Before I start I’d like to point out all material is sourced via this amazing Aliens tribute site: http://aliensarchive.tripod.com/home.html. Though it doesn’t appear to have been updated for a some time it’s still extremely extensive, with script revisions, FX info and costume design and detailing – a must read!
So with regards to this post… here we have a small selection of storyboard frames from everybody’s favourite “Vietnam in Space” movie: Aliens – (Directed James Cameron, 1986). Theses samples are taken from across several drafts I believe and were illustrated by artists Roger Dear, Maciek Piotrowski and Denis Rich, apparently these scan’s are taken from the films Laser Disc Release, although full versions (copies?) of the storyboard do crop occasionally on ebay. The first thing you notice is just how close to the final film print they actually are, you can almost hear them! I’ve tried to arrange them in chronological order from top left and across - I’m not sure the final “fueling” thumbnail (bottom row) made it into the film.
As for the film itself, well I think there’s a fair chance that if your reading this you’ve probably seen it more than once. Better than Ridley Scott’s original? well it’s hardly worth arguing over as both will forever be tagged as visionary film making. As for the sequels? Alien 3 nullifies the events of it’s predecessor and ultimately pails into insignificance, though Fincher’s effort does have it’s merits including some great sets and very nifty camera work. Ressurection as with 3 is best enjoyed when you remove all thought’s of the first two movies, it’s watchable nonsense which is more than can be said for you know what….
Here’s a funny clip giving you a insight into James Cameron’s thoughts on that which is unmentionable: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aKnS7CGWNmU
Ridley Scott’s Storyboard for Alien is here: http://www.sci-fi-o-rama.com/2008/08/26/alien-storyboards/
Another 3 shots from Kubrick’s Masterpiece, this time from the simply astonishing “Star Gate” sequence. These stills hardly do it justice, and neither does a youtube clip, however here’s a quick reminder http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=m6yAEvnoCPs
The special effect to create this animated sequence was of course mechanical (not digital) and is called Slit-Scan Photography, I’d never heard of it before either!
Here’s a link to a Wiki overview http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slit-scan_photography and an article on how to achieve the effect with a large format camera http://people.rit.edu/andpph/text-slit-scan.html
A selection of 3 screen grabs Taken from Stanley Kubrick’s genre defining 2001: A Space Odyssey. In 40yrs + it’s never been bettered in terms of artistic merit or design, for me this will always be THE Science Fiction Movie, a spectacle indeed, though not always riveting entertainment in the mould of so much other classic Sci-fi, it is however a brooding experience like no other. Personally I feel it’s almost better to watch and marvel the drawn out acts separately rather than one long sitting, make your own remix…
Warning – Possible Spoilers!
The above images relate to Franks Poole’s ill fated attempt to replace the broken/not broken AE35 Unit, I didn’t realise until recent re-watch that Kubrick used the famous helmet reflection trick on both astronauts and not just Dave Bowman – so here’s a little tribute to Franks last EVA. Interestingly though if one follows Arthur C Clarke’s Canon, 2001, 2010, 2061 and 3001 – the final book actually see’s the 1000 year frozen body of Poole being plucked from deep space, defrosted and brought back to life ALA Buck Rogers! now there’s a plot device…
2001’s greatest scene? a tough one of course, but for me, well it’s Bowman’s psych out trip – “My god it’s full of stars” – chillingly punctuated with brief flash’s of the terrified astronaut, 500 million miles alone and utterly helpless, a rabbit caught in the headlights of oblivion. Suffice to say, 2001 is as supremely powerful and otherworldly today as it was upon release in 1968…
One final note for a test, whats the primary font used to for Status/Error messages on all consoles?… clue is: its visable in this post……
Another example of early CGI, this time taken from Star Trek 2 “The Wrath of Khan” (Directed: Nicholas Meyer, 1982).
“Wrath of Khan’s” opening chapter starts with the infamous “Kobayashi Maru” simulation, from which this mechanical (and slightly trippy) Bridge-Screen visual is taken… Wicked film, with plenty of great quotes and the usual over acting, It’s generally regarded as best in the series, and it’s also probably the most accesable to non-trekkies.
Read more about it here: www.imdb.com/title/tt0084726/ and here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wrath_of_Khan check the trailer here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UJTi7KJPx_E
