Lester:Twenty-five years now. My training is in special effects and I have a number one powder card explosives license. My first project I worked on was Star-Trek.
Stricker: What other shows have you worked on?
Lester: I’ve done a lot of them. One of the other first shows I worked on was called Busom Buddies, with Tom Hanks. Then I worked on Mork and Mindy with Robin Williams. Happy Days, we burned the Arnold’s down.
Stricker: What was Tom Hanks like?
Lester:Both Hanks and Williams are real gentlemen. But my favorite to work with was Paul Newman.
Stricker: What goes into the explosives?
Lester: The bombs we make are basically just black powder wrapped real tight. When the black powder goes off it’s just a bunch of gas trying to get away. Then we use a little bit of gasoline so you get a nice fire and propane for the fire ball.
Stricker: Is this really dangerous?
Lester: Yes it is. I’ve known guys who have lost thumbs and fingers in accidents.
Stricker: Have you ever gotten hurt?
Lester: No, (knocks on wood) but that’s not a good question to ask right before an explosion (laughs)
