Director Ridley Scott . . . "Blade Runner"

By Rick Farris

I joined the "Blade Runner" crew about six weeks after principal photography had started. At the time, the company was shooting an "all-night" schedule in downtown L.A. At the historic Bradbury Building.

On my first night there, I met the cinematographer, Jordan Cronenweth. Jordan was usually cool, but he seemed a bit frustrated when he stopped to shake my hand and welcome me. He was moving quickly with a few others, and said he'd speak with me later.

"That's Ridley Scott, the director," said Richard Hart, the lighting gaffer. Hart was pointing to the man leading the group, including Jordan. The high energy director was barking orders in a clear Brithish accent as they walked, the Art Director was busy taking notes, the first A.D. opened the door to the "set" of a genetic engineer, a man who lived among his creations, robots, etc.

The Director told the Art Director to clear the set and to bring in several dozen mannequins. When he returned later, he began pointing and set decoraters quickly began to set the mannequins up. The Director tossed one of the dummies over into a corner, he tossed another on the floor. He then barked at his assistant director, "I want you to hire three mimes, have them in costume as a mannequins, and pose them among. It will bring life to the wooden models."

The set was decorated and the next day we shot the scene. In the room, you could not tell the real mannequins from the mimes. The live ones were placed in the background, slightly out of focus. There was no movement from any, except one small, subtle "wink" of the eye, by one mime. Nobody will notice it visually, but the eye sees it and the sub-concious mind reads it, and this brings the scene to life, giving the wooden mannequins life.

This would be a great film, and it was the product of Ridley Scott and great suppoting artists. However, it was the subtle little extras that Ridley Scott brought to the table that made this something special. Like the fighter that just happenes to have the right skills and moves for any situation. I learned something about the subtle power of suggestion in cinema, as well as art in general.

Scott was arrogant, and there was a little above line production rivalry going on behind closed doors. However, Ridley Scott is one of the most gifted film makers to walk the planet. His younger brother Tony is pretty good himself. Ridley has done a lot of great work and also owns his own Commercial Production company, aside from all the major feature work he has done.

Blade Runner was the only film I'd work with Ridley Scott, however, over the years I would work with him on a number of commercials.

It's the "little things" that count.