Russell Carpenter

Carpenter reteamed with Cameron for the short, "Terminator 2 3-D" (1996), which was shown at Universal Studios. Basically a 12-minute set-up for a possible third entry in the film series, "Terminator 2 3-D" allowed the cinematographer to experiment further with simulated realities. That he was so successful using a special camera the weight and size of a refrigerator (for the 3-D effect) proved his capabilities. Carpenter faced another set of obstacles on his third teaming with Cameron on "Titanic" (1997). The director had originally hired Caleb Deschanel, who left the production for personal reasons after about two months of shooting. Once approached, Carpenter had roughly three weeks preparation for this mammoth undertaking. The cinematographer managed to infuse the scenes before the ship's sinking with a politeness and grace that would draw the audience to the main characters. These scenes burst with color while the wraparound segments, set in contemporary times, are dull and gray. The sequences of the ship sinking and its grisly aftermath were also striking. Carpenter received critical praise and accolades, including a Best Cinematography Oscar for his efforts.