James Cameron admits he's an asshole?

[JoBlo]

We've all heard the rumors about director James Cameron being a friggin' prick on his own movie sets, but here it comes straight from the horse's mouth. What do you guys think? Is he a ball-busting a-hole or just a guy who cares very deeply about the work that he's doing and expects the same from everyone around him? The article was taken from the IMDB (http://us.imdb.com).

Work With Cameron Is Not All Clear Sailing

Titanic director James Cameron insists he's no ogre but admits tempers do flair on his film sets. The moviemaker believes that creating an easy-going working environment ultimately leads to a below average film, so he thinks it's only right to spice things up a bit. Cameron says, "Do I have zero temper? I would say no - I'm not Ron Howard! But I'm not Otto Preminger either. I'm pretty intense, but it's more of an issue if you're trying to put on a great show for people, so you shouldn't be d****** around and settling for second-best. I would say two-thirds of the people I work with are inspired by that challenge and are attracted to it, and the other third say, 'You know what? I'm just trying to make my house payments. And that's fine too - they'll wind up not working on my next movie, usually by mutual assent. I think that's the thing that's wrong about the hype is that I don't believe I'm ever mean- spirited. I don't just like f****** with people, for example. I would say I'm not the easiest person to work with, but where does it say that good stuff comes from easy working situations? I don't think it does. Unless you're doing a sitcom, and it's the same people every week, and they sit around and have some cappuccinos and knock out the show. Frankly that's not interesting."

[Lady Summerisle]

No, not an asshole, but hes just telling people if you want to work with him you HAVE TO WORK!

There is nothing wrong with that, because as a director he has gotten good work from the likes of Michael Biehn, Ed Harris, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen, Jamie Lee Curtis, etc...

Cameron is a director like Stanley Kubrick, he knows what he wants.

Plus he could whup Paul Anderson's (Soldier, Resident Evil) ass if it came down to the two.

Take into account the many actors who've been employed many times by Cameron, and who have gone onto bigger things that brought them into public consciousness.

One caveat: Cameron worked best when he had smaller pictures to do, like TERMINATOR. TITANIC was mediocre if you pull apart the dialogue and some of the actors.

[Beeblebrox]

Is he a ball-busting a-hole or just a guy who cares very deeply about the work that he's doing and expects the same from everyone around him?

He's both.

That's Cameron's style and he's entitled to it. It certainly works for him. But the idea that being an asshole is somehow required to get good work out of people is absurd. Guys like Spielberg and Scorcese have reputations for being relatively nice but still manage to turn out pretty decent films.

[quoth_the_raven]

Originally posted by Beeblebrox
He's both.

That's Cameron's style and he's entitled to it. It certainly works for him. But the idea that being an asshole is somehow required to get good work out of people is absurd. Guys like Spielberg and Scorcese have reputations for being relatively nice but still manage to turn out pretty decent films.


seconded.

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by Beeblebrox
He's both.

That's Cameron's style and he's entitled to it. It certainly works for him. But the idea that being an asshole is somehow required to get good work out of people is absurd. Guys like Spielberg and Scorcese have reputations for being relatively nice but still manage to turn out pretty decent films.

I think that's twice we've agreed, Beeblebrox.

[Scarface98.9]

I could see why he'd be a dick to get what he wants. If being a sometimes prick to get what you need works, by all means run with it. He's certainly got the money to prove it's been somewhat successful

[FeydRautha]

Originally posted by Lady Summerisle
Cameron is a director like Stanley Kubrick, he knows what he wants.

He's like another director I know, Brian De Palma. Both Cameron & De Palma might work their cast and crew like horses, but they both achieve the desired result...a superbly good-looking and well-acted film.

To answer Jo's question, yes I've heard from friends in the biz that Cameron does bust a lot of balls on set, when he's working, but off-set he's the nicest guy you could ever wish to meet. He's just very intense when he's on the job, probably because (I'm assuming here) he knows that at the end of the day his name's going to be attached to the film title, and he wants that film to be excellent.

