The Sound of Alien: Earth

Set two years before the events of the original Alien film, FX’s ALIEN: EARTH follows the aftermath of a mysterious spacecraft crash on Earth and introduces a new chapter in the Alien universe, featuring new creatures, technologies, and characters.

For this SoundWorks Collection conversation, we speak with Lee Gilmore — Supervising Sound Editor and Sound Designer, Justin Davey — Sound Designer, and Nolan McNaughton — Sound Designer about creating the sonic world of ALIEN: EARTH.

The team discusses honoring the distinctive sound of the original Alien films while creating an entirely new sonic palette; designing the series’ new creatures, including the Ticks and other species; building the atmospheric environments of the ships, laboratories, and Neverland; and creating the sounds of synthetic, hybrid, and futuristic technologies.

They also break down the massive ship crash sequence, Foley, crowds, debris, sparks, steam and mechanical backgrounds, creature performances, the use of silence and dynamics, and the collaboration between sound design and composer Jeff Russo’s score. The conversation also explores the challenges of delivering an eight-hour television series on an intense production schedule while maintaining the distinctive sonic identity of the Alien universe.