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Fox has just released some interesting information via their Facebook App regarding the 'Planet' where all the action from Prometheus takes place. Production designer Arthur Max explains part of the location process and the art direction of the film. You can read the full article here.

“The Icelandic location, it transpires, wasn't the first choice. "We were planning to shoot in Morocco," reveals production designer Arthur Max. "But with all the geopolitical turmoil in North Africa, we weren't able to do so. We'd scouted it several times with everybody and had worked out all our locations, and we've had to rethink.

The change means a very different aesthetic to the look of the planet – Morocco's deserts have been replaced by the cold, icy rock of the Iceland location. "When we first scouted Iceland it was winter, and 20 below, and you couldn't see anything," remembers Max. "But thank God we'd pre-scouted it. When we went back we nailed the locations and got Ridley over there and he liked them."

Thanks to seeasea for the link.

Full article:

When the crew of the Prometheus land on the alien planet at the core of their expedition, they find an inhospitable, barren environment and a strange, vast alien structure. It will, assures director Ridley Scott, look like nothing we've seen before in science fiction, and the production went to great lengths to shoot on location in Iceland, at a location so remote that the cast, crew and equipment had to be airlifted in.

The Icelandic location, it transpires, wasn't the first choice. "We were planning to shoot in Morocco," reveals production designer Arthur Max. "But with all the geopolitical turmoil in North Africa, we weren't able to do so. We'd scouted it several times with everybody and had worked out all our locations, and we've had to rethink."

The change means a very different aesthetic to the look of the planet – Morocco's deserts have been replaced by the cold, icy rock of the Iceland location. "When we first scouted Iceland it was winter, and 20 below, and you couldn't see anything," remembers Max. "But thank God we'd pre-scouted it. When we went back we nailed the locations and got Ridley over there and he liked them."

In addition to shooting on location in Iceland, the production took over the 007-Stage at Pinewood Studios, just outside London. At 374ft long, it is the largest soundstage in Europe and boasts more than 59,000 sq ft of usable space. For PROMETHEUS, it wasn't big enough by half.

The production started on the backlot behind the stage, constructing the Prometheus's cargo bay and a small replica of the planet surface. This spilled onto an extension built to house more of an alien pyramid mound interior set, before finally connecting, and filling, the main space inside 007-Stage.

"It's never big enough," sighs Scott. "I worked on it once, years ago, for a film called LEGEND, and I burnt it down. Even then I was thinking, 'Damn, it's not long enough.'"

In the end, the production added 150ft to the stage's length. "I knew, looking from end to end, it was never going to be big enough for this set," says Scott. "I hate working with green screen. I like the actors to have their proscenium and see what they're doing; see the arena they're in. It's partly that. To do that blue screen thing and say, 'the monster's coming down the corridor!' It's really boring."

"The scale meant we could do a nice, big exploration scene in there," explains Max. "We've got a 250ft network of tunnelling in there, 150ft of chambers and 25ft high doors."

For Michael Fassbender, Scott's attention to detail in the set design of the planet surface was second to none. "Have you gone into 007-Stage yet?" he exclaims with disbelief. "You have to see the space colon, as I call it!"

The practicality of the set makes his job easier as an actor, he explains. "What's great is Ridley will do something on a piece of fishing line if it works, and stick a bit of green screen up in the corner. He knows technology but what's great about him is he's very primal. Even the technology in the film, you're like, 'That's totally feasible.'"

To be able to look around at the set in 360 degrees is essential, he argues. "To have these things all around you helps, without a doubt. It's like putting on the costume. Or if you do a period piece, to be surrounded by the objects that they would have used at that time; all of that helps you get that extra layer on the character. If it's not there then you have to work on it but it just takes that little section out that you have to work on."

Arthur Max says he and Ridley Scott have learnt, over many years of working together on films like GLADIATOR, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, and BLACK HAWK DOWN, that sometimes it's better to achieve something practically than with CGI. "I think balance is the key in how much you build," he says. "You have to get a convincing base, and when you speak to the visual effects department, they'll tell you that they want enough reference material to work from. It's especially tough on this, because almost every shot has a visual component and everything has to be constructed from scratch. You can't go to a backlot and you can't go to a prop house."

The centrepiece of the alien set at Pinewood was a 32ft tall monolithic head, which can be glimpsed in posters for the film. This was built practically by Arthur Max's team. "The idea there is that it's part of the culture of the Engineers," says Max of the race of aliens at the heart of the story. "This race of interplanetary visitors who have given us upgrades – mentally and physically – over the millennium."

Constructing the "pyramid mound" – its shape was described as a pyramid in the script, explains Max, but the final conception is a little different, hence the contradictory descriptor – took 16 weeks to complete with more than two hundred technicians working on it.

In attempting to understand PROMETHEUS's connection to ALIEN, for which H.R. Giger designed the reptilian, skeletal and iconic look of the Xenomorph alien, Max says he had a clear direction from Scott. "Ridley said, 'I don't want it to be too Giger-y, but I don't want to give it all up either."

The art department looked at design work Giger had achieved for the first ALIEN film, in the form of archival files retrieved from the Motion Picture Academy Library and from the personal collections of those who'd worked on the first film. Ridley also screened some of the genre's most definitive works. "He had accumulated a lot of research based on the original movie and the whole series," remembers Max. "We watched all those movies. Ridley had us screen ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER, and a lot of movies with 'STAR' in the title. There's three of them. I'll let you figure out which ones!"

