In 2010 Amalgamated Dynamics (ADI) was hired to create the practical monster effects for the film The Thing (2011). However much to ADI's dismay, the studio had the majority of their work digitally replaced with CGI for the final cut of the film. In response to this, ADI used Kickstarter to fund this film, Harbinger Down, which features entirely practical creature effects created through the use of animatronics, prosthetic makeup, stop motion and miniature effects. There are zero computer animated monsters in this film.
(at around 10 mins) When Sadie goes on deck with the whale song microphone. The case she opens to retrieve the gear from is labeled LV-426. This is a reference to the planet from the movie Aliens (1986) in which Lance Henriksen starred.
In the beginning of the film the date is June 25 1982, this was the release date for John Carpenter's The Thing (1982).
(at around 14 mins) When the crew first discover the craft, and investigate inside, Graff asks "Is that a man in there, or something?" This exact line was spoken by Doctor Copper in John Carpenter's The Thing (1982).