I just find this on amazon. It's upcoming Alien book call Alien Vault. It's featuring details behind the making of Alien (1979).
http://www.amazon.com/Alien-Vault-Definitive-Story-Making/dp/0760341125 (http://www.amazon.com/Alien-Vault-Definitive-Story-Making/dp/0760341125)
I wonder what new stuff they could possibly have in this book.
176 pages? I want this, hope it'll have good photos of the suit and Bolaji.
http://www.qbookshop.com/products/193410/9780760341124/Alien-Vault.html (http://www.qbookshop.com/products/193410/9780760341124/Alien-Vault.html)
Alien Vault reveals the details behind the making of the groundbreaking 1979 science-fiction horror film, one of the cult classics of the genre. This licensed, behind-the-scenes guide examines the creation of the movie via director Ridley Scott's hand-drawn storyboards, concept sketches, script pages, spaceship blueprints, never-before-seen production photos, and rare collectible memorabilia.
The writer apparently worked for Empire. Cue tons of regurgitated quotes. Hopefully I'm wrong.
I'm vaguely intrigued by 'never-before-seen production photos' but I can't imagine what else new they'll have to add.
It'd be nice to have a "Making Of" book that's both A) licensed and B) not riddled with unsubstantiated hearsay (I'm looking at you, Beautiful Monsters). I prefer the books to documentaries -- easier to get a book and open the right page, than check a DVD.
Book Of Alien, the Official Movie Magazine and Alien - The Special Effects all fit that bill.
Though something akin to Paul Sammon's Future Noir would be certainly welcome - but that ran to over 400 pages rather than a mere 176.
All I've got is The Book of Alien from that list -- and from memory it was a much more general overview with emphasis on the effects, not the whole making of.
Alien - The Special Effects is almost solely about design and effects. Book Of Alien does have a lot of design and effects stuff too, but also talks about the setting and creature, and the genesis of the project. Not much about the cast and shooting. And since it was a studio publicity tie-in like Making of Alien Resurrection, you're not going to really get anything remotely controversial. The magazine had more on cast and characters, but again, no nitty gritty.
So while there would be a place in print for more on the actual shooting - between the official docos and Dennis Lowe's movies (ahem...) is there anything really left to tell?
Not everyone has the official docos or Dennis Lowe's (cough).
I enjoyed the Dennis Lowe stuff.
So did I.
SM wouldn't know, though.
Cough.
Oh. Well, if it's any consolation SM, it's easily some of the most informative stuff I've seen on the movies since forever.
I do believe our SiL was supposed to burn and supply his fellow Aussie with the docs :P
Likewise, I've only got Book of Alien out of that list but it's been a while since I read it.
QuoteNot everyone has the official docos
Then they're not trying hard enough.
The book will cost $23. You can get the Quad box for $40.
Quote from: Vulhala on Jun 15, 2011, 12:16:58 PM
Oh. Well, if it's any consolation SM, it's easily some of the most informative stuff I've seen on the movies since forever.
Somehow I always seem to be away from a computer when they said "Who wants a free copy!!" I DLed it from AXP, but had no way of joining the files. Instructions wore sorely lacking. Must give Pete a kick in the nuts for not following it up...
Given up on SiL...
By the way guys, Ian Nathan, the author was at the London Film & Comic Con with some early copies. Andrew Clark & Harry Harris snagged a few copies and put some pics up over at Alien Legacy.
http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?p=152792#p152792 (http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?p=152792#p152792)
I'm in touch with the publishers but they're currently waiting for a replacement PR officer so there hasn't been any movement on that front.
I've also front paged this, finally, now the Prometheus stuff has calmed down.
Well, the Ridley quotes shown look as if they're drawn from a fresh interview
Quote from: SM on Jun 15, 2011, 06:38:49 AM
Book Of Alien, the Official Movie Magazine and Alien - The Special Effects all fit that bill.
Though something akin to Paul Sammon's Future Noir would be certainly welcome - but that ran to over 400 pages rather than a mere 176.
I'm always wishing for the Paul Sammon version, he did write a book on the Alien saga that was never officially published though
will def buy this
See, now I've never actually seen this kind of stuff:
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgyazo.com%2F783d26622ab7456cc6ae1ce969d41227.png&hash=68363d569f27d9b841e1403d1065d6bf61dc0fb9)
So for me, this book is most a must-buy. Those are some seriously awesome storyboards.
