Science is important, James Cameron tells students in an underwater interview	Adam Wieser	Amanda Huser	Adam Gouvan	Jessica Schmidt

Blast Off! Students Interview Titanic Director

By Amanda Huser, Jessica Schmidt, Adam Gouvan, and Adam Wieser
Indiana School for the Deaf

When John Glenn made his most recent foray into space, students from the Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD) helped NASA celebrate. As guests of NASA's Life Sciences Division, the students participated in the Challenge Project, which involved scuba diving into an underwater laboratory located in Key Largo, Florida. There they met and interviewed another NASA guest—James Cameron, the famous director of Titanic and other movies. In a change from most interviews, Cameron asks the first question.

Cameron: When did you learn to dive? ISD students: Last August. We trained for one week in the classroom and pool.

Cameron: You communicate better than any divers I've ever seen under water because of your ability to sign! You have a great advantage! I enjoyed watching you. You looked completely natural communicating under water. Most divers don't understand 90 percent of what they say to each other!

ISD students (after they laugh): Why is science important to you? Cameron: I wanted to be a scientist when I was in college. Now it is amazing how much science and technology I require in filmmaking. Titanic is a good example. We had to build special equipment. We created the most advanced visual effects ever.

ISD students: Did you actually dive down to the wreck of the Titanic? Cameron: Twelve times. I operated the camera myself. It was a Russian submarine with room for only three people-a pilot, engineer, and myself. I was the only American.

ISD students: How did you communicate? Cameron: A lot of sign language!

ISD students: Why did you become a movie director? Cameron: I'm an artist. I like to draw and paint. I like to tell stories. Filmmaking is the best way to put together visual narrative-to tell stories.

ISD students: If NASA asked you to be an astronaut, would you do it? Cameron: Right now! I'm there!

ISD students: Do you believe that NASA has a great influence on our lives? Cameron: There is definitely a spin off in medicine, science, cars, and other fields. But the most important role is that it expresses the human spirit by exploring into space. It is heroic and spiritual.

ISD students: Who was the most influential person in your life? Who did you look up to? Cameron: My 11th grade biology teacher. Our high school did not have drama or theatre-only sports, like football and wrestling. Several of us misfits joined the new drama club. That biology teacher was a role model and mentor for me. He taught me that we did not have to choose. We could love both science and the arts.

General comments may be sent to: Ken.Kurlychek@gallaudet.edu

Last modified May 13, 1999
Copyright © 1999, All Rights Reserved
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center

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