Judy Elkins: ILM Creature Shop, RETURN OF THE JEDI

Today is a very special episode, featuring my conversation with ILM Creature Shop legend Judy Elkins. Judy is responsible for many iconic designs and sculptures for Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, including the infamous Yak Face.

This summer, I was honored to spend the day with her in Austin, Texas, as we went around to different museums and sculpture gardens that had inspired her while growing up, including the Elizabet Ney Museum and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden (where the works of her professor, Charles Umlauf, are on display). We also visited the gorgeous Littlefield Fountain on the University of Texas campus, that especially inspired her and her creature designing.

Some of those recordings are in this interview, spliced into our larger conversation about her incredible career. Photos and captions of the art we discussed can be found here!

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Spending the day with her was so inspiring and one of my favorite memories of last year, as well as this entire podcast.