Alien: 20th Anniversary Edition DVD. :P
I think they're on the Quadrilogy too. I once tried to cap them all. Got to 80 before I gave up.
Quote from: Space Sweeper on Jul 28, 2011, 04:53:45 AM
See, now I've never actually seen this kind of stuff:
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgyazo.com%2F783d26622ab7456cc6ae1ce969d41227.png&hash=68363d569f27d9b841e1403d1065d6bf61dc0fb9)
So for me, this book is most a must-buy. Those are some seriously awesome storyboards.
i saw that on disc 5 or 6 of the alien anthology. it enhanced even the whole "ridleygrams"
The book looks nice and just by looking at those picture, I can tell there's a lot of stuff that I've never seen before. Can't wait to pick this up. :)
Quote from: SiL on Jul 28, 2011, 08:21:52 AM
Alien: 20th Anniversary Edition DVD. :P
Don't have that one. :P
Also, I hate reading stuff like that off the screen.
I have "The Making of The Empire Strikes Back" by J.W. Rinzler. It's officially licensed and is 372 pages long. Given the fact that the "Alien" franchise and fan base is not as large as that of Star Wars, I'd imagine that this is the best we are going to get in terms of an officially licensed "Making of" about Scott's film.
I just hope that most of the cast and crew were, in one way or another, participants in the information in this book. I was really annoyed that Yaphet Kotto was nowhere to be seen in the interviews for the Quadrilogy Box Set.
There's numerous books about the Making of Alien (and the series in general). Spoilt for choice really.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 02, 2011, 06:55:29 AM
There's numerous books about the Making of Alien (and the series in general). Spoilt for choice really.
I went to Amazon looking for what's out there for
Alien today...didn't find much. Paul Scanlon's
The Book of Alien is available from private sellers but the book is described as having very little text which doesn't sit well with me. There is also a book called
Alien Woman: The Making of Lt. Ellen Ripley which might be interesting. Other than those, I couldn't find much. Maybe all the choices are out-of-print and/or unavailable?
Book of Alien has about 16 pages with text. It was a film tie-in published when Alien came out. Most of the info is available elsewhere, but still worth it if you can get it at a decent price.
Alien Woman from all reports is one of them books that reads way too much into things. For a better study of the films try On Film by Stephen Mulhall.
The Alien Quartet is ill-informed rubbish to be avoided.
Seems like a new press release was sent out.
http://shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=20685 (http://shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=20685)
QuoteFor over thirty years, audiences have been simultaneously captivated and appalled as the spaceship Nostromo is invaded and its crew stalked by a terrifying parasitic creature. From the gore of the infant alien bursting from Kane's chest to the mounting claustrophobia as Ripley discovers the monster has followed her into the escape shuttle, Alien is a chilling masterpiece.
Now, Alien Vault: The Definitive Story of the Making of the Film opens a portal into the making of this legendary film, tracing its path from embryonic concept to fully fledged box office phenomenon.
Featured herein are director Ridley Scott's own annotated storyboards, Polaroids and script pages; the elegant but disturbing concept artwork of H.R. Giger; sketches and construction blueprints for the Nostromo; costume designs by Moebius; a treasure trove of never-before-seen photographs of the cast and crew; and ten meticulously reproduced artifacts, enclosed in vellum envelopes, for readers to remove and examine more closely.
Fully authorized and illustrated throughout, Alien Vault is the ultimate tribute to a movie that changed cinema forever.
Edit: They also had a link to this.
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Rm1_1Ow0JtE%2FTlejIdo25kI%2FAAAAAAAABeo%2FqRKSXQo9H0E%2Fs1600%2FAV%2Bback%2Bcover2.jpg&hash=8b3304cac6e48e465fce933b3630d91beb78e738)
http://alien-vault.blogspot.com/ (http://alien-vault.blogspot.com/)
I picked it up today from Forbidden planet in London. On a cursory flick through it seems very nice. Nothing stood out as particularly 'never seen before', but then again neither did it seem like regurgitated nonsense - the presentation, certainly, is lovely. Will have a proper look tonight, after work.
I"ve just received mine.
