Ridley Scott: Fast-Track Filmmaker and Nighttime Streamer
Ridley Scott is known as one of the fastest directors in the industry. For example, he reshot scenes for “All the Money in the World” in just nine days—a task expected to take more than 20. He also shot the studio tentpole “Alien: Covenant” in 73 days. This rapid pace occasionally leaves him with free time, rare for most directors.
How does Scott use these pockets of downtime? He said in an interview with Vulture that he loves Netflix and is a regular viewer, watching about a movie each night.
Netflix: A Launchpad for Content—and Scott's Late-Night Ritual
What keeps Scott coming back to Netflix? He explained:
“The great thing about Netflix right now is that it’s like a catapult, because they just want content and lots of it,” Scott said. “Do they care so much about the quality? Less about it, and they should keep their eye on that. But they’ve got $8 billion to spend next year, just on content. And I see a movie a night, so it’s perfect.”
With Netflix committing billions to new content, Scott seems pleased by the abundance—though he notes the importance of quality.
‘Mindhunter': Ridley Scott's Pick for Best Show on TV
So what does Scott, with his decades of experience, choose to watch? His answer is clear: “Mindhunter.” The David Fincher serial killer drama has won him over completely. Scott called it the best television show on air at the time, adding that he’d like to direct a 10-hour miniseries himself someday.
“I’ll be there, 1 o’clock in the morning … click. It’s a bedtime story! I love the advent of Netflix and what it means to people like me. It suits me down to the ground,” Scott said. “I’d love to do a ten-hour mini-series myself, personally. [David] Fincher’s got the best show on the air right now.”
He also said he sees similarities with Fincher, especially when it comes to their detail-oriented styles:
“Fincher’s a bit like me, very anal, compulsive,” Scott continued. “But he’s very good, and that proves that audiences want good. They don’t want shit; they want good.”
What's Next for Scott?
While Scott has expressed interest in creating his own extended TV project, at the time of the interview he was back on the big screen with “All the Money in the World,” his second release that year after “Alien: Covenant.” He also served as a producer on “Blade Runner 2049.” Even with new passions, Scott’s creative drive has remained constant.
