I used to agonise over what to do next, but now I'm making a movie a year. It's insane, but it's only a movie after all. You just hang in there, and occasionally you might make something which you can call art... briefly.
I think over time I've learned to stop being a screamer and get interactive; otherwise, you get killed in Hollywood. I stopped being a screamer shortly after 'Blade Runner,' kicking doors and things like that, because I wasn't actually getting anywhere.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication over aggression in achieving success.
Ridley Scott reflects on his evolution as a leader in the high-pressure environment of Hollywood. He recognizes that aggressive behavior, like shouting and demanding actions, was counterproductive to his goals. Instead, he learned to engage with others in a more interactive and cooperative manner, which ultimately led to more effective results in his career. This transformation illustrates the significance of adapting one's approach to achieve better outcomes in team dynamics and leadership.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a workshop on effective communication, I shared a quote emphasizing the importance of interaction over aggression.
More from Ridley Scott
All quotes →The best stories come out of the truth.
In my view, the only way to see a film remains the way the filmmaker intended: inside a large movie theater with great sound and pristine picture.
I've gradually realised that what I do best is universes. And I shouldn't be afraid of that.
Everyone is tearing each other apart in the name of their personal god. And the irony is, by definition, they're probably worshiping the same god.
When you're at a certain point in your time - age, that is, when you're older - you start to realize that, actually, what you leave behind you does count, and so you start to become fundamentally aware of your own destiny, which sounds very grand. It's not grand at all, actually.
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