Excerpts from a very interesting interview on AVP Galaxy, featuring actors who played PFHs in Covenant, Scott James and Billy Mansell:
“The prosthetics were full face pieces including pieces around our eyes and the bridge of the nose. There was also extensive make-up over the whole face and feet. It took a few hours to apply, maybe 2 or 3. I can’t remember exactly; it was a very early call and I fell asleep in the chair for a bit, only to wake up and see this different person staring back at me in the mirror!“
“The Engineers send the crescent-ships out on various mission and they return infrequently. It’s a very big event and those at home make the effort to show their respect and welcome the ships and their honoured crew home. This seems consistent with the ritualistic and important ceremony afforded to the sacrificial Engineer in Prometheus. No-one was expecting David’s ship back, but they’re obviously a trusting race…a bit too trusting maybe! They realise something’s wrong when the cylinders drop but don’t know what’s happening then yeah…it becomes pretty apparent after it’s too late.“
“The Juggernaut’s arrival was a total surprise to the Engineers there as you see some are smiling some waving and others look curiously puzzled as to why it was there! Our brief split us to act with all these different emotions so it’s clear to me that they know when there will be an arrival and at this time were surprised! As for why they where there in the first place I’m not so sure but with that leader type there too I guess it must be some kind of communal gathering.“
“A frequent question that tends to crop up regarding Covenant is whether or not the people you portrayed on Planet 4/Paradise were actually Engineers. As far as the production crew were concerned, were you playing Engineers? ... ... Now this is a good question! We worked with second unit that day and the second unit director wasn’t giving much away to what we really where but they did confirm we are Engineers! And the costume designer called us all “her Engineers” so we do know we are 100% Engineers but I do believe our origins is something Mr Scott is holding close to his chest… what I will say there was speculation that the Prometheus Engineers where more like a military type rather than our more civilian look I think all will be revealed if Sir Ridley gets his way and films the next one.”
“Was it ever discussed why your make-up looked a little different from Ian Whyte in Prometheus? I assumed it might be due to it being cost inefficient to give you all the same level of prosthetics as he had? ... ... Scott James – That was never explained. I think some of the confusion about the appearance is that there’s some post-production colour correction because it’s a flashback, and also they’re going to really look quite different because they’re in civilian clothes. The prosthetic work was extensive and they wouldn’t scrimp on a day’s re-shooting, they’ll be sure to get what they need to get. ... ... Billy Mansell – It was never discussed why! Like I said in an earlier question this is something Ridley and crew never spoke about but I am in the belief that Mr Whyte’s character was more of a military type where my character was more civilian type! Yeah the eyes and skin are different but who’s to say it’s because the Ian Whyte type is enhanced genetically for space exploration and combat? Who knows?”
