Case Study- Avatar

Directed by	James Cameron
Produced by	James Cameron Jon Landau
Written by	James Cameron
Starring	Sam Worthington Zoe Saldana Stephen Lang Michelle Rodriguez Joel David Moore Giovanni Ribisi Sigourney Weaver
Music by	James Horner
Cinematography	Mauro Fiore
Editing by	James Cameron John Refoua Stephen E. Rivkin
Studio	Lightstorm Entertainment Dune Entertainment Ingenious Film Partners
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date(s)	December 10, 2009(London premiere) December 18, 2009(United States)
Running time	162 minutes[1] 171 minutes (Re-release)[2]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$237 million[3] $9 million+ (Re-release)[2]
Gross revenue	$2,783,165,628[4][5]

Plot:When his brother is killed in a robbery, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people with the use of an "avatar" identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand - and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora.

Technical Information

Camera

PACE Fusion 3-D
Sony CineAlta F23, Canon and Fujinon Lenses
Sony CineAlta HDC-1500, Canon and Fujinon Lenses
Sony CineAlta HDC-F950, Canon and Fujinon Lenses

Laboratory

DeLuxe, USA
EFILM Digital Laboratories, Hollywood (CA), USA (scanning & recording)

Film length (metres)

4413 m (Sweden)

Film negative format (mm/video inches)

Digital
HDCAM

Cinematographic process

Digital Intermediate (2K) (master format)
Fusion Camera (dual-strip 3-D) (source format)
HDCAM SR (1080p/24) (source format)

Printed film format

35 mm (anamorphic) (Kodak Vision 2383)
70 mm (horizontal) (IMAX DMR blow-up) (dual-strip 3-D) (Kodak Vision 2383)
D-Cinema (3-D version)

Aspect ratio

1.78 : 1 (IMAX 3-D version) (2K 3-D version: constant image width venues)
2.35 : 1 (2-D version) (2K 3-D version: constant image height venues)

THE PERCENTAGES

Avatar is reportedly 60% CGI imagery, with a majority of the CG character animation filmed with revolutionary new motion-capture techniques using live actors. The other 40% of film has been live-action imagery, relying on more traditional (but no less spectacular) Cameron-brand visual F/X. The live action sequences were shot on location in New Zealand last Fall/Winter, using the same Fusion 3-D camera system that Cameron helped pioneer for his IMAX feature Ghost of the Abyss in 2003, and which has gone on to make live-action digital 3D fare like Journey to the Center of the Earth possible (much to our shared regret).

THE NEW ERA OF MOTION CAPTURE TECH

To bring his CG characters to life in the most realistic sense, Cameron has reportedly redefined the way motion capture (or “performance capture”) sequences are filmed. His actors wear special bodysuits and head rigs equipped with a standard definition camera that takes constant images of their faces. That data is then transmitted to another camera creating a real-time image of the live actor “wearing” their CGI costume.

Budget

$237,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend

$4,007,750 (USA) (29 August 2010) (812 Screens)
$77,025,481 (USA) (20 December 2009) (3,452 Screens)
£8,509,050 (UK) (20 December 2009) (503 Screens)
ARS 1,273,414 (Argentina) (5 January 2010) (104 Screens)
PHP 57,336,776 (Philippines) (20 December 2009) (105 Screens)
$1,221,393 (Russia) (29 August 2010) (313 Screens)
$19,732,998 (Russia) (20 December 2009)

