There’s been a bit of a soap opera unfolding that involves some technologically revolutionary underwater cameras, BP’s colossal oil disaster and a handful of large and wounded egos. I held off on posting about director James Cameron‘s invitation from the federal government’s EPA to brainstorm possible solutions to the catastrophic Gulf oil spill until I heard what tack he might take. Apparently none, since BP refused Cameron’s offer for a consultation.
According to the NY Daily News, “The Avatar and Titanic director has expertly used robot submarines and underwater filming in his movies and believes he can contribute to the effort.” BP execs said “no thanks;” Cameron called them morons.
Seems he took the jab while at last week’s All Things Digital conference. I can’t say I disagree, but it probably wasn’t the best way to make a case for collaboration. It would have been cool to see a Hollywood innovation go toward saving the planet. The guy did develop some pretty extraordinary underwater filming techniques while creating a documentary in tandem with Titanic, and, quite frankly, BP could probably use all the help it can get, but with a bazillion engineers frantically butting heads, I’ll take a lesson from Cameron and keep my comments to myself.
Photo courtesy of Jurvetson via Flickr.
Caroline Walker is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and editor. She has worked in both the entertainment and the nonprofit sector. Walker holds a BA from the University of Southern California and an MA from New York University’s Gallatin School.
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