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{{Distinguish|The Kerner Entertainment Company}}
'''Kerner Optical''' was the 'ghost name' for [[George Lucas]]'s special effects company [[Industrial Light & Magic]]. Rather than hide behind security fences, walls and heavy security, ILM simply operated as the "Kerner Optical Company", hiding in plain site.
{{Multiple issues|

{{Refimprove|date=August 2009}}

{{POV|talk=Bias|date=September 2014}}

{{update|date=February 2018}}
== History ==
}}


{{Infobox building
{{Infobox company
| building_name =
|name = Kerner Optical
|logo = [[File:Kerner-logo-1.PNG|130px|Kerner Optical]]
| native_building_name =
|type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| former_names =
|fate = [[Bankruptcy]]
| alternate_names =
|foundation = August 2006
| image = KernerCo-Sign.gif||The ILM Legacy - The Kerner Co. sign
| alt =
|defunct = August 2011
|location = Kerner Blvd,<br>[[San Rafael, California|San Rafael]], [[California]], [[United States]]
| caption =
| map_type =
|key_people = Eric Edmeades
| altitude =
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|industry = [[Visual effects]], Film production
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}}
'''Kerner Optical''' was an American [[practical effect|practical visual effects]] company based in [[San Rafael, California|San Rafael]], [[California]].


Originally the practical effects division of [[Industrial Light & Magic]] (ILM), it was spun off as an autonomous company in 2006. After five years of operating independently, Kerner declared bankruptcy and ceased operations in 2011.


==History==
[[File:KernerCo-Sign.gif|thumb|The Kerner Co. sign]]
Kerner's history dates to [[George Lucas]]'s founding of Industrial Light and Magic. In the late 1970s, ILM moved to facilities in San Rafael, California, on Kerner Boulevard; the sign outside the building identified it as the Kerner Company.<ref>{{cite book| title= Droidmaker: George Lucas and the Digital Revolution | url= https://archive.org/details/droidmakergeorge0000rubi | url-access= registration |first1=Michael |last1=Rubin |publisher= Triad Publishing Company |location= Gainesville, Florida |year= 2006 |isbn= 9780937404-67-6 |page= [https://archive.org/details/droidmakergeorge0000rubi/page/82 82]}}</ref> The company hid in plain sight and was known to locals, industry insiders, clients and suppliers as Kerner. George Lucas explained<ref>{{cite news|date=1989-07-02|title=NYT: FILM; Secret Lair of the Jedi, the Grail and Green Slimers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/02/movies/film-secret-lair-of-the-jedi-the-grail-and-green-slimers.html|work= The New York Times|access-date=2009-09-26|first1=David A.|last1=Kaplan}}</ref> that the name Kerner was a "deception designed to keep kids from rummaging through garbage bins".


In 2006, the practical effects department was, like [[Pixar]] in 1986, spun off from [[Industrial Light & Magic]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fxguide.com/article451.html/| title=FX Guide - 8 October 2007| access-date=13 October 2011| archive-date=4 December 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204115618/http://www.fxguide.com/article451.html| url-status=dead}}</ref> When George Lucas moved the computer graphics team to the [[Presidio of San Francisco]] in 2006, he sold five physical effects divisions of ILM in a management-led buyout that resulted in the creation of a new company that took on the name Kerner Optical as a tribute to the long history shared with ILM. Kerner continued to operate in the same property, in San Rafael, from which they had operated for over 30 years and the original "Kerner Co." sign is still displayed in front of the building.
The Kerner legacy started when [[George Lucas]] discovered that [[20th Century Fox]] had closed down their [[special effects]] department after [[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]] was green lit for production. Lucas, then started his own [[special effects]] company, Industrial Light & Magic


In the three years since leaving the Lucasfilm family, Kerner continued to provide practical special effects to major film productions.
Later, in 2006, the practical effects department was, like Pixar, spun-off from Industrial Light & Magic. When [[George Lucas]] moved the computer graphics team to The Presidio in 2006 he five physical effects divisions of ILM in a management-led buyout that resulted in the creation of a new company that took on the name Kerner as a tribute to the long history shared with ILM. [[KernerFX | Kerner]] still operates in the same property, in [[San Rafael]], that they have operated from for over 30 years and the original "Kerner Co." sign is still displayed in front of the building.


