NOSTROMO BEER (sold out)

[SKIN JOB 66]

[temponaut]

You're quite right that the propmasters probably did not pay much attention to standardizing the orientation of the labels on all of the cans; finding other screenshots of different cans might confirm this. It does seem, though, as if Scott chose this particular can (the one from which Dallas is shown drinking) so that we get a nice image of the label rather than of the seam.

If these were "real world" beer cans, of course, all of the labels would be oriented the same way.

I'm not sure how labor-intensive it will be for you to standardize all of the cans, but if possible I'd like my three cans to be oriented like the one from which Dallas is drinking. That is, unless we find screenshots that clearly show other variations. Then I might reconsider.
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"Your old titles mean nothing here... Captain!"

[andy]

I do think that most beer cans do orient the labels so they are still visible when someone is drinking them. At least I believe that soda cans are to keep their product ID in view. It is possible they copied the orientation of the existing label, but I will have to test the theory myself to see if I am right or crazy

Andy

[temponaut]

Not sure why I read Fred's previous post as suggesting it might be difficult to position all the labels the same way. He simply wrote that he wasn't sure whether they would all be stuck on the same, and somehow I jumped to thinking that standardizing the placement would be difficult.

Of course, it shouldn't be difficult. It just takes a little care, but making all the cans the same should be easily within Fred's reach... as it must have been for the original propmakers.

If the cans weren't going to be featured in any shot in detail, I suppose they still might have been made willy-nilly. But after reading Andy's post and stopping to think a bit more -- and knowing Scott's penchant for detail -- it really wouldn't be surprising if all the cans are standardized like the real thing.

Thanks, Andy!
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"Your old titles mean nothing here... Captain!"

[andy]

Out of curiosity I called an old friend that I knew had worked for the Coca-Cola and Jolt bottling plants here in town. She told me that most of the older canning equipment could not orient the tops of the cans with the sides, but Coke almost invented the kind that can, but still the plants here will only use the high end version for the big name products with big runs. They still have a unit that will do the smaller run regional stuff. They used to run Jolt on it back in the day, but they are now run on the bigger machines (big time for a local company again).

Chances are that any beer from the 70's would not have been able to orient the labels. And even though Ridley is a stickler for detail, he would most likely trust his prop guys to do it. Also his penchant for detail made him try and keep things natural as possible, especially when doing sci-fi so as not to seem artificially manipulated and movie glam. So (fake) product placement is not something I think he would focus on. At least not on this level.

If it is possible though, trying to copy the screen used and shown cans would add that extra detail of course, the hobbyists get all giddy about, and I would say go for it if you can (orient the can ).

Andy

[Backlight]

Stumbled over here from the Replica Prop Forum...

Please add me to the "purchase" list for 3 cans. Thanks!

-- Backlight

[temponaut]

Entering the board in style!

Welcome, Backlight, to propsummit and to the Three Aspens Club.
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"Your old titles mean nothing here... Captain!"

[temponaut]

Thanks for the info, Andy, especially about your friend with knowledge of the abilities of period canning equipment. That's very interesting!

[Division 6]

I went though all the screen caps I did a few weeks ago.
In every scene the labels are facing the camera.
Galley and Engine room.

Dallas is drinking from the silver area between logo's in the Kane death scene.
It's at an odd angle not centered.

Will the cans have the correct push openings?

E...

[andy]

Maybe Ridley may have wanted to show the Label, or even more likely the prop guys wanted to make sure their handiwork got on screen. Sucks to spend countless hours creating a prop to have it angled away during the shoot. maybe the slight off angle was to keep it from being too gratuitous.

Andy

[Backlight]

[andy]

Thanks for that.

Update on can making process. The Coca Cola Style canning equipment was made in the 50's believe it or not, and is more prevalent than I thought. It may just be that that style of canning is a bit more expensive per run and only more cost effective on larger runs. Let us just say that many cans are made with label orientation in mind and others aren't. So it is possible the ALIEN ones were just copied off of the can that was used as the basis.

Andy

[SKIN JOB 66]

Alright guys, I promise I'll center the damn labels to make the cans look like Dallas'...

Please stop arguing about this, my head is just spinning too much reading all your late posts !!!



More seriously, don't you think that in the case of the "3 Aspens club" it's going to be a little boring to have 3 absolutely identical cans ? (Again, if you want them this way I'll do it, I don't have a problem with that, it's up to you)


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THE FUTURE IS A THING OF THE PAST

[SKIN JOB 66]

[SKIN JOB 66]

[Division 6]

[temponaut]

[temponaut]

[temponaut]

Division 6, awesome photo montage. Thank you for assembling and sharing those shots with us. Especially nice to have such a clear shot of the top of the push-top can.
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"Your old titles mean nothing here... Captain!"

[Division 6]

Thought it might be helpful.

E...