What do Xenomorph eggs feel like? According to the special effects experts who designed them for Alien: Earth, the answer is warm and sticky. Second Skin Studio worked directly with Wētā Workshop and the show’s creators to bring their concepts for various extraterrestrial creatures to life. In the case of the franchise’s iconic Facehugger capsules, this meant slathering the shells with vegetable glycerin. Second Skin founder Sarawut “Tor” Sakthamcharoen tells Polygon it gave the eggs a “wet, organic look.”
Sakthamcharoen and his colleague Sarinnaree “Honey” Khamaiumcharean worked on many of the monstrous beings in Alien: Earth, including a monstrous ticks, face-melting flies, and, and of course, fan-favorite specimen t. ocellus (often referred to as “the eyeball alien,” or “Eye Midge” by the show’s cast and crew). To learn even more about these terrifying specimens, Polygon caught up with Sakthamcharoen and Khamaiumcharean via email to learn more about their work on Alien: Earth, their theory for one of the show’s biggest changes from the movie, and their plans for a potential season 2.
Polygon: I know you guys worked on the tick, the tentacled eyeballs, the flies’ nest, the Xenomorph eggs, and the Xenomorph embryo. Did you work on any additional creatures for Alien: Earth? What was the design process like?
Sarawut “Tor” Sakthamcharoen: Actually, the creatures you mentioned, like the tick, the tentacled eyeballs, the flies’ nest, the Xenomorph eggs, and the embryo, we built in many more variations than what you see on screen — different sizes and forms for different shots. Beyond that, we also created support creatures and props, such as a sheep stunt for the collapse and death scene [in episode 8], and a Xenomorph foam prop inside a bag for the moment when Morrow sprays [a substance] to catch the Xeno [in episode 2]. We also produced silicone dummies, a cat dummy with the Eye Midge, detailed hair work, and prosthetics for the Eye Midge sequence
Sarinnaree “Honey” Khamaiumcharean: The Second Skin team also supported the VFX department by creating a green chestburster. This was used on set to help the actors react more naturally and later became a reference element for the VFX team to build upon.
The ticks are particularly terrifying in Episode 5, but we only get to see some of their lifecycle. Do you have any ideas for how that could continue if there’s a second season of the show?
Tor: I’m not entirely sure — that would really depend on the director’s vision. But one thing’s for certain: You still haven’t seen how they build their nests.
Tell me more about designing the Xenomorph embryo. How did you decide what it would look like?
Tor: Actually, the initial design came from Wētā [Workshop] as a 2D sketch. The first time we saw it, we thought it looked really cool. But since it needed to be practical, we had to take that concept and rework it, sculpting a new 3D model and then 3D-printing over 10 different sizes for the director to choose from. Once the scale was approved, we moved on to molding and casting it in a way that looked like translucent jelly. That way, when it’s underwater, you can clearly see the skeletal form of the Xeno embryo inside.
Honey: Yes, the embryo design originated from Wētā Workshop. Our Second Skin team took their sketches and brought them into the practical world, making sure the design could function on set and be seamlessly integrated with the VFX work.
In the original 1979 Alien film, the Xenomorph eggs have water on them that appears to be dripping upwards (rather than trickling downwards). The Xenomorph eggs in Alien: Earth don’t seem to have this feature. Was there a reason you left it out?
Tor: That’s something we never actually discussed with the director [Noah Hawley]. But from what I understand, in the original 1979 Alien, Ridley Scott used a clever camera trick — shooting upside down so that water droplets falling under gravity looked like they were dripping upwards — to make the eggs feel unsettling and alien. The props were also coated with vegetable glycerin to give them a wet, organic look. In Alien: Earth, since the setting is on Earth rather than an alien planet, it’s possible that the decision was to keep the eggs more grounded in our gravity. But that’s just my guess.
Honey: We tried many approaches to echo the original 1979 Alien, but we also had to adapt some details to fit the world of Alien: Earth. In some cases, we added new elements, and in others, we adjusted features so they matched the story and tone of this series.
I’ve heard the “eyeball alien” referred to as “Species 64” or “t. ocellus.” But word on the street is that you guys refer to it as “Eye Midge.” Where did that nickname come from?
Tor: Honestly, we don’t really know where that nickname first came from, since we never asked about its origin. The first time we heard “Eye Midge” was actually from Jeff Okun (VFX) and also from the Wētā design team.
Honey: We’re not exactly sure where the name first came from. But I believe it became a practical nickname so that our multinational crew could easily understand and communicate the physical traits of the creature.
What was the biggest challenge you faced while working on the creatures for the show? How did you get past them?
Tor: I’d say the biggest challenge was definitely building the Xenomorph eggs and handling the dissecting sequences. It was something we had never done before, so there was a lot of trial and error along the way. We really have to thank our team — they pushed through with so much patience and dedication, and that’s what made it possible in the end.
Honey: For me, the biggest challenge was designing and building the Xenomorph eggs. The Second Skin team had to make multiple versions — soft, hard, ones that could open, even animatronic and manual versions. We also developed the internal layers of the eggs in a way that, I believe, audiences have never seen in any Alien film before. On top of that, keeping the eggs intact in Thailand’s hot climate was a real test for us.
Which non-Xenomorph creature is your favorite?
Tor: I really like the fly. Its size makes it kind of cute — big and chunky, almost like a giant beetle. It’s got a trunk like an elephant and eyes like a spider, which makes it both strange and endearing at the same time.
Honey: Definitely the Eye Midge. It’s one of the cleverest creatures in the series. Even though there was a lot of VFX involved, the practical version we built looked both absolutely cute and absolutely weird at the same time.
Which creature scene from this season of Alien: Earth is your favorite?
Tor: My favorite has to be the Eye Midge with Shmuel. That scene was so exciting, and from my side it was a special blend of creature and prosthetic work — something we’re really proud of.
Honey: My favorite scene was the fly spitting acid saliva onto Issac. Since Issac is a synthetic body built to be extremely strong, watching how it reacts to the acid really shows both the creature’s biology and its terrifying force.
What was the development process like for creating new alien creatures in Alien: Earth with such a big, international team? Was there a lot of back and forth with the show’s creators?
Honey: From my side, the process was very collaborative. The initial creature concepts came from the director and Wētā Workshop, but once they reached us, it was our responsibility to translate those designs into practical builds that could actually work on set. That meant testing materials, creating prototypes, and finding ways to combine prosthetics with VFX. There was a lot of back and forth with both the director and the VFX Supervisor — we would show tests, adjust based on feedback, and refine until everyone felt the creature was both believable and film-ready. The challenge and joy was turning a 2D concept into something physical that actors could interact with and the camera could capture.
Were there any concepts for alien creatures you came up with that didn’t make it into Alien: Earth season 1 that you’d want to pursue in future seasons?
Tor: Yes, there were definitely some concepts we worked on that didn’t make it into season 1.
Honey: Yes, we had a few concepts that didn’t make it into season 1. Hopefully, if there is a season 2, we might get the chance to bring them alive, maybe even something more terrifying, something that will leave fans completely jaw-dropped. We honestly can’t wait.