Watching the reference material was as much about discovering what not to do. "We didn't want to be like any one of those," Max explains. "We wanted to be new and fresh because, I hate to admit it, otherwise it really dates us. We decided to make it less biological, in terms of the styling of the alien planet, and more mechanical."

Max summarises the key challenge of envisioning the alien environment: "The people who inhabit this planet, called the Engineers, and their technology, is beyond anything we're able to know or understand, but it has to be visually interesting. That's, I think, the hardest challenge, too, because we have to compete with the most iconic science fiction creature ever. Trying to come up with something that's going to rival that is the real trick."

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Interesting read. The more I see and read about Prometheus the more I want to see it!

Not that it is now any sort of a secret, or source of speculation...but the importance of the "ancient astronaut" angle is firmly cemented in this quote by Arthur Max:

Quote"The idea there is that it's part of the culture of the Engineers," says Max of the race of aliens at the heart of the story. "This race of interplanetary visitors who have given us upgrades – mentally and physically – over the millennium."

Damn you Lindelof!  >:(

Deuterium's C.E.L level is holding at a steady 3.5  :-\

This is our answer for why they derelict and temple in this film looks so much like alien but without the more literally biomechnaical details from Alien:

"Max says he had a clear direction from Scott. "Ridley said, 'I don't want it to be too Giger-y, but I don't want to give it all up either.""

I have to admit this makes me sad. Seeing as these are the same race that built the ship in the first film I don't see why they couldn't have gone 100% Giger on the ship design.

Quote"He had accumulated a lot of research based on the original movie and the whole series," remembers Max. "We watched all those movies. Ridley had us screen ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER, and a lot of movies with 'STAR' in the title. There's three of them. I'll let you figure out which ones!"

Which films might these be?  ;D

Quote from: zecojones on Apr 18, 2012, 04:49:45 PM

Quote"He had accumulated a lot of research based on the original movie and the whole series," remembers Max. "We watched all those movies. Ridley had us screen ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER, and a lot of movies with 'STAR' in the title. There's three of them. I'll let you figure out which ones!"

Which films might these be?  ;D

StarWars
StarTrek
DarkStar
I guess.

Quote from: Jenga on Apr 18, 2012, 04:44:21 PM
This is our answer for why they derelict and temple in this film looks so much like alien but without the more literally biomechnaical details from Alien:

"Max says he had a clear direction from Scott. "Ridley said, 'I don't want it to be too Giger-y, but I don't want to give it all up either.""

I have to admit this makes me sad. Seeing as these are the same race that built the ship in the first film I don't see why they couldn't have gone 100% Giger on the ship design.

Yeah, that makes me real sad. Why not stick with the same 'derelict' design as seen in Alien?

I wonder how they intend to explain away the differences between the alien ship in Prometheus and the one in Alien, to say nothing in the difference in size (and biology - it's NOT a damn suit!) of the Space Jockey.

Giger's designs were a major contributor to what made Alien such a success  - I cannot fathom why Scott is sidelining Giger's design work so much. I realise that he doesn't want to be accused of copying/relying on Alien too much, but even so, I think that moving away from Giger's designs is a huge mistake. Everything that I've seen so far of Prometheus looks too 'clean' and 'flashy' - not visceral, awe-inspiring and disturbing like Alien.

Not at all keen on Lindelof's apparent scriptwork either - and now we know that this 'ancient astronaut' guff is part of the film. WHY do we have to have this daft link to humans? (the script needn't be centred around us - that's just boring).  Prometheus should be 100% 'alien', as was the case with Alien.

Quote from: zecojones on Apr 18, 2012, 04:49:45 PM

Quote"He had accumulated a lot of research based on the original movie and the whole series," remembers Max. "We watched all those movies. Ridley had us screen ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER, and a lot of movies with 'STAR' in the title. There's three of them. I'll let you figure out which ones!"

Which films might these be?  ;D

My first, knee-jerk response...he must be referring to the only real Star Wars (Episodes IV, V, and VI).  On further consideration, I offer the following possible alternative list:

Star Wars (Ep. IV)
Star Trek TMP
Dark Star

EDIT:  ^ Shit, beaten to the punch by Lars Vader.  Lars, we were thinking the exact same thing, LOL.

"The people who inhabit this planet, called the Engineers, and their technology, is beyond anything we're able to know or understand, but it has to be visually interesting. That's, I think, the hardest challenge, too, because we have to compete with the most iconic science fiction creature ever. Trying to come up with something that's going to rival that is the real trick

I wonder if this is just designer talk or if this is actually the planet they live on... When there was talk early on about Prometheus and that we would be visiting the Engineers home planet it seemed very different in my head from what we have seen in the trailers.  The trailers and pictures that have been provided do not give me the sense that this planet is a home planet but rather just a base if you will... like a bunch of pyramids with hangers but not a civilization.

Quote from: ryanjayhawk on Apr 18, 2012, 05:26:28 PM
"The people who inhabit this planet, called the Engineers, and their technology, is beyond anything we're able to know or understand, but it has to be visually interesting. That's, I think, the hardest challenge, too, because we have to compete with the most iconic science fiction creature ever. Trying to come up with something that's going to rival that is the real trick

I wonder if this is just designer talk or if this is actually the planet they live on... When there was talk early on about Prometheus and that we would be visiting the Engineers home planet it seemed very different in my head from what we have seen in the trailers.  The trailers and pictures that have been provided do not give me the sense that this planet is a home planet but rather just a base if you will... like a bunch of pyramids with hangers but not a civilization.