In addition to films, Kerner was selected in 2007 to build a three-dimensional scale model of the [[Disneyland|Disneyland Park]] in [[Anaheim, California]] for the [[The Walt Disney Family Museum|Walt Disney Family Museum]]. Named the "Disneyland of Walt's Imagination," the model is displayed at Gallery 9 of the museum, which is located in the Presidio, not far from the extant ILM headquarters.<ref>{{cite web|last=Titizian|first=Joseph|title=STORYBOARD: Event Recap: Creating "The Disneyland of Walt's Imagination"|url=http://wdfmuseum.squarespace.com/posts/2011/7/20/event-recap-creating-the-disneyland-of-walts-imagination.html|access-date=22 July 2011|archive-date=8 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608220624/http://wdfmuseum.squarespace.com/posts/2011/7/20/event-recap-creating-the-disneyland-of-walts-imagination.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In the three years since leaving the LucasFilm family, Kerner has continued to provide outstanding practical special effects to major blockbuster films.


Kerner has also continued several years of significant reseach and development in the areas of 3D camera rigs and consumer products.
Kerner also continued several years of significant research and development in the areas of 3D camera rigs and consumer products. Kerner's creature shop manufactured lifelike, servo-controlled dummies with simulated injuries used for training military medics.


In August 2009, entrepreneur Eric Edmeades acquired a controlling interest in the business and became CEO of the group.<ref>{{cite web|title=Company Overview|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/Research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=113387517|website=bloomberg.com|publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007825.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1/|publisher=Variety|title=Edmeades cuts in at former Lucasfilm Tech Shop - 27 August 2009|first=David S.|last=Cohen|date=27 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ex Lucasfilm studios taking a new direction |url=https://filmindustry.network/ex-lucasfilm-studios-taking-a-new-direction/949 |publisher=Film Industry Network |date=December 15, 2009}}</ref> In February 2011, Kerner filed for [[Chapter 11]] bankruptcy protection in San Francisco.<ref name=wsjb111018>{{cite web |last=Cohen |first=Melanie |title=Kerner Optical Sees End of Days |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/bankruptcy/2011/09/07/kerner-optical-sees-end-of-days/ |work=WSJ Blogs |publisher=News Corp |access-date=18 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025214356/http://blogs.wsj.com/bankruptcy/2011/09/07/kerner-optical-sees-end-of-days/ |archive-date=25 October 2011 |date=7 September 2011 |quote=Kerner filed for Chapter 11 protection in San Francisco in February. According to court documents, it had assets of $798,964 and debts of $4.3 million at the time of its bankruptcy filing. |url-status=dead }}</ref> Despite record profitability during reorganization, investor and previous owner Kevin Duncan of Duncan Oil appealed to the courts to have Eric Edmeades replaced by a trustee, alleging mismanagement. Duncan was also an owner and member of the management team for each of the first three loss-making years during which the company incurred millions of dollars in debt. Duncan's petition forced the company to turn away at least two ILM contracts and ultimately, despite Edmeades having enough creditor votes to approve his reorganization plan, led to the closure of the company seven months after the original Chapter 11 filing.<ref>{{cite news|last=Halstead |first=Richard |title=Kerner Optical, special effects spin-off from Lucasfilm, shuts down |url=http://www.marinij.com/business/ci_18838690ava |access-date=18 October 2011 |newspaper=Marin Independent Journal |date=6 September 2011 |agency=MediaNews Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004234410/http://www.marinij.com/business/ci_18838690ava |archive-date=4 October 2013 |location=San Rafael, CA |url-status=dead }}</ref> After refiling their bankruptcy under [[Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 7]], the court ordered liquidation of their assets.<ref>{{cite news|last=Halstead |first=Richard |title=Kerner Optical to auction tools, equipment |url=http://www.marinij.com/business/ci_19139592 |access-date=18 October 2011 |newspaper=Marin Independent Journal |date=18 October 2011 |agency=MediaNews Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021030611/http://www.marinij.com/business/ci_19139592 |archive-date=21 October 2011 |location=San Rafael, CA |url-status=dead }}</ref>
There is a proper wikipedia page for [[KernerFX | Kerner]].


