friends at the end of Avatar but that was because they had a common enemy who was threatening their home.  Now that the humans have been taken care of, it’s back to straight up hating amongst the tribes.  Come on, not one tribe is jealous that the Omaticaya get to chill out under the Tree of Souls?  Sure the water tribe has some nice beach front property but you know the tribe out on the plains must be pissed as hell all they got stuck with nothing.

If Pandora real estate isn’t a good reason for war, there is always religion.  Eywa can’t be the only goddess in Pandora can it?  The tribes out by the ocean probably pray to a water god which lends its self perfectly for some tribe vs. tribe war over religious beliefs.  The reason for war is not important here, what is important is that there is war. An all out war spread across the different regions of Pandora would provide James Cameron plenty of kick ass action sequences that would put the ending battle of Avatar to shame.  We already got machines vs. nature; the sequel must now provide us with nature vs. nature.  How cool would it be to see the Na’vi riding Ikrans waging war against each other in a massive air battle?  Better yet if they fight against the water tribe it’s a chance to put on the screen some new dangerous sea creatures that engage in epic underwater battles the likes of which have never been seen! 

1. Avatar 2: The Phantom Menace

Finally, tying up all these different ideas and scenarios would be the RDA Corporation. You didn’t think we’ve seen the last of them did you? When last we saw them they were running back to Earth with their tails between their legs. RDA can’t go out getting punked like that because there is too much money to be made off unobtatium for them not to return to Pandora. The sequel would feature the return of the corporation with a lesser role but no less the evil. 

Knowing that Pandora can simply summon all its living creatures to kick some ass, the corporation would simply borrow a page from the Senator Palpatine playbook and play in the shadows. They would be the ones responsible for approaching the film’s main villain using his desire for power has a way to push for the civil war that would distract the Na’vi enough for them to be able to obtain their goal. What is their goal? Shutting down the Tree of Souls so they can wage war against the Na’vi without Pandora interfering. This leads to something also needed in the sequel, a downer of an ending that sets up part 3. Avatar 2 would end with the Tree of Souls temporarily shut down, the Na’vi numbers dwindling due to the civil war and the RDA Corporation stepping out from behind the curtain with Pandora’s demise at its grasp. 

Make it so Cameron, make it so.

[VIA HANSO on Mania.com]

Need more Hanso and Avatar? Then read: 4 Reasons Why Avatar Will Own, Son!

Inside the Avatar Studio Panel Discussion - "Avatar" at Rockcliffe University - Filmed by Rezzed.tv

Inside the Avatar Studio – "Avatar" Panel Discussion

January 5, 2009 – Avatar the Movie

The visual appeal of the movie “Avatar” has taken away the breath of just about everyone who has seen the film. The movie is an ultimate example of a graphic novel brought to life. Our panelists discuss which implications “Avatar” will have as virtual worlds continue to gain traction and what future avatars may gain from the stunning futuristic vision James Cameron has offered up… Inside The Avatar Studio.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast (hd): Play in new window | Download

Panelists
Beyers Sellers/Robert Bloomfield – Metanomics Host, Cornell University
Dirk Talamasca – Virtual Real Estate Developer, Builder
Doubledown Tandino – Social media marketing, Second Life specialist, music, and DJ
Botgirl Questi – A beautiful thought experiment personified through the imagined perspective of a self - aware avatar.

References:

Thoughts on How The Avatar Film Relates to Avatars in Virtual Worlds by Botgirl Questi -
http://botgirl.blogspot.com/2009/12/thoughts-on-how-avatar-film-relates-to.html

I Saw Avatar Today by Doubledown Tandino - http://djdoubledown.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-saw-avatar-today-my-review-it-blew-me.html

James Cameron’s Avatar is about Transhumanism http://secondtense.blogspot.com/2009/12/james-camerons-avatar-is-about.html

Avatar Review : Yes it Changed Everything - http://gizmodook.com/5429424/avatar-review-yes-it-changed-everything-after-all

Understanding Interaction in Virtual Worlds http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/uon-uii122309.php#
 

5 Ways to Capitalize on James Cameron's "Avatar" in Virtual Worlds

Ever since James Cameron's "Avatar" hit the theaters, metaverse users have been finding ways to incorporate his movie into virtual worlds.  As I mentioned yesterday, many are jumping on the boat and turning blue to ride the "Avatar" coat-tails.  It seems that all you need to do is turn whatever you were selling into the color blue, and you've got yourself a Genuine Authentic Official Pandora-Na'Vi-Avatar thingamabob.