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi826.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz182%2Fjojold%2FIMG_1195.jpg&hash=98ee0996c7400d38755b41ec795c9d58bb933a47)
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi826.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz182%2Fjojold%2FIMG_1196.jpg&hash=049d0296bdbbb5496bbab10376def7888d043d40)
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi826.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz182%2Fjojold%2FIMG_1197.jpg&hash=acfe7b42dee63248cfedc78ee008bbc6d54abc4a)
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi826.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz182%2Fjojold%2FIMG_1198.jpg&hash=c68df2613f5573bd8be2b9cf3005f324465ab949)
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi826.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz182%2Fjojold%2FIMG_1199.jpg&hash=fad2c436497706878806ff92349886bb461f6528)
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi826.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz182%2Fjojold%2FIMG_1200.jpg&hash=9d8e2a873da49984d1c956b316dd91a1ddb9d4a7)
Had a bit more of a look now - it's like a Taschen book, really. It's lovely to look at but there's not much that's surprising in there. I haven't seen some of the photos myself, but that doesn't mean they're not on the quad or anything - the memory isn't what it was! There's some nice box outs about varying fan theories and such, which seems a nice touch.
Overall, I'm glad to have it. Who knows? after a thorough read, I may be overjoyed!
In case anyone fancies trying their luck, we have 3 copies of this book to give away in our competion here (http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/competition/).
This is just for UK readers, I'm afraid. I am trying to sort out something for those in the US & Canada, but can't promise anything just yet.
Quote from: prometheusweyland on Aug 31, 2011, 10:12:53 AM
In case anyone fancies trying their luck, we have 3 copies of this book to give away in our competion here (http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/competition/).
This is just for UK readers, I'm afraid. I am trying to sort out something for this in the US & Canada, but can't promise anything just yet.
I entered!
Now gimme! :laugh:
We should be having something sorted soon too. Bare with.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 31, 2011, 04:58:24 PM
We should be having something sorted soon too. Bare with.
Think I'll enter that one too. May the question a goody - hopefully I'll know it :laugh:
Got my copy from the publishers today, so will give it a going over tonight, and hopefully get a review up in the next day or so.
Still trying to sort out something prize-wise for North American readers...
I want a copy! :D
Happy to report we can now offer 3 more copies of the book as prizes for US & Canadian readers, making 6 in total! So what are you waiting for? :-)
http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/competition/ (http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/competition/)
Quote from: prometheusweyland on Sep 01, 2011, 06:29:05 PM
Happy to report we can now offer 3 more copies of the book as prizes for US & Canadian readers, making 6 in total! So what are you waiting for? :-)
http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/competition/ (http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/competition/)
Entered! :D
Good luck!
I've also put down my initial thoughts in a review - http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/alien-vault-book-review/ (http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/alien-vault-book-review/)
Been a long day so will probably add to it tomorrow
Quote from: prometheusweyland on Sep 01, 2011, 06:29:05 PM
Happy to report we can now offer 3 more copies of the book as prizes for US & Canadian readers, making 6 in total! So what are you waiting for? :-)
http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/competition/ (http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/competition/)
An address in either US or Canada...
Rightio, should be securing a single copy from the UK publishers (which if they send to me, I'll look at doing as a worldwide thing depending on shipping) and a single copy for North Americans.
Also looks like we maybe able to sort out special AvPG price for those wanting to just purchase.
More information after the weekend when we sort it.
Will definitely be a competition. 1 UK winner, 1 Northern US winner. Will be sorting the finer details of the competition out, will be up ASAP.
I haven't yet seen a hardcore review of this book from a serious Alien fan. The best I've seen are general impressions from people on this thread that aren't too long. Anyone here got a link to something more thorough?
Quote from: Laufey on Aug 29, 2011, 02:53:51 PM
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rm1_1Ow0JtE/TlejIdo25kI/AAAAAAAABeo/qRKSXQo9H0E/s1600/AV+back+cover2.jpg
What are the thoughts on some of the goodies that come with this book (pictured above)? I will probably order mine later this week.
I have a review here - http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/2011/09/alien-vault-book-review/ (http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/2011/09/alien-vault-book-review/)
If there's anything specific you want to know just ask and I'll try to answer :-)
http://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=40326.msg1190587;boardseen#new (http://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=40326.msg1190587;boardseen#new)
Competition is live now. I'm currently reading Alien Vault and will have my review up soon. I'll also be speaking to Ian Nathan soon too.
Thanks for the links, guys. From the reviews, this book appears to be a real treat for Alien fans.
It certainly is a treat!
And from the sounds of it, if the book is a success we may well get more covering the rest of the series as well (see Ian Nathan's comments here (http://www.prometheusmovienews.co.uk/?p=977)).
