Ridley Scott: Dealing with Hollywood and Actors | BBC Studios

[@gregruelas7830]

"Not with me. Not with me." I love him! Leave the ego at the door, actors.

[@Syklonus]

Indeed. Actors need to remember that the director is the boss. His job is literally telling everyone what to do, so if an actor is going to moan but doesn't have the balls to sit in the captain's chair themselves then they should stfu.

[@donkeyboy2678]

@@Syklonus well not everyone but telling actors what to do

[@James-3000]

haha you can see just the idea of it gets him going. "Never never never. You can't let that happen."

[@alecfoster4413]

One thing you could say about the old studio system, it kept "stars" (actors with pathological egos) in line.

[@GT-wo2oj]

Yea leave the ego at the door. Theres literally no room left cus Ridley’s is taking up all the space 😅

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

What's so fascinating with Blade Runner is that in spite of all the difficulties making it and it was a very difficult film to make, what they ended up with is pure cinema magic.

[@RyanPerrella]

FOREVER WE HAVE BLADERUNNER!

[@neurofire]

Ridley Scott is one of a handful of film directors whose movies I will see without any pre-screening scrutiny of critics' reviews. In his hands any story will be well told or at a minimum worth watching. He's the man.

[@Irishrover101]

Agree with you 100% if I see his name anywhere near a project I'm in no question asked. Iv actually just got Disney plus on just to watch The Last Duel and there a few films like the Martian,Kingdom of heaven and other films I loved till now. One director iv never gone to search what ratings he has for movies because he has blown me away so many times I know I watching a master at work and I think he is saying here he got into this late in his life that's mad to think. Its like he was born ro make master pieces. Even RAISED by Wolves. I saw he was only doing a few episodes I was still watching it as Sci fi is my favourite genre and then I see Travis Fimmel is in it after watching Vikings I was like this man sees the best in actors like iv seen. Travis Fimmel carried that Vikings show on his back and made it look so good it was never as great when he was killed of. I could of watching the last Duel on the net but I just didn't mind paying 9.99 fir a month so I can see a great Ridley Scott film with out no pop ups or any thing

[@ThepigandThemonkey]

He’s a great world creator but not the best storyteller

[@BUKUDI]

​@@ThepigandThemonkeyWho cares about story cinema is about the experience. Go read a book

[@BUKUDI]

Ridley stuff is solid because what you get is the big budget & production of hollywood with the sophisticated execution of a Brit

[@pikebishop8516]

​@@BUKUDIspot on! Experience, this is it with Ridley. Prometheus plot is shaky, but look at the production value. Engineers, helmets, statues, cinematography is always gorgeous. Scott signature is stylish and atmospheric. He wants to entairtain you - Are you entairtain?!?!? - and makes you think. Precious.

[@MRFOURKAY]

"Sir Ridley Scott" is and always will be one of my favorite Filmmakers , I hope that new generations of Filmmakers learn from Mr Scott & keep the creativity juices flowing , cause what i see today in Hollywood , it's just SuperHeroes Movie's with brainless action.Let's bring back the Originality of Creativity and make movies with strong characters and stories that have a meaning .

[@leodf1]

If you're going to point out he's a Sir, you might as well address him as Sir Ridley, don't you think?

[@Irishrover101]

Personally I don't think Ridley is bothered by all that mombo jumbo stuff when it comes to sir or dame. I might be wrong but to me he looks like a man who doesn't need a queen or a Kings approval and he certainly doesn't need it

[@sullieking]

I dont even watch new movies

[@Irishrover101]

@@sullieking Why not. Since mini series and boxsets came out. I prefer to watch them because I think a few days of a good boxset is way better than most of the garbage now on film

[@sullieking]

@@Irishrover101 Just think it's all politically correct bullshido. If I watch something it's a old movie or documentaries

[@RiklovesRock]

"Being an northerner means i can avoid confrontation..... it's forgotten and is over in 8 minutes ." What a legend, you make us proud.