Massively wrote a great follow-up on this hoopla called "The Sea Monkey experience of Avatars"

"Virtual environments can be beautiful, can exhibit grace, and can be immersive and fascinating and useful in all sorts of different ways ... but if you've got the 'Avatar blues', it's like buying Sea Monkeys and getting Artemia salina × nyos.

We don't expect actual user-retention in any virtual environment to rise significantly in the wake of this. We expect that the number of retained Pandora-piners will be about the same percentage as retention for pretty much any other general demographic. Sea Monkeys can be pretty awesome, make no mistake. They just might not be what you really want.

In the meantime, there's a lot of designers across several virtual environments who are making a lot of money copying skins, designs and settings from the film."

Here is my list of 5 ways you can try to make a buttload of cash by riding the blue glowing wave of "Avatar" and it's popularity.

1) Turn the crap you were selling into the color blue (and make it glow!).

That's right... any content you were selling before can now be official Na'vi "Avatar" content by changing it to the color blue, making it glow, and by changing the title of the object.   Look, I did it here:

What was once a wood box called "Object" is now

an Official "Avatar" glowing blue prim called:

"Pandora's Box" ... on sale now....

(If you would like the x-rated version, 

these Na'vi prims are also for sale at Zindra, 

coincidentally also named "Pandora's Box")

2) Change the avatar skins you were selling to the color blue.

If you were a skin designer or avatar designer, all you have to do is add blue versions to your product line... and of course, call those skins "Na'vi"

Hot "Avatar" tail.... mmm...

In case the designers out there are wondering, the code for Na'vi skin is

H: 203  |  S: 63  |  B: 69  |  R: 66  |  G:  134  |  B:  177

3) Create a Na'vi role-player group. Then create a role-player test in order to gain exclusive entry.

Similar to the Bloodlines business model:  Create a role-player group, something like Na'vi of Second Life or Pandora Roleplay. Then, in order for avatars to become official members of the Na'vi role-player clan, they will have to shop and purchase the Na'vi avatars, and Pandora pixels in order to gain exclusive access into the group.

"I just need to buy 10 more spirits from the Sacred Tree of Souls, 

then I know they'll let me in."

4) Redesign the spaceship you were selling to look like the mercenary helicopters from the movie.

Remember that rocket ship or helicopter you once made?  Well strap on two large ceiling fans to the side, and now you have a human mercenary ship from the movie ready to be sold.

 

5) Advertise on your website (and make sure the ad has a picture of a blue avatar in it).

Finally, of course.... keep plugging! Advertise the blue.  Ride the blue wave.  Anything that is blue and says "avatar" on it is a gold mine in clicks

---

Although this blog post is meant to be tongue-and-cheek, I am also trying to point out that the creativity and imagination within a virtual world, and within people's minds, can be limitless. The new "Avatar" designs appearing in Second Life are quite detailed and expertly crafted. For example, "Pandora - Na'vi ' Planet Avatar" on the Pegase sim did a great job.

However, Second Life is practically limitless.  Second Life has been around for 6 years!!  Anything can be created, and usually, anything and everything IS created....  but, don't sell yourself short by jumping on the "Avatar" Na'vi bandwagon.  "Avatar" is James Cameron's brain-child.  Why copy it?  Why not create a world of your own using Second Life (or Open Sim, or any virtual world platform) to explore your own creative, artistic, and imaginative ideas?  Sure, the movie "Avatar" is hot right now, but it's only one of many options.  Use your own brain power to create, and not to copy and sell.

Panel Discussion on the film "Avatar" at Inside the Avatar Studio at Rockcliffe University in Second Life - Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 - 3pm SLT

Jan 5th 2010  -  3:00-4:30 PM PST

Rockcliffe University : Inside the Avatar Studio
Corrimal Hall, Rockcliffe X
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20X/200/200/30

(Event on Facebook Link)

The visual appeal of the movie "Avatar" has taken away the breath of just about everyone who has seen the film. The movie is an ultimate example of a graphic novel brought to life.

Join us as our panelists discuss which implications "Avatar" will have as virtual worlds continue to gain traction and what future avatars may gain from the stunning futuristic vision James Cameron has offered up... Inside The Avatar Studio.

This event will be filmed live by Stuart Warf of Rezzed TV.
(for those not able to attend the panel discussion live in Second Life, there will be a taping of the event. I will make sure to announce when the taped version is available on the net.)