This might be obvious to everyone, already, but nevertheless...
Might this confirm that the "Engineers" are in no way related to the "Space Jockeys", except by causal association?  Furthermore, I assume it is the Space Jockeys who designed and pilot the Derelict class ship.  It would be hard to reconcile the fact that the Prometheus is (apparently) able to intercept and ram the Derelict ship, if it was designed and operated by a race so technologically advanced as to be incomprehensible.  The only satisfactory explanation is that the Derelict craft is not constructed and controlled by the Engineers, but is purely a product of the Space Jockey civilization...which is more or less at "relative" technological parity with the Human civilization.  Any difference would be of degree, and not of kind.

Again, I realize this is probably no astounding revelation...however, it does raise an interesting possibility/implication.  Perhaps this idea has been raised already, but if so, I don't recall it:  The Space Jockeys are in the exact same predicament as the Humans.  They have been lured and ensnared by the "Engineers". 

How these 3 separate factions interact may be the crux of the story.  Could a provisional alliance be formed between the Space Jockeys and the Humans?  If so, how do we explain the kamikaze action by the Prometheus against the Derelict ship? 

Quote from: Deuterium on Apr 18, 2012, 05:58:53 PM

Quote from: ryanjayhawk on Apr 18, 2012, 05:26:28 PM
"The people who inhabit this planet, called the Engineers, and their technology, is beyond anything we're able to know or understand, but it has to be visually interesting. That's, I think, the hardest challenge, too, because we have to compete with the most iconic science fiction creature ever. Trying to come up with something that's going to rival that is the real trick

I wonder if this is just designer talk or if this is actually the planet they live on... When there was talk early on about Prometheus and that we would be visiting the Engineers home planet it seemed very different in my head from what we have seen in the trailers.  The trailers and pictures that have been provided do not give me the sense that this planet is a home planet but rather just a base if you will... like a bunch of pyramids with hangers but not a civilization.

This might be obvious to everyone, already, but nevertheless...
Might this confirm that the "Engineers" are in no way related to the "Space Jockeys", except by causal association?  Furthermore, I assume it is the Space Jockeys who designed and pilot the Derelict class ship.  It would be hard to reconcile the fact that the Prometheus is (apparently) able to intercept and ram the Derelict ship, if it was designed and operated by a race so technologically advanced as to be incomprehensible.  The only satisfactory explanation is that the Derelict craft is not constructed and controlled by the Engineers, but is purely a product of the Space Jockey civilization...which is more or less at "relative" technological parity with the Human civilization.  Any difference would be of degree, and not of kind.

Again, I realize this is probably no astounding revelation...however, it does raise an interesting possibility/implication.  Perhaps this idea has been raised already, but if so, I don't recall it:  The Space Jockeys are in the exact same predicament as the Humans.  They have been lured and ensnared by the "Engineers". 

How these 3 separate factions interact may be the crux of the story.  Could a provisional alliance be formed between the Space Jockeys and the Humans?  If so, how do we explain the kamikaze action by the Prometheus against the Derelict ship?

its an intriguing concept.
this whole idea that some unknown alien race is luring other civilizations into traps so they could harvest their DNA and maybe adopt some of their technology really leaves space for alot of possibilities.
especially when you think about all the Weyland technology we have seen in the viral stuff. at that time mankind certainly has alot of interesting technology to offer that some alien race would like to check out, maybe just to see if we humans are becoming too powerful and worth of being wiped out.
it's clear that the engineer/Space Jockey link could hold some surprises.

Quote from: Deuterium on Apr 18, 2012, 05:58:53 PM

Quote from: ryanjayhawk on Apr 18, 2012, 05:26:28 PM
"The people who inhabit this planet, called the Engineers, and their technology, is beyond anything we're able to know or understand, but it has to be visually interesting. That's, I think, the hardest challenge, too, because we have to compete with the most iconic science fiction creature ever. Trying to come up with something that's going to rival that is the real trick

I wonder if this is just designer talk or if this is actually the planet they live on... When there was talk early on about Prometheus and that we would be visiting the Engineers home planet it seemed very different in my head from what we have seen in the trailers.  The trailers and pictures that have been provided do not give me the sense that this planet is a home planet but rather just a base if you will... like a bunch of pyramids with hangers but not a civilization.

This might be obvious to everyone, already, but nevertheless...
Might this confirm that the "Engineers" are in no way related to the "Space Jockeys", except by causal association?  Furthermore, I assume it is the Space Jockeys who designed and pilot the Derelict class ship.  It would be hard to reconcile the fact that the Prometheus is (apparently) able to intercept and ram the Derelict ship, if it was designed and operated by a race so technologically advanced as to be incomprehensible.  The only satisfactory explanation is that the Derelict craft is not constructed and controlled by the Engineers, but is purely a product of the Space Jockey civilization...which is more or less at "relative" technological parity with the Human civilization.  Any difference would be of degree, and not of kind.

Again, I realize this is probably no astounding revelation...however, it does raise an interesting possibility/implication.  Perhaps this idea has been raised already, but if so, I don't recall it:  The Space Jockeys are in the exact same predicament as the Humans.  They have been lured and ensnared by the "Engineers". 

