Ridley Scott: Fellowship 2018

Sir Ridley Scott, the man who brought us Alien, Blade Runner and Thelma and Louise has been honoured with BAFTA’s highest accolade: the Fellowship.

The following is an extract from the official 2018 EE British Academy Film Awards brochure. Words by Rosie Fletcher.

Versatile, outspoken, comfortable traversing genres and budgets, director and producer Sir Ridley Scott has set up two companies, won numerous awards, been given a knighthood and made some of the most important films of the last 40 years. But he insists the best could be yet to come. Ask him about how he would define his career to date and he’s not looking back. “I’d like to have done 60 movies. I’m heading towards my 30th,” he says. “I’m a chronic worker. I love it.”

Scott has always been happy juggling awards fare with blockbusters. In 2017, he brought us both a big budget franchise sequel, Alien: Covenant, as well as true life JP Getty drama, All The Money in the World, which earned some BAFTA love for its star Christopher Plummer… It’s been 40 years since Scott made his feature directorial debut, The Duellists in 1977, which earned two BAFTA nominations – for Costume Design and Cinematography. The film didn’t win either at the time but Scott seems to enjoy the symmetry of being awarding the Fellowship four decades later. “Well, you know, it’s taken a while,” he laughs “It’s great to be acknowledged by your peers, that’s very important. I’m thrilled to bits actually.”

An expert storyteller with an incredible visual eye, Scott says the most important thing he’s learned throughout his career is the importance of hard work. “A lot of the job of a director is about mental and physical stamina. You need both,” he says. “If you don’t, one way or another, one of them is going to get you. You are the cheerleader, you are the father figure, you are the advisor, you are the psychologist, you’re also an expert on bootlaces and haircuts. So, if you don’t like pressure, don’t do the job!”

Read the full interview in the official brochure