Exploring the Tech of Alien: Earth
In the universe of the Alien franchise, technology has always been important. However, FX’s new series, Alien: Earth, takes a closer look than ever at the powerful tech companies that inadvertently unleashed xenomorphs on humanity. Companies like Weyland-Yutani hope to profit from these creatures and strive to enhance their stock market value through cutting-edge innovations, showcasing items like futuristic weapons, starships, and androids.
A Fresh Take on Classic Design
Production designer Andy Nicholson, known for roles in Sleepy Hollow and Gravity, was tasked with designing the world of Alien: Earth. He drew inspiration from Ridley Scott’s original film, aiming to envision the future as it might have looked in the 1970s. “Alien set a new standard for sci-fi design,” he noted, as it explored the gritty reality of space truckers in a way that had never been done before.
Set two years before the first Alien, Alien: Earth tells the story of a Weyland-Yutani ship, the USCSS Maginot, crashing on Earth. While this incident wreaks havoc in Prodigy City, its CEO, Boy Kavalier, sees the situation as a lucrative opportunity.
The show cleverly uses flashbacks to detail life aboard the Maginot, drawing parallels to scenes from the original film. These callbacks create a visual connection between the two stories, offering fans a treat as they spot familiar stylistic choices. Nicholson emphasized that the Maginot’s design was grounded in the original fleet, with many similarities rooted in naval architecture.
Weyland-Yutani and Prodigy’s Rivalry
In Alien: Earth, Weyland-Yutani is a major force but the focus shifts to Kavalier and his synthetic beings—robots that are a blend of technology and the memories of terminally ill children. Prodigy Corporation aims to market these synths as groundbreaking products. Since the show is near the timeline of the first Alien, Nicholson used 1970s visions of the future to influence the design of Prodigy’s technology.
He noted the significance of vintage European car designs, specifically how they predicted digital advancements. “Companies like Citroën and Renault were pioneering new design concepts back then, leading to the future we now recognize,” said Nicholson.
Innovative Tablet Designs
A standout feature of the show is the chunky tablets. Nicholson aimed for their designs to feel unique but grounded in familiar technology. He wasn’t a fan of overly sleek, futuristic gadgets that lacked character. He drew inspiration from Sony’s vintage Watchman portable TVs to create tablets that felt distinct while echoing recognizable tech.
“The aim was to merge what people know with something they haven’t quite seen before,” he explained. The unique design of Prodigy’s tablets also served to highlight the differences between Prodigy and Weyland-Yutani’s technologies. Prodigy’s devices mirror modern widescreen formats, while Weyland-Yutani’s tech retains a more retro, square format, reminiscent of older screens seen in Aliens.
Recent surveys show that viewers appreciate when shows pay close attention to detail, particularly in world-building. Fans on social media have responded positively to the way Alien: Earth combines nostalgia with innovation, creating a fresh yet familiar experience.
As Alien: Earth wraps up its first season, it offers a thoughtful examination of corporate ambition and technology in a sci-fi setting, all while paying homage to its roots. Each design choice not only enhances storytelling but also invites viewers to think about the connections between the past, present, and future of technology.
For more on the development of technology in film and media, check out The Verge.
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