Personally, for all I care he can skip Aliens and just go straight to a book on Alien 3 - now THERE'S a making-of story I want to read!
Quote from: prometheusweyland on Sep 14, 2011, 09:50:54 AM
Personally, for all I care he can skip Aliens and just go straight to a book on Alien 3 - now THERE'S a making-of story I want to read!
Me too. It is nearly impossible to get David Fincher to seriously acknowledge that film for anymore than a few moments per interview. It would be amazing if we could finally get his in-depth perspective on the film and then have it finally distributed through one of these books. The making of Alien3 featurettes in both the Quadrilogy and Anthology were great but the lack of Fincher's own input made them feel more incomplete than Alien3. Haha.
I think Alien3 is a fascinating film largely in part to what what going on behind the camera as it was being made. But that's a hardcore fan's perspective. I'm not sure if there is enough interest in the general population to justify a book on Alien3 in the same way that there is general interest in the first two films.
Quote from: Ash 937 on Sep 14, 2011, 01:03:38 PM
Quote from: prometheusweyland on Sep 14, 2011, 09:50:54 AM
Personally, for all I care he can skip Aliens and just go straight to a book on Alien 3 - now THERE'S a making-of story I want to read!
Me too. It is nearly impossible to get David Fincher to seriously acknowledge that film for anymore than a few moments per interview. It would be amazing if we could finally get his in-depth perspective on the film and then have it finally distributed through one of these books. The making of Alien3 featurettes in both the Quadrilogy and Anthology were great but the lack of Fincher's own input made them feel more incomplete than Alien3. Haha.
I think Alien3 is a fascinating film largely in part to what what going on behind the camera as it was being made. But that's a hardcore fan's perspective. I'm not sure if there is enough interest in the general population to justify a book on Alien3 in the same way that there is general interest in the first two films.
Fincher hates that movie..and rightly so....I wouldn't have anything to say about it either if I were him...do you really need to see him say in print or otherwise how he feels about it?....You already know...
That's not my point. I know he doesn't like the movie...but I would be interested to see what he would've done differently if he could and what his vision was before FOX got too involved with the process. It would also be cool to get a book that offered input from all the directors and screen writers that were involved with Alien3 at some point in its development.
Again, I don't think that this sort of thing will ever happen simply because Alien3 does not have the same following that the first two films have in the mind of the general public. It would simply be a stupid idea to put so much production and effort into a book about a film that most people don't like.
Quote from: Ash 937 on Sep 14, 2011, 04:16:33 PM
Again, I don't think that this sort of thing will ever happen simply because Alien3 does not have the same following that the first two films have in the mind of the general public. It would simply be a stupid idea to put so much production and effort into a book about a film that most people don't like.
Well, as Ian Nathan said in my interview with him, there have already been talks about and Aliens book, and
HE would love to do an Alien 3 book, so if the sales match the passion we may see one :-)
QuoteThat's not my point. I know he doesn't like the movie...but I would be interested to see what he would've done differently if he could and what his vision was before FOX got too involved with the process.
It'd be a short piece as his answer would be "Everything".
Quote from: prometheusweyland on Sep 14, 2011, 09:25:57 PM
Well, as Ian Nathan said in my interview with him, there have already been talks about and Aliens book, and HE would love to do an Alien 3 book, so if the sales match the passion we may see one :-)
As skeptical as I am I still think this would be awesome.
Quote from: SM on Sep 14, 2011, 11:26:37 PM
QuoteThat's not my point. I know he doesn't like the movie...but I would be interested to see what he would've done differently if he could and what his vision was before FOX got too involved with the process.
It'd be a short piece as his answer would be "Everything".
I don't think its that simple. David Fincher initially had a lot of ambition for this film when he signed on to direct it. He saw how far the production had gone so far and he did see the script that was in-progress...he had to have somethings about it to join the crew. I think Alien3 initiates a lot of good ideas (that Fincher was behind) but that ultimately fell short of his own expectations. There are a lot of places in this production where he simply wasn't allowed to explore and I think he would have a few things to say about things like that.
If he did Alien3 again he'd do it from the ground up his way, rather than coming on at the 'last minute' without a proper script.
That said he was often his own worst enemy, thinking he was Kubrick or Scott shooting endless takes of the most mundane things.
Quote from: SM on Sep 14, 2011, 11:56:25 PM
That said he was often his own worst enemy, thinking he was Kubrick or Scott shooting endless takes of the most mundane things.
