Key Takeaways:
* ‘Alien: Romulus’ director Fede Alvarez emphasizes on practical sets over the use of CG for his movie.
* Directors like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve have previously pioneered this trend through movies like ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Dune 2’.
* Alvarez believes that CG is not only expensive but also complicated to manage on set.
* The ‘Alien: Romulus’ is set to release on August 16, 2024.
Film Magic without Green Screens: ‘Alien: Romulus’
In Hollywood, the large and fascinating world of movie production is split into two: filmmakers who rely on Computer Graphics (CG) and those who choose life on a more realistic set. Today, let’s talk about Fede Alvarez, the director of the upcoming science fiction horror film ‘Alien: Romulus’. You know what’s cool? He’s joining the club of directors who prefer practical sets over green screens. Just like Christopher Nolan for ‘Oppenheimer’ and Denis Villeneuve for ‘Dune 2’.
A Step Towards Realism
The movie ‘Alien: Romulus’ is the ninth installment of the popular Alien franchise. It transports its audience to a time between the events of ‘Alien’ and ‘Aliens’, where young characters grapple with scary extraterrestrial beings in distant galaxies. You might think, given this vast, interstellar narrative, CG would be the go-to choice, right? But Alvarez begs to differ. He revealed his unique approach in a video where he’s on the movie set explaining, “Most things are real. The sets here, there’s no green screen. My job is to show the audience what I’m seeing on set.”
Choosing Asia over Special Effects
Alvarez doesn’t just stop at sharing his vision; he also took a shot at the common industry narrative. He’s under the impression that CG, contrary to popular belief, is more expensive and adds unnecessary complications on-set. Regardless, he’s determined to deliver a true-to-life experience, where the audience can almost touch the realism of the sets and visualize exactly what the director sees.
Titans of Practical Filmmaking: Nolan and Villeneuve
While we all eagerly wait for August 16, 2024, the release date for ‘Alien: Romulus’, here’s appreciating other directors who’ve mastered the art of practical filmmaking. Christopher Nolan, the genius behind ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and ‘Interstellar’, struck gold with his recent movie ‘Oppenheimer’. A shining example of Nolan’s commitment to practical set creation is the execution of the first nuclear bomb test explosion, completely devoid of extra effects. So, how did he do it? With the help of his dedicated crew, they successfully managed to replicate the physical aspects of nuke-effect without digital intervention.
Following suit, Denis Villeneuve also made impressive strides in creating the Harkonnen Spice Harvester for ‘Dune 2’ without leaning on CG. Remember the intense scene where the movie’s heroes, Paul Atredies and Chani, scramble to protect themselves from a vicious attack? They use the giant machine’s legs as a shield, which were mechanically operated by a large engineering team for the film.
In an era that hails the convenience of digital effects, Alvarez, Villeneuve, and Nolan are making a statement with their emphasis on practicality. Their approach not only provides a refreshing take on film production but also stands as proof that some things in the film industry are just better off real and practical. So, next time you watch a movie, keep an eye out for the magic behind the screen—it might just be a billion-dollar decision.