Gross

$760,505,847 (USA) (14 November 2010)
$760,462,559 (USA) (7 November 2010)
$760,410,799 (USA) (31 October 2010)
$760,375,018 (USA) (24 October 2010)
$760,339,004 (USA) (17 October 2010)
$760,307,594 (USA) (10 October 2010)
$760,277,873 (USA) (4 October 2010)
$760,237,551 (USA) (26 September 2010)
$760,083,041 (USA) (19 September 2010)
$759,562,778 (USA) (12 September 2010)
$758,247,840 (USA) (5 September 2010)
$4,007,750 (USA) (29 August 2010)
$749,766,139 (USA) (8 August 2010)
$749,748,303 (USA) (1 August 2010)
$749,726,993 (USA) (25 July 2010)
$749,701,420 (USA) (18 July 2010)
$749,657,409 (USA) (11 July 2010)
$749,603,864 (USA) (4 July 2010)
$749,535,574 (USA) (27 June 2010)
$749,434,950 (USA) (20 June 2010)
$749,316,799 (USA) (13 June 2010)
$749,202,090 (USA) (6 June 2010)
$749,073,100 (USA) (30 May 2010)
$748,821,665 (USA) (23 May 2010)
$748,468,373 (USA) (16 May 2010)
$747,946,415 (USA) (9 May 2010)
$747,292,481 (USA) (2 May 2010)
$746,365,137 (USA) (25 April 2010)
$745,023,267 (USA) (18 April 2010)
$743,688,973 (USA) (11 April 2010)
$742,332,678 (USA) (4 April 2010)
$740,440,529 (USA) (28 March 2010)
$736,907,957 (USA) (21 March 2010)
$730,270,443 (USA) (14 March 2010)
$720,607,444 (USA) (7 March 2010)
$706,560,068 (USA) (28 February 2010)
$687,962,011 (USA) (21 February 2010)
$629,344,204 (USA) (7 February 2010)
$601,141,551 (USA) (2 February 2010)
$595,752,416 (USA) (31 January 2010)
$551,741,499 (USA) (24 January 2010)
$504,868,451 (USA) (17 January 2010)
$430,846,514 (USA) (10 January 2010)
$352,114,898 (USA) (3 January 2010)
$283,811,000 (USA) (31 December 2009)
$212,711,184 (USA) (27 December 2009)
$77,025,481 (USA) (20 December 2009)
£93,442,625 (UK) (5 September 2010)
£92,813,108 (UK) (29 August 2010)
£91,354,118 (UK) (4 April 2010)
£91,053,002 (UK) (28 March 2010)
£90,596,474 (UK) (21 March 2010)
£89,856,247 (UK) (14 March 2010)
£88,748,017 (UK) (7 March 2010)
£86,799,652 (UK) (28 February 2010)
£83,265,484 (UK) (21 February 2010)
£71,936,392 (UK) (7 February 2010)
£65,070,599 (UK) (31 January 2010)
£57,441,123 (UK) (24 January 2010)
£49,374,516 (UK) (17 January 2010)
£40,991,797 (UK) (10 January 2010)
£32,815,618 (UK) (3 January 2010)
£18,404,659 (UK) (27 December 2009)
£8,509,050 (UK) (20 December 2009)
$2,039,472,387 (Worldwide) (31 January 2010)
€1,131,752,464 (Worldwide) (6 January 2010)
ARS 13,468,534 (Argentina) (25 May 2010)
ARS 13,453,327 (Argentina) (18 May 2010)
