Don Bies

Don Bies

Integrating Old School Effects into the Digital World

VFX Artist / 30 yrs

Petaluma, CA

Hire Me

Producer

Keep the Gaslight Burning (2018)

Senior Model Maker

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

Model/Miniature Maker

Evan Almighty (2007)

Senior Model Maker

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

Modelmaker

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Droid Unit Technician

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Modelmaker

War of the Worlds (2005)

Modelmaker

The Island (2005)

Modelmaker

Van Helsing (2004)

Senior Model Maker

Peter Pan (2003)

Lead Modelmaker

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Prop Maker Foreman

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Senior Model Maker and Droid Unit Supervisor

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

Model Maker

AI: Artificial Intelligence (2001)

Model Maker

Pearl Harbor (2001)

Model Maker

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Assistant Engineer

Flubber (1997)

Model Maker

Starship Troopers (1997)

Prop Constructor

Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II (1997)

Model Maker

Congo (1995)

Model Maker

Radioland Murders (1994)

Creature Technician

Fire in the Sky (1993)

Senior Model Maker

Ghostbusters II (1989)

Senior Model Maker

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Model And Creature Maker

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Model And Creature Maker

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Fly Creature Effects

The Fly (1958)

Model Maker

Galaxy Quest

Don Bies began his career working as a mechanical designer on the 1986 Academy Award winning film THE FLY, followed by THE FLY II. He began his career with Lucasfilm operating the remote control R2-D2 for personal appearances and commercials while acting as the Lucasfilm Archives curator. As curator, he organized a number of exhibitions, and eventually began working at Industrial Light & Magic on INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE and GHOSTBUSTERS II. He remained at the ILM model shop until it was sold off as Kerner Optical in 2006.
Work History

  • Owner

    White Room Artifacts, LLC

    February 2010 - Present

    Design and Create High-Concept Traveling Exhibitions
    Models and Special Effects for TV and Film

  • Senior Model Maker

    Kerner Optical, LLC

    August 2006 - February 2009

  • Senior Model Maker

    Industrial Light & Magic

    April 1987 - August 2006

  • Archivist

    Lucasfilm

    July 1988 - May 1996

    Managed the Lucasfilm Archives, a repository for props, models, costumes and artwork created for all Lucasfilm productions. Coordinated a number of exhibitions, provided consultation to licensing division as well as countless character appearances. Oversaw a large scale restoration effort of film artifacts for a Japanese exhibition.

  • Creature Maker

    Chris Walas, Inc.

    October 1985 - May 1988
View All Positions
Education

  • Columbia College Chicago

    1982 - 1983

  • Quigley South

    1975 - 1979