SUNDAY FUN(nies) – “Avatar’s” Surreal Inspirations

If you’re feeling a little “Blue” because it’s been awhile since you enjoyed the movie “Avatar”, and were wondering how James Cameron and crew came up with such jaw-dropping creative settings for planet Pandora … well, it turns out that a good many of the surreal, out-of-this-world scenes were actually inspired by quite a few locations and things right here on Earth.  So let’s take a look at a few.

PANDORA’S HALLELUJAH MOUNTAINS

Probably the most striking are the Hallelujah Mountains of Pandora – floating land pods that are sacred to the Na'vi people.

TIANZI MOUNTAINS

Their inspiration comes from several sources, but we know the main locale is the Wulingyuan Scenic Zone in Hunan Province, China with its Tianzi Mountains.

We know for a fact that the crew spent at least four days taking photos of the mountains there before filming even began — and a good portion of the movie was actually shot in the region.

 

TEPUI

The mammoth “central character” of the Hallelujah Mountains has been said to be inspired by Venezuela's Tepui (“House of Gods”) in the Mount Roraima range – and it’s easy to see why.

 

WATERFALLS

While maybe not playing a major role, breathtaking waterfalls are frequently in the background.  And again, the mile-high Tepui tabletop mountain with its hundreds of waterfalls is a major inspiration.

 

ANGEL FALLS

Waterfalls play a more prominent part when Jake Sully and Neytiri first ride the flying Banshee, and also during the helicopter action.  And Angel Falls in Venezuela’s Canapa National Park is said to be an inspiration.

Despite its 3,212 feet height soaring to the heavens, Angel Falls has nothing to do with angels.  It’s named after its aerial discoverer – American aviator Jimmie Angel who first flew over the falls in 1933.  Not only is it the world’s tallest waterfall, it’s one of the Eight Natural Wonders of the World.

 

FLORA

HOMETREES

Moving in for a little closer look, we frequently find Hometrees all over Pandora.  They’re about 150 meters tall (taller than our Redwoods), and serve as the home for different clans of Na’vi.

While not nearly as tall or majestic, they’re silhouette is said to be inspired by the Dragon Blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) found on Socotra Island in the Indian Ocean.  It got its name, Dragon Blood, because the trees produce a sap that is blood red.

 

BIOLUMINESCENCE

Bioluminescence is common to nearly all Pandoran flora and fauna, including the Na’vi people, and over a dozen different types of flora.  Glowing colors of green, blue, indigo, and violet are pretty much everywhere on Pandora – even in the water!

 

Fortunately for Cameron, he could good look to several locales for ideas.  Let’s start with the Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay on the Island of Vieques in Puerto Rico.

The Bay is filled with microscopic dinoflagellates (Pyrodinium bahamense or Swirling Fire) that, when agitated, react by emitting a blue-green light.

[NOTE: No, they are NOT Photoshopped!]

 

 

GLOWING ‘SHROOMS

Found in the forests of Asia and Brazil, Mycena chlorophos are mushrooms that glow during the rainy season.  They make the forest floor light up with their spores, but the bioluminescent phase only lasts about three to four days.

[NOTE: Not sure why two of these show up – on the work page there’s only one]

GLOW WORMS

And we’ll end with “Glow Worms” that are found in the caves of New Zealand and Australia.

OK, they’re not actually worms, but larvae of the gnat fly (Arachnocampa luminosa). They spin a silk hammock on the cave’s ceiling and then hang down as many as 70 threads with drops of sticky mucus attached to catch prey that are attracted by their glowing light.

 

Now it’s time to pop in your “Avatar” CD/DVD or stream it to appreciate some of the inspiration locales, flora and fauna.

 

NOTE: No links because I literally used hundreds.  But I’m sure “The Google” will help you find answers & more information

But here are two excellent sources for tons of information about “Avatar”.  The first one provides incredibly minute details about flora, fauna, characters and LOTS more – it’s mind-boggling!

http://james-camerons-avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Avatar_Wiki

And one for a good storyline summary:

http://macdonaldboy.blogspot.com/2010/01/avatar.html