ARS 13,442,324 (Argentina) (11 May 2010)
ARS 13,427,587 (Argentina) (4 May 2010)
ARS 13,421,498 (Argentina) (27 April 2010)
ARS 13,408,408 (Argentina) (20 April 2010)
ARS 13,391,353 (Argentina) (13 April 2010)
ARS 13,372,233 (Argentina) (6 April 2010)
ARS 13,422,538 (Argentina) (30 March 2010)
ARS 13,382,203 (Argentina) (23 March 2010)
ARS 13,303,290 (Argentina) (16 March 2010)
ARS 13,150,806 (Argentina) (9 March 2010)
ARS 12,835,979 (Argentina) (2 March 2010)
ARS 12,130,101 (Argentina) (23 February 2010)
ARS 11,242,940 (Argentina) (16 February 2010)
ARS 10,176,576 (Argentina) (9 February 2010)
ARS 8,795,750 (Argentina) (1 February 2010)
ARS 7,173,919 (Argentina) (26 January 2010)
ARS 5,407,218 (Argentina) (19 January 2010)
ARS 3,561,348 (Argentina) (12 January 2010)
ARS 1,273,414 (Argentina) (5 January 2010)
$204,000,000 (China) (31 December 2010)
PHP 267,247,008 (Philippines) (28 February 2010)
PHP 265,151,340 (Philippines) (21 February 2010)
PHP 262,504,569 (Philippines) (14 February 2010)
PHP 255,910,164 (Philippines) (7 February 2010)
PHP 249,432,133 (Philippines) (31 January 2010)
PHP 236,668,419 (Philippines) (24 January 2010)
PHP 199,120,228 (Philippines) (17 January 2010)
PHP 161,871,069 (Philippines) (10 January 2010)
PHP 128,805,219 (Philippines) (3 January 2010)
PHP 114,138,249 (Philippines) (27 December 2009)
PHP 57,336,776 (Philippines) (20 December 2009)
$117,939,487 (Russia) (17 October 2010)
$117,891,735 (Russia) (10 October 2010)
$117,843,007 (Russia) (3 October 2010)
RUR 117,698,744 (Russia) (19 September 2010)
$117,533,681 (Russia) (12 September 2010)
$116,915,470 (Russia) (5 September 2010)
$115,468,552 (Russia) (29 August 2010)
$112,395,919 (Russia) (18 April 2010)
$112,254,931 (Russia) (11 April 2010)
$112,126,248 (Russia) (4 April 2010)
$111,922,234 (Russia) (28 March 2010)
$111,667,920 (Russia) (21 March 2010)
$111,386,199 (Russia) (14 March 2010)
$110,921,857 (Russia) (7 March 2010)
$110,347,861 (Russia) (28 February 2010)
$108,341,667 (Russia) (21 February 2010)
$105,947,603 (Russia) (14 February 2010)
$103,091,975 (Russia) (7 February 2010)
$98,804,547 (Russia) (31 January 2010)
$93,221,654 (Russia) (24 January 2010)
$86,147,666 (Russia) (17 January 2010)
$76,166,623 (Russia) (10 January 2010)
$19,732,998 (Russia) (20 December 2009)
€76,555,512 (Spain) (10 October 2010)
€76,219,574 (Spain) (3 October 2010)
€74,696,976 (Spain) (2 May 2010)

