Phil Tippett Studio has closed its Berkeley, California facility after almost 40 years, with props, models, equipment and memorabilia from the animator’s film career sold in a liquidation sale. The company says its Toronto studio remains in active production and that the business continues.
The closure and sale were reported by IGN, with TheWrap and Berkeleyside providing additional details.
Phil Tippett Studio closure ends a Berkeley effects workshop
The 6,200-square-foot facility was emptied during a three-day sale from August 28–30. Items included stop-motion models, cameras, production equipment, storyboards, costumes, prototypes and tools used across the studio’s work.
Among the most recognisable pieces were models linked to the Dejarik chess sequence in the original Star Wars, an AT-AT artist’s proof from The Empire Strikes Back, and miniatures from Starship Troopers. The sale followed Tippett Studio’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2024, after its acquisition by Indian company PhantomFX.
Phil Tippett, 74, founded the studio in Berkeley in 1984. His career includes stop-motion and visual-effects work on the original Star Wars trilogy, RoboCop, Jurassic Park, Starship Troopers and The Matrix films. He also directed the 2021 stop-motion film Mad God.
The studio continues from Canada
Tippett Studio said the Berkeley location’s closure is a change to its physical footprint rather than the end of the company. Its statement said the Toronto operation remains in active production on a large feature film, while visual-effects and animation work continues across film, television and entertainment.
Tippett is keeping the two Oscars he won for visual effects on Return of the Jedi and Jurassic Park. “I’m keeping the Oscars,” he told Berkeleyside. He also told CBS News, “I will die with my sword in my hand,” when discussing whether he intends to retire.
The Berkeley workshop is gone, but the studio name and its Canadian operation remain. The Phil Tippett Studio closure leaves the props with a new cast of owners.
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Why did Phil Tippett Studio close its Berkeley facility?
The studio cited a change to its physical footprint and production approach. The closure followed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2024 and a liquidation sale of the Berkeley facility’s contents.
Is Tippett Studio still in business?
Yes. Tippett Studio says its Toronto operation continues, including active production on a large feature film, alongside visual-effects and animation work.
What was sold in the Phil Tippett Studio auction?
The sale included Star Wars models, props, costumes, storyboards, cameras, tools, production equipment and memorabilia from the studio’s film work.