[@maloneyjay1]

Quite late but what does this mean? What kinds of things could provide confrontation to a Northerner, and how does this differ to others? I'm genuinely curious, thanks.

[@Mosesranthemetresinarcseconds]

@@maloneyjay1 he’s not saying because he’s northern he can avoid confrontation. He’s saying he can take confrontation and this is due to where he and myself grew up which is quite a tough area in the north of England. Bottom line is that in his upbringing in the north of England confrontation was common place and hence it is not something that either frightens or bothers him if it does happen

[@maloneyjay1]

@@Mosesranthemetresinarcseconds That makes sense, appreciate it. Almost in a sense of saying he knows very well how to pick his battles.

[@apparaoapparao]

@@maloneyjay1 The people of north east England tend to be fiercely loyal to the select few they trust and seek a path. If there are obstructions on the journey they are powered through with an unstoppable force. There may be more diplomatic and efficient methods but usually at a compromise that would sacrifice a virtue…thus, those options are ignored.

[@nufto]

very bright clever man.

[@ZarconVideo]

That is actually real good advice when dealing with any confrontation be it at work or on the school yard or whatever. You can't let stuff fester and bring you down.

[@filmmaker991]

I LOVE Ridley Scott! He is down to earth and brilliant!

[@checotey]

IT'S called intelligent negotiation :D :D you've got to love the ridley...!!!

[@richardharrison1910]

Love the honesty!

[@Mokkari77]

He's right that Hollywood can crush talented foreign directors like the Dutch director who did The Vanishing. When he came over to do the American remake they forced a happy ending which ruined it and his career hit the skids.

[@PatHand-og9yd]

In any industry, if the marketing department has power over the production department, look for big problems ahead. Just look at Ford!

[@ThaMovieManiac]

Great director! For me his top 5 films are: 1. Alien 2. Gladiator 3. Blade Runner 4. Black Hawk Down 5. American Gangster

[@kdscool1536]

Great list.

[@stevenlake5278]

Did he not make legend as well with tom cruise?

[@jagdeepsingh3887]

Bladerunner, Alien, Gladiator

[@mrmrgaming]

Blade Runner/Alien/Gladiator: The next ones are too close, and picking just two is hard. Black Hawk Down-The Duellists-Kingdom Of Heaven...the extended version.

[@mrmrgaming]

@@stevenlake5278 Yep

[@Irishrover101]

One thing I got from watching this is Hollywood don't tell Ridley how to do it. Because Ridley does it his way. And with Amazon Netflix and so many ways to make movies I bet this man has even bigger and better story's to be told in his personal genius way 👏

[@ZINCOVIX8754]

one of my fave directors,his movies are simply a visual treat

[@drchepa1]

great director and i always love the way he speaks, he seems very inteligent and has a great memory, one of the last talented directors of today.

[@TheWelchProductions]

we've got new talents coming too

[@plasticweapon]

Poxow no ya don't.

[@darkworld9850]

@@TheWelchProductions Yep! Henry Abrams!

[@lionofjudah6763]

I respect what he is saying about you being in charge of your film and willing to fight for it and do it your way no matter how big the star is. Also willing to compromise some to have a good working relationship with your actors and actresses on making a film.

[@terryfookwitt]

I'm a northerner and I normally start crying and wet myself when there is any cofrontation.

[@lmaololroflcopter]

Even though I don't love everything this guy has done, I love his work ethic. This guy is a world renowned director working within the Hollywood system and he still has that no bullshit, don't suffer fools gladly Geordie attitude.

[@gregorysagegreene]

As a step-dad years ago, I filled in for a supporting part on stage (never done that ever) to support my young ex-step-daughters' audition. This was at/after one of those conventions in Stockton CA, where some 'Agency' was seeking out talent. Anyway, later on we were filling out paperwork for my daughter as a formality, and the secretary girl whatever remarked to me that she noticed I'm Australian and that *my* performance was good, and had I ever considered acting. I told her I didn't really know, and the very next thing she said to me was 'Could you lose the accent?" Like the very first thing that made me noticable to her, was now somehow up for alteration ???