How these 3 separate factions interact may be the crux of the story.  Could a provisional alliance be formed between the Space Jockeys and the Humans?  If so, how do we explain the kamikaze action by the Prometheus against the Derelict ship?

I agree that a lot of things point to the Jockey we know (from both the trailer and the original Alien) not being the Engineer.  We have clearly different ships Saucer compared to Derelict, the idea that a ship like the Prometheus could take down an Engineer ship by ramming it, and of course the fact that we have seen so much of the familiar Space Jockey.  I think this may be the crux or the movie of the big shocker.  Plus is leaves more to be explored if they decide to go sequel. 

Quote from: Jenga on Apr 18, 2012, 04:44:21 PM
This is our answer for why they derelict and temple in this film looks so much like alien but without the more literally biomechnaical details from Alien:

"Max says he had a clear direction from Scott. "Ridley said, 'I don't want it to be too Giger-y, but I don't want to give it all up either.""

I have to admit this makes me sad. Seeing as these are the same race that built the ship in the first film I don't see why they couldn't have gone 100% Giger on the ship design.

Its an art choice by Ridley. Its his film at the end of the day

I love how Ridley poses his answers that are so easily misinterpreted by a reader.
This statement could be interpreted as  , 'I don't want it (the job)to be too Giger-y, but I don't  want to  give  it (the job) all up either.""
in any case it would mean "damned if you did, damned if you don't".

Whats your thoughts on this? any one else think so?

"This race of interplanetary visitors who have given us upgrades – mentally and physically – over the millennium."

Someone put a gag on this guy, stat! Seriously, spoiler much? (Max, not ikarop.)

Ugh, now I know that I hate the premise of this film. IMO the connection to Alien better be tenuous at best, else this bullshit plot element is going to do some serious damage.

I think the real reason wy Ridley is giving up more bio for the more mechincal is because the "more bio" really doesn't make any sense, that an advanced civilization would incorporate mostly bone and flesh into their ships and structures?? And the whole jockey suit needed to be changed because in the first film the jockey suit was basically a skeleton..

It would make more sense that their ships, suits and structures would somewhat look fleshy or bony at first glance but be clearly made of a more metallic substance, alien carbon fiber or what have you. Save the bio parts for the weapons and projectiles.

Quote from: ChrisPachi on Apr 19, 2012, 01:49:00 AM
Ugh, now I know that I hate the premise of this film. IMO the connection to Alien better be tenuous at best, else this bullshit plot element is going to do some serious damage.

So help me, if anyone, human or alien, during the course of this film, utilizes an air-shaft for anything other than ventilation purposes...I swear I will throw my popcorn and coca-cola right at the screen.  I may even pelt the projectionist with ju-ju bees.  ;)

I was really hoping that by 'interfere with our evolution' Scott meant that the Engineers just tossed an asteroid our way every now and again - something that could fit into what we know about the history of our planet - but mental and physical upgrades? This is Von Daniken to the god-damned letter (the guy who said that bananas were given to us by alien gods).

Interviewer: That leads us to ask if all your writing is a put-on. Are you, as one writer suggested, 'the most brilliant satirist in German literature for a century'?

Von Daniken: The answer is yes and no. We have a wonderful term in German: jein. It's a combination of ja and nein, yes and no. In some part, absolutely not; I mean what I say seriously. In other ways, I mean to make people laugh.

Interviewer: Well, you've succeeded in both aims.

Quote from: ChrisPachi on Apr 19, 2012, 05:35:27 AM
I was really hoping that by 'interfere with our evolution' Scott meant that the Engineers just tossed an asteroid our way every now and again - something that could fit into what we know about the history of our planet - but mental and physical upgrades? This is Von Daniken to the god-damned letter (the guy who said that bananas were given to us by alien gods).

Interviewer: That leads us to ask if all your writing is a put-on. Are you, as one writer suggested, 'the most brilliant satirist in German literature for a century'?

Von Daniken: The answer is yes and no. We have a wonderful term in German: jein. It's a combination of ja and nein, yes and no. In some part, absolutely not; I mean what I say seriously. In other ways, I mean to make people laugh.

Interviewer: Well, you've succeeded in both aims.

Leave it to those crazy Germans -- synthesize Orwellian doublespeak, mix in a few drops of highly unstable oxymoron, and distill it down to it's purest essence.  Bloody geniuses, I tell you.

An animated version of the film's "key art" via Bleedingcool:

(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.bleedingcool.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F%2F2012%2F04%2Fprom_keyart_animation-500x208.gif%3Fd58414&hash=3b57999627e1fb5a38e6a5e233f37c777252d147)

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/04/19/prometheus-premiere-get-look-around-ship-two-animations/ (http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/04/19/prometheus-premiere-get-look-around-ship-two-animations/)

Quote from: Deuterium on Apr 19, 2012, 06:11:58 AMLeave it to those crazy Germans -- synthesize Orwellian doublespeak, mix in a few drops of highly unstable oxymoron, and distill it down to it's purest essence.

And voila! Elemental bullshit. ;D

It's like watching someone you love slowly die from alzheimer's disease. Shit gets crazy (and objectively hilarious), and while you know you should take it all with a grain of salt it breaks your f**king heart. The only reassurance I have about it is that Ridley himself has obviously been steering the evolution of the story, and while that is no guarantee of awesomeness, it's still possible that they/he can pull it off with some degree of credibility.

(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1225.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee395%2FChrisPachi%2Fimages.jpg&hash=faa7e73a5e2b03b5fffd2eaed9fc47b0182d6574)

Or that.

