Clubhouse Conversations — Alien: Romulus

In this episode, cinematographer Galo Olivares is joined by interviewer Patrick Cady, ASC to discuss his work on Alien: Romulus — the latest entry in the Alien film series, which follows a group of young planetary colonizers who face otherworldly horrors at an inactive space station.

Alien: Romulus tells the story of a probe piloted by the Weyland-Yutani corporation, which locates and investigates the wreckage of the USCSS-Nostromo star-freighter ship. Among the debris, a strange organic object is recovered and brought aboard a larger vessel — and as the object is opened, a terrifying life form emerges.

In this interview, Olivares discusses the challenges and benefits of shooting chronologically; shooting with practical effects and minimal CG; the reasoning behind his lens choices for the project; the production's use of wind machines to emulate non-gravity; the importance of color separation and lighting in evoking the iconic look and feel of the Alien universe, and more.

Galo Olivares is a cinematographer whose works include Gretel & Hansel (2020) and El Vigilante (2016). In 2018, he served as camera operator on director/cinematographer Alfonso Cuarón's Roma.

Patrick Cady, ASC studied filmmaking at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and has since carved out an extensive cinematography career in both film and TV. He broke out in 2000 after shooting his first feature, director Karen Kusama’s award-winning drama Girlfight, and went on to shoot many series including Cold Case, Rectify and Insecure, for which he earned a 2018 Emmy Award nomination.

You’ll find all episodes in our ASC Clubhouse Conversations discussion series here.