In their 'Directors on Directors' conversation, Greta Gerwig ('Barbie') and James Cameron ('Avatar: The Way of Water') discuss their process of writing, developing and painting with a large canvas.
Presented by AMERICAN FICTION.
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Love how every interview with Jim is with him inside his man-cave surrounded by monitors with Sea themes lol
It’s not a man cave it’s a submarine
Wow Awesome @@jeradjenkins2110
"Jim, what was the blue mood LED lighting budget on Avatar 2?" "Why do you think we needed to crack 2 billy?"
Like he died years ago and we’re interacting now with his AI
lol
Its sweet how much I really feel that Jim respects and admires her. Both great film makers.
I remember at the 2010 Oscars, Avatar was up for best director against The Hurt Locker, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, his ex-wife. When her name was announced as the winner, you could see a genuine cheer and look of pride as he applauded and watched her walk on stage. I have no idea about their actual relationship but I thought that was cool to see.
I’ve always loved him but oh my goodness I have a whole different kind of respect and adoration for him after this interview. That said it’s easy to forget but he’s ALWAYS been about Girl Power. From Ripley to Sarah Connor to Rose. The man obviously believes in strong women and strong women love him for it. My favorite one of these interviews ever. ❤😊❤
I agree. A genuine exchange of views in their crafts. Wonderful conversation between peers.
Still don't get why the hell Nolan isn't here.
@@cameronharrington6813 tbf Nolan isn't really into these social media type interviews for some reason. But it would be cool to see
Every interview with James Cameron is a like a masterclass in film
it really is. i could watch these interviews endlessly
I love how he lets her shine,not imposing any kind of ego as if he made only one or two little films. Love him!
He knows this is her campaign, he has no stake in awards season this year, just proves that he is rooting for her.
@@SamBryans128 yep he keeps doing these because he loves film and loves talking about film with other directors he respects. and we the audience benefit lol
He is an excellent director's interviewer in this
She is the most honest and genuine person working in Hollywood. She never bullshit's or tries to give the "correct" answer.
Are we talking bout the women who got into a relationship with a married man while his then wife was pregnant? Lol
@@ellieg91 thats false. his wife had the baby in 2010. geriwg and baumbach didnt start dating until AFTER they finsihed making frances ha. that would be 2011/2012 era.
@@Ella-gb7no whatever makes you happy
@@Ella-gb7nothey did Greenberg together in 2010 just saying
@ellieg91 the truth makes us happy.
Greta is great! I had the privilege to work on Barbie. I was on the prop making side of things. It was such an interesting project behind the scenes. The theatrical techniques, the miniatures, all the way through to the use of Lidar and full body scanning. The general kindness and positivity emanating from Greta, Margot and the core team made it so much fun. I used to go along to the Sunday morning cast and crew screenings in Notting Hill. We got to see many of the films that were sources of inspiration for the Barbie film, 2001 A Space Odyssey, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Saturday Night Fever etc... Such a good project.
I only had a brief period in film (also prop making) and Omg how fun to just make things!!! Must have been amaaazing to work in props or set design on Barbie.
I imagine being good friends with Greta
I’m excited to see where Gerwig’s career goes. She’s very talented. Great conversation.
Nothing says talent like a man hating doll movie and yet another remake of little women
@@poocrayon4588 must be exhausting hating such a successful universally loved director. I hope it gets easier for you.
@@poocrayon4588 What man hating movie would make the men overtake the women the moment they decide they want to take over? And Ken is literally the best part of that movie (although unintentionally, Gosling is just that good). It quite literally proves that men are better than women in every way, and yet we still need eachother, I don't get why you would hate that.
@@poocrayon4588 Shut your hole
@@poocrayon4588 bad day?
Brilliant conversation. Authentic. They “listened” to each other! Their responses, remarks, questions were clearly connected to the flow of their conversation. Genuine admiration. Ms. Gerwig clearly has deep understanding of, knowledge of the history of cinema. A privilege. Thank you Mr. Cameron, Ms. Gerwig, Variety. Well done!
That's so refreshing! I love seeing that.
Variety, you have really hit your stride with the platform you have built. Fantastic insights from "Directors on Directors" and "Actors on Actors." There's something incredibly interesting watching creative people at the top of their game get to interact honestly and earnestly.
Seriously. They should just pivot to prioritize this kind of content and media. These are better than any podcast or regular YT video. Directors on Directors. Actors on Actors. Musicians on Musicians?
Would love to see a DP on DP or Soundguy on Soundguy tbh
A fantastic pairing! The writers perspective from a directors perspective. Really enjoyed this.
