Latest News

MPC’s Alien: Covenant Visual Effects Breakdown

Posted September 08, 2017 11:41 AM Corporal Hicks 34 Comments

After sharing several snippets of their VFX breakdown over the last few days, MPC have now posted the full breakdown video on YouTube!

“MPC’s VFX team lead by VFX Supervisor Ferran Domenech worked alongside Director Ridley Scott and Production VFX Supervisor Charley Henley to create more than 700 stunning shots for the Alien: Covenant. As lead studio, MPC’s work included the creation of the movies terrifying creatures, alien environments, vehicles and complex FX simulation work.”

The breakdown shows the multiple layers involved in creating many of the effect driven scenes in Alien: Covenant. The breakdown is largely focused around the scenes in and around the Engineer Necropolis, the adult Neomorph and the infamous money shots of the Alien during the lander sequence.

You can check out more of the behind-the-scenes media that people and companies who worked on Alien: Covenant have been sharing on our message boards.

Keep a close eye on Alien vs. Predator Galaxy for the latest on Alien: Covenant! You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get the latest on your social media walls. You can also join in with fellow Alien fans on our forums!

Post Comment

Comments: 34

« Newer Comments 1 2 Older Comments »

Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 25, 2017, 10:32:52 AM

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 12, 2017, 04:29:25 PM
http://www.khang-le.com/alien-convenant.html

Not sure if he worked on the film or not. Trying to find out.

The entire website is now down. I've got it all backed up though and will be posting this on the frontage and gallery after Christmas. I've confirmed with another artist who worked on Covenant back in 2014 than Khang did work in the art department. I've still had no response from Khang himself.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdB47CZnxkN/?taken-by=odd_studio
Reply
Baron Von Marlon
Posted Dec 22, 2017, 06:09:30 AM

Those various deformed Shaw images make me think they originally had something else mind for her.
Reply
SizzyBubbles
Posted Dec 22, 2017, 05:29:32 AM

Odd Studio has been posting all kinds of cool behind-the-scenes goodies on their Instagram as you can see. That unused Alien suit test tho...
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 21, 2017, 09:02:13 AM

Certainly looks like it's the same set.
Reply
Scorpio
Posted Dec 21, 2017, 08:51:42 AM

Is that the same set for Meet Walter as the opening prologue? Shot at Fox Studios Sydney?
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 21, 2017, 08:41:36 AM

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ1Yn2lxRA/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ2WjflTIh/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ4YO0lLjx/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ5SuoFbVz/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ5tSIl2Hz/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ6V2gFPQH/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ7ODgloHR/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ7tNrl2km/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ8MJWF-cU/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ-FJglrsl/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ9QANFF5X/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ-kxGFw2d/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ--3nlHYG/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZ_dyuFPDy/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcaAXfzF791/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BceIOAzlLJI/?taken-by=matthatt0n

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc8WAdxHmx1/?taken-by=puggie_one
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZNHE0nvdN/?taken-by=puggie_one
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYuxb6YhKT0/?taken-by=puggie_one
Reply
Highland
Posted Dec 20, 2017, 10:52:37 AM

That's awesome. Best scene in the movie.
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 20, 2017, 08:08:59 AM

Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 19, 2017, 09:22:56 AM

Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 18, 2017, 08:45:15 AM

QuoteWas a great pleasure to work on Alien: Covenant as a DMP/Generalist with such an amazing environment Team at Montreal MPC!
I loved so much at all!

I made some shot extensions by DMP and some 3D generalist solutions: Walls, Grounds, Gates, Mountains, bloody mess... etc.
I also worked on the early phase of Engineer city buildings and ground ( close and far distance too )

Thank you for the great adventure to the Montreal: env, Alien Team!

https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/378/large/tamas-gyerman-01.jpg?1513588035
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/380/large/tamas-gyerman-01a.jpg?1513587419
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/382/large/tamas-gyerman-01b.jpg?1513587421
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/386/large/tamas-gyerman-03.jpg?1513587424
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/379/large/tamas-gyerman-04.jpg?1513587418
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/377/large/tamas-gyerman-03b.jpg?1513587416
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/384/large/tamas-gyerman-02.jpg?1513587423
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/381/large/tamas-gyerman-05.jpg?1513587420
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/383/large/tamas-gyerman-06.jpg?1513587422
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/374/large/tamas-gyerman-08.jpg?1513587408
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/562/385/large/tamas-gyerman-07.jpg?1513587423

