Ridley Scott

Three things pop into my head when I hear the name Ridley. First is the recurring deadly dragon boss in Metroid, second is an uncanny resemblance to the main character in Alien's name, Ripley. Third would be the tragic genius that is Ridley Scott. The man is known for painting a mouth-watering surreal picture on film, or transporting an audience to a viscerally realistic world. His films are always a feast for the eyes. The tragedy may be the fact that he is teamed with bumbling screenwriters, or that his focus on the visual leaves much to be desired in the neccesity of character development. His filmography is a plethora of memorable films, but only a few that are truly great in all the aspects that make a classic.

Everyone remembers Blade Runner (the director's cut, which is proof of studio tampering of the original), Alien, Gladiator, or Thelma and Louise. Everyone wants to forget 1492: Conquest of Paradise, GI Jane, and Legend. God, no, please don't give us anymore of Tim Curry as the Devil incarnate. Never again.

Ridley Scott is a product of his training and his passion. Born and raised in Northumberland, England, Scott showed an affinity for graphic design and painting and enrolled at the West Hartlepool College of Art. He branched out into filmmaking, while attending the Royal Academy of Art, with the short "Boy on a Bicycle." Forever the visual artist he secured a position at BBC Television as a set decorator before becoming a production designer. 1966 sought to lead him to directing at the helm of the popular drama "Z Cars" before branching out into commercial production. In a roughly ten year period, Scott directed a mind-boggling amount of commercials. Having tackled those challenges, it was only natural that he would set his sights on the big screen.

U S E L E S S  F A C T S

• Enya's 1986 recording "Aldebaran" is dedicated to Ridley Scott
• Is the father of the "director's cut"
• Black Hawk Down is dedicated to his mother, who died in 2001
• Knighted in the 2003 New Year's Honours List
• Has made over 2000 commercials
• Ridley Scott was the director of the famous "1984" commercial, that introduced the Apple Macintosh during halftime of the 1984 Super Bowl
• Father of actress Jordan Scott
• Ranked #25 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. Had ranked #30 in 2002
• Owns the visual effects company Mill Film, based in London. They did the majority of the effects work on Gladiator
• Thanks to QXZ for informing me that Ridley is brother to the director Tony Scott, and that his sons, Jake and Luke, both work at his production company.

F I L M O G R A P H Y

PRODUCER

Emma's War (2005) (announced)
Tripoli (2004) (pre-production)
Matchstick Men (2003)
Tristan & Isolde (2004)
Six Bullets from Now (2002)
The Hire: Ticker (2002)
The Hire: Beat the Devil (2002)
The Hire: Hostage (2002)
The Gathering Storm (2002) (TV)
"AFP: American Fighter Pilot" (2002) (TV)
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Hannibal (2001)
The Last Debate (2000) (TV)
Gladiator (2000)
Where the Money Is (2000)
RKO 281 (1999) (TV)
Clay Pigeons (1998)
G.I. Jane (1997)
"The Hunger" (1997) (TV)
White Squall (1996)
The Browning Version (1994)
Monkey Trouble (1994)
1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Someone to Watch Over Me (1987)
Blade Runner (1982)
Boy on a Bicycle (1965)

DIRECTOR

Tripoli (2004) (pre-production)
Matchstick Men (2003)
Cinema16 (2003)
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Hannibal (2001)
Gladiator (2000)
G.I. Jane (1997)
White Squall (1996)
1492: Conquest of Paradise] (1992)
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Black Rain (1989)
Someone to Watch Over Me (1987)
Legend (1985)
Blade Runner (1982)
Alien (1979)
The Duellists (1977)
"The Informer" (1966) (TV)
"Adam Adamant Lives!" (1966) (TV)
Boy on a Bicycle (1965)
"Z Cars" (1962) (TV)

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Some Lapse of Time (1965) (TV)
"Out of the Unknown" (1965) (TV)
"R3" (1964) (TV)

Hannibal (2001) (executive music producer)
The Duellists (1977) (camera operator)

WRITER

CINEMATOGRAPHER