[Bullet Tooth Tony]

I always compare Cameron to Oliver Stone. They can be assholes on set, but sometimes you have to be to get the movie finished. People may not like it but it gets results.

[JustinKing665]

Well, that's his style, and most of his films turn otu to be pretty decent, unlike other directors who will settle for some half-assed romantic comedy for a quick paycheck.

[Milhouse]

You can look at it this way. Maybe since he did one of those Pirahna movies9cant remember which one) he decided that he wasnt going to take any shit anymore and if he has to be a prick to get the movie done right(espec since people usually blame a bad movie on either the director/producer/star actor or all of them) then hell might as well get it dont the way you want it if your gonna take the blame.

I can say one thing. I am a very upfront person, altho not an actor but if I was I would rather work for someone like cameron who calls me for my bullshit(an from what I have read with Arnold takes it as well) and at least put out are best work ever than someone who doesnt speak up nor allow it.

Trust me, guys like cameron will call you on your bullshit and demand the best that you dont know you had and he can take it too, and he will and so will you respect each other more at the end of the day.

I'll give you guys a scenario. I worked at a zoo as a kid(jo blo may know this zoo its near the Quebec US border) Anyways the boss I had told me I was too fat and slow and would not last. By summers end and the next summer I not only lasted(plus I was always honest and point blank with him, even his sons were afraid of him but I had dick to lose) I was mowing his own lawn and getting offered cokes and beers by his wife and had his respect. The guy ended up treating me like a son/grandson(and no not for stupid motives). He worked me hard and sometimes I thought I would quit and I wasnt afraid to tell him what I thought. In the end my work was never better in my life and I had his respect.

I musta had a good respect from the guy who treated me so harsh as he was upset that I wasnt coming back the next summer most likely(Ie I earned his respect)

All I am saying is everyone is different, just learn to adapt. sometimes the ppl you think are the biggest assholes arent and are just the thing you need to make the most of what you have to offer.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Originally posted by quoth_the_raven
seconded.

Thirdeded...:D

[Indiana Sev]

I admit I'm an asshole!

Can I get an Oscar too.:p

[quoth_the_raven]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev


Can I get an Oscar too.:p

hmmm....no!

:D:D

[James Logan]

Originally posted by Beeblebrox
He's both.

That's Cameron's style and he's entitled to it. It certainly works for him. But the idea that being an asshole is somehow required to get good work out of people is absurd. Guys like Spielberg and Scorcese have reputations for being relatively nice but still manage to turn out pretty decent films.

Agreed, like most people in the thread.

[Jon Lyrik]

I don't know, I haven't met the guy.

[radikill]

Here's your Oscar, Sev:

http://www.lukeletters.com/imagesbirthday/oscar.jpg

:D

[Tagia_Romero]

Originally posted by Lady Summerisle
No, not an asshole, but hes just telling people if you want to work with him you HAVE TO WORK!

There is nothing wrong with that, because as a director he has gotten good work from the likes of Michael Biehn, Ed Harris, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen, Jamie Lee Curtis, etc...

Cameron is a director like Stanley Kubrick, he knows what he wants.

Plus he could whup Paul Anderson's (Soldier, Resident Evil) ass if it came down to the two.

Take into account the many actors who've been employed many times by Cameron, and who have gone onto bigger things that brought them into public consciousness.

One caveat: Cameron worked best when he had smaller pictures to do, like TERMINATOR. TITANIC was mediocre if you pull apart the dialogue and some of the actors.

True, directors who know what they want are great compared to those who continuously can't make up their minds.

Though I myself enjoyed "Titanic" especially Kathy Bates as Molly Brown. Though yeah, it was really lauded up.

[NobodySpecial]

I met him once in passing, and he seemed like a perfectly nice guy to me.

Can't say the same for Oscar the Grouch, though. :)