MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best across a wide range of subjects, today announced that director James Cameron will teach a class on filmmaking. In his class, Cameron will give a behind-the-scenes look into his creative process and share with MasterClass members the principles and techniques that have shaped his iconic work. Cameron's class is now available exclusively on MasterClass, where subscribers get unlimited access to all 100+ instructors with an annual membership.
"Having directed two of the top three highest-grossing films of all time, there's no question the impact that Jim has had on both the film industry and film fans around the world," said David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass. "In his class, Jim takes our members behind the camera and, for the first time in his career, shares what he's learned in four decades of directing epic films."
Using specific scene breakdowns from his renowned films, including Aliens, The Terminator, Titanic and Avatar, Cameron teaches members how to identify stories that demand telling, build tension, create compelling characters—whether man, machine or alien—and harness technology to fully immerse audiences in imagined worlds. Cameron also offers practical advice that applies to all levels of film production, no matter the budget, big or small. Interlaced with intimate insights from his storied career, from how dreams inspire his work to lessons on leadership, Cameron's class will leave members inspired to share the insider knowledge they've learned with others and empowered to make their own movies.
"I've been directing films for almost four decades, and if there's one thing I've realized, it's that learning is a constant process," Cameron said. "Every filmmaker stands on the shoulders of the filmmakers who came before them, and I hope that my MasterClass will allow members to filter and develop my techniques through their own subjective lens and experiences."
Cameron's prominent filmmaking career has given the world many cinematic gifts, starting with the breakthrough box-office success of The Terminator in 1984. Following the mainstream hit with a string of celebrated science fiction action films, including Aliens and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Cameron wrote and directed the epic blockbuster film Titanic, which shattered all box-office records, nabbed 11 Academy Awards and became the highest-grossing movie of all time. Cameron then surpassed his own record with the 2009 sci-fi blockbuster hit Avatar, which blended live-action sequences with digitally captured performances in a 3D-generated world that blazed a trail for innovation in film technology and visual effects. As a three-time Academy Award winner and a six-time nominee, he's earned the rare achievement of having directed the first two of the five films in history to gross more than $2 billion worldwide. Cameron most recently executive-produced the National Geographic docu series Secrets of the Whales, and will release the long-awaited sequel Avatar 2 in December 2022.
About MasterClass Launched in 2015, MasterClass is the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best. With an annual membership, subscribers get unlimited access to 100+ instructors and classes across a wide range of subjects, including Arts & Entertainment, Business, Design & Style, Sports & Gaming, Writing and more. Step into Anna Wintour's office, Ron Finley's garden and Neil Gaiman's writing retreat. Get inspired by RuPaul, perfect your pitch with Shonda Rhimes and discover your inner negotiator with Chris Voss. Each class features about 20 video lessons, at an average of 10 minutes per lesson. You can learn on your own terms—in bite-size pieces or in a single binge. Cinematic visuals and close-up, hands-on demonstrations make you feel like you're one-on-one with the instructors, while the downloadable class companions help reinforce your learning. Stream thousands of lessons anywhere, anytime, on mobile, tablet, desktop, Apple TV®, Android™ TV, Amazon Fire TV® and Roku® players and devices.