Facilitated by Phelan Corrimal/Kevin Feenan - Dean of Rockcliffe University

Panelists:

Beyers Sellers/Robert Bloomfield - Metanomics Host, Cornell University

Dirk Talamasca - Virtual Real Estate Developer, Builder

Doubledown Tandino - Social media marketing, Second Life specialist, musician, and DJ

Botgirl Questi's human avatar, fourworlds Ra - A beautiful thought experiment personified through the imagined perspective of a self-aware avatar.

References:

Thoughts on How The Avatar Film Relates to Avatars in Virtual Worlds by Botgirl Questi -
http://botgirl.blogspot.com/2009/12/thoughts-on-how-avatar-film-relates-to.html

I Saw Avatar Today and it Blew Me Away by Doubledown Tandino -
http://djdoubledown.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-saw-avatar-today-my-review-it-blew-me.html

James Cameron's Avatar is about Transhumanism -
http://secondtense.blogspot.com/2009/12/james-camerons-avatar-is-about.html

Gizmodo Avatar Review : Yes it Changed Everything -
http://gizmodo.com/5429424/avatar-review-yes-it-changed-everything-after-all

Understanding Interaction in Virtual Worlds  -
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/uon-uii122309.php#

UPDATE POST by Botgirl: Avatars on Avatar. Narrative vs. Meaning.

Timelapse Aerosol Graffiti Video to Promote James Cameron's Avatar

Timelapse aerosol graffiti by probs from End of the Line

Promotional video for Avatar - commissioned by Casio and 20th Century Fox for the new James Cameron blockbuster.

Casio and 20th Century Fox teamed up with End of the line's biggest artist Probs to execute something truly spectacular on the exterior of the Casio store. Filmed over three days, crowds of tourists witnessed the transformation of the Carnaby Street flagship store into Pandora.

Avatar marks the return to the big screen for James Cameron, the director of Aliens and Terminator 1 & 2. It is shaping up to be the Biggest blockbuster of them all, filmed entirely in 3D with revolutionary cgi and special effects.

Produced by End Of The Line, Painted by Probs
youwillfindus@theendoftheline.net

Filmed by Toby Skills
Music by Lazy Habits "Sanity for Sanctuary"

http://www.theendoftheline.net
http://www.casio.co.uk/avatar
http://www.avatarmovie.com/
http://www.lazyhabits.co.uk
http://www.tobysummerskill.com

I saw "Avatar" today. My review: It blew me Away!

James Cameron's "Avatar" is one of the most monumental films of this decade, and decades to come. Some may not realize it yet as to why, but, trust me, this movie will be so important for years.  It's on the same caliber of movie as Citizen Kane, Dances with Wolves, and Schlindler's List.

The visual effects and colors were the most magnificent I have EVER seen in a movie (the only movie that even comes close in color is a short segment in the movie "What Dreams May Come"). The 3D technology was brilliant, and the movie was not about trying to make sight gags using the 3D. 

Aside from the technical aspects being phenomenal and innovative, and the visual beauty, the story has so many layers and meanings to our real lives.

There are comparisons, undertones, symbolism, parallels and metaphors that strike deep into the core of any human viewer. Our societies, our races, our world; it hits home.  This movie has so many layers to it. ( I will not reveal anything, so I do not spoil it for anyone.  I don't want to reveal what I picked up from watching the movie.  You will want to go in fresh and absorb on your own. )


James Cameron spent $500 million on it, and it is worth every penny.

This movie is an epic brilliant masterpiece of this century. You may not realize it when you walk out of the theater... but this movie is going to be so important to the entire movie industry, and will last as one of the greatest movies ever made.

You NEED to see this film in the theater and in 3D.   Do not wait for the DVD.


UPDATE:  This Avatar review arrived on Gizmodo:  

Avatar Review: Yes, It Changed Everything After All

This review is a much better write-up on exactly what I am trying to relay in my review.  I am not a movie reviewer, but this review is what I was trying to say.


The point is,  whatever you've heard, or read, or seen in previews, it's nothing in comparison to what the movie actually IS.

Avatar Opens in theaters today - Here's the concept on notebook paper from 1998

Avatar is an upcoming movie directed by James Cameron that will be a big hit with furries and people who don't know what the movie is about.

