The crew on Earth is irritating “something more terrifying” in season 2

What to do Xenomorf Eggs feel like? According to experts on special effects who designed them Alien: EarthThe answer is warm and sticky. The second Skin Studio worked directly with the Wētā workshop and the creators of the series to enliven their concepts for various extraterrestrial creatures. In the case of iconic franchise capsules, this meant the shell of vegetable glycerin shell. The founder of the second leather, Sajewut “Tor” Sakthamcharoen, tells Polygon that it gave the eggs a “wet, organic look.”

Saktamcharoeen and his colleague Sarinnaree “Honey” Khamaumcharyan worked on many monstrous beings in Alien: Earthincluding monstrous ticks, flies, and of course, Favorite fans T. Oko (often called “Foreign eyeball“Or” Eye Midge “the cast and team of the series). To learn more about these terrifying specimens, Polygon met with Saktamcharoen and Khamaumcharan via e -mail to learn more about their work Alien: EarthTheir theory of one of the biggest changes in the film and their plans regarding the potential season 2.

Polygon: I know that you worked on a tick, tentacles, flies, xenomorphs and a xenomorphic embryo. Have you worked on all additional creatures for Alien: Earth? What was the design process?

Sakthamcharoen samewut “Tor”: Actually, about the creatures you mentioned, like a tick, Mackie eyeballs, flies socket, xenomorph eggs and embryo, we have built many more varieties than what you see on the screen – different sizes and forms for various shots. In addition, we have also created the support of creatures and props, such as the sheep, the feat of the scene of fall and death [in episode 8]and the proportion of xenomorphs foam in a bag for a moment when Morrow spray [a substance] catch xeno [in episode 2]. We also created silicone mannequins, a cat mannequin with an eye in half, detailed hair work and prosthetics for the sequence in the middle of the eye

Sarinnare “Honey” Khamaumcharan: The second skin syndrome also supported the VFX department, creating a green chestnut. This was used on the set to help the actors react more naturally, and later became a reference element for the VFX team.

Ticks are particularly terrifying in episode 5, but we only see part of their life cycle. Do you have any ideas on how it can continue if it is the second season of the series?

Pole: I am not entirely sure – it would really depend on the director’s vision. But one thing is certain: you still haven’t seen them build their nests.

Tell me more about the design of the Xenomorph embryo. How did you decide what would it look like?

Pole: In fact, the initial project comes from Wētā [Workshop] As a 2D sketch. The first time we saw it, we thought it looks really cool. But because it had to be practical, we had to take this concept and convert it, sculpting the new 3D model, and then a 3D printing in over 10 different sizes for the director. After approving the scale, we went to forming and throwing it in a way that looked like a translucent jelly. In this way, when it is under water, you can clearly see the skeletal form of the Xeno embryo inside.

Honey: Yes, the embryo project comes from the workshop in Wētā. Our second skin syndrome took sketches and brought them to the practical world, making sure that the project can function on the set and be smoothly integrated with VFX work.

In the original foreign film from 1979, xenomorph eggs have water on them, which seems to drip up (instead of flowing down). Xenomorphic eggs in Alien: Earth do not seem to have this function. Was there the reason you left?

Pole: This is something that we have never really talked to the director [Noah Hawley]. But from what I understand, in the original 1979 StrangerRidley Scott used a clever camera trick – upside down so that water drops falling under gravity look like dripping up – so that the eggs seem disturbing and foreign. The props were also covered with vegetable glycerin to give them a wet, organic look. IN Alien: EarthSince the setting is on the ground, not on a foreign planet, it is possible that the decision was that the eggs were more grounded in our gravity. But this is only my supposition.

Honey: We tried many approaches to reflect the original 1979 AlienBut we also had to adapt some details to match the world Alien: Earth. In some cases, we added new elements, and in others we adapted functions to match the history and tone of this series.

I heard the “alien of the eyeball” referred to as “species 64” or “t. Ocellus”. But the news on the street is that you call it “eye in half”. Where did this nickname come from?

Pole: To be honest, we don’t really know where this nickname comes from, because we never asked about his origin. For the first time we heard “Eye Midge” from Jeff Okuna (VFX), as well as from the Wētā design team.

Honey: We are not entirely sure where the name comes from. However, I think that this has become a practical nickname so that our international crew can easily understand and convey the physical features of creation.

What was the biggest challenge that stood on the creatures of the series? How did you pass them?

Pole: I would say that the biggest challenge was to definitely build xenomorphs’ eggs and support the separating sequences. It was something we have never done before, so there were many attempts and mistakes along the way. We really have to thank our team – they pushed with such patience and dedication, and it finally enabled.

Honey: For me, the biggest challenge was the design and building of xenomorphs. The second skin syndrome had to create many versions – soft, hard, which could open, even animatron and manual versions. We also developed internal layers of eggs in such a way that, I think, the audience had never seen any foreign film before. In addition, keeping intact eggs in a hot climate of Thailand was a real test for us.

Which creation from outside Xenomorph is your favorite?

Pole: I really like a fly. Its size makes it a bit charming – large and massive, almost like a giant beetle. He has a trunk like an elephant and eyes like a spider, which makes it strange and captivating at the same time.

Honey: Definitely the eye in half. This is one of the smartest creatures in the series. Although many VFX came into play, the practical version we built looked absolutely charming, as well as absolutely strange.

Which scene of creating from this season Alien: Earth Is your favorite?

Pole: My favorite must be in half with Shmel. This scene was so exciting and it was a special mix of creation and prosthetic work – which we are really proud of.

Honey: My favorite scene was a fly pumping acid saliva on Issac. Because ISSAC is a synthetic body built so that it is extremely strong, observing how it reacts to acid, it really shows both the biology of creation and its terrifying strength.

What was the development process in creating new foreign creatures Alien: Earth With such a large international team? Was there a lot of back with the creators of the series?

Honey: For my part, this process was very cooperating. The initial concepts of creatures came from the director’s and Wētā workshop, but when they reached us, it was our duty to translate these projects into practical compilations that could actually operate on the set. This meant testing materials, creating prototypes and finding ways to combine prosthetics with VFX. There were a lot there and back with both the director and the supervisor of VFX-we have tested, adapt based on feedback and improve, until everyone thinks that the creation is both credible and ready for the film. The challenge and joy was to transform the 2D concept into something physical, with which the actors could interact and the camera could capture.

Were there any concepts for foreign creatures you came up with Alien: Earth Season 1 that you would like to continue in next seasons?

Pole: Yes, there were definitely some concepts that we worked on, which did not reach season 1.

Honey: Yes, we had several concepts that did not reach season 1. I hope that if there is season 2, we can have a chance to revive them alive, maybe even something more terrifying, something that will make the fans go crazy. To be honest, we can’t wait.