Vacaville Star Wars Model Maker Ready To See What Next Generation Has To Offer
VACAVILLE (CBS13) — In a galaxy not so far away lives a Star Wars original.
Ira Keeler worked as a model maker for Industrial Light and Magic for 20 years. He's responsible from building everything from helmets and guns to flying bikes.
"I was a part of that crew. They called us the plastic boys," he said. "We started Revenge of the Jedi."
He's referring to the original title for Episode VI, which later became "Return of the Jedi." It's the set where Keeler made a name for himself with ILM by crafting pieces of intergalactic and cinematic art with a hint of MacGyver.
"There is a large motorcycle plastic kit motor engine chunk, we call them greeblies," he said. "And this is a kitchen sink that little thing where water comes out—a spigot! That's what that was."
Many of his other contributions come throughout the film, including scout trooper body armor, blasters and holsters and the flying scooters used in the speeder bike chase scene.
"It's metal and fiberglass and rubber, and that's quite an iconic model," he said.
Pictures of Keeler working with C-3PO and R2-D2 now humbly accent the Vacaville home he's lived in for nearly five decades. The 75-year-old still gets a laugh out of the long hours spent on the film.
"You don't want to go home at night. You want to keep working. I'd be down there for 12 hours and go 'do we have to leave? I'm just enjoying this so much,'" he said.
Now he's reveling in the next chapter of the Star Wars franchise, moving from the set to a theater seat to enjoy the next generation of magic as a fan.
"It will be something to see just how they will carry on," he said.
His work can also be found in more than 40 movies including "Back to the Future," "Jurassic Park," "Ghostbusters" and "Indiana Jones."
