Designing a Conveyor Hall and Hive Setting in Alien: Romulus
01. The importance of finding good references
When designing a feature-film set, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of the overall aesthetic and atmosphere the director and production team are aiming for. For the conveyor hall and hive setting in Alien: Romulus, I relied heavily on references from the second film in the Alien series, Aliens. Screen grabs from the film provided valuable insights into the shapes, angles, lighting, and materiality used in the colony hallways, which I drew inspiration from to create a dark, industrial, and ominous atmosphere.
02. Sketch out a cross-section
To get started, I sketched out a cross-section of the corridor, focusing on the overall shape and feel of the space. I wanted to create a sense of tension and discomfort, so I opted for a tall, narrow space with dramatic angles and a sense of weight and oppression.
03. Create a floor plan
Next, I created a floor plan of the corridor, using the sketch as a guide. This helped me to visualize the layout and ensure that the design was functional and logical.
04. Block out in Blender
I then blocked out the design in Blender, using the 3D software to create a basic shape and structure for the corridor. This allowed me to experiment with different shapes and angles, and to get a sense of the overall scale and proportions of the space.
05. Add details, lighting, and materials
With the basic shape and structure in place, I added details, lighting, and materials to the design. I used a combination of 3D modeling and texturing to create a sense of depth and realism, and to bring the space to life.
06. Paint over the render
Finally, I painted over the render to add additional details, atmosphere, and texture to the design. I used a combination of brushes and filters to create a sense of grit and grime, and to add depth and dimension to the image.
07. Bring in glow and dust, and place a character
To enhance the atmosphere of the design, I added a range of elements, including glow and dust particles, and placed a character (Kay) within the scene. This helped to create a sense of scale and to add a sense of drama and tension to the design.
08. Head over to Photoshop and complete the scene
I then exported the image and took it into Photoshop for final touches, adding a Levels adjustment layer to increase the contrast and drama of the image. I also added a 50% grey layer with a Noise filter to create a sense of texture and depth.
09. Write up notes and present the concept
Finally, I wrote up notes capturing the key ideas and design decisions, and presented the concept to the production team. This helped to ensure that everyone was on the same page, and that the design met the expectations of the director and production team.
Conclusion
Designing a conveyor hall and hive setting for Alien: Romulus required a thorough understanding of the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of the film, as well as a range of technical skills and tools. By following a structured approach, from researching references to painting over the render, I was able to create a design that met the expectations of the director and production team, and that brought the world of Alien to life.
FAQs
Q: How did you approach the design of the conveyor hall and hive setting?
A: I approached the design by researching references from the second film in the Alien series, Aliens, and using those references to inform my design decisions. I also used a combination of skills and tools, including 3D modeling and texturing, to create a sense of depth and realism.
Q: What were some of the key challenges you faced during the design process?
A: Some of the key challenges I faced included creating a sense of tension and discomfort in the design, while also ensuring that the space was functional and logical. I also had to balance the need for detail and realism with the need for a sense of scale and drama.
Q: How did you ensure that your design met the expectations of the director and production team?
A: I ensured that my design met the expectations of the director and production team by being open to feedback and suggestions, and by presenting my design in a clear and concise manner. I also provided detailed notes and concept art to help illustrate my design decisions and ensure that everyone was on the same page.