00:02 Writing process feeding into directing, and the reliance on the script. 02:25 Balancing openness with preparedness in directing 06:33 Directing is a collaborative process 08:35 Directors need to find authenticity and connection in their unique perspective as an artist. 13:03 Greta Gerwig initially tends to start her projects by writing and considering someone else to direct. 14:58 Directors constantly learn, evolve, and seek improvement. 19:03 Challenges force growth and creativity 20:55 Memorizing great writers' rhythms helped with acting and directing. 24:57 Greta wrote the character of Noah in 'Barbie' specifically for Ryan Gosling. 27:03 Greta aims to create heartfelt and emotional experiences for the audience. 31:04 Projecting contradictions onto characters allows for deep exploration 33:13 Greta Gerwig wanted a huge and lively aesthetic for her movie, reminiscent of 50s and 60s musicals. 37:34 Having access to the size of the canvas leads to internal creative freedom 39:35 Directors sometimes need to compromise
Thank you for this
Yeah! This was such a rich and useful interview... on so many levels Thanks for taking the time
God bless you
~10:50 James Cameron: “How many tickets do I need to sell to break even and what’s percentage of population is that? Usually around 2%. If I can get 2% of population happy with this movie…”❤❤❤
Thanks, mate. Are you into directing, trying to direct or just interested in knowing?
So is he dialing in from a sub? :D So wonderful to see these 2 great directors in conversation! Greta really has "made it" and is right up there with the experienced directors!
that's honestly crazy if so
No he lives in New Zealand and is on post production for Avatar 3 lol
This was so insane to watch, this series is blowing my mind. Outstanding.
Hearing James Cameron speak for a few hours is more useful than any film degree.
It is always amazing to watch Cameron talk to "newer" directors as he is one of the most prolific directors for many decades. I love the back and forth they do as they are getting into the questions. Can't wait to see more from Greta Gerwig and Cameron for that matter.
Cameron is seeing from some people on the industry as a blockbuster maker, but he is also an author.
There aren’t many artists that can be completely authorial and incredibly successful at the box office at the same time. Cameron is literally at the top of his industry, yet he’s always an author in his movies. He makes movies because he WANTS to do them. He’s just amazing, definitely one of the greatest director in the medium.
Do you mean an auteur or an author?
@@illogical001 neither
@@manoloortiz5175 I’m so confused🤣
@@illogical001 Auteur when it comes to Avatar, author when it comes to Titanic, The Terminator, The Abyss, True Lies.
I love that Cameron couldn’t step away from his Avatar man cave for this 😂 Two of the best working right now making such vastly different films. I love to see combinations like this on this series.
This is a spectacular pairing. So much enthusiasm and understanding between them. What an incredibly engaging conversation.
WOW james really gave the whole spotlight to Greta. Like he was so tired of talking about himself in interview and now he wanted the audience to see the young prominent director as Greta
Great conversation. Two directors in different stages of their careers who make very different films and have different sensibilities, but are able to speak to each other as peers, find their similarities, and can relate philosophically to each other.
This conversation is a gem. Thank you for this.
James Cameron is just brilliant. A genius. I don't care if I like his films or not. He is SUCH a gifted teacher. He has 3 times more knowledge than Ms. Gerwig, but he's able to connect w/her & talk shop as directors. Amazing!
My childhood favorite director with my adulthood favorite director. Thank you so much for this pair Variety. You brought Christmas early ❤
Greta's your favorite director now? that's sick. great taste
@@valeyard6650nah that’s cringe. She has 3 movies and theyre all okay at best.
@@MegaUtube99 calling little women "okay at best" is craaaazy
@@peachpringleLady Bird is her best film and even that, is a 7 or 8 at best
Frances Ha is a masterpiece
It's interesting that this is Directors on Directors, but mostly they talk about their writing
They are incredible directors but they are more phenomenal writer in my mind(especially Gretta)
@@thelordkk512agreed
They mostly talk about Barbie. I would have liked to hear more about the process of making Avatar 2.
@@gusandthetv we need part 2 omg can you imaginee, i could hear them converse all day
@@gusandthetv yeah me too cause that franchise is such an interesting and unique. The whole thing stands because of Cameron
Learned so much about how they write. So many nuggets in this almost didn't notice the sound. I think Variety has the best programs on KZhead.
I could listen to Jim all day. One of the unanimous GOATs of film. Cinematic genius.
Totally agree! Not sure what he’s like in person but as a director he’s a genius
This was so wholesome, i loved it so much, just listening to them, their love for movies and also what it takes, the compromises, the creative process, and handing over the ownership of the story and characters.
Variety, you’ve been killing it! 👏🏼 You’ve been showcasing a lot of the people involved in every movie I’m eager to hear about, that will probably get nominations this upcoming award season. Every episode has been chef’s kiss 🤌🏼 Keep them coming!
Greta Gerwig and the historically "kind hearted" James Cameron, what a great pair. Glad he's giving her advice about making big epic scale movies. 👏❤
i always love hearing both of them talk, it was so cool to have them together.