[@Edgar_Randolph]

Why have you written this?

[@richardl772]

@@Edgar_Randolph. Presumably as an illustration of how the movie industry can set out to manipulate you from the start, non? Not exactly rocket science…….

[@donraid8277]

Genius directors alien , blade runner , gladiator etc are mind blowing 🤯

[@Janestay101]

Probably one of my very favourite directors, for many reasons.

[@aliensoup2420]

England crews gave upstart American directors a hard time also…George Lucas on Star Wars, and James Cameron on Aliens.

[@keithmartin1328]

Good point. Back in 1985 James Cameron was filming Aliens at Pinewood. According to him he had a terrible time with the crew there. He vowed never to return.

[@joshimura1995]

Cameron never returned to film in England, but Lucas produced and filmed "Empire", "Jedi" and Phantom Menace partially in Pinewood. " Clones" and "Sith" were shot in Sydney Australia at the new "Fox studios" .

[@danielwoodwardcomposer2040]

Love this interview.

[@jivio]

I agree with what Ridley Scott said about the British Film Industry, it would be nice to see the British Film Industry releasing more films every year like Hollywood. After all, we provided the studios for Hollywood films so it's only fair that we release films every year made by British Film makers with no relation to Hollywood.

[@Stratword_]

"Intelligent negotiation" is a great tip to deal with difficult actors.

[@Irishrover101]

I don't see another director as creative and as imagination similar to him coming up in movies. This guy and Cameron are two best in my opinion but Cameron makes a great maybe once every 5 to 10 years and Ridley is knocking greats out on a regular basis from film to TV with Raised by wolves. Love this man's work. I'm not an actor but I'd love to do something in his films somewhere be some experience

[@DMalltheway]

James Cameron went thru the same thing in Aliens dealing with new kid on the block with the British crew.

[@KainedbutAble123]

Lucas on Star Wars too, though I don't think he had Ridley's grit and ease with confrontation. It did him in and he didn't direct again for 30 years.

[@Simone-Bucn]

​@@KainedbutAble123 22 years.

[@ashleyartus1193]

"I can have an argument and forget it in 8 minutes" it's a northern thing...I relate. ❤

[@donjuan4you]

The BOSS!

[@Enderwiggan1]

He's a wise man

[@ajarman123]

Being a northerner he can handle confrontation! So true, I understand what he means by the attitude that if you receive criticism you need to get over it quickly so you can get on with the job in hand.

[@dirtyleeds1458]

Sir Ridley is genius film maker

[@TheCyberToad]

I would watch Sir Ridley in a movie. The man has 'Badass' written all over him.

[@nigelcarren]

This man has the best eye! 🏆

[@morten1]

Some say he has two

[@nigelcarren]

@@morten1 Here's to depth-of-field mate! 🍺🍺🎬👀

[@troyleegaspard4950]

Despite Harrison Ford, Blade Runner is considered one Scott's best films. He has a vision that transcends Hollywood.

[@Arumflower]

I love this movie because there is Harrison ford.💙

[@DMVNPRO]

To me, he's probably the best director ever. Bar none. He's one of the most knowledgable person in the industry of moviemaking. He's done it all. With grandeur and panache. He's THE MAN. Gladiator is my favorite film. Very close is Blade Runner and Alien. And for my guilty pleasure: I just love A GOOD YEAR. Russell Crowe proved that he is a great comedian as well as a top notch actor. All hail Ridley and Russell.

[@murando1]

After 7 years though, exactly my favorites were mentioned long ago here! Cheers man! Russell and Ridley

[@louduva9849]

He didn't write any of them. Credit the writer(s), as you would for the theatre. Or television.

[@squamish4244]

Scott has evolved into much more of an 'actor's director' now and people enjoy working with him. Like that Australian guy.

[@lakeracer8453]

Interesting. From what I understand, Clint Eastwood casts/hires the right actors and THEY are in charge of the characters they portray. Ridley and Clint both get excellent results.

