Yesterday, the project team recorded our latest interview for The Elstree Project with Academy Award-winning filmmaker John Stephenson, whose career began at Elstree Studios on three truly extraordinary films: The Dark Crystal, Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, and Return to Oz.

John reflected on the groundbreaking puppetry and character work that defined The Dark Crystal, and the brilliance of Jim Henson — not only as a creative force, but as a leader who empowered and celebrated those around him.

We explored his work with Rick Baker on Greystoke, particularly the pioneering ape costumes and animatronics, and the vast jungle set that filled Stage 6 at Elstree. He also shared stories from Return to Oz, including the engineering behind the Gump, Tik-Tok, the Wheelers, and the Cowardly Lion costume.

John spoke with great fondness about the camaraderie among the crew — people like Tim Rose and Lyle Conway — who moved from one film to the next, forming a unique creative community.

He described Elstree in the post-Star Wars era as the birthplace of the modern British visual effects industry — and where the term animatronics was truly born.

It was a genuinely insightful interview with someone whose work helped shape the imagination of a generation — and a fitting celebration of the innovation and artistry that defined Elstree Studios in the 1980s.