Pachi....so, now that you've seen the film....oh yeah...:)

Quote from: ChrisPachi on Apr 19, 2012, 05:35:27 AM
I was really hoping that by 'interfere with our evolution' Scott meant that the Engineers just tossed an asteroid our way every now and again - something that could fit into what we know about the history of our planet - but mental and physical upgrades? This is Von Daniken to the god-damned letter (the guy who said that bananas were given to us by alien gods).

we actually dont know how RS elaborate in the movie this concept of upgrading human race. Presumably theres a whole chapter (the beginning of time) and he did some hints to go in a Kubrick way. With this said, I dont see impossible considering a mental and physical upgrade without getting in a hocus pocus zone.

Take for example the so called noncoding dna and the possible influence in evolution patterns. How a cosmic specie take a hand with this? It may be as plausible as to piss in the water. I mean Sagan gives an Intelligent life Formula for the galaxy. Can´t we consider a formula in wich radiate a 1 million planets so theres a 1/1000 possibility to generate life there, and from this maybe just one of this milenia species generate intelligence?

If its been discussed before allow me apologize and please consider direct me to the available link.

Quote from: ThisBethesdaSea on Apr 19, 2012, 08:59:10 AMPachi....so, now that you've seen the film....oh yeah...:)

It's not about the quality of the film, it's about the plausibility of the story. Saying that something might happen is different from saying that something did happen.

Quote from: bioweapon on Apr 19, 2012, 09:07:11 AMTake for example the so called noncoding dna and the possible influence in evolution patterns. How a cosmic specie take a hand with this?

Noncoding DNA in any species is a hangover from that species evolution. It's like hair; we don't need it, but we keep growing the shit.

Quote from: BioMechanical on Apr 19, 2012, 02:26:00 AM
It would make more sense that their ships, suits and structures would somewhat look fleshy or bony at first glance but be clearly made of a more metallic substance, alien carbon fiber or what have you. Save the bio parts for the weapons and projectiles.

if it will turn out, that the derelict from alien is indeed veeeery old, than it makes sense, making the jockey's more mechanical. but the main reasons, i think why it looks now how it looks is not making a repeat in style.
and of course 20.th century fox. i can't imagine that they wanted ever to produce a 200 mil. dollar movie with an aesthetic of the alien civilization they are not pleased with.
i just say: it's no coincidence that the jockey is 9 ft. tall blue humanoid. hmm, avatar?   ;)

@ deuterium & chris: i feel that this ancient astronaut thing seem to offend you.

"We've got a 250ft network of tunnelling in there, 150ft of chambers and 25ft high doors." 

25 foot high doors! :o

Why would 7" high humanoids need 25" high doors?

I'm still totally convinced that we have NOT seen a Space Jockey yet. The engineer is NOT a Space Jockey. I believe in that last 8 minutes we'll see Scott's big surprise and link to Alien. It will be the return to that planet of the Space Jockeys to rescue Shaw! :o

What a way to end the film! ;D

Hmmm. The lured Jockeys might make sense indeed. Would explain the corpses everywhere and the statuesque suits dotted around corridors. 

Although I think we are jumping the gun a bit.
We have a shot of a dead creature in a chair from a 1979 film that has a nickname of "The Space Jockey". THAT'S IT!

How can that be applied to this movie without considering the idea that they have hugely reshaped the entire concept of that skeleton in the chair. Who knows how they stretched it out.

Quote from: Kol on Apr 19, 2012, 11:24:17 AM@ deuterium & chris: i feel that this ancient astronaut thing seem to offend you.

I am not offended by it, just bewildered that what I had hoped would be a good science fiction story could be so literally based upon it.

Quote from: acrediblesource on Apr 19, 2012, 12:22:47 AM
I love how Ridley poses his answers that are so easily misinterpreted by a reader.
This statement could be interpreted as  , 'I don't want it (the job)to be too Giger-y, but I don't  want to  give  it (the job) all up either.""
in any case it would mean "damned if you did, damned if you don't".

Whats your thoughts on this? any one else think so?

I think your reading to much into this.

I don't think its a word for word quote from Ridley. I think its was a summary over what he wanted

He just wanted clean Giger is all. It doesn't look as cool though.

Quote from: Gekko1 on Apr 19, 2012, 11:52:27 AM
"We've got a 250ft network of tunnelling in there, 150ft of chambers and 25ft high doors." 

25 foot high doors! :o

Why would 7" high humanoids need 25" high doors?

I'm still totally convinced that we have NOT seen a Space Jockey yet. The engineer is NOT a Space Jockey. I believe in that last 8 minutes we'll see Scott's big surprise and link to Alien. It will be the return to that planet of the Space Jockeys to rescue Shaw! :o

What a way to end the film! ;D

I think the height of the doors is significant and that we haven't seen the true surprise... however I won't speculate beyond that...

I do think it looks as cool...just different. I don't understand this hardline stance against the creative alterations Ridley has made. Giger is present....we see him everywhere...cleaner, less biological, but he's there.

*based on a theme by ChrisP

Jesus. H. Christ. ;) It's called SCIENCE-FICTION....NOT Science 'For Reals.' Give the man a break, or go and make your own perfectly realized scientifically accurate film. Please? :) :) ::) :P

Quote from: ThisBethesdaSea on Apr 19, 2012, 04:13:43 PM
Jesus. H. Christ. ;) It's called SCIENCE-FICTION....NOT Science 'For Reals.' Give the man a break, or go and make your own perfectly realized scientifically accurate film. Please? :) :) ::) :P

Easy, TBS...just having a bit of fun.

