We are delighted to have filmed an interview today with Tim Rose — animatronic character designer, puppeteer and performer. Tim worked on a number of films at Elstree Studios from when he helped the Muppets to learn to ride bicycles on The Great Muppet Caper, to performing as the iconic character Admiral Akbar in Return of the Jedi. Jim Henson invited Tim to come to Elstree Studios, and he carried on to other productions which included The Dark Crystal, Return to Oz, Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes, and Labyrinth.

Tim recalled the studio environment at Elstree Studios, including the art department workshops being like “giant cow sheds”, where he had to go upstairs to meet production designer Norman Reynolds to ask for work; and the studio restaurant which was catering to George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Barbara Streisand, Paul McCartney and Ringo Star all at once!

Our huge thanks to Tim for such a memorable and entertaining interview, and to our hosts Elstree Studios!