Coming in 2011: Jupiter Cats

Just The Facts

1. Avatar is James Cameron's first full-length movie since Titanic
2. Avatar is rumored to be the most expensive film ever, at $313 million
3. Makes use of new simulated 3D environments
4. It's hard not to be unsettled by the furry creatures

Cracked on Avatar

The king of the world is back in business! After directing the highest-grossing, most Oscar winning film in history, James Cameron returns to the film industry 12 years later with a film he thinks will change the world. It makes use of all new CGI-technology, including new 3D cameras, meaning that Cameron can basically create an entire animated world and then use cameras to film from specific angles in the fake environment. For us, Avatar probably won't change anything other than our pants, which will become shitstained after watching it. Seriously, look at this screenshot from Avatar and try not to violently defecate in your pants.

We're not sure if its whether the movie looks really good or really cheesy-bad, but there is something about the hype and mystique surrounding Avatar that just can't keep our pants clean. Maybe its the fact that the director of Aliens and Terminator 2 is returning to the sci-fi genre that keeps us interested. Maybe its the gentle, passionate furry love story guns, guns, war, explosions and guns (manly guns) that makes us feel warm and fuzzy manly and powerful.

[Note: At this point, original CRACKED contributor was fired because all of his jokes were about poop and furries. CRACKED hired a new contributor, to finish the topic page on Avatar with a higher level of sophistication. We apologize for the immature first section.]

Ahem.

Avatar tells the story of a Marine, Jake Sully, who was confined to a wheelchair after being injured in combat. He enlists in the new Avatar program, which seeks to combine humans with Na'vi, mystical fox-like creatures that live on Pandora, one of Earth's new moons. Then somehow an epic war starts that decides the fate of the world. Just like every other blockbuster ever released. Avatar has been promoted as "the single most complex piece of filmmaking ever made", "beyond the cutting edge", "the film event of its release day".

However, Avatar has come under some criticism for what is perceived, based on the trailer at least, to be not-revolutionary CGI.

Despite the ridiculed trailer, critics are raving, and it currently stands in the 90 range on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus seems to be that although Avatar's story and characters aren't original, the breathtaking special effects make the plot seem refreshed. In particular, critics can't seem to get enough of how color is used on the island of Pandora, offering insights such as "Dude, the colors are like... woooooahh, man" and "Oh man, bro I just might shit my p-".

Avatar Videos

Avatar Trailer

[via Cracked]

James Cameron's "Avatar" - Feature Film and Imax Coming in December 2009

Let's hope in the next coming days, there's going to be a movie trailer for James Cameron's latest film, "Avatar" currently in post-production. The release of the film is set for December.

Announced by Cameron on May 30th, 2009: "Avatar" will be made in two formats, one being for IMAX screens.

The First look at Avatar concept art, Cameron says film "will blow people away"

In the mix as well is James Cameron's "Avatar" the Game

From the press release:

The video game will take you deep into the heart of Pandora, an alien planet that is beyond imagination. Gamers will encounter the Na'vi, Pandora's indigenous people and discover other life forms the likes of which have never been seen in the world of video games before. When conflict erupts between the RDA Corporation, a space-faring consortium in search of valuable resources, and the Na'vi, gamers will find themselves thrust into a fight for the heart of a planet and the fate of a civilization.

Fight for you cause; RDA or Na'vi. Customize more than 60 RDA and Na'vi weapons, combined. Choose your skills: 20 for each clan. Drive all of the vehicles and ride the animals. Expand the battleground in online multiplayer.

"Avatar" by James Cameron is anticipated by many to help ignite interest in Second Life."
says @CosmicAdTech

More News on "Avatar" the movie and the production: HERE

The cast:

	Sam Worthington	...	Jake Sully
	Sigourney Weaver	...	Dr. Grace Augustine
	Michelle Rodriguez	...	Trudy Chacon
	Zoe Saldana	...	Neytiri
	Giovanni Ribisi	...	Selfridge

Plot synopsis:
In a distant future, humanity discovers the planet 'Alpha Centauri B-4', and for those scientists and astronauts who've traversed the gulf between neighboring suns and arrived on its alien soil know it as 'Pandora'. A world filled with an incredible diversity of beautiful and deadly ammonia-breathing lifeforms. Its also a world that harbors treasures and resources almost beyond price. But just as the original Pandora's Box wrought devastation on those who would use it for their own gain, so too this world may destroy not just the Pandorans home, but ours as well.

Avatar is the story of a wounded ex-marine, thrust unwillingly into an effort to settle and exploit an exotic planet rich in bio-diversity, who eventually crosses over to lead the indigenous race in a battle for survival.