== Milestones ==
==Milestones==
As Kerner Optical
As ILM
*2006: Kerner's solutions shop, Kernerworks, developed specialized hidden cameras designed to look like rocks to help capture the footage for ''[[The Cove (film)|The Cove]]''.
*2009: Kerner completes a 2-year project to build a detailed model, the centerpiece of the Disney Museum, that shows Disney the way [[Walt Disney]] saw it.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mickey Gets a Gallery|url=https://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/09/06/arts/20090906-KINO_8.html|access-date=26 September 2013|newspaper=New York Times|date=6 September 2009}}</ref>
*2009: Kerner and [[Emily Carr University of Art and Design]] established a stereoscopic Center of Excellence for the development of education and training for stereopgraphers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vancouversun.com/business/Kerner+Emily+Carr+University+team+produce+movies/2243161/story.html |title=Vancouver Sun - Kerner, Emily Carr University team up to produce 3-D movies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123090413/http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Kerner%2BEmily%2BCarr%2BUniversity%2Bteam%2Bproduce%2Bmovies/2243161/story.html |archive-date=November 23, 2009 }}</ref>
*2010:Kerner Group under new CEO Edmeades plans restructuring to aim 3D production<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerner Restructures|date=27 July 2010 |url=http://www.studiodaily.com/2010/07/kerner-group-restructures-to-target-3d-production/|publisher=Studio Daily|access-date=27 July 2010}}</ref>
*2011: Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy<ref>{{cite web|last=Stevens|first=Loralee|title=Kerner Optical files for Chapter 11 reorganization|url=http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/32292/kerner-optical-files-for-chapter-11-reorganization/|work=North Bay Business Journal|access-date=26 September 2013|date=8 April 2011}}</ref>
*2011: Closed business.
*2011, October 21–27: Court-Ordered Liquidation Auctioning of equipment<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westauction.com/auction/index/id/623|title=Court-Ordered Liquidation of Kerner Optical, LLC in San Rafael, California (Kerner Blvd)|work=westauction.com|access-date=27 December 2016}}</ref>


==Selected filmography (as Kerner Optical)==
* 1976: Resurrected the use of [[VistaVision]]; first use of a [[Motion control photography|motion control camera]] (''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]'')
* 1981: Richard Edlund developed the Empire Camera, so named by [[Gary Kurtz]] because of its first use in (''[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back]]'')