Weekend Gross

$27,212 (USA) (14 November 2010) (6 Screens)
$25,511 (USA) (7 November 2010) (9 Screens)
$18,197 (USA) (31 October 2010) (6 Screens)
$24,299 (USA) (24 October 2010) (9 Screens)
$15,782 (USA) (17 October 2010) (10 Screens)
$17,304 (USA) (10 October 2010) (14 Screens)
$22,738 (USA) (4 October 2010) (19 Screens)
$33,844 (USA) (26 September 2010) (29 Screens)
$238,180 (USA) (19 September 2010) (129 Screens)
$731,178 (USA) (12 September 2010) (436 Screens)
$2,961,801 (USA) (5 September 2010) (812 Screens)
$4,007,750 (USA) (29 August 2010) (812 Screens)
$10,511 (USA) (8 August 2010) (1 Screen)
$13,028 (USA) (1 August 2010) (2 Screens)
$16,817 (USA) (25 July 2010) (3 Screens)
$15,615 (USA) (18 July 2010) (4 Screens)
$36,971 (USA) (11 July 2010) (9 Screens)
$35,706 (USA) (4 July 2010) (9 Screens)
$44,572 (USA) (27 June 2010) (15 Screens)
$45,181 (USA) (20 June 2010) (17 Screens)
$64,767 (USA) (13 June 2010) (26 Screens)
$76,692 (USA) (6 June 2010) (46 Screens)
$144,241 (USA) (30 May 2010) (84 Screens)
$188,505 (USA) (23 May 2010) (167 Screens)
$335,174 (USA) (16 May 2010) (279 Screens)
$425,085 (USA) (9 May 2010) (328 Screens)
$633,124 (USA) (2 May 2010) (387 Screens)
$920,204 (USA) (25 April 2010) (438 Screens)
$1,002,814 (USA) (18 April 2010) (500 Screens)
$844,651 (USA) (11 April 2010) (454 Screens)
$980,239 (USA) (4 April 2010) (511 Screens)
$2,047,475 (USA) (28 March 2010) (930 Screens)
$4,027,005 (USA) (21 March 2010) (1,348 Screens)
$6,526,421 (USA) (14 March 2010) (1,718 Screens)
$8,118,102 (USA) (7 March 2010) (2,163 Screens)
$13,655,274 (USA) (28 February 2010) (2,456 Screens)
$16,240,857 (USA) (21 February 2010) (2,581 Screens)
$22,850,881 (USA) (7 February 2010) (3,000 Screens)
$31,280,029 (USA) (31 January 2010) (3,074 Screens)
$34,944,081 (USA) (24 January 2010) (3,141 Screens)
$54,401,446 (USA) (17 January 2010) (3,285 Screens)
$50,306,217 (USA) (10 January 2010) (3,422 Screens)
$68,490,688 (USA) (3 January 2010) (3,461 Screens)
$75,617,133 (USA) (27 December 2009) (3,456 Screens)
$77,025,481 (USA) (20 December 2009) (3,452 Screens)
£274,145 (UK) (5 September 2010) (296 Screens)
£624,106 (UK) (29 August 2010) (343 Screens)
£107,629 (UK) (4 April 2010) (48 Screens)
£224,840 (UK) (28 March 2010) (170 Screens)
£445,809 (UK) (21 March 2010) (226 Screens)
£638,599 (UK) (14 March 2010) (271 Screens)
£908,049 (UK) (7 March 2010) (345 Screens)
£2,260,319 (UK) (28 February 2010) (398 Screens)
£2,817,009 (UK) (21 February 2010) (391 Screens)
£4,338,774 (UK) (7 February 2010) (417 Screens)
£4,865,081 (UK) (31 January 2010) (424 Screens)
£5,155,844 (UK) (24 January 2010) (428 Screens)
£5,527,039 (UK) (17 January 2010) (441 Screens)
£4,770,980 (UK) (10 January 2010) (493 Screens)
£5,940,479 (UK) (3 January 2010) (493 Screens)
£3,828,123 (UK) (27 December 2009) (485 Screens)
£8,509,050 (UK) (20 December 2009) (503 Screens)
ARS 7,244 (Argentina) (25 May 2010) (1 Screen)
ARS 7,072 (Argentina) (18 May 2010) (1 Screen)
ARS 11,118 (Argentina) (11 May 2010) (4 Screens)
ARS 11,038 (Argentina) (4 May 2010) (3 Screens)
ARS 7,037 (Argentina) (27 April 2010) (2 Screens)
ARS 10,778 (Argentina) (20 April 2010) (3 Screens)
ARS 13,263 (Argentina) (13 April 2010) (10 Screens)
ARS 20,025 (Argentina) (6 April 2010) (10 Screens)
ARS 11,251 (Argentina) (30 March 2010) (16 Screens)
ARS 48,072 (Argentina) (23 March 2010) (30 Screens)
ARS 84,370 (Argentina) (16 March 2010) (67 Screens)
ARS 136,509 (Argentina) (9 March 2010) (86 Screens)
ARS 405,720 (Argentina) (2 March 2010) (112 Screens)
ARS 528,661 (Argentina) (23 February 2010) (117 Screens)
ARS 658,845 (Argentina) (16 February 2010) (136 Screens)
ARS 860,426 (Argentina) (9 February 2010) (148 Screens)
ARS 978,644 (Argentina) (1 February 2010) (140 Screens)
ARS 944,237 (Argentina) (26 January 2010) (131 Screens)
ARS 1,084,513 (Argentina) (19 January 2010) (110 Screens)
ARS 1,353,051 (Argentina) (12 January 2010) (103 Screens)
ARS 1,273,414 (Argentina) (5 January 2010) (104 Screens)
PHP 1,476,316 (Philippines) (28 February 2010) (7 Screens)
PHP 1,857,597 (Philippines) (21 February 2010) (14 Screens)
PHP 4,487,468 (Philippines) (14 February 2010) (43 Screens)
PHP 7,926,619 (Philippines) (7 February 2010) (57 Screens)
PHP 5,873,525 (Philippines) (31 January 2010) (35 Screens)
PHP 24,133,065 (Philippines) (24 January 2010) (98 Screens)
PHP 30,931,304 (Philippines) (17 January 2010) (99 Screens)
PHP 31,234,190 (Philippines) (10 January 2010) (92 Screens)
PHP 9,390,697 (Philippines) (3 January 2010) (14 Screens)
PHP 16,079,700 (Philippines) (27 December 2009) (105 Screens)
PHP 57,336,776 (Philippines) (20 December 2009) (105 Screens)
$6,785,916 (Russia) (17 January 2010) (791 Screens)
$11,135,992 (Russia) (10 January 2010) (927 Screens)