[@JohnnyZenith]

'The Good Year' is a fantastic film to be sure.

[@robinleebraun7739]

I’ve never seen a Ridley Scott movie that I didn’t like. I don’t think I can say that about any other director. He’s a master storyteller and filmmaker.

[@DavidBergenStudio]

Interesting that after Blade Runner, Harrison Ford went on to make sappy hero stuff such as the rest of the Indiana Jones movies, and Hollywood plastic such as Air Force One, and Ridley Scott is now one of the foremost directors currently working, with a body of work that demands respect.

[@korpienmahtijullit7508]

lol

[@attemptingtobehumble]

He is correct you can't allow egos to destroy a film.

[@cyberpunkchloe9]

2009?? WOW a Treasure with Sir Ridley Scott

[@crazyralph6386]

Ridley Scott, Coppola, Michael Mann, Scorcese, Guillermo Del Toro, and Christopher Nolan are my favourite directors of all time. It’s almost always a guarantee that their film is interesting.

[@Simone-Bucn]

Sadly, since Gladiator, *all* Ridley's films have been trash (except Prometheus). Coppola's films have been trash since Apocalypse Now. Scorsese's films have been trash since Casino. And Nolan's films have sucked since he stopped co-writing with his (more talented) brother.

[@NOWtheband]

Good stuff. The same goes for musicians. ;-)

[@RaikenXion]

I like how Ridley sumtimes gets his actors worked up and emotional, it may not b a nice tactic, but its very clever becus it gets that raw and realistic performance out of them. I can see many great directors like Ridley want thier actors to completely let go in the scene, thats what great acting is. Why he also doesnt like lots of rehersal, cus as he says it kills the performance/scene, I comletely agree with that.

[@TH33QUALIZ3R]

Ridley Scott = LEGEND!

[@samueltroutman7822]

Classic director.

[@michwashington]

Intelligent negotiation‼️👏🏼

[@msofinowski1]

Ridley Scott is the man

[@Eikinkloster]

Interesting. Care to share what are the glaring inaccuracies of Blackhawk Down?

[@Emapten]

@Djarzel everyone makes a bad film here and there but the majority of Scott's are fairly well done!

[@jimmydrain5900]

Neva Me! Love this guy....don't mess around folks, this one R.S. is special, and we should heed his word!

[@Zymosable]

Interesting,mr.Scott.

[@Nautilus1972]

This man just makes great movies.

[@chriscorley6478]

Yep, couldn't agree more. Credentials earned. I understand. Intelligent negotiation, indeed. Little fun tiff now and then. 📽☕

[@philokevetch8691]

Ridley's work speaks for itself. He's brilliant

[@tinotrivino]

The difference between actors from Hollywood and Europeans, is that Hollywood actors are so full in the starsystem shit that they think they are Godlike people, while in Europe, actors RESPECT Filmmakers... Thats why we, with really low money, make REAL movies... And more, HOllywood are making this last 10 years, only REMAKES, REMAKES, and some stupid blockbusters for low mind people... I like Ridley Scott!!!

[@thepossum7552]

Proof?

[@ryancomfort6574]

+JR P the proof is the movies mate

[@thepossum7552]

SikeSplitter Man, I forgot that I made this comment until an alert popped up. I have to go back and see what I originally replied to.

[@thepossum7552]

SikeSplitter Now that I look at it, all you have to do is look at actors in Europe, their relationship with the press and their social media accounts to see they aren't any different than their Hollywood- originating counterparts. When people throw in "European" to a conversation, it's usually because they're wannabe high brows.

[@SE_Lin]

The Possum Exactly. All the people that would have been using social media for honestly sharing their thoughts have realized that's not exactly encouraged now. It's pretty much glorified press and the press itself has just gone off the deep end. I think a big part of Hollywood's newfound fetish for doing remakes and reboots comes from our penchant for nostalgia. They think bringing something back that appeals to both old and new fans is pretty much win win.

