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|logo = [[File:Kerner-logo-1.PNG|130px|Kerner Optical]]
|logo = [[File:Kerner-logo-1.PNG|130px|Kerner Optical]]
|type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
|type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
|fate = [[Bankruptcy]]
|foundation = August 2006
|foundation = August 2006
|defunct = August 2011
|defunct = August 2011
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|revenue =
|revenue =
|operating profit =
|operating profit =
|homepage = [http://www.kerner.co http://www.kerner.co]
|homepage =
}}
}}
'''Kerner Optical''' was an American [[practical effect|practical visual effects]] company based in [[San Rafael, California|San Rafael]], [[California]].
'''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.
Kerner was initially little more than a "ghost name" for [[George Lucas]]'s [[Industrial Light & Magic]], before the company's relocation to the [[Presidio of San Francisco]]. Kerner became a division within ILM, and in 2006, became autonomous.

⚫
After five years of operating independently, Kerner declared bankruptcy and ceased operations in 2011.


==History==
==History==
[[File:KernerCo-Sign.gif|thumb|The Kerner Co. sign]]
[[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".
Kerner Optical 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.


Later, in 2006, the practical effects department was, like Pixar, spun off from [[Industrial Light & Magic]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fxguide.com/article451.html/|title=FX Guide - 8 October 2007}}</ref> When George Lucas moved the computer graphics team to The Presidio 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 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.


In the three years since leaving the Lucasfilm family, Kerner continued to provide practical special effects to major film productions.
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|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|accessdate=22 July 2011}}</ref>
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>


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.
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 news|url=http://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> 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=http://blogs.wsj.com/bankruptcy/2011/09/07/kerner-optical-sees-end-of-days/|work=WSJ Blogs|publisher=News Corp|accessdate=18 October 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/62XIpBBEv|archivedate=18 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.}}</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 the 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|accessdate=18 October 2011|newspaper=Marin Independent Journal|date=6 September 2011|agency=MediaNews Group|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/62XJmZAwO|archivedate=18 October 2011|location=San Rafael, CA}}</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|accessdate=18 October 2011|newspaper=Marin Independent Journal|date=18 October 2011|agency=MediaNews Group|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/62XKlBwiz|archivedate=18 October 2011|location=San Rafael, CA}}</ref>
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>


==Milestones==
==Milestones==
As Kerner Optical
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 (film)|The Cove]]''.
*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=http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/09/06/arts/20090906-KINO_8.html|accessdate=26 September 2013|newspaper=New York Times|date=6 September 2009}}</ref>
*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=http://www.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 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20091123090413/http://www.vancouversun.com:80/business/Kerner+Emily+Carr+University+team+produce+movies/2243161/story.html |archivedate=November 23, 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>
*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|accessdate=26 September 2013|date=8 April 2011}}</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. http://www.kerner.com/KO/Kerner_Optical/Home.html
*2011: Closed business.
*2011, October 21–27: Court-Ordered Liquidation Auctioning of equipment<ref>http://www.westauction.com/auction/index/id/623</ref>
*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>

==The Kerner name==
⚫
Before the Kerner spin-off, ILM, rather than hide behind barbed wire and high fences, operated from an inconspicuous property in San Rafael, California. 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=http://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/02/movies/film-secret-lair-of-the-jedi-the-grail-and-green-slimers.html|publisher= The New York Times|accessdate=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".


==Selected filmography (as Kerner Optical)==
==Selected filmography (as Kerner Optical)==
Line 62: Line 60:
|-
|-
|[[2007 in film|2007]]
|[[2007 in film|2007]]
|''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End]]''<br />
|''[[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]]''
''[[Evan Almighty]]''<br />
''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''<br />
''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
|-
|-
|[[2008 in film|2008]]
|[[2008 in film|2008]]
|''[[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]]''
⚫
|''[[Iron Man (2008 film)|Iron Man]]''<br />
|-
''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]''<br />
|[[2009 in film|2009]]
''[[WALL-E]]'' (visual effects for [[live-action]] sequences)<br />
|''[[Star Trek (film)|Star Trek]]''<br/>''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''<br/>''[[Terminator Salvation]]''
''[[Pig Hunt]]''<br />
|-
''[[The Butler's in Love]]''
|[[2010 in film|2010]]
⚫
|''[[Killers (2010 film)|Killers]]''
|-
|-
|}
|}


==Recent films==
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 ''[[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 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 has also recently worked on the [[J. J. Abrams]] film ''[[Star Trek (film)|Star Trek]]'' and the [[Ashton Kutcher]] film ''[[Killers (2010 film)|Killers]]''.
Kerner Optical also worked on the [[J. J. Abrams]] film ''[[Star Trek (film)|Star Trek]]'' and the [[Ashton Kutcher]] film ''[[Killers (2010 film)|Killers]]''.


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

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


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}

⚫
==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}}
{{Lucasfilm}}
{{CinemaoftheUS}}


[[Category:Companies established in 2006]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in California]]
⚫
[[Category:2011 disestablishments in California]]
⚫
[[Category:American companies established in 2006]]
[[Category:American companies disestablished in 2011]]
[[Category:Companies based in San Rafael, California]]
[[Category:Companies that have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2011]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies based in California]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies established in 2006]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies disestablished in 2011]]
[[Category:Lucasfilm]]
[[Category:Lucasfilm]]
