I'm watching 'Hannibal' again on dvd, with commentary from the director (Ridley Scott). I'm a fan of the work of Scott, even though I know it's all quite bombastic.
Do you also learn by watching films with notes and commentary from the director?
Filmmaking / Directing : Director's notes by Frank Van Der Meijden
MA at 2frame ♦ Screenwriter, Music Composer, Director
3 months ago
Director's notes
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That's a fantastic idea, Frank Van Der Meijden! Thanks!
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When I was first getting into screenwriting, I bought a shooting script of Shawshank Redemption with director notes and watched the movie. I paused throughout in order to absorb all the details from Frank Darabont about why certain scenes were cut or why subtle changes were made during the filming process. It's one of the best exercises in film education that I've ever done.
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Erik Gagnon That's a magnificent idea as well! Never done that, but I think it's worth every penny!
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Absolutely — I think watching films with director commentary is one of the most underrated ways to really learn filmmaking. It’s like sitting in on a private masterclass where you get insight into every choice — the pacing, framing, tone, even what went wrong on set.
Ridley Scott’s commentaries in particular are gold because he doesn’t just talk about what he did, but why — and often in a very practical, no-nonsense way. You start to see how much of directing is about instinct balanced with discipline.
Personally, I find it fascinating how commentary tracks reveal the invisible work — like how a lighting decision or the rhythm of a cut completely changes the emotional temperature of a scene. You can’t really pick that up just from watching passively.
Do you ever take notes while you watch, or do you prefer to just absorb and enjoy the director’s thought process as it unfolds?
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Frank Van Der Meijden I did that in my early days, and it can be helpful. You do have to remember that the director is aware he or she is speaking to an audience - so what is NOT said and how things are said is something you should be sensitive to.
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as a side note, the music in Hannibal is amazing. I love the opera scene of 'Dante's Inferno'
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Asia Almerico Well said. It's about 'read between the lines' in visual storytelling. I didn't take any notes, because I was too focused on watching the scenes ánd listening. :)
When I'm watching a webcast, I take notes regularly though.
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Hannah Woolmer Agree! It's my favorite as well. It's 'Vide Cor Meum', isn't it? The only track that wasn't composed by Hans Zimmer solely. The main part of 'Vide Cor Meum' was composed by Patrick Cassidy, if I'm right.