Avatar, the 2009 sci-fi epic directed by James Cameron, was a film that pushed the boundaries of technology in filmmaking. It featured stunning visuals, groundbreaking special effects, and a cast of talented actors who brought the fictional world of Pandora to life.
One of those actors was Zoe Saldana, who played the role of Neytiri, a member of the Na’vi, an alien race living on Pandora. Saldana’s portrayal of Neytiri was praised by fans and critics alike, but one scene proved awkward for the actress.
Zoe Saldana’s Role in Avatar
Avatar was a film that broke new ground in cinema. It was a project that James Cameron had been working on for years, and he had to invent new technology to bring his vision to life. The film was shot in a revolutionary way, using motion capture technology to capture the actors’ performances and turn them into computer-generated characters.
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The actors wore special suits equipped with sensors, which allowed their movements to be tracked and translated into the movements of their Na’vi counterparts. Zoe Saldana played the role of Neytiri, a fierce warrior and member of the Na’vi.
Saldana’s performance was a crucial part of the film’s success, and she received critical acclaim for her portrayal of the character. However, one scene in the film proved to be a bit of a challenge for the actress.
In Avatar, the actress’ character falls in love with Jake Sully, a former Marine brought to Pandora to help the human forces extract a valuable mineral from the planet.
Sam Worthington plays Jake, and the two characters share a passionate kiss in one of the film’s most memorable scenes. However, the making of that scene was not as romantic as it appears on screen.
To capture the actors’ performances in Avatar, they had to wear special suits equipped with sensors. These suits were designed to capture their movements and translate them into the movements of their Na’vi characters. However, the suits also posed some challenges when filming intimate scenes, such as the kiss between Neytiri and Jake.
Helmets, Booms, Laughter, and Blushing
In an interview with Parade, Zoe Saldana revealed that she and Worthington had to wear helmets with a boom and a camera at the end of it to capture their performances. These helmets would often get tangled up, making it difficult for the actors to get close enough to kiss.
“We were doing performance capture for the computers, so Sam and I had on these helmets with a boom and a camera at the end of it and we would get tangled up before our lips could touch.”
Saldana said that director James Cameron often yelled, “Cut!” which made the situation awkward. Despite the challenges of filming the kiss, Saldana and Worthington found humor.
“Jim would yell, ‘Cut. The actors are stuck again. Can’t you guys be more careful?’ We were like, ‘Damn it. It’s not that easy.’”
Saldana said they would often start laughing and were all blushing. She described the experience as “ridiculous” and “silly,” but ultimately, they got the shot they needed.
“It was a riot and it was silly. Sometimes we’d just start laughing. The entire time we were all blushing. It was just like, ‘Okay, this is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done.’”
Despite the challenges of filming the kiss, Saldana and Worthington had great chemistry on screen. They were able to bring their characters to life in a believable and captivating way.
Source: Parade
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