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/5wNnE
Reply
Still Collating...
Posted Dec 17, 2017, 03:58:58 PM

Thanks Hicks! I'll say it again, the art and creature department gave it their all for this movie. Such passion and creativity, I love seeing these.
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 17, 2017, 08:32:40 AM

Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 16, 2017, 03:32:34 PM

https://www.instagram.com/puggie_one/

It's from this account.
Reply
Still Collating...
Posted Dec 16, 2017, 03:19:26 PM

Can't see the post, do you have the original link to the picture?
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 16, 2017, 02:35:48 PM

Reply
Baron Von Marlon
Posted Dec 16, 2017, 06:07:03 AM

Got a feeling they're gonna try and wait because they might use earlier ideas for the sequel.
Reply
DorkiDori
Posted Dec 15, 2017, 04:32:27 PM

how long did it take Alien: Origins to pop up after Prometheus? I feel like it was a few years after the film came out IIRC
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 15, 2017, 09:10:19 AM

No doubt. It's just a case of access, I'm afraid. Hopefully they'll show up eventually.
Reply
Evanus
Posted Dec 14, 2017, 09:44:01 PM

Quote from: DorkiDori on Dec 14, 2017, 02:43:27 AM
wish we could get our hands on the original Prometheus 2 script would love to see how different the film wouldve been!
Yeah, there are probably tons of scripts that we haven't seen yet.
Reply
DorkiDori
Posted Dec 14, 2017, 02:43:27 AM

wish we could get our hands on the original Prometheus 2 script would love to see how different the film wouldve been!
Reply
KiramidHead
Posted Dec 13, 2017, 09:42:34 PM

Ridley is always coming up with new ideas that aren't always scripted. He had this concept for solar powered phone booths for his I Am Legend movie that never shows up in any of the drafts.
Reply
Baron Von Marlon
Posted Dec 13, 2017, 09:37:34 PM

Quote from: skhellter on Dec 12, 2017, 10:24:42 PM
makes you wonder what else is out there... hidden.

I keep wondering about the guidelines behind all those designs.
And the unused scripts. I guess every design had to be in the story at some point.
Reply
skhellter
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 10:24:42 PM

makes you wonder what else is out there... hidden.
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 09:18:54 PM

It will be after I've had a chance to speak to the artist and the art is actually from the production.
Reply
bobby brown
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 08:06:09 PM

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 12, 2017, 04:29:25 PM
http://www.khang-le.com/alien-convenant.html

Not sure if he worked on the film or not. Trying to find out.

WOOOOOW. this is so cool it should be front news!
Reply
Biomechanoid
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 06:37:36 PM

Quote from: KiramidHead on Dec 12, 2017, 06:29:51 PM
And ADI's retort with Harbinger Down didn't help.
That kickstarter project had good intentions, but you're right, it was a big miss in their attempt to showcase practical effects, imo.
Reply
Whos_Nick
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 06:30:31 PM

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 12, 2017, 04:29:25 PM
http://www.khang-le.com/alien-convenant.html

Not sure if he worked on the film or not. Trying to find out.

that art is amazing
Reply
KiramidHead
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 06:29:51 PM

Quote from: skhellter on Dec 12, 2017, 04:38:12 PM
^ Not really.

In that film's case, maybe the special effects were just shot poorly.
That film had a very inexperienced director.

Nobody seems to complain much about the practical effects in Del Toro films.

And ADI's retort with Harbinger Down didn't help.
Reply
skhellter
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 05:20:01 PM

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 12, 2017, 04:29:25 PM
http://www.khang-le.com/alien-convenant.html

Not sure if he worked on the film or not. Trying to find out.

Seems to be legit. Images are Dated 2014. Around the time that Huante was working on the film, too.
Reply
Biomechanoid
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 05:08:37 PM

Quote from: skhellter on Dec 12, 2017, 04:38:12 PM
^ Not really.

In that film's case, maybe the special effects were just shot poorly.
That film had a very inexperienced director.

