I've been on the main stage a couple of times, but never got to visit the model shop. I worked at Tippett and ILM in the Presidio, both had so much history. But visiting this shop and the LFL Archives were 2 items on my bucket list that will never be completed.
Hey Cris, a belated thank you also for this video. I made it a point to watch your previous video "Private tour at ILM in San Francisco" first before watching this video for some prospective. There is some irony here in that the digital age was the reason my father-in-law's printing/printing supplies business had to close along with so many similar print/supply shops. And from my history in the construction industry, all of the hand-drawn design work like the design drawings I made as a youth were replaced with 2D and 3D CAD software. Although things like this happen and it can be a bit sad, it's great to know folks like you who worked at ILM can carry the creative torch. Please let me offer some heart-felt thanks for all of your work and your websites. It's so great that you are able to share so much of this special effects and model making history along with your creative talent with all of us. Which then leads to all of the wonderful comments regarding your UA-cam videos by so many great folks.
I can't believe this is the first time I'm seeing what the dispatch pod looks like. lol So funny seeing that Kenner/Hasbro Snow Speeder in and ILM shop but I'm not gonna lie it does look nice. So bummed to know it's closing. Thank you for the video!
I simply can't stop coming back to this from time to time as it feels like a friend of mine has gone which it kind of has and I hope if there's a life after I can go back here when the magic did happen....
I.L.M. The real Rockstars of film FX! Right along with anyone that did practical FX back in the day. That's how I compare the industry now. People that did old OG FX are equivalent to metal bands like Zeppelin, Sabath and Dio. And these CGI guys are NSYC and Spice Girls, no substance to them. Pure mind rot dance music. Just like CGI. That place should have been made into a museum.
1:25 - Anyone paying up for this thinking that it was used on Empire Strikes Back is going to be disappointed when they realize that this equipment wasn't delivered until March 1982.
This is sad. :( Since Lucas owns all of his Star Wars stuff episodes 1 through 6 I wonder if he kept those high miniatures like the Geonose Arena, the Pod Race arena, Dexter's dinner, Naboo pieces that made up the city, Mustafar etc?
CGI killed the model maker star.....sad to see something with so many memories, that created so many memories through all the films for us all, have to be shut down....
The money had run out, no business coming in. CGI, the biden economy and actors strike all formed the perfect storm. I have several pieces from the model shop and THX theater in my private collection now. You can also see several items soon at Rancho Obi Wan. I bumped into Steve there on pickup day. He has some cool surprises from this auction.
Yeah, it's a shame the landlord didn't want to preserve this theater. I was there earlier this week when they were taking the screen down. Someone won it for $45!!! But actually it will be used as a movie screen at a winery in marin. Steve Sansweet from Rancho Obi wan has 3 seats and I have a speaker from the theater mounted in my studio in the bay area along with one of the well known flammables cabinet, camo netting from behind the scenes ROTJ and several ILM and 3210 fire extinguishers.
"It belongs in a museum!"
Thank you so much for documenting this.
I've been on the main stage a couple of times, but never got to visit the model shop. I worked at Tippett and ILM in the Presidio, both had so much history. But visiting this shop and the LFL Archives were 2 items on my bucket list that will never be completed.
Thank You for Posting this, my friend
So cool seeing this behind the scenes peek into a legendary studio! Sad that they’re closing, but thank you for documenting and sharing this.
Thank you for this video. What an end of an era
It is.
Hey Cris, a belated thank you also for this video. I made it a point to watch your previous video "Private tour at ILM in San Francisco" first before watching this video for some prospective.
There is some irony here in that the digital age was the reason my father-in-law's printing/printing supplies business had to close along with so many similar print/supply shops. And from my history in the construction industry, all of the hand-drawn design work like the design drawings I made as a youth were replaced with 2D and 3D CAD software.
Although things like this happen and it can be a bit sad, it's great to know folks like you who worked at ILM can carry the creative torch. Please let me offer some heart-felt thanks for all of your work and your websites. It's so great that you are able to share so much of this special effects and model making history along with your creative talent with all of us. Which then leads to all of the wonderful comments regarding your UA-cam videos by so many great folks.
Thanks, Fritz!
I can't believe this is the first time I'm seeing what the dispatch pod looks like. lol So funny seeing that Kenner/Hasbro Snow Speeder in and ILM shop but I'm not gonna lie it does look nice. So bummed to know it's closing. Thank you for the video!
You're a lucky man! Great video - thank you!
I simply can't stop coming back to this from time to time as it feels like a friend of mine has gone which it kind of has and I hope if there's a life after I can go back here when the magic did happen....
Great stuff, wish I could have been there. Loved seeing the A26 Invader from Always, as I'm building one from balsa :) Thank you!
thank you so much for sharing, is there a link to the auction by any chance
8:30 Whoa!!! Are those planet half hemispheres?? Only ever saw pics of them from straight on so it's awesome just to catch a glimpse of them.
Those are the KIJIMI prototype (or backups?) planet hemispheres they blew up as physical effect Episode 9 ua-cam.com/video/Mtw-QWB7FGA/v-deo.html
Truly the end of an era. :*(
I.L.M. The real Rockstars of film FX!
Right along with anyone that did practical FX back in the day. That's how I compare the industry now. People that did old OG FX are equivalent to metal bands like Zeppelin, Sabath and Dio. And these CGI guys are NSYC and Spice Girls, no substance to them. Pure mind rot dance music. Just like CGI.
That place should have been made into a museum.
1:25 - Anyone paying up for this thinking that it was used on Empire Strikes Back is going to be disappointed when they realize that this equipment wasn't delivered until March 1982.
T-H-E MAGICAL place 👍
This is sad. :( Since Lucas owns all of his Star Wars stuff episodes 1 through 6 I wonder if he kept those high miniatures like the Geonose Arena, the Pod Race arena, Dexter's dinner, Naboo pieces that made up the city, Mustafar etc?
Yes you will see many of these items at the lucas museum opening in L.A. next year I believe.
Indiana Jones and the ROOF of DESTINY
All of that polystyrene, and the storage racks now lives in Adam Savage's cave.
sure does
CGI killed the model maker star.....sad to see something with so many memories, that created so many memories through all the films for us all, have to be shut down....
So no attempt was made to preserve this, as a museum?
The money had run out, no business coming in. CGI, the biden economy and actors strike all formed the perfect storm. I have several pieces from the model shop and THX theater in my private collection now. You can also see several items soon at Rancho Obi Wan. I bumped into Steve there on pickup day. He has some cool surprises from this auction.
all gone now ILM , and first world first THX original dub stage all gone now
Yeah, it's a shame the landlord didn't want to preserve this theater. I was there earlier this week when they were taking the screen down. Someone won it for $45!!! But actually it will be used as a movie screen at a winery in marin. Steve Sansweet from Rancho Obi wan has 3 seats and I have a speaker from the theater mounted in my studio in the bay area along with one of the well known flammables cabinet, camo netting from behind the scenes ROTJ and several ILM and 3210 fire extinguishers.