Following last year’s appearance of former Lucasfilm Event Director and Celebration leading light, Mary Franklin, TEDxLeamingtonSpa is bringing more Star Wars talent to the stage to share their story and spread their ideas.
Lee Towersey is a droid builder and operator who has worked across the Star Wars franchise since 2013.
A long-time member of the R2-D2 Builders Club, his journey from ‘fan’ to ‘film crew’ began at the Star Wars Celebration convention in Essen, Germany where, while showcasing their R2-D2 replicas to fellow fans and members of the public, the builders engaged in a conversation with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy about their work.
A few months later Lee Towersey & Oliver Steeples were contacted on Kennedy’s recommendation and the pair were subsequently hired to develop R2-D2 and other droid props for Star Wars: The Force Awakens as part of the film’s creature effects team.
Lee returned for subsequent Star Wars film instalments and has worked as a droid operator on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Solo: A Star Wars Story and is currently involved with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
After his childhood love of Lego and remote control cars led him to Hollywood, Lee actively exhibits and demonstrates his creations to help encourage the next generation of engineers.
Talks from Leamington’s previous TEDx events have now been viewed over 5 million views online.
Find out more about this year’s event – ‘Outsiders’ – at www.tedxleamingtonspa.com.