Nobody seems to complain much about the practical effects in Del Toro films.
Understood, which is why I stated that lone example simply endorsed bobby's point. It wasn't my intent that it was conclusive overall.
Reply
Immortan Jonesy
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 04:41:04 PM

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 12, 2017, 04:29:25 PM
http://www.khang-le.com/alien-convenant.html

Not sure if he worked on the film or not. Trying to find out.

Wow! I seriously hope not! but not because his art is bad (actually is pretty cool) but because it would be a real shame, if this was officially scrapped from the final product (some of the designs are better than what we have in the final film, and the whole thing looks more like Prometheus 2)
Reply
skhellter
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 04:38:12 PM

^ Not really.

In that film's case, maybe the special effects were just shot poorly.
That film had a very inexperienced director.

Nobody seems to complain much about the practical effects in Del Toro films.
Reply
Biomechanoid
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 04:33:56 PM

Quote from: bobby brown on Dec 12, 2017, 11:13:31 AM
But this movie was made for a wide audience, as all major franchise movies are, and suit effects simply don't cut it anymore with the general audience.

Practical effects, as much as the some prefer them over CGI, seems to be struggling to keep a foothold in the industry. A good example is the The Thing 2011. I read an article on it where ADI took on a major project providing all the practical effects. The studio showed the film to a test audience and their main issue was the effects looked fake or unsatisfying. So the studio replaced most of it with CGI. Hindsight, that didn't save that film from poor box office and negative reviews, but this example does endorse your point that the wider audience no longer finds practical effects satisfying.
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 04:29:25 PM

http://www.khang-le.com/alien-convenant.html

Not sure if he worked on the film or not. Trying to find out.
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 04:20:48 PM

Show Video

Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 11:35:02 AM

General audience probably doesn't care how the effect is achieved as long as it looks good. I'm the same. While I appreciate the work that goes into both and have a soft spot for the practical, ultimately as long as the end result is good I really don't mind practical or digital.
Reply
bobby brown
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 11:13:31 AM

Well, that's you. A Purist on the Webb. But this movie was made for a wide audience, as all major franchise movies are, and suit effects simply don't cut it anymore with the general audience.
Reply
proto leech
Posted Dec 12, 2017, 10:56:15 AM

Quote from: bobby brown on Dec 11, 2017, 04:54:14 PM
Quote from: Whos_Nick on Dec 10, 2017, 04:33:30 PM
The xeno suit looks great why paint over it

To evade the guy in a suit vibe which is extremely difficult to avoid.

rather have guy in suit vibe over obvious cgi cartoon vibe honestly. they hired javier botet and barely utilized him
Reply
DorkiDori
Posted Dec 11, 2017, 08:40:03 PM

i wish we could get some explanation as to what exactly happened to Shaw and why her head was being morphed into something... else

i really liked the Giger influence behind her head piece, but just wanna know what it all is
Reply
Ultramorph
Posted Dec 11, 2017, 05:03:22 PM

I love that xeno-spider!
Reply
bobby brown
Posted Dec 11, 2017, 04:54:14 PM

Quote from: Whos_Nick on Dec 10, 2017, 04:33:30 PM
The xeno suit looks great why paint over it

To evade the guy in a suit vibe which is extremely difficult to avoid.
Reply
Baron Von Marlon
Posted Dec 11, 2017, 07:48:21 AM

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 10, 2017, 03:44:08 PM
https://www.creaturesinc.com/creature-effects

A motherload of some behind-the-scenes stills from Creatures Inc. I've posted a few below, adding the rest to the gallery on the site shortly.

Funky ass facehugger concepts.

The xeno-spider appeared earlier in digital drawing form, don't remember who did but I think the name was French and female.

The second one with the tail is described in David's drawings.