Quote from: Gekko1 on Apr 19, 2012, 11:52:27 AM
Why would 7" high humanoids need 25" high doors?

For Shoggoths.

Quote from: Deuterium on Apr 19, 2012, 03:53:39 PM

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I love you (platonically).

Though Ridley should've said 'I really hate that term'. :D :P

Quote from: Kol on Apr 19, 2012, 11:24:17 AM


if it will turn out, that the derelict from alien is indeed veeeery old, than it makes sense, making the jockey's more mechanical. but the main reasons, i think why it looks now how it looks is not making a repeat in style.

But it shouldn't BE about 'style', Scott should concentrate on internal logic and continuity.

Still, let's see how it pans out.

Quote from: ThisBethesdaSea on Apr 19, 2012, 04:13:43 PM
Jesus. H. Christ. ;) It's called SCIENCE-FICTION....NOT Science 'For Reals.' Give the man a break, or go and make your own perfectly realized scientifically accurate film. Please? :) :) ::) :P

I swear, i'm going to become violent in a expanding circle pattern if people keep making this excuse, because frankly the argument needs to go the other way.

Everyone always says to those who critique or joke about the science "JAYSUS D00D ITS TEH FANTASTY ENTERTAINMAINT DURP DURP! GAVE ATE A BRAKE, KAY? LOL"

No, I think it's fair to say that most science fiction films in the last decade or so have been given plenty of breaks and respite with regards to shoddy science. Yes, it's Science Fiction and as such there is an element of the fantastic. The point is those elements that are familiar to us already should be well grounded in truth. That is, they should be well researched and maturely realized. If only for the sake of being believable. It isn't the Fiction part of Science Fiction that is often ignored, it's the Science part. The part that separates Science Fiction from Fantasy in the library.

Also, the Alien series, save for the major league contrivances in Alien Resurrection, has always been generally fairly good at depicting it's science elements without getting bogged down in them. It's always tried to keep things viceral and grounded.

Let's hope Prometheus can do the same, even with it's outrageous bits here and there.

I don't know why people get so uptight about this 'ancient astronaut theory, bizarrely attributing creationism to it. One of the best Sci-Fi films ever - Quatermass and the Pit - has a plot involving aliens guiding human evolution, it certainly doesn't suffer for it or feel like a dumb script. All depends on how epic it feels; how good it looks and how suspenseful it is.  Just enjoy the ride.

Do you sit and curse that you can hear the engines of the Nostromo ignite?

Quote from: JonesTheCat on Apr 19, 2012, 04:38:39 PM
But it shouldn't BE about 'style', Scott should concentrate on internal logic and continuity.

Still, let's see how it pans out.

Scott's all about style. Blade Runner barely has two scenes that don't contradict the last in terms of scene placement etc. (If you read Future Noir, you get all sorts of insight into how the film was cut and edited and how footage from all over was placed here and there - same effect by putting Brett's legs in as Lambert's -- but nobody notices, really.)

Quote from: Gash on Apr 19, 2012, 06:19:29 PM
I don't know why people get so uptight about this 'ancient astronaut theory, bizarrely attributing creationism to it. One of the best Sci-Fi films ever - Quatermass and the Pit - has a plot involving aliens guiding human evolution, it certainly doesn't suffer for it or feel like a dumb script. All depends on how epic it feels; how good it looks and how suspenseful it is.  Just enjoy the ride.

Do you sit and curse that you can hear the engines of the Nostromo ignite?

Same with Kubrick's 2001. I think overexposure and the History channel show has pissed somewhat in the soup. but we have to face the fact that movie fans nowadays are simply spoiled.

Quote from: OpenMaw on Apr 19, 2012, 05:27:53 PM

Quote from: ThisBethesdaSea on Apr 19, 2012, 04:13:43 PM
Jesus. H. Christ. ;) It's called SCIENCE-FICTION....NOT Science 'For Reals.' Give the man a break, or go and make your own perfectly realized scientifically accurate film. Please? :) :) ::) :P

I swear, i'm going to become violent in a expanding circle pattern if people keep making this excuse, because frankly the argument needs to go the other way.

Everyone always says to those who critique or joke about the science "JAYSUS D00D ITS TEH FANTASTY ENTERTAINMAINT DURP DURP! GAVE ATE A BRAKE, KAY? LOL"

No, I think it's fair to say that most science fiction films in the last decade or so have been given plenty of breaks and respite with regards to shoddy science. Yes, it's Science Fiction and as such there is an element of the fantastic. The point is those elements that are familiar to us already should be well grounded in truth. That is, they should be well researched and maturely realized. If only for the sake of being believable. It isn't the Fiction part of Science Fiction that is often ignored, it's the Science part. The part that separates Science Fiction from Fantasy in the library.

Also, the Alien series, save for the major league contrivances in Alien Resurrection, has always been generally fairly good at depicting it's science elements without getting bogged down in them. It's always tried to keep things viceral and grounded.

Let's hope Prometheus can do the same, even with it's outrageous bits here and there.

What made ALIEN better than any other SCI FI at depicting it's science elements?  Did the depiction of green screen monitors and mechanical click keypads in the year 2122 make the movie science truly believable?  Lets face it, the ALIEN series pretty much has made no attempt to explain any of the "science" in any of the movies.  Is it magic at that point when something fantastic isn't explained at all?

