Fans who follow the behind-the-scenes of the Predator films should know the name Farzad Varahramyan. An artist who has frequently worked with Amalgamated Dynamics Inc., Farzad has worked on both Alien vs. Predator films, The Predator and all of Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator films.
Farzad recently updated his ArtStation with his work on Predator: Badlands, alongside commentary of his involvement in the design phase of the film.
“I had the pleasure to work on director Dan Trachtenberg’s PREDATOR BADLANDS; the latest installment in the PREDATOR universe. Yet again I also had the privilege to work with one of my mentors and creature creation masters, Alec Gillis of STUDIO GILLIS. This is the 6th Predator Movie I had the pleasure to contribute to.”
Farzad shared numerous explorations of Kwei and Father’s bio-mask designs, as well as a much more medieval looking approach to Father’s armour.
“In early 2023 I was brought in to help visualize what the fully grown KALISK/BIG BUDDY could look like, Dek’s costume design, and some concepts for “more advanced-techy” Predator armor for FATHER and KEWI, since the story is taking place in the distant future.”
An early idea for Dek’s disability in Predator: Badlands was that he was blind, and had built his own half-mask that allowed him to see via a form of echolocation. Farzad also shared artwork depicting explorations of this concept, as well as Badland’s now iconic plasma sword and the film’s various improvised natural weaponry.
“Because of my Industrial Design background, Alec also had me focus on Dek’s ad-hoc or improvised weapon designs, that he scavenged from the natural environment and his shipwreck… basically: what would a stranded Robinson Crusoe Predator build to survive, while marooned on the deadliest planet. It was a hugely fun challenge to dream up these weapon concepts, and my personal favorite contribution to the lore, is the “living” SHOULDER CANNON: Reptile Style.
The script was evolving like everything else and that’s normal for a production. For example, Dek was originally scripted as blind from birth. That is why you’ll see a lot of concept designs for visors that would help him “see” or perceive his environment.”
Farzad also shared many explorations for the depiction of Dek as younger Predator, in addition to various concepts of Dek’s costume design.
He also worked on concepts for the Kalisk, sharing concept artwork depicting explorations for the fully adult appearance of the Kalisk, or as she is named in the artwork – Big Buddy.
Summing up his experience returning to the Predator universe, Farzard described his time working on Predator: Badlands:
“It was a fantastic project, and I am so thankful to have been brought in once more to contribute to this expanding PREDATOR universe, with such a talented team. Thank you Dan and Alec!”
Farzad has also uploaded the previous work he did on both Alien vs. Predator films, as well as The Predator, Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers. Be sure to head on over to his ArtStation to check out the rest of his work!
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Tags: Alec GillisAlienBudConcept ArtdanDan TrachtenbergDekPredatorPredator BadlandsPreyScript
Categories: Predator: Badlands News | Forum Topic