THE CREATION OF THE HEAVY

On first read of the script, each actor admits that they had no idea what to expect of the HEAVY. The use of a greenscreen was a popular assumption, but under Jabbar’s direction, designers Eddie Yang and Steve Wang were set to create a full body alien suit. Laurie admits “it was an absolute coup to have Eddie and Steve design our Heavy – the people who designed IRON MAN’s suit and the PREDATOR.”

The design of the HEAVY began with “various references of lizards, reptiles, creatures as well as some video game art,” explains Eddie Yang (Production and
Heavy Designer) “We started with initial sketches, but I design using a 3D process.”

At the same time Yang was approached by Raisani to design the Heavy, he was in talks with Steve Wang (Heavy Designer and Sculptor) to work and collaborate together. They formed their company, now known as ALLIANCE STUDIOS, with ALIEN OUTPOST being their first project. Yang and Wang bounced ideas back and fourth and “after about 90 designs we came up with the final look,” said Yang.

The actors did not see the HEAVY suit (worn by DOUG TAIT) until the first day of filming. Miller recalls, “when we saw the Heavy, we knew that they had just got it perfect.” Laurie adds that “Jabbar has a creature and suit background from his time at Stan Winston Studios, before his VFX experience, and believes in capturing as much in camera as possible before augmenting with VFX. You just can’t get the same kinds of reactions with a green screen.”

“You would think that we have seen every imagination of what an alien would look like, but they have invented something new. And to have an actual actor in the suit, giving you a performance that you can stand in fear of, is incredible. The audience is in for a massive treat.”- Holmes.

McClendon describes the HEAVY as “the foot solider of the alien race. They are these huge, hulking beasts. They have very thick skin, and they wear this armour made from this metal from out of space that is virtually impenetrable via bullets. They are like walking tanks.”

“Everything revolved around the Heavy, literally: explains Laurie. “The shoot date was set around the lead time to make one of these suits, the schedule was set around the amount of time we could have Doug in the suit for, and the whole story is based around these creatures and their attempt to force a second invasion of earth. This is a one of a kind suit that would only fit Doug, so until we had them both out in South Africa there was not much sleep to be had!”

And what is it like to wear a full foam latex body suit and then be screwed in to a totally immersive head-piece? Doug explains: “It’s very hot, it’s hard to breath, I can’t see well, it’s tight and heavy. Basically it’s very uncomfortable… but it looks great on camera and the fact that it’s a practical suit… it’s amazing”.

IFC Midnight Unleashes ALIEN OUTPOST The Creation Of The Heavy