I want to listen to these two talk about films all day.
It’s so good seeing two Leos contemplating each other careers.
A current legendary director talking with a future legendary director!
Yeah, looking forwad to see James become a legendary director! He's got a lot of cool stuff under his belt already.
@@veronique9823 James become a legendary director? The man who directed one of the most beloved movies of all time, 3 of the biggest blockbusters ever, and T2. He is legendary already IMO.
@@oscarfun100 you still have time to get the joke and delete this, I won’t tell
Greta became a legend with Barbie. She’s arrived.
@@MrWel684no. Not even close. She’s a great director, one of the best working today but to reach that level she’ll have to direct a few more classics.
I love how they're talking about leadership as collaboration, being flexible and open to other people's ideas to find more creative solutions. can translate this to the every day
i can listen to jim cameron talk all day about his processes...and i've never seen an in depth interview with greta but i've got a new found respect for her
The crossover I didn't know I needed. This was a great watch.
Such a interesting and beautiful conversation . Before anyone says this if not already that person who paired them up deserves a raise
It’s a 40 min convo posted 20 mins ago and you’ve already decided it’s beautiful? Hmm.
Even if it’s true, it be cool if people stopped writing the raise thing.
@@cdmp777I know what you’re saying..I’m a film nerd and I love this kind of shit but I definitely feel there are peeps out there whose job it is to put comments on these things..as in they’re getting paid to write comments..the ‘whoever paired these two up deserves a raise has appeared on a bunch of them..
Such an inspiring conversation. The best directors on directors i’ve seen!! Good job Variety.
Greta is a good director... Not a best director...🤦 James cameron is a legend. ✅
So many great pairings from Variety recently, thank you!
My two favourite directors at the moment - Greta and Jim going deep in to the process. I didn't know I needed this conversation in my life, but I'm here for it! Fantastic!
Yes please! This is a fantastic idea, keep bringing more people behind the camera, great job Variety Thanks!❤
these videos are such a cool way to appreciate a side of the creative process we don't always hear about, everybody say thank u variety
THIS WAS SO INSPIRING TO LISTEN TO! Greta Gerwig makes me think about the world and creative process in a way that I can almost feel the possibilities of contribution stretch out before me, and to find the boldness to put them out there. Art starts out as just an idea inside your head, but it is when we have the courage to put it down on paper, or film, or canvas, and let it exist in the world outside of us so that someone else might recognize it and say "Oh--I'm not alone after all." THAT is art.
I loved being a fly on their wall! Thank you Variety these "Directors on Directors" are my favorite of your videos.
Wow, this is inspirational. I love hearing about their processes, taking on challenges and “building a parachute on your way down”. Two incredible talents.
Whatever absolutely brilliant mind is making these pairings at Variety, give that person a million dollar raise.
I wish a long and prosperous career for whoever decided to match these two masters together.
It was such a pleasure to watch! Both insightful and inspiring!
I live for director on director ! Nothing i love more than listening to 2 people talk about they're shared love for a form of art
This is by far the most cerebral and engaging and natural flowing dialogue between 2 very committed creators of their fantastic craft!!
I've been waiting for this combo for so long! Filmmakers of two of the biggest films in the last 5 years. AWESOME! If anyone hasn't watched James Cameron's Masterclass on filmmaking you're missing out.
This is wildly insightful! It helps me so much knowing what it's like to struggle as a director and the hard choices you have to make. James Cameron is like my Father of filmmaking. They should have another chat when Narnia and Avatar 3 come out.
BEST director on director ever! Or was ir writer on writer? Producer on producer? Oh, boy, these two. The her best work is yet to come.
Best filmmaker on filmmaker
What a legendary interview!!! Two of the greatest directors of all time speak so humbly about their work. This is so refreshing. And I see why you paired them together as she is about to embark on her first vfx heavy film: Narnia.
I wouldn't call Gerwig one of the best directors of all time. She's very good and she has done great film with very good direction but still I can name many better directors. But if she does 3 more films like these ones, in terms of directing, she'll cement her greatness for me.
Greta has a way to go but Cameron is a certified legend.
James Cameron is a such a freakin legend. Entire landscape of modern cinema ows this guys SOOOO much. Every movie is technical marvel that pushes industry forward.
James (Jim) Cameron always gives the best and sharpest interviews. He is very eloquent, descriptive, and his added analogies always land (pun not intended).
These conversations and pairings have been great
Thanks! This was great. Hits all the marks of what writers, filmmakers and actors need to listen to and understand about the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the happy accidents that happen along the way.
