Pop diva Madonna says she picked up tips for her directorial debut 'W.E.' from her ex-husbands Sean Penn and Guy Ritchie.


Madonna. PICs/AFP

The 53-year-old said she learned about directing while in relationships with director ex-husbands Penn and Ritchie, reported Contactmusic.

"I've been on a few film sets in my day and I've been married to a few directors and I've been friends with a lot of directors. "I watched closely what both Sean and Guy did.

With Sean I saw the importance of rehearsal and preparing and doing as much work as you can ahead of being on set.

Guy is a much more visual director and he takes a lot of chances and risks when it comes to camera moves and things like that. And I learned a lot from him in that respect," Madonna said.

'W.E' talked about the story of British monarch King Edward VIII's controversial marriage to American divorcee Wallis Simpson, which forced him from the throne.