I think you're right about this. Since Alien3, I feel like Fincher has really come into his own as a director. If he made Alien3 from the ground up in 2011 it would be a completely different film...for better or worse.
Based on his form since Alien3 - better methinks.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 13, 2011, 05:55:41 PM
http://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=40326.msg1190587;boardseen#new (http://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=40326.msg1190587;boardseen#new)
Competition is live now. I'm currently reading Alien Vault and will have my review up soon. I'll also be speaking to Ian Nathan soon too.
Entered the competition. :D
Just finished it. Really enjoyed it. Review should be up by the weekend.
I've written my review but I'm going to wait until I get my Q&A with Ian Nathan back to post them together. For those interested in purchasing the book at a cheaper price then I've got you a deal sorted:
Order Alien Vault at the special price of £20 (rrp.£30) with free UK p&p. To order please call 01903 828503 quoting ref AUR 315.
Got mine today.
Holy shit all the details. Love all the little posters and storyboards. I even learned a few things I didn't know about which surprised me.
Like what?
Give us it - spoilers and all!
Quote from: Spaghetti on Sep 20, 2011, 03:36:18 AM
Got mine today.
Holy shit all the details. Love all the little posters and storyboards. I even learned a few things I didn't know about which surprised me.
When and where did you order from? I ordered mine from Amazon (USA) last week but I have yet to receive a shipping confirmation for the book. Is it printed in the UK? As far as I know, the thing hasn't even left the warehouse. This is unusual as Amazon has always been more efficient whenever I ordered from them in the past. >:(
Really nice video review here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSo9Lqei_5w#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSo9Lqei_5w#ws)
Doesn't seem to be anything groundbreaking in terms of pictures. :-\
Apart from the Nostromo blueprint which looks sweet.
Quote from: SM on Sep 23, 2011, 12:24:41 AM
Doesn't seem to be anything groundbreaking in terms of pictures. :-\
Apart from the Nostromo blueprint which looks sweet.
Thinking the same thing.
But I wanna know if it has any new info! Some tidbits from the book are on EMPIRE.com and ... the 'soundbites' I recognise from old Ridley Scott interviews :-\
There's certainly nothing ground breaking about any new tidbits in it. There's very little extra to show after all these years. It was just extremely passionately written. Would I buy it for £30? No. £20, maybe. I've got the review written, I'll get it up tonight along with a short interview with Nathan.
I had no problem paying $35 for it. Even with nothing really new, it's still a really nice book, and I generally buy anything with the Alien name on it.
Apparently Amazon is having a problem with the American distribution of the book. As of the time of this post, it is not being offered by Amazon in the USA. Go to its page online and this message shows up:
"While this item is available from other marketplace sellers on this page, it is not currently offered by Amazon.com because customers have told us there may be something wrong with our inventory of the item, the way we are shipping it, or the way it's described here. (Thanks for the tip!)
We're working to fix the problem as quickly as possible."
I hope my copy arrives alright. I ordered mine from Amazon (USA). It is already in transit and should arrive to my place later today or tomorrow.
My thoughts: http://www.avpgalaxy.net/literature/reviews/alien-vault-review/ (http://www.avpgalaxy.net/literature/reviews/alien-vault-review/)
Interview: http://www.avpgalaxy.net/website/interviews/ian-nathan/ (http://www.avpgalaxy.net/website/interviews/ian-nathan/)
Quote from: SM on Sep 20, 2011, 03:45:46 AM
Like what?
Give us it - spoilers and all!
Mostly just some specs of the ships and some storyboards, little things. Nothin' I'd think you wouldn't know already. Lotta nice pretty pictures though, Some of the Ash head dummy I haven't seen.
Quote from: ikarop on Sep 22, 2011, 08:22:25 PMReally nice video review here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSo9Lqei_5w#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSo9Lqei_5w#ws)
Watched about half of that (don't want to spoil the whole thing) and there seems to be a lot of stuff I haven't seen before. Will definitely get this, perhaps even next week is the shipping is fast enough. :)
AMAZON:
"Item Under Review
This product is not currently offered by Amazon.co.uk because a customer recently told us that the item he or she received was not as described.
We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you may still find this product available from other sellers on this page."
Damn, I have a voucher and want to get it. Hope it wasn't one of you guys who moaned that it wasn't "definitive" enough.
I love the picture of Sigourney and Bolaji in full costume sitting talking to Ridley. I'd never seen that one before.
