Phil Tippett Closes Berkeley Studio, Auctions Decades of Film History

Key points

• Tippett Studio, co-founded by Phil Tippett and his wife Jules Roman in 1984, has officially ceased operations.
• The studio filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024 after being acquired by PhantomFX.
• A three-day liquidation sale took place from August 28 to August 30 at 914 Grayson St. in Berkeley.
• 273 items were auctioned, including signed posters, storyboards, models, and studio tools.
• Tippett retained his Oscars for Return of the Jedi and Jurassic Park but sold other memorabilia.
• The sale included artifacts from Star Wars, RoboCop, Jurassic Park, and Tippett’s feature Mad God.

Background

Tippett Studio was a pioneer in stop-motion and go-motion animation, expanding into CGI and prop design over four decades. The studio’s recent financial struggles were exacerbated by the consolidation of Hollywood studios and shifting tax incentives for film production. Although Tippett had planned to direct the stop-motion feature Sentinel, the bankruptcy proceedings led to the studio’s closure. A separate exhibition of Tippett’s work, including Mad God artifacts, is scheduled to open at CoproGallery in Los Angeles on October 10.

How outlets are covering it

Gizmodo and Berkeleyside emphasize the finality of the closure and the emotional weight of the liquidation sale, noting Tippett’s description of 'painful decisions.' Dark Horizons highlights Tippett’s continued involvement in the industry, citing his statement that he plans to keep working despite the studio’s closure. Cartoon Brew focuses on the historical significance of the studio’s nearly 40-year run and its impact on practical effects. All sources agree on the timeline of the bankruptcy and the sale, but differ in their framing of Tippett’s retirement versus his ongoing professional activity.

Why it matters

The closure of Tippett Studio marks the end of a major era in practical and stop-motion effects, reflecting broader industry shifts toward digital production. The liquidation sale provides a rare opportunity for collectors and fans to acquire authentic artifacts from landmark films, while also signaling the financial challenges facing traditional effects houses in the modern film landscape.

What to watch

The auctioned items will be dispersed to private buyers, while a portion of Tippett’s work will be displayed in a Los Angeles exhibition starting October 10. Tippett has indicated he will continue working in the industry, though the future of the Tippett Studio name under PhantomFX remains unclear. The sale concludes the physical presence of the studio in Berkeley, but its legacy persists through its extensive filmography and the artifacts now in private hands.