Particle.news
Download on the App Store

James Cameron Issues Strict Projection and Sound Rules for Avatar: Fire and Ash

The director sent exhibitors a signed note with calibration demands to preserve his intended presentation.

Overview

  • Cameron’s letter instructs theater technicians to follow a Projection Specification file and framing chart included in the DCP for light levels, audio setup, and proper framing.
  • He urges venues to play the mix at the 7.0 reference level, noting he personally balanced quiet dialogue and large-scale action and asking theaters not to turn it down.
  • The guidance arrives ahead of Avatar: Fire and Ash opening in theaters on December 19.
  • In a new interview, Cameron defended 3D at 48 frames per second, arguing the higher frame rate smooths stereoscopic edges and reduces what he calls brain strain.
  • A single-source report from Deccan Chronicle says he also issued a handwritten brief to sound designers on volcanic soundscapes blending field recordings from Iceland and Hawaii with synthetic elements.