== Selected filmography (as ILM) ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Notable films
|-
|-
|[[2006 in film|2006]]
!Year!!Notable films
|''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest]]''
|-
|-
|[[2007 in film|2007]]
|1971
|''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End]]''<br/>''[[Evan Almighty]]''<br/>''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''<br/>''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
|[[THX 1138]]
|-
|-
|[[2008 in film|2008]]
|1977
|''[[Iron Man (2008 film)|Iron Man]]''<br/>''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]''<br/>''[[WALL-E]]'' (visual effects for [[live-action]] sequences)<br/>''[[Pig Hunt]]''<br/>''[[The Butler's in Love]]''
|[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]
|-
|-
|[[2009 in film|2009]]
|1980
|''[[Star Trek (film)|Star Trek]]''<br/>''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''<br/>''[[Terminator Salvation]]''
|[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back]]
|-
|-
|[[2010 in film|2010]]
|1981
|''[[Killers (2010 film)|Killers]]''
|
[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]] <br />
[[Dragonslayer]] (first non-Lucasfilm production)
|-
|-
|1982
|
[[Poltergeist (film)|Poltergeist]] <br />
[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]] <br />
[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]] <br />
[[The Dark Crystal]]
|-
|1983
|
[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi]] <br />
[[Twice Upon a Time (1983 film)|Twice Upon a Time]]
|-
|1984
|
[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]] <br />
[[Star Trek III: The Search for Spock]] <br />
[[The NeverEnding Story (film)|The NeverEnding Story]] <br />
[[Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure]] (TV)
|-
|1985
|
[[Starman (film)|Starman]] (also co-produced the film) <br />
[[The Goonies]] <br />
[[Cocoon (film)|Cocoon]] <br />
[[Back to the Future]] <br />
[[Explorers (film)|Explorers]] <br />
[[Amazing Stories (TV series)|Amazing Stories]] (TV) (1985-87) <br />
[[Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters]] <br />
[[Ewoks: The Battle for Endor]] (TV) <br />
[[Young Sherlock Holmes]] <br />
[[Out of Africa (film)|Out of Africa]] <br />
[[Enemy Mine (film)|Enemy Mine]]
|-
|1986
|
[[The Money Pit]] <br />
[[Labyrinth (film)|Labyrinth]] <br />
[[Howard the Duck (film)|Howard the Duck]] <br />
[[Captain EO]] (Disney theme park film) <br />
[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]] <br />
[[The Golden Child]] (also co-produced the film)
|-
|1987
|
[[Harry and the Hendersons]] <br />
[[Star Tours]] (Disney theme park film) <br />
[[Spaceballs]] (creature effect only) <br />
[[Innerspace]] <br />
[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]] - Encounter at Farpoint (Two-hour pilot, stock footage used throughout series) (TV) <br />
[[Empire of the Sun (film)|Empire of the Sun]] <br />
[[*batteries not included]] <br />
[[The Witches of Eastwick]]
|-
|1988
|
[[Willow (film)|Willow]] <br />
[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit]] <br />
[[Cocoon: The Return]] <br />
[[Tucker: The Man and His Dream]] <br />
[[The Last Temptation of Christ]] <br />
[[The Accidental Tourist]] <br />
[[Caddyshack II]]
|-
|1989
|
[[The 'burbs]] <br />
[[Field of Dreams]] <br />
[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]] <br />
[[Ghostbusters II]] <br />
[[The Abyss]] <br />
[[Body Wars]] (Disney theme park film) <br />
[[Always (1989 film)|Always]] <br />
[[Back to the Future Part II]] <br />
[[Leviathan]]
|-
|1990
|
[[Joe Versus the Volcano]] <br />
[[Dreams]] <br />
[[Total Recall]] <br />
[[Die Hard 2]] <br />
[[Arachnophobia]] <br />
[[The Godfather: Part III]] <br />
[[Back to the Future Part III]] <br />
[[Ghost (film)|Ghost]]
|-
|1991
|
[[Flight of the Intruder]] <br />
[[The Doors (film)|The Doors]] <br />
[[Switch]] <br />
[[Hudson Hawk]] <br />
Michael & Mickey (Disney theme park film) <br />
[[The Rocketeer]] <br />
[[The Last Halloween]] <br />
[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]] <br />
[[Backdraft (film)|Backdraft]] <br />
[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country]] <br />
[[Hook (film)|Hook]]
|-
|1992
|
[[The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles]] (TV) (1992-93) <br />
[[Death Becomes Her]] <br />
[[Memoirs of an Invisible Man]] <br />
[[The Public Eye]]
|-
|1993
|
[[Alive]] <br />
[[Last Action Hero]] <br />
[[Rising Sun]] <br />
[[The Meteor Man (film)|The Meteor Man]] <br />
[[Manhattan Murder Mystery]] <br />
[[Malice]] <br />
[[The Nutcracker (film)|The Nutcracker]] <br />
[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]] <br />
[[Fire in the Sky]] <br />
[[Schindler's List]]
|-
|1994
|
[[The Hudsucker Proxy]] <br />
[[Maverick (film)|Maverick]] <br />
[[Wolf (film)|Wolf]] <br />
[[Baby's Day Out]] <br />
[[Disclosure (film)|Disclosure]] <br />
[[In the Mouth of Madness]] <br />
[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]] - [[All Good Things...]] (final episode) (TV) <br />
[[The Flintstones (film)|The Flintstones]] <br />
[[Forrest Gump]] <br />
[[The Mask (film)|The Mask]] <br />
[[Radioland Murders]] <br />
[[Star Trek Generations]]
|-
|1995
|
[[Village of the Damned (1995 film)|Village of the Damned]] <br />
[[The Indian in the Cupboard (film)|The Indian in the Cupboard]] <br />
[[The American President]] <br />
[[Congo (film)|Congo]] <br />
[[Casper (film)|Casper]] <br />
[[Jumanji (film)|Jumanji]] <br />
