WEIRD A Monster-Maker's Journey From Small Town to Hollywood With OCD

by Eklund, Lynette

• ISBN13: 9781592115945
• ISBN10: 1592115942
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781592116638
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2025-10-21
• Publisher: Histria A&E
• More Book Details

Summary

One woman’s battle with OCD and her climb to Hollywood success, creating the monsters that captivated millions.

Lynette Eklund’s memoir takes readers behind the scenes of the special effects industry, where she became one of Hollywood’s few female monster-makers. From stop-motion miniatures to full-scale dinosaurs, Lynette has spent over three decades shaping the visual magic of beloved films and TV shows. With over 50 credits, her work includes iconic projects such as Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, Beetlejuice, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, The Stand, and Species. She’s worked with the likes of Ben Kingsley, Jeff Goldblum, and Steven Spielberg, crafting effects that have left a lasting mark on cinema history.

But Lynette's professional success is only part of the story. She reveals her lifelong struggle with severe OCD, a disorder that kept her trapped under an ever-growing pile of rules and fears. Unaware of the impact OCD had on her life, she pushed forward, finding unexpected strength and creativity in the face of her challenges.

In this powerful memoir, Lynette opens up about her personal journey of overcoming the pressures of neurodiversity, sharing how she turned fear into fuel for her artistic vision and career. From creating beloved characters like Teddy Ruxpin to working on Disney and Universal theme park projects, her story is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of embracing what makes us unique.

A story of monsters, both imagined and real, and how embracing them can lead to unexpected triumphs.

Author Biography

Lynette Eklund is a renowned special effects artist and one of the few female "monster-makers" in Hollywood. With over 50 television and film credits, her work spans from stop-motion miniatures to full-scale dinosaurs, contributing to iconic projects like Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, Beetlejuice, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and The Stand. Lynette’s career also includes creating characters like Teddy Ruxpin and crafting high-end costumes for the furry kingdom. A lifelong struggle with severe OCD only recently brought to light, she now shares her story of resilience and success, showing how embracing her neurodiversity helped her thrive in the competitive world of special effects. Lynette is currently a producer on her first screenplay in post-production and continues her work in the industry, including on the film Dust Bunny and the Disney+ series Skeleton Crew.