How much of a science fiction movie needs to be science, and how much needs to be fiction?

There's nothing credible (ie 'real-life') about Alien asides from the leaky pipes and irate cast members. Still captures the imagination, though.

Quote from: OpenMaw on Apr 19, 2012, 05:27:53 PM
Also, the Alien series, save for the major league contrivances in Alien Resurrection, has always been generally fairly good at depicting it's science elements without getting bogged down in them.

Minor scientific goofs weren't absent in the other films -- the seemingly nonsensical reaction of the Sulaco to a fire and multiple implications from Alien3's opening titles are an example, but I could make others. Point is, I don't think Resurrection is any less science-fiction-y than its predecessors.

Quote from: Mustangjeff on Apr 19, 2012, 06:29:48 PM
Did the depiction of green screen monitors and mechanical click keypads in the year 2122 make the movie science truly believable?

I guess the fact the film was made in 1979 has nothing to do with that, right? :P

Quote from: OmegaZilla on Apr 19, 2012, 06:40:34 PM

Quote from: Mustangjeff on Apr 19, 2012, 06:29:48 PM
Did the depiction of green screen monitors and mechanical click keypads in the year 2122 make the movie science truly believable?

I guess the fact the film was made in 1979 has nothing to do with that, right? :P

Well that's like saying that kirk and spock should have been running around with rotary dial telephones instead of their communicators which look a lot a modern cell phone.

I'm not saying it has to be like that -- but you cannot blame a 1979 film because it does not portray modern-like tech.

Quote from: OmegaZilla on Apr 19, 2012, 06:51:34 PM
I'm not saying it has to be like that -- but you cannot blame a 1979 film because it does not portray modern-like tech.

That is exactly my point :)

OpenMaw was stating how good the ALIEN series was at depicting it's science elements, and in my opinion it really wasn't because the movie made zero effort to explain any of it's science elements.  It's a great movie and imo it would have been bogged down by any attempt to explain how FTL, Cryosleep, etc works.  It's more horror (imo) than science fiction.

It was a bit tongue in cheek--By using green screen monitors the science didn't need to be explained because it was current technology. 

Why is the Ancient Astronaut pissing so many people off?  Why couldn't an advanced life form come to earth and either seed life or alter it?  Humans have made some huge jumps in just the past 200,000 years... these jumps seem to be unique to us.  All other life forms still living in a primal or natural manner, where we are exploring space, creating nuclear bombs, etc. 

If someone can scientifically prove that we weren't seeded or influenced by another life form not native to earth that would be one thing, but it's the can't prove or disprove situation and thats where the fiction comes in.

y u mad bro?

Quote from: ryanjayhawk on Apr 19, 2012, 07:05:55 PM
Why is the Ancient Astronaut pissing so many people off?  Why couldn't an advanced life form come to earth and either seed life or alter it?  Humans have made some huge jumps in just the past 200,000 years... these jumps seem to be unique to us.  All other life forms still living in a primal or natural manner, where we are exploring space, creating nuclear bombs, etc. 

If someone can scientifically prove that we weren't seeded or influenced by another life form not native to earth that would be one thing, but it's the can't prove or disprove situation and thats where the fiction comes in.

y u mad bro?

Not sure..  IMO it's as plausible as the creation myth of any other religion. 

Do I think that's what really happened?  No

But, Prometheus isn't a documentary either.

Quote from: ryanjayhawk on Apr 19, 2012, 07:05:55 PM
Why is the Ancient Astronaut pissing so many people off?  Why couldn't an advanced life form come to earth and either seed life or alter it?  Humans have made some huge jumps in just the past 200,000 years... these jumps seem to be unique to us.  All other life forms still living in a primal or natural manner, where we are exploring space, creating nuclear bombs, etc. 

If someone can scientifically prove that we weren't seeded or influenced by another life form not native to earth that would be one thing, but it's the can't prove or disprove situation and thats where the fiction comes in.

y u mad bro?

(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg574.imageshack.us%2Fimg574%2F4408%2Fmypooplookslikeanaliens.jpg&hash=f84f5d63781decc403dd260dc49ddfae59e7a166)

Quote from: Predaker on Apr 19, 2012, 07:34:10 PM

Quote from: ryanjayhawk on Apr 19, 2012, 07:05:55 PM
Why is the Ancient Astronaut pissing so many people off?  Why couldn't an advanced life form come to earth and either seed life or alter it?  Humans have made some huge jumps in just the past 200,000 years... these jumps seem to be unique to us.  All other life forms still living in a primal or natural manner, where we are exploring space, creating nuclear bombs, etc. 

If someone can scientifically prove that we weren't seeded or influenced by another life form not native to earth that would be one thing, but it's the can't prove or disprove situation and thats where the fiction comes in.

y u mad bro?

http://img574.imageshack.us/img574/4408/mypooplookslikeanaliens.jpg

Love those memes lol

I can't remember one science fiction movie I have seen with perfect science... the idea that we can create an android like David seems like bad science based on the fact that no matter what programs were written to determine his action/reaction he will never be able to think/feel like a human does... robots are incapable of original thought.  It's all 1's and 0's, when a calculator gives an answer to a problem it's not actually thinking.

