James Cameron in conversation with Google CEO Eric Schmidt

James Cameron was in town to help kick-off Churchill Club’s 25th anniversary. Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, moderated a lively discussion that covered everything from film-making and the environmental crisis, to ocean exploration and the 99% perspiration behind most geniuses. And even Cameron’s Canadian roots.

Schmidt noted that the most successful film-maker in history had achieved the American dream: arriving as an immigrant from Canada, taking a job as a truck driver, before eventually working his way up the Hollywood ladder.

Eager fans looking for tips about Avatar 2 or 3, sorry to report nothing new on that front. However, the technorati will be interested to know that Cameron — Jim as the sold-out crowd at the Fairmont in San Jose liked to call him during a rapid-fire, interesting Q&A — does want to shoot at a higher frame rate. He alluded to current limitations of film notably the antiquated 24 fps standard. Avatar 2 is likely to be shot at 48, 60 fps, or possibly even higher. Always the innovator, expect state-of-the-art.

More to come on the story tomorrow, including a video, along with some of our favorite quotes from the evening.

Note that watching Cameron & Schmidt in conversation is the opposite of Hannity & Colmes. Facts, information, and science, thankfully, all come to the forefront.

James Cameron in conversation with Google CEO Eric Schmidt
"I'm going to touch the bottom of the Ocean, then map it all - before Google."
James Cameron in conversation with Google CEO Eric Schmidt
James Cameron directs Google CEO (and part-time data scientist) Eric Schmidt to the stage.
San Jose Fairmont Hotel
San Jose Fairmont Hotel
Churchill Club - Celebrates 25 Years
Churchill Club - Celebrates 25 Years

Salad = good. Chicken not so much.
Salad = good. Chicken not so much.
Post-talk banter and autographs. No free Droids.
Post-talk banter and autographs. No free Droids.
Pre-event reception
Pre-event reception
Clinton Stark
Clinton shoots videos for Stark Insider. San Francisco Bay Area arts, Ingmar Bergman and French New Wave, and chasing the perfect home espresso shot 25 seconds at a time (and failing). Peloton: ClintTheMint. Camera: Video Gear