[[The Dig]]
|-
|1996
|
[[Mission: Impossible (film)|Mission: Impossible]] <br />
[[The Trigger Effect]] <br />
[[Eraser (film)|Eraser]] <br />
[[Special Effects: Anything Can Happen]] <br />
[[The Trigger Effect]] <br />
[[Sleepers (film)|Sleepers]] <br />
[[101 Dalmatians (1996 film)|101 Dalmatians]] <br />
[[Daylight (film)|Daylight]] <br />
[[Mars Attacks!]] <br />
[[Twister (1996 film)|Twister]] <br />
[[Dragonheart]] <br />
[[Star Trek: First Contact]]
|-
|1997
|
[[The Lost World: Jurassic Park]] <br />
[[Men in Black (film)|Men in Black]] <br />
[[Contact (film)|Contact]] <br />
[[Amistad (1997 film)|Amistad]] <br />
[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]] <br />
[[Starship Troopers (film)|Starship Troopers]] <br />
[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]] <br />
[[Flubber (film)|Flubber]] <br />
[[Deconstructing Harry]] <br />
[[Spawn (film)|Spawn]] <br />
[[Speed 2: Cruise Control]]
|-
|1998
|
[[Deep Rising]] <br />
[[Mercury Rising]] <br />
[[Snake Eyes (film)|Snake Eyes]] <br />
[[Celebrity (film)|Celebrity]] <br />
[[Reach the Rock]] <br />
[[Meet Joe Black]] <br />
[[Jack Frost (1998 film)|Jack Frost]] <br />
[[Mighty Joe Young (1998 film)|Mighty Joe Young]] <br />
[[The Last Days]] <br />
[[Deep Impact (film)|Deep Impact]] <br />
[[Saving Private Ryan]] <br />
[[Small Soldiers]]
|-
|1999
|
[[October Sky]] <br />
[[From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & Magic]] <br />
[[Wild Wild West]] <br />
[[The Haunting (1999 film)|The Haunting]] <br />
[[Deep Blue Sea]] <br />
[[Sweet and Lowdown]] <br />
[[Bringing Out the Dead]] <br />
[[Snow Falling on Cedars]] <br />
[[Sleepy Hollow (film)|Sleepy Hollow]] <br />
[[Magnolia (film)|Magnolia]] <br />
[[The Mummy (1999 film)|The Mummy]] <br />
[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace]] <br />
[[Galaxy Quest]] <br />
[[The Green Mile (film)|The Green Mile]]
|-
|2000
|
[[Mission to Mars]] <br />
[[The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle]] <br />
[[Pollock (film)|Pollock]] <br />
[[Pay It Forward]] <br />
[[Work in Progress]] <br />
[[The Perfect Storm (film)|The Perfect Storm]] <br />
[[Space Cowboys]]
|-
|2001
|
[[The Pledge (film)|The Pledge]] <br />
[[Planet of the Apes]] <br />
[[Impostor (film)|Impostor]] <br />
[[The Majestic]] <br />
[[The Mummy Returns]] <br />
[[Artificial Intelligence: A.I.]] <br />
[[Jurassic Park III]] <br />
[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]] <br />
[[Pearl Harbor (film)|Pearl Harbor]]
|-
|2002
|
[[Star Wars: Bounty Hunter]] <br />
[[Punch-Drunk Love]] <br />
[[The Bourne Identity (film)|The Bourne Identity]] <br />
[[Manassas: End of Innocence]] <br />
[[K-19: The Widowmaker]] <br />
[[Signs (film)|Signs]] <br />
[[Blood Work (film)|Blood Work]] <br />
[[Gangs of New York]] <br />
[[Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones]] <br />
[[Minority Report (film)|Minority Report]] <br />
[[Men in Black II]] <br />
[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]] <br />
[[The Time Machine (2002 film)|The Time Machine]]
|-
|2003
|
[[Tears of the Sun]] <br />
[[Dreamcatcher (film)|Dreamcatcher]] <br />
[[The Hunted]] <br />
[[The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen]] <br />
[[Let Go (film)|Let Go]] <br />
[[Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World]] <br />
[[Timeline (film)|Timeline]] <br />
[[Peter Pan (2003 film)|Peter Pan]] <br />
[[Stuck on You]] <br />
[[Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl]] <br />
[[Hulk (film)|Hulk]] <br />
[[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines]]
|-
|2004
|
[[Oedipus (film)|Oedipus]] <br />
[[Along Came Polly]] <br />
[[Morphine (film)|Morphine]] <br />
[[Hidalgo (film)|Hidalgo]] <br />
[[Twisted (2004 film)|Twisted]] <br />
[[Van Helsing (film)|Van Helsing]] <br />
[[The Chronicles of Riddick]] <br />
[[The Bourne Supremacy (film)|The Bourne Supremacy]] <br />
[[The Village (2004 film)|The Village]] <br />
[[Eros (film)|Eros]] <br />
[[Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (film)|Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events]] <br />
[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]] <br />
[[Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow]] <br />
[[The Day After Tomorrow]]
|-
|2005
|
[[Are We There Yet?]] <br />
[[Son of the Mask]] <br />
[[The Pacifier]] <br />
[[The Amityville Horror]] <br />
[[xXx: State of the Union]] <br />
[[The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D]] <br />
[[Herbie Fully Loaded]] <br />
[[The Colbert Report]] <br />
[[Code Breakers]] <br />
[[Munich (film)|Munich]] <br />
[[Cheaper by the Dozen 2]] <br />
[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]] <br />
[[War of the Worlds (2005 film)|War of the Worlds]] <br />
[[Jarhead (film)|Jarhead]] <br />
[[Chicken Little (film)|Chicken Little]] <br />
[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]] <br />
[[Rent (film)|Rent]] <br />
[[The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]]
|-
|2006
|
[[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest]] <br />
|-
|2007
|
[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End]] <br />
[[Evan Almighty]] <br />
[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]] <br />
[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]] <br />
|-
|2008
|
[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]] <br />
[[WALL-E]] (visual effects for [[live-action]] sequences) <br />
[[Pig Hunt]] <br />
|}
|}


