The SJ glimpse - work in progress?

Quoted from IMDB.com "During production, Ridley Scott and Damon Lindelof kept the use of computer-generated imagery as low as possible, using CGI mainly in space scenes; Scott recalled advice VFXpert Douglas Trumbull gave him on the set of Blade Runner: "If you can do it live, do it live", and also claimed that practical VFX was more cost-effective than digital VFX." I think some things were done through the use of CGI because it would of been impossible to do it practically. When you see the Space Jockey conform to the biosuit in the trailer, they had no choice but to use animation. 3D is also a big thing now but Ridley also stressed during the production about how you could only make things so dark before it wasn't visible through the 3D cameras. I have no problem with Scott using Special Effects to "Enhance" The experience. In science-fiction today there's only so much you can do practically before the use of CGI and Special Effects need to intervine. I would definitely be more inclined to use miniatures rather than CGI because its an object that is actually "there". But for what Scott has done with the film, I approve. The use of the 3D technology looks great and I have no problems with it.

I agree zeta, I thought the same thing when I first saw it. Out of all the cgi shots we saw in the trailer that's the one shot that stood out and it looked a bit off to me. I don't know f its the coloring, can't put my finger on it. Hopefully it was an unfinished shot, let's say the trailer was compiled a few months ago but they have been tweaking the cgi elements since thnx, here's to hoping

I'm aware of RS championing 'hands on' practical effects for this film, but I'm still not convinced with that SJ. It looks plastic. I'd have thought there'd be myriad detailing on it's surface, such as bone/skin porous texturing etc. I trust the makers have taken simple aesthetics into account for a film of this magnitude surely?

I guess you are thinking about the SJ bio-mechanical suit that closes? I agree, it really looks off. It looks like plastic, something is off with the lightning and texture on it.

Maybe the the footage we saw is really an animation "created" by the Prometheus crew. They did scan the helmet/head of the SJ maybe they put together what they "thought" they found would be like and created this and showed it on a screen for all to see. This bit was maybe put in the trailer to stir things up....as I see it doing.

Thank you, I am glad someone is talking about this. As soon as I seen it in the trailer I was pretty disappointed. Seems like a key part to the movie that you would want to do with hands on effects, which wouldn't be impossible. In the end I hope the practical effects will be so impressive that we won't notice those CGI moments....or it will make them stick out like a sore thumb.

I'm willing to bet that the chair scene was a raw untreated shot. I'd put money down that the finished sequence will melt people's faces off when it's on the big screen.

If the sj suit is a living organic suit then it would look totally different to the Sarcophagus / fossilized suit in the original i dont know i'm staying optimistic that it will make sense and tie into the events we are accustomed to.

I sincerely hope so Acheron, you could be on to something. Some misinformative Sadism on the maker's part again. If so, kudos to them and I'm just another victim, lol.

Alien made in 1979...Prometheus in 2012...yeah, there are going to be changes, we all have to face that...as eighty Five stated. could be a raw shot before most post work was done on it...working in effects I can tell you there are layers and layers and this could be 12 out of 1500....lol

I'm willing to go on the assumption that it may be unfinished. It's just strange that this should stand out amongst all of the other outstandingly gorgeous and convincing imagery as inferior.

Well, we could go see the movie slightly intoxicated....might help.

Cain, I want to experience this sound of mind and sobriety. I'll do all that on leaving the cinema - either as a means of consolation or celebration depending on the final outcome. I fully expect the latter. Alteredstate - I LURRVE that tattoo!!

it maybe the offspring of the adult occupants of the larger sj suits i mean even aliens must have children that change over time.

I'm willing to accept the film Ridley releases into theaters. We know the film will have many more practical effects than VFX. But there will plenty of VFX as well for the Space scenes.

Hmm yes I didn't want to be a party pooper but the CGI of the suit/chair and also the jockey seemed pretty Roger Rabbit-esque. I really hope this footage is tarted up a bit in the final version. I still have Ja Ja Binks nightmare to this day!

@Dropyourlinen, LOL, I see a Ja Ja Binks rising up behind the Space Jockey chair. uh oh!

Hopefully its just a work in progress. I was really hoping this would be practical effects actually. I know they are now animating it but isnt there a way of taking a physical object(the space jockey model) and animate it somehow using CGI?