Book got a VERY positive review in Fangoria #308. Nice to see.
Just got this as a Chanukah present! Can't wait to crack it open.
^Got it for Christmas. Can't wait too.
Finally bought myself a copy, should be here in the next week or so!
I got this for £15 from Amazon and have to admit, I got slightly bored reading it. If you have been exposed to every behind the scene media on the market, there is not much new on offer here. Plus, I really hate the schoolboy error of combining "Weylan Yutani" with the W-Y logo from ALIENS.
Saying that it looks nice on a coffee table.
I actually thought that was pretty clever, and the book is actually self-aware about it - on the page with the Nostromo schematics, it specifically points out that the schematics have "Weyland", meaning they must be from a timeframe after 'Alien'.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Jan 23, 2012, 02:29:59 AM
I actually thought that was pretty clever, and the book is actually self-aware about it - on the page with the Nostromo schematics, it specifically points out that the schematics have "Weyland", meaning they must be from a timeframe after 'Alien'.
The problem is though, the cover design feels more like a publishing error. Yes, the author is aware of the change in name between the first and second film. However, to feel more authentic towards the original movie, they really should have used the Egyptian Wings logo from the first movie instead of the logo from the second.
Unless they were actually trying to piss off Cameron haters in the first place. ;)
I picked it up in Singapore only due to a very favourable exhange rate, meaning it was a shitload cheaper than at home. Love the Nostromo schematic (noting the change in length), but only glanced at the rest so far. The mention of WY being an invention of Ron Shusett was annoying.
QuoteLove the Nostromo schematic (noting the change in length)
What do you mean?
It's always been quoted as being 800' long.
The dude who did the blueprint measured it properly using known lengths from the film and came up with 1095'.
Mind you the accepted length for the Sulaco from the CMTM has been wrong for yonks too.
I didn't realize the length from the CMTM was wrong. How do we know it was wrong, though?
Measure the airlock set and compare it to the model when the Queen gets dumped out.
I think the CMTM says the length is over 385m. I did rough calculations years and years ago and came up with a figure around 200m longer. The guy who did the Nostromo worked with some other guys and they're arrived at a length of over 700m.
How do you measure the set, though?
Work out the dimensions measuring known objects in the frame.
It's not an exact science, but Sigourney Weaver's height is a known for example, and from that you coule work out the height of the loader etc.
Has Syd Mead or anyone like that ever said how long they intended the Sulaco to be?
Didn't wayforward do some research on the Sulaco regarding the new Marines game and Aliens:Infestation?
Didn't they even work with Syd on this?
I think Gearbox did, I'm not sure about Wayforward.
Yep, sorry. Meant Gearbox.
I can't imagine the Sulaco layout (or indeed pretty much anything else) is remotely accurate in Infestation.
I think they claimed so in one of those Developer Diary things.
But having played Infestation I'd say it is HUGE in the game.
It is. Which is why I don't think it's remotely accurate.
How come?
I don't think it's accurate either, but I wouldn't have a problem with the Sulaco's interior being huge. I mean it's a HUGE ship, and while a good amount could be attributed to engines/sensors/weapons systems, it'd still leave plenty of room for other stuff.
It'll be interesting to see how Colonial Marines handles it, too.
It will handle it just as the game wants it to be handled. It won't be based on any real accuracy.
The Sulaco being huge isn't a big deal. The layout in Infestation is dumb, because you do things like docking at the top of the ship instead of the hangar, you can access the inside of the forward antenna array - which doesn't look at all accessable in the film, and I don't recall much room for things like engines would would take up large chunks of the interior.
I don't know if docking at the top is that big of a deal - maybe the hangar is where things are deployed from, but a general docking port would be up on top or something. The Millennium Falcon had a similar setup - it had the boarding ramp on the underbelly, and then the docking port on the roof.
Dropship in the film docks at the same hangar it departed from at the bottom of the ship.
They just did it for the game to work how they wanted.
Well sure, but that's a huge dropship hangar. There might be a smaller airlock connection port somewhere else intended for personnel or whatever.
For someone who is more interested in any information that can be provided to the actual story and plot of a movie rather than the film processes that were involved in making it, is there anything that'll interest me in this book? Any tidbits of information that'll add more to the storry already shown in theatres?
I haven't actually read it cover to cover, but I doubt it will. The book is much more about the filmmaking process rather than "the universe".
Still a pretty great book so far, though.