Archive notice: This article was originally published on September 18, 2006. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
After ILM specialised more and more in digital effects, the old “physical” departments have now become independent. The new company Kerner Optical LLC resides on part of the old ILM site in San Rafael, California, which had become vacant as a result of ILM’s move to the newly built Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco.
At the head of the new company is Mark Anderson, an old ILM veteran who had worked for 18 years at George Lucas’ effects company. At his side are Yuska Siuicki, a specialist in stereoscopic 3D hardware and software for film production, broadcast and gaming, as well as businessman Kevin Duncan from Denver. Most of the employees are long-serving ILM artists and technicians from the so-called “Physical Production Group”.
Kerner Optical will build creatures and models and provide special effects and also pyrotechnics. The company has sets for indoor and outdoor shots and also offers stereoscopic 3D and bluescreen recordings
An agreement with ILM has already brought Kerner Optical its first assignments. The company is involved in Pirates of the Carribean III, Transformers and Evan Almighty, among others.
The website is still not very informative at present.
Further Links:
- Kerner Optical