I guess they were both made when the Paradise draft was still on the table.
Reply
Whos_Nick
Posted Dec 10, 2017, 04:33:30 PM

The xeno suit looks great why paint over it
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 10, 2017, 03:44:08 PM

https://www.creaturesinc.com/creature-effects

A motherload of some behind-the-scenes stills from Creatures Inc. I've posted a few below, adding the rest to the gallery on the site shortly.

https://i.imgur.com/uxXe77e.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4s28Ycx.jpg

Funky ass facehugger concepts.
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 08, 2017, 08:09:10 AM

Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Dec 05, 2017, 10:18:24 AM

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcLVq3EjK8X/?taken-by=makeupartistmag

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb6InmigJcY/?taken-by=prosthetix

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbFZV9BDL0s/?taken-by=robblissconceptart
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbm66GzD3aV/?taken-by=robblissconceptart

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcPgFzzlX6x/?taken-by=matthatt0n
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcLGrYkFbkb/?taken-by=matthatt0n

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb6B27_n-j3/?taken-by=dane_hallett_art
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVwHG3VgOhk/?taken-by=dane_hallett_art
Reply
OmegaZilla
Posted Dec 02, 2017, 11:58:59 AM

those watermarks dammit
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Nov 22, 2017, 07:26:18 PM

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/nGnN4

QuoteI had the pleasure to be part of the MPC assets team working on Alien Covenant. I did most of the modelling on the Neomorph baby and toddler versions. I've also did a good pat of the Neomorph adult , refining anatomy and proportions and some details. Also did a bit of concepting refinements on different parts of the Neomorphs and Xenomorph at the request of the director and most of the facial shapes on all the aliens.

It was great being part of the team and I'd like to thank my friends and great team that worked on Alien Covenant : great Zen Master Dan Zelcs, Damien Guimoneau, Federico Scarbini, Henning Sanden, William Bell, leading with Solène Chan-Lam and Sean MIlls. (it was a much bigger team so sorry to the ones I've left out)

https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/226/069/large/andrei-szasz-neomorph-00.jpg?1511308329
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/226/027/large/andrei-szasz-neomorph-01.jpg?1511308133
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/226/070/large/andrei-szasz-neomorph-02.jpg?1511308332
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/226/139/large/andrei-szasz-neomorph-08.jpg?1511308816
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/226/140/large/andrei-szasz-neomorph-09.jpg?1511308818
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/226/141/large/andrei-szasz-neomorph-10.jpg?1511308820
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/226/244/large/andrei-szasz-alien-covenant-vfx-breakdown-1.jpg?1511309754

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/6043x

QuoteHappy to show you my work on Alien
I acted as model and texture artist at MPC. I did the high resolution sculpt work on the Xenomorph, a part of the sculpt and 3d concept on the Neomorph Adult. Texture work as well on the smaller aliens ( soon, too much blood smiley )
Big up to my great friends working on those guys. great Zen Master Dan Zelcs, modelling and concept 3d : Andrei Szasz, Henning Sanden, William Bell, Federico Scarbini leading with Solène Chan-Lam and Sean MIlls.
20th Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved 2017

https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/192/196/large/damien-guimoneau-b.jpg?1511093878
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/192/255/large/damien-guimoneau-a.jpg?1511094123
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/192/252/large/damien-guimoneau-c.jpg?1511094117

Reply
Still Collating...
Posted Nov 22, 2017, 01:56:45 PM

The passion from all these artists that went into making the lab, experiments and beautiful artwork is the best part of Covenant for me.
Reply
Corporal Hicks
Posted Nov 22, 2017, 10:06:35 AM

Show Video

Quote20th Century Fox and the YouTube Space LA partnered to bring a piece of the Alien: Covenant world from the big screen to real life! "David's Lab" from the film was reconstructed using the actual props seen on camera! In further collaboration, Pixologic and the Moving Picture Company (MPC) teamed up to bring you a podcast with our host Solomon Blair and special guest Leandre Lagrange.

Leandre is currently a concept artist with MPC, but has much experience in traditional, digital, and visual effects on many films. This list includes Prometheus, Guardians of the Galaxy, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Dead Men Tell No Tales, 2019's The Lion King , and the list goes on and on!
Solomon and Leandre sit down for a chat on this incredible set to discuss works on Alien: Covenant, pop culture, ZBrush, and more!

Reply

« Newer Comments 1 2 Older Comments »

AvPGalaxy: About | Contact | Cookie Policy | Manage Cookie Settings | Privacy Policy | Legal Info

Contact: General Queries | Submit News