[@jacobkuntflapp]

Made "Gladiator" need I say more

[@Universal_4500]

Waiting 4 part 3

[@itsaashish]

WOW..!! Intelligent negotiation...So that's how he deals with Russell Crowe's temper...:D No offence Ridley, I love you and your work...may you shine for many more years..!!!!

[@countfloydschillerhorrorth2090]

He maybe right that he can take confrontation and forget about it in 8 minutes(that's a VERY VERY Good Trait when dealing with groups of people) and I'm not saying that isn't him, obviously it is to some degree. But what Life has taught me is that people who say such things(Such as those that say they Hate Drama) are usually the ones that create it in the first place. And No Doubt Ridley got to where is (and is good at what he does) because he's good at this. But if Ridley was a B-level Actor dealing with Bossy Directors. Theres a good chance he Hates Directors(like himself) Just the way Life often is.

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

Alien. Bladerunner. Gladiator. Just those are enough to cement his legendary status.

[@amandeepv]

Except Gladiator was historically inaccurate

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

@amandeepv bladerunner and Alien were fiction btw.

[@stuart38]

i kind of felt that too.in alien,he didn't hold back.with prometheus,it was rather pedestrian.maybe its because it was the BEGINNING of it all,and at the START of most things,it IS pretty eventless.so here's hoping it gets better with the next one.

[@mirr1984]

Ridley Scott is awesome. He's a no bullshit kinda guy which is why Russel Crowe likes to work with him and vise versa. I am the same in some things in life to. As for Harrison Ford. He's a great actor but at the end of the day, it's always the directors film, so Harrison should know better.

[@TheDefJamm]

‘Not with me’ What do people expect? He is a Geordie after all!! 👍

[@ClassicCombat]

Ridley's the man

[@cobracommander102]

Smart man Ridley is.

[@88feji]

I am so glad that Harrison Ford and Ridley Scott are nice to each other now and are in talks for Blade Runner 2, thanks to my efforts to bring them together.. they thanked me personally by a having dinner treat at HF's home, Calista served great meal, especially to their dogs ..

[@richmanpoman1]

Harrison Ford is notably a real glassbowl.

[@Seekeroftheblackflame]

richmanpoman1 Glassbowl? What does that mean?

[@F.krueger]

LEGEND with Tim curry is his best film one of the best films ever made

[@cybernautadventurer]

I have to admit, he kinda has a point about Northerners.

[@AbeStephan]

Harrison always liked connecting with directors while filming movies .

[@davidbielski3484]

I think this man must've had the personality of a hammer on set. The best kind of guy to work with him would have a personality like an anvil. His movies are like finley crafted katanas.

[@Ladygagsalot]

Like a boss.

[@dcasey77]

@MisterTwoPiece You're right, every director should do that. It is, after all, their project and they should have the final say. I completely agree with what he says about not being pushed around just because he is new to the Hollywood system. But in the interviews I've seen him give, he comes across to me as having an unfortunate manner and I can see how that could cause problems on the set.

[@vincenthana541]

Genious.

[@Ben1238]

I strongly respectfully disagree! He has made some of the most influential films of the past thirty years and inspired many of the big directors in LA today (David Fincher). Hanibal was good not his best though but I do not believe he would purposely ruin a film. He does not strike me as someone that would do that.

[@EGarrett01]

Yeah, I did the math...2700 commercials at :30 each is equivalent to about eleven 2-hour movies.

[@Sodiumreactor]

The new Robin Hood was a great movie. Lots of great battle scenes, and of course the wench, Marion. check it out on dvd peeps!

[@tinotrivino]

why Lucus? I never heard about him or her. Can you tell me about this person?

[@soniat1348]

He is A genius❤

[@SoudagerAamer]

"Hollywood asks us to do what they want..." Wow.

[@TheSpiritOfTheTimes]

What is wow about it moron lol? Ever heard of how the economic system you live in works?

[@rathraven1313]

@mirr1984 Got to remember Harrison by the time he did Bladerunner. He was already spoiled by Steven Spielberg and George Lucus.

