Cover of episode 023

In a special edition of the podcast, remastered audio of our 2014 interview with Howie Weed, long time artist at ILM, who tells us about blowing up the Enterprise, a recipe for fake blood, mass producing Gremlins, an alligator, alien probes, and his turn as the Special Edition Wampa in the Special Edition of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

Detailed show notes below…


About The Optical

Host Mark Boszko takes you on a journey back through the annals of Cinefex magazine, talking about the movies and topics they covered 30+ years ago. We talk to people involved in the films, people who make movies, and people who love movies, and have a fun time doing it.


Revisiting:
Cinefex 3

Cover of Cinefex 3

Special thanks to Cinefex for access to these out-of-print back issues.

Even though these are out of print, you can now download and read along with Issue 3 — and every other back issue of Cinefex — in the Cinefex iPad App. Download the free iPad app now!

Special Guest:
Howie Weed

Image of Howie Weed

Model maker, creature creator, digital artist, long-time ILM-er, and the guy inside the Wampa suit in The Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition.

Research Materials

More Bits

  • Wampa clip from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back — Special Edition

Musical Guest:
Digital Droo

As Ever