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Top Gun Director Jumps From Bridge
Other | Monday 20th August 2012 | Osh
Known for his faded red cap and the popularity of his stylised action flicks such as Top Gun and later Man on Fire director English director Tony Scott jumped to his death in an apparent suicide on the 19th of this month from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in the Pedro port district of Los Angeles, California aged 68.
Scott’s began his career intending to become an artist after studying at West Hartlepool College of Art, completing a fine arts degree at Sunderland Art School and graduating from the Royal College of Art. However like many siblings Scott saw the success of his brother and famed director Ridley Scott’s television commercial production company Ridley Scott Associates and changed his mind.
As his brother Ridley explained on The Directors, Tony had wanted to do documentaries at first. I told him, "Don't go to the BBC, come to me first." I knew that he had a fondness for cars, so I told him, "Come work with me and within a year you'll have a Ferrari." And he did.
And thank goodness he did. Scott directed many of the famed action flicks that we have grown up watching and loving, from Cruise in Top Gun and Days of Thunder to Pitt in Spy Games and Denzel Washington in five of Scott’s major action films. He is known for creating a specific stylised “high concept” action flick inspired by the MTV pop promos of the 80’s changing the face of films. Seeking to create 90 minutes pop promos that were sexy and interesting to watch, and that could be sold to a studio in one pitch. Hence the birth of films like Top Gun. Said to be lacking in content, Scott never received a nomination for an Oscar unlike his older brother Ridley.
But ultimately who can gives a hoot what the academy says, how can anyone resist the ass kicking brilliance of Domino or the edge of your seat thrill that is The Taking of Pelham 123. There is word on the rumour mill that a Top Gun 2 is in the production lines, and what better way to pay homage to such a prolific director than to go and see Cruise do his thing so many years later.
Scott’s career spanned over 30 years including not only film projects but TV show such as Numb3rs and The Good Wife as well as a number of music videos, commercials and short films. Hollywood and film lovers alike will be mourning the death of Tony Scott who is survived by his wife and twin sons.
By Saabeah Aforo-Addo