Kerner Optical worked on ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', providing miniatures and pyrotechnics for the aircraft carrier crash, the bridge destruction, and various building collapse sequences, among others.
== Selected filmography (as Kerner Optical) ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|2006
|
[[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest]] <br />
|-
|2007
|
[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End]] <br />
[[Evan Almighty]] <br />
[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]] <br />
[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]] <br />
|-
|2008
|
[[Iron Man]] <br />
[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]] <br />
[[WALL-E]] (visual effects for [[live-action]] sequences) <br />
[[Pig Hunt]] <br />
|}


Kerner Optical worked on ''[[Terminator Salvation]]'', providing miniatures and pyrotechnics for the [[Very Large Array]], the dilapidated building collapse, various aircraft explosions, and Serena's Tower, among others.
== Recent films ==


Kerner Optical also worked on the [[J. J. Abrams]] film ''[[Star Trek (film)|Star Trek]]'' and the [[Ashton Kutcher]] film ''[[Killers (2010 film)|Killers]]''.
Kerner worked on Transformers II providing practical effects for memorable elements including the air craft carrier crash, bridge destruction and building collapse sequences.


==Trivia==
Kerner worked on Terminator Salvation providing practical effects and pyrotechnics including building collapse, plane explosions, the climatic Serena's Tower explosion and a number of super realistic nuclear explosion and mushroom cloud sequences.
[[Adam Savage]], [[Grant Imahara]] and [[Tory Belleci]] of ''[[Mythbusters]]'' fame all worked for Industrial Light & Magic at Kerner's facility in San Rafael.


==References==
Kerner has also recently worked on the recent [[STAR TREK]] movie and the soon to be release [[Ashtun Kutcher]] film, [[5 Killers]].
{{Reflist}}


== Trivia ==
==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urvcYSpiwQA "Tales from the Tank"], video of Kerner Optical people at work on ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]''.


