# The Evolution of Rick Baker’s Alien Prototype into E.T. How a sinister horror project transformed into a cinematic masterpiece through experimental creature effects. - **Source:** [Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/) - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/5e303100-561c-40c5-a42c-8ae736145bfc ## The Origins of Night Skies Before E.T. became a global phenomenon, Steven Spielberg planned a horror film titled Night Skies. The project featured malevolent aliens terrorizing a rural farm family. Spielberg hired makeup artist Rick Baker to design five nefarious creatures, marking a significant departure from the eventual heartwarming tone of the final 1982 film. ## Baker’s Creative Design Process Rick Baker designed the four-foot-tall alien Skar with a dog-like ribcage and reptilian features. He drew inspiration from Indian rhinoceros skin folds and live tadpoles developing into toads. The initial fiberglass sculpt was painted in green and gray tones before Baker shifted to more fleshy, organic colors for the final prototype. ## The Anatomation Technique To achieve realistic movement, Baker developed a process called anatomation. This involved rubber flesh sliding over stationary bone structures, mimicking human anatomy. He utilized a human skull jaw joint for side-to-side movement, allowing the puppet to express complex emotions that surpassed the mechanical limitations of other creature effects in 1980. ## Technical Constraints and Budget The prototype was constructed over four months with a budget of $70,000. Because it was only built from the torso up, the puppet rested on a table during operation. Slave servo mechanisms, or Waldos, were routed through the body to control fine movements like fingers, elbows, and wrists with high precision. ## The July 1980 Test The critical test occurred on July 1, 1980, at Baker’s home workshop in Studio City. Success was vital to keep Columbia Pictures' seed money flowing for the EFX facility. The test footage captured the puppet performing diverse actions, from snarling and screaming to subtle movements like fluttering eyelids and throat throbbing. ## Collaborative Puppet Operation Operating the Skar prototype required a team effort involving Doug Beswick, Bill Sturgeon, and Tom Hester. Operators worked beneath the puppet, struggling to see their movements while manipulating cables and servos. Despite the lack of rehearsal, the team successfully demonstrated the creature's ability to drink beer and perform complex gestures. ## Unexpected E.T. Similarities The prototype exhibited behaviors later seen in E.T., such as neck extension and retracting motions. Baker noted that the test puppet was intended to be a generic alien rather than the final Skar design. Its ability to convey confusion, scheming, and even a sneeze made it feel remarkably alive to the crew. ## Industry Impact and Reception Kathleen Kennedy famously remarked that the test made Yoda look like a toy. Spielberg was reportedly over the moon, labeling the result as pure movie magic. This positive reception solidified the potential of the EFX team, even though the Night Skies project eventually evolved into the softer, more iconic E.T. narrative. ## The Role of Tom Hester Tom Hester, a young sculptor, joined the team during the Night Skies phase. Initially insecure, he quickly advanced under Baker’s mentorship. Observing the intricate details on the alien’s face and arms pushed Hester to improve his own sculpting skills, eventually becoming a key contributor to the project’s high-quality aesthetic standards. ## Preserving Cinematic History Author Max Evry discovered and restored the original VHS test footage for his book, Stranded on Earth. By creating a digital scan, he preserved the raw, unedited moments of the crew’s excitement. Baker recently edited a montage of this footage, reflecting on the technical challenges and the magic of that day. ## Legacy of the Prototype The Skar test remains a landmark in practical effects history, showcasing the transition from rigid puppets to expressive, lifelike characters. While Night Skies was never produced, the techniques developed by Baker’s team laid the groundwork for future cinematic classics, proving that even abandoned projects can fundamentally reshape the trajectory of film. ## Sources covering this story - https://gizmodo.com/the-story-of-rick-bakers-terrifying-alien-prototype-that-evolved-into-e-t-exclusive-2000826561 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._