Ken Barthelmey is a famend creature and character designer, having supplied various ideas for various excessive profile sci-fi tasks over latest years – together with extra not too long ago Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth sequence. For Alien: Earth, Ken supplied a wide selection of different Xenormoph design ideas, in addition to tough sketches for the Eggs, Facehuggers and Chestbursters. Nevertheless, the grownup Xenomorph is the place he centered most of his time. I had the pleasure of asking Ken some questions on his work on Alien: Earth and he additionally supplied three items of extra Alien idea artwork we’re solely revealing together with this interview! We hope you benefit from the learn!
Ken Barthelmey Alien: Earth Interview
Scified: When did you first grow to be concerned with Alien: Earth?
Ken Barthelmey: In 2021, Tom Woodruff from Studio ADI reached out to me, asking me if I might have an interest to create some fast idea designs for an upcoming Alien challenge. Alien is considered one of my favourite film franchises so I used to be fired as much as begin.
I had already collaborated a couple of occasions with Tom and Alec earlier than and dealing on an Alien challenge with them felt very particular to me. I bear in mind there had simply been bulletins a few new Alien movie (Romulus) and the FX sequence. I hadn’t learn the script, so I didn’t know which challenge I used to be truly engaged on, however they later confirmed it was certainly for the sequence.
Studio ADI was concerned within the very early improvement section of the challenge. Later Weta Workshop got here on board and dealt with the ultimate design and swimsuit.
Over time you’ve supplied some unimaginable creature designs for various completely different sci-fi tasks. Have been Xenomorphs the one creatures you supplied ideas for on Alien: Earth? What different creatures did you assist design?
I did numerous sketches of alien eggs, facehuggers, chestbusters, and the full-grown alien itself. These had been very tough pencil sketches, although. We solely had a couple of weeks to compile a bunch of designs and I primarily centered on the alien. For the alien I created extra refined drawings.
Have been you given particular tips to stick to in your Xenomorph aesthetics or had been you given free vary to discover your personal concepts?
Manufacturing wished the Alien to look just like the unique however nonetheless completely different sufficient. They didn’t need any of the biomechanical parts from the unique and as an alternative aimed for a extra natural look. The temporary urged a crustacean impressed Xenomorph. The Alien additionally wanted to be agile sufficient to climb partitions, so the design needed to mirror that. I keep in mind that in my early sketches, I nonetheless included too many biomechanical particulars and needed to pull again.
To date we’ve seen a crustacean-inspired Xenomorph and some various designs that featured some Xenomorphs with extra muscular tails for climbing – are there different variations you utilized to different Xenomorph designs?
Moreover these, I experimented with a really skinny and elongated head. One other design featured sharp, pointed tubes on its again. Whereas it appeared intriguing from a design standpoint, it wouldn’t have been sensible for a swimsuit. The Alien needed to be agile and in a position to climb partitions, all of that needed to be considered when designing a creature. I additionally created a model with skinny, translucent pores and skin overlaying its physique. There wasn’t sufficient time to finish a coloured 3D idea, however I’m positive I might have had loads of enjoyable creating one.
What’s probably the most difficult a part of creating a brand new Xenomorph design?
Staying true to the unique whereas giving it a contemporary spin is probably the most difficult half. The Giger design is already excellent, it is not sensible to attempt to enhance it, that might be not possible. The beauty of the Alien is that it mixes its genes with the host, which permits for lots of creativity. They explored that concept in Alien 3, however I really feel it could possibly be pushed even additional and I hope future movies will do this. It might be an amazing alternative to experiment with completely different designs. Think about an Alien hybrid born from an animal like a lion, it may look acquainted, but completely new. The probabilities are countless.
How lengthy does it take you to go from conceptual thought to submission-ready paintings? What’s your inventive course of like?
I believe I labored on the challenge for about two weeks. Due to the brief deadline we may solely spend a day or two on every idea. I bear in mind Tom had conferences with the manufacturing group on the finish of every week to current our work, so we needed to end every thing as shortly as doable.
Which Alien: Earth piece are you most happy with?
I just like the crustacean impressed Xenomorph idea. It was primarily based on a private piece I created in 2016. I all the time wished to see a Xeno with out lips and I might have liked to develop that design additional in 3D.
What did you consider the opposite Specimens within the present and was the Xenomorph your favourite? Or did the T. Ocellus steal the present for you too?
The Alien continues to be my favourite, however they had been all very inventive designs and I preferred that every of them had its personal performance.
As a “creature maker”, what did you consider the Plumbicare / Orchid specimen? We’re seeing extra exploration into hostile flora in Alien: Earth and the upcoming Predator: Badlands – do you suppose hostile alien vegetation could be as terrifying as typical organisms?
Standard organisms can run after you, which is scarier for me. Vegetation are most likely not as terrifying, however they’re actually extraordinarily deadly!
You publicly talked about you loved Alien: Earth, are you able to inform us what your favourite second within the present was?
My favourite second within the present was the occasion bloodbath in episode 2. Total, I preferred the characters of the present. Kirsh and Morrow had been my favorites. I additionally liked the paint job on the Alien. They added some patterns on the brow, which I believe labored rather well.
If you happen to needed to choose one, which was your favourite episode?
Episode 5 was my private favourite. I like the retro set design. The episode was nicely made and felt like a mini Alien movie.
We’re huge followers of your work and we wish to know – what’s subsequent for Ken? Are there any thrilling upcoming sci-fi tasks you’re presently or quickly might be concerned in?
Thanks. I created a couple of ideas for the upcoming Voltron movie. I additionally helped design the primary monster for an upcoming Indian horror movie and there are a couple of different tasks I can’t discuss but.
I wish to lengthen a giant thanks once more to Ken for taking the time to reply our questions and for sharing a few of his unseen idea artwork with us! Yow will discover extra of Ken’s work on his official web site and you may keep linked along with his ongoing tasks by following him on Instagram, on X and liking his Fb web page!
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