[@AliFareedMC]

Thumb up for RS

[@SubUrbanNinja-EDC]

One of the best directors of our time.

[@Irishrover101]

Of our. Of all in my opinion. People born 80 to 100 years in the future if film is still a thing People will probably make films wanting to be as good as Ridley iv not seen any new director come close to his genius mind

[@Eikinkloster]

wow. I was prepared to be underwhelmed at your response, but you've managed to fail my lowest expectations.

[@Ufuk646]

Hes the best!

[@mikearchibald744]

I think he's being a bit facetious here in that he's a pretty smart guy and talked about how on Alien he kind of created purposely the atmosphere that made the actors feel somewhat confused and claustrophobic, because it made it that much easier to get them to act....confused and claustrophobic. Not much is said by Harrison Ford about this, but from a long time ago when I read some stuff it was that Harrison Ford wanted to know if he was a replicant or what his 'basis' was, and that feeling was exactly what Ridley Scott wanted in the character. Meaning he had to manipulate Harrison Ford, a guy who isn't easily manipulated and likely doesn't like it much....as evident from the fact he almost never talked about it again.

[@andriylesiv8924]

Where is Ridley now?

[@isaachaze1]

@Libraloco73 it's a problem i've seen with oliver stone. he lets things get out of control and his actors do what they want (or at least it seems that way)

[@yokoreia]

He's good visual, his narrative uneven.

[@seferino]

One of the best directors ever.

[@SteveBueche1027]

Actors should act and let the director direct. Actors who want creative control should stop acting and go direct something.

[@VikingVern7]

Ya well i wish that he would have addressed weather or not he felt or should have felt or even recognised that big companies like hollywood usuall try to be careful to an absolute degree with there investment decisions, and weather or not if maybe he should have been more complyable in his early hollywood years. I would agree with anyone though who sais he pro sees that and his opinion is probably that if he was more ok with changing the direction of his work for others it would not as good.

[@Telekon5]

Is that anything like aggressive negotiations?

[@danphxaz89]

@ThaMovieManiac He did'nt make Alien Broski. That was James Cameron

[@IndyCrewInNYC]

If only more directors asserted themselves like Mr. Scott we wouldn't see so many films fucked up by self-inflated actors who insist on changing 1000 things in order to make themselves look better at everyone else's expense.

[@patrickbateman9410]

He's basically become what he just said hollywood does to directors. Promethus and Alien Covenant were butchered by the studio and instead of just admitting that he keeps saying " no no, this is what I wanted" if those 2 movies were what he wanted, then he's lost his touch :/ and why the hell was there an extended version of Promethus that was way better than the theatrical release?

[@converge1993]

I know this comment is 8 months late, but Ridley has an unhealthy obsession with the pace of his movies. Prometheus and Alien Covenant were definitely not butchered by the studio, they were his "vision," whether we like it or not.

[@Syklonus]

Prometheus was decent. It had some script problems and some idiotic behaviour but that was only a small part of an otherwise excellent and gorgeous looking film. Covenant was ok for the first half but it was pandering to Alien fanboys and it killed the interesting Prometheus story and replaced with with a generic team/monster movie.

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

Blade Runner was "butchered" more than any subsequent film, so I'm not sure you're evidencing change there. The studio persuaded him to stick a happy ending on the end and do a voice over.

[@louduva9849]

@@Syklonus 'some script problems'. Do you credit writers, or just blame them? Simping for directors is pathetic.

[@AbeStephan]

butchered by the studios ? 🐂💩! Hollywood let Sir Ridley put up on the screen whatever he wanted . It's all there . Nothing cut

[@deptofcarstereorepair]

wait, so no one in Hollywood gave a shit about his damn bicycle cobblestone commercial??!?!

[@rafaeldomingus1735]

sir Ridley recently like today actually I discovered fatal Beauty perhaps for the second time in a decade is it true that FX is really gone it was such a oh well you know effects was sort of the remedy for all of those films then wasn't it