Today is my interview with the legendary ILM animation director Rob Coleman, live from Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025.

This is the recording of the official TB94 panel on the Holonet News Stage, which occurred on Saturday morning of Celebration. Mr. Coleman has topped my list for potential interview subjects for years now, so this was a real dream come true. This being a live conversation, there are some audio issues, but I was genuinely moved to tears several times, and I hope you are equally inspired by Mr. Coleman’s story.

Thank you so much to Mr. Coleman for taking the time, and trusting me with his story. Thank you to Ian Kintzle and the PR team at Industrial Light & Magic for making this happen, and for the trust, as well. Thank you to my wife, Maggie Hunter Wainerdi, who was the producer for this episode and made it all happen, to Jason Kauzlarich for the last minute and incredible graphics.

A special thank you to all who attended the live presentation, and who are immortalized in this episode as well. This was a real highlight for the podcast, and, again, a dream come true.

Upcoming episodes include Marti Matulis, and the full author line-up of the recent Star Wars Encyclopedia.

In other news, I co-wrote an official Star Wars book. I cannot believe it. Star Wars Encyclopedia from DK Books is out and can be ordered now. My next book, The Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles can be pre-ordered now, coming out this fall!

If you’re enjoying the show, please head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to these episodes and leave us a five-star rating and review! It means the world.

Transcripts of previous episodes are available over at talkingbay94.com.

For more behind-the-scenes stuff, as well as a link to some of our other in-depth interviews, check out:

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