Truly enjoyed the empowerment in this exchange: collect your thoughts, embed your creativity, fall into what may be difficult to encourage rising to the occasion. 👏
James’ webcam background goes so hard 😂
He was editing Avatar 3 😅
Greta makes me feel seen with the way she works her editing process. I animate the same way. I cannot contextualize a problem if I work on an animatic as a large assembly, I work in chronological order (shot-by-shot). And was told I was weird and wrong for working like this (ironic considering how neurodivergent the field is). I also edit live action like this too. If I jump around it makes it harder for me to really identify a problem then if I start in order. Nice to know the biggest director of the year thinks how I do and that there isn’t anything wrong with how I do things
Theory and art are diametrically opposed and art school ruins a lot of great artists. What's nice about Gretta and Jim is they never went to film school. Then you look at George Lucas's early films, THX 1138 and American Graffiti, and they're clearly art films from a creator who's film school was focused on documentary making, he wasn't ruined by being told the "correct" way to make fictional films.
I mean, imagine writing a story all at once. You have to start from the start and work your way through it until the end. Yeah, you need an outline before you start writing, but usually, that never makes the final cut.
@@verigumetin4291 Outlines aren't necessary before beginning to write.
@@charoleawood :))
The best conversation ever! That's how filming becomes joyful❤❤❤
She is not only talented but also earnest and charismatic. I think she will win best director.
Love this. Great questions and I love the choice of having these two incredibly different directors share their craft.
This is so highly informative and, frankly, validating for young(er) filmmakers like me. Apparently, the thought process remains very much the same, no matter the scale of the project. Thank you to everyone involved! Please do some Writers on Writers videos as well.
director-director talks are the best!
This is the only one of these where I really learned something. Fantastic.
They were both terrific to listen to.
Thank you, Variety! I love this series.
Thoroughly loved this conversation.
What a wonderful pairing. Brilliant conversation
Respect for both of them increased during this conversation
Enlightening, thoughtful, and sweet. Absolutely brilliant! Thank you for giving these two a platform to have an honest dialogue about the art of filmmaking.
I'm so glad that we can see such interviews worldwide these days, regardless of any broadcasters etc. Both treat each other with the utmost respect and it's great to be able to understand their problems, challenges and methods.
Agree with both of you. Appreciate your candid discussion.
Enjoyed this so much, was eagerly waiting to hear from the two of them
This is a rich interview So many valuable insights from these two talented people working off each other
I can listen to their conversation all day.
two billion dollar directors, with so much respect and understanding between them. A wonderful conversation!
Love when Cameron talks about the suggested question Variety gave him with such derision! Hahaha. But it did sparked an interesting back and forth in the end! So I guess he does listen... to a certain point.
This was incredibly encouraging.
Jim just casually mentioning that he camera operates all the time. What a boss
Again, whoever is picking these interviews whether its directors or actors, brilliant job.
I want a redo of this interview after she creates the newest narnia movies. They could have an amazing conversation on world building & that writing process.
Loved this directors-on-directors pairing Variety! 🙌🏻 So happy Greta asked James about the futuristic technology aspect of his films. With the release of the Hunger Games prequel, I’d love to see a Directors-on-Directors with Francis Lawrence and Gary Ross. 🙏🏻
I love how even though they've made these masterpiece, these talks reveal they are human just like us, and even you can achieve what they have!
This is the nicest I’ve seen Jim Cameron❤ he won my heart in this interview
You guys should definitely do one with one the the Safdie brothers. They are great filmmakers. 💯
brilliant just brilliant listening to these 2 talk about their process! thanks for the great stories Greta and James! love it. PS - is there any way i could maybe you know intern and learn under your tutelage?
this is like the ideal grandfather and granddaughter relationship
Being a part of that team/group of actors was the most rewording experience of my life. I have been in art schools, I have been in music schools, but this was a fine moment.
Which team/group for you in?
Nice to see the WiFi in Pandora works smoothly.
I was hoping Greta would get to sit down and chat with Christopher Nolan, but she got the next best thing!
They'll talk eventually
I'm sorry not trying to be rude or dissing anyone. But in what world is James Cameron the next best thing to Nolan?
@@kingkiller5325They might just be saying it would be interesting to get that barbenheimer discussion like we did with blunt and Murphy
It is amazing to see these people talk.
this is absolutely my fave directors on directors. No one is talking over each other, no ego, no imposter symdrome (or at least the curtain is down for this)
Gorgeous interview
WOW just WOW! As a director wannabe this is a perfect pair and match from heaven to do interview with each other. Christmas came early! Thank you #goosebumps
What a wonderful gift for the holidays this conversation is. Two immensely talented directors discussing the craft of filmmaking! 👏
Oh man, another legendary interview. Between two generational directors/filmmakers, none of them went to film school. I hope they bring chris nolan too in future.
Personally I think BARBIE is one of the best movies of 2023. Both are such great filmmakers!