Yes me too  ;D

The ancient astronaut theory is not all bad. I think its plausible that maybe one day humans will master DNA manipulation, combined with interstellar travel. Then maybe we will have our own planetary science projects  ;) unless a mass extinction event wipes us all off the face of the earth first.

Quote from: Predaker on Apr 19, 2012, 08:32:01 PM
Yes me too  ;D

The ancient astronaut theory is not all bad. I think its plausible that maybe one day humans will master DNA manipulation, combined with interstellar travel. Then maybe we will have our own planetary science projects  ;) unless a mass extinction event wipes us all off the face of the earth first.

We need a "Doomsday Preppers" Meme... lol ;D

Quote from: Mustangjeff on Apr 19, 2012, 07:05:41 PM

Quote from: OmegaZilla on Apr 19, 2012, 06:51:34 PM
I'm not saying it has to be like that -- but you cannot blame a 1979 film because it does not portray modern-like tech.

It was a bit tongue in cheek--By using green screen monitors the science didn't need to be explained because it was current technology.

Green screen monitors? Where?   A  L   I   E   N ?  All the moving screen graphics were custom designed by Bernard Lodge to look well advanced on what computers were doing at the time. ALIENS screen tech on the other hand is pure 80s contemporary stuff.

So you're hung up on the robots? Seriously? :)

Quote from: ThisBethesdaSea on Apr 20, 2012, 10:05:10 AM
So you're hung up on the robots? Seriously? :)

No I love the idea that in this fictional movie we have created an Android like David...

My point is simply you can either choose to accept that the movie will not be 100% scientifically correct and knowing that still enjoy it for what it is... or realize that you are picking and choosing what you consider to be bad science.

Of which most scifi films are....

I suppose that I hope that the background story of Prometheus that we're being given snippets of becomes redundant by the release of the movie.

I've just realised that the PROMETHEUS: The Art of the Film is by the same person who created the Art of John Carter of Mars. As much as I liked the film and the artwork of the latter, the book doesn't really feel like a book worth buying.

Quote from: Deuterium on Apr 18, 2012, 05:20:11 PM

Quote from: zecojones on Apr 18, 2012, 04:49:45 PM

Quote"He had accumulated a lot of research based on the original movie and the whole series," remembers Max. "We watched all those movies. Ridley had us screen ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER, and a lot of movies with 'STAR' in the title. There's three of them. I'll let you figure out which ones!"

Which films might these be?  ;D

My first, knee-jerk response...he must be referring to the only real Star Wars (Episodes IV, V, and VI).  On further consideration, I offer the following possible alternative list:

Star Wars (Ep. IV)
Star Trek TMP
Dark Star

EDIT:  ^ Shit, beaten to the punch by Lars Vader.  Lars, we were thinking the exact same thing, LOL.

Sorry for resurrecting the thread.

Just yesterday I was thinking about how they probably must have bought bulks of these movies on DVD and given to the crew and that now a lot of those people have the movies twice etc.

And a few days ago I bought DarkStar on DVD from a private seller on amazon,
it arrived today in an envelope with a big fat PINEWOOD logo on it!
It was sent from Pinewood studios, coincidence?

I bought some storyboards from The Empire Strikes Back and there are Lucasfilm stamps on the backside. Coincidence.

Quote from: ryanjayhawk on Apr 19, 2012, 07:05:55 PM
Why is the Ancient Astronaut pissing so many people off?  Why couldn't an advanced life form come to earth and either seed life or alter it?  Humans have made some huge jumps in just the past 200,000 years... these jumps seem to be unique to us.  All other life forms still living in a primal or natural manner, where we are exploring space, creating nuclear bombs, etc. 

If someone can scientifically prove that we weren't seeded or influenced by another life form not native to earth that would be one thing, but it's the can't prove or disprove situation and thats where the fiction comes in.

y u mad bro?

People will be saying Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' is shite, next...a film widely lauded as one of the greatest of the 20th Century...and has basically the same plot as 'Prometheus'; just with a happier outcome.*


*...I'm assuming.

Quote from: Glaive on May 03, 2012, 08:55:30 PM
People will be saying Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' is shite, next...a film widely lauded as one of the greatest of the 20th Century...and has basically the same plot as 'Prometheus'; just with a happier outcome.*


*...I'm assuming.

Once again. You are wrong. 2001 did it in an entirely different way. See http://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=43273.msg1351072#msg1351072. (http://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=43273.msg1351072#msg1351072.)

Quote from: Glaive on May 03, 2012, 08:55:30 PM

Quote from: ryanjayhawk on Apr 19, 2012, 07:05:55 PM
Why is the Ancient Astronaut pissing so many people off?  Why couldn't an advanced life form come to earth and either seed life or alter it?  Humans have made some huge jumps in just the past 200,000 years... these jumps seem to be unique to us.  All other life forms still living in a primal or natural manner, where we are exploring space, creating nuclear bombs, etc. 

If someone can scientifically prove that we weren't seeded or influenced by another life form not native to earth that would be one thing, but it's the can't prove or disprove situation and thats where the fiction comes in.

y u mad bro?

People will be saying Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' is shite, next...a film widely lauded as one of the greatest of the 20th Century...and has basically the same plot as 'Prometheus'; just with a happier outcome.*


*...I'm assuming.

I wouldn't say that 2001: A Space Odyssey had a happy outcome. Frank Poole dies. HAL turns evil. Dave goes through the biggest mind-f**k of all time. I'd say it was a pretty grim outcome to be honest.

But...saying that, the film does always brighten my day! HaHa :D