{{Lucasfilm}}
[[Adam Savage]], [[Grant Imahara]] and [[Tory Belleci]] of [[Mythbusters]] fame have all worked at Industrial Light & Magic at Kerner's facility in San Rafael.


[[Category:2006 establishments in California]]
Kerner's 'creature shop' also manufactures extremely life-like servo-controlled dummies with simulated injuries used for training military medics.
[[Category:2011 disestablishments in California]]

[[Category:American companies established in 2006]]

[[Category:American companies disestablished in 2011]]
== Related Wikipedia Pages==
[[Category:Companies based in San Rafael, California]]

[[Category:Companies that have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy]]
* [[KernerFX | Kerner]] The Wikipedia page for the actual Kerner company.
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011]]

[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2011]]
== External links==
[[Category:Defunct companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
* [http://www.kerner.com/ Official Kerner website]
[[Category:Entertainment companies based in California]]

[[Category:Entertainment companies established in 2006]]
{{CinemaoftheUS}}
[[Category:Entertainment companies disestablished in 2011]]

[[Category:Companies established in 2006]]
[[Category:Lucasfilm]]
[[Category:Lucasfilm]]
[[Category:Special effects companies]]
[[Category:Visual effects companies]]
[[Category:Visual effects companies]]
[[Category:Companies based in San Francisco, California]]
[[Category:Special effects companies]]




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[[fr:Kerner]]

Latest revision as of 15:12, 15 September 2023

Not to be confused with The Kerner Entertainment Company.
Kerner Optical
Company typePrivate
IndustryVisual effects, Film production
FoundedAugust 2006
DefunctAugust 2011
FateBankruptcy
HeadquartersKerner Blvd,
San Rafael, California, United States
Key people
Eric Edmeades

Kerner Optical was an American practical visual effects company based in San Rafael, California.

Originally the practical effects division of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), it was spun off as an autonomous company in 2006. After five years of operating independently, Kerner declared bankruptcy and ceased operations in 2011.

History[edit]

The Kerner Co. sign

Kerner's history dates to George Lucas's founding of Industrial Light and Magic. In the late 1970s, ILM moved to facilities in San Rafael, California, on Kerner Boulevard; the sign outside the building identified it as the Kerner Company.[1] The company hid in plain sight and was known to locals, industry insiders, clients and suppliers as Kerner. George Lucas explained[2] that the name Kerner was a "deception designed to keep kids from rummaging through garbage bins".

In 2006, the practical effects department was, like Pixar in 1986, spun off from Industrial Light & Magic.[3] When George Lucas moved the computer graphics team to the Presidio of San Francisco in 2006, he sold five physical effects divisions of ILM in a management-led buyout that resulted in the creation of a new company that took on the name Kerner Optical as a tribute to the long history shared with ILM. Kerner continued to operate in the same property, in San Rafael, from which they had operated for over 30 years and the original "Kerner Co." sign is still displayed in front of the building.

In the three years since leaving the Lucasfilm family, Kerner continued to provide practical special effects to major film productions.

In addition to films, Kerner was selected in 2007 to build a three-dimensional scale model of the Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California for the Walt Disney Family Museum. Named the "Disneyland of Walt's Imagination," the model is displayed at Gallery 9 of the museum, which is located in the Presidio, not far from the extant ILM headquarters.[4]

Kerner also continued several years of significant research and development in the areas of 3D camera rigs and consumer products. Kerner's creature shop manufactured lifelike, servo-controlled dummies with simulated injuries used for training military medics.

In August 2009, entrepreneur Eric Edmeades acquired a controlling interest in the business and became CEO of the group.[5][6][7] In February 2011, Kerner filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in San Francisco.[8] Despite record profitability during reorganization, investor and previous owner Kevin Duncan of Duncan Oil appealed to the courts to have Eric Edmeades replaced by a trustee, alleging mismanagement. Duncan was also an owner and member of the management team for each of the first three loss-making years during which the company incurred millions of dollars in debt. Duncan's petition forced the company to turn away at least two ILM contracts and ultimately, despite Edmeades having enough creditor votes to approve his reorganization plan, led to the closure of the company seven months after the original Chapter 11 filing.[9] After refiling their bankruptcy under Chapter 7, the court ordered liquidation of their assets.[10]

Milestones[edit]

As Kerner Optical

  • 2006: Kerner's solutions shop, Kernerworks, developed specialized hidden cameras designed to look like rocks to help capture the footage for The Cove.
  • 2009: Kerner completes a 2-year project to build a detailed model, the centerpiece of the Disney Museum, that shows Disney the way Walt Disney saw it.[11]
  • 2009: Kerner and Emily Carr University of Art and Design established a stereoscopic Center of Excellence for the development of education and training for stereopgraphers.[12]
  • 2010:Kerner Group under new CEO Edmeades plans restructuring to aim 3D production[13]
  • 2011: Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy[14]
  • 2011: Closed business.
  • 2011, October 21–27: Court-Ordered Liquidation Auctioning of equipment[15]

Selected filmography (as Kerner Optical)[edit]

Year Notable films
2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Evan Almighty
Transformers
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2008 Iron Man
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
WALL-E (visual effects for live-action sequences)
Pig Hunt
The Butler's in Love
2009 Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Terminator Salvation
2010 Killers

Kerner Optical worked on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, providing miniatures and pyrotechnics for the aircraft carrier crash, the bridge destruction, and various building collapse sequences, among others.

Kerner Optical worked on Terminator Salvation, providing miniatures and pyrotechnics for the Very Large Array, the dilapidated building collapse, various aircraft explosions, and Serena's Tower, among others.

Kerner Optical also worked on the J. J. Abrams film Star Trek and the Ashton Kutcher film Killers.

Trivia[edit]

Adam Savage, Grant Imahara and Tory Belleci of Mythbusters fame all worked for Industrial Light & Magic at Kerner's facility in San Rafael.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Rubin, Michael (2006). Droidmaker: George Lucas and the Digital Revolution. Gainesville, Florida: Triad Publishing Company. p. 82. ISBN 9780937404-67-6.
  2. ^ Kaplan, David A. (1989-07-02). "NYT: FILM; Secret Lair of the Jedi, the Grail and Green Slimers". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
  3. ^ "FX Guide - 8 October 2007". Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  4. ^ Titizian, Joseph. "STORYBOARD: Event Recap: Creating "The Disneyland of Walt's Imagination"". Archived from the original on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Company Overview". bloomberg.com. Bloomberg.
  6. ^ Cohen, David S. (27 August 2009). "Edmeades cuts in at former Lucasfilm Tech Shop - 27 August 2009". Variety.
  7. ^ "Ex Lucasfilm studios taking a new direction". Film Industry Network. December 15, 2009.
  8. ^ Cohen, Melanie (7 September 2011). "Kerner Optical Sees End of Days". WSJ Blogs. News Corp. Archived from the original on 25 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011. Kerner filed for Chapter 11 protection in San Francisco in February. According to court documents, it had assets of $798,964 and debts of $4.3 million at the time of its bankruptcy filing.
  9. ^ Halstead, Richard (6 September 2011). "Kerner Optical, special effects spin-off from Lucasfilm, shuts down". Marin Independent Journal. San Rafael, CA. MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  10. ^ Halstead, Richard (18 October 2011). "Kerner Optical to auction tools, equipment". Marin Independent Journal. San Rafael, CA. MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on 21 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  11. ^ "Mickey Gets a Gallery". New York Times. 6 September 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  12. ^ "Vancouver Sun - Kerner, Emily Carr University team up to produce 3-D movies". Archived from the original on November 23, 2009.
  13. ^ "Kerner Restructures". Studio Daily. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  14. ^ Stevens, Loralee (8 April 2011). "Kerner Optical files for Chapter 11 reorganization". North Bay Business Journal. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  15. ^ "Court-Ordered Liquidation of Kerner Optical, LLC in San Rafael, California (Kerner Blvd)". westauction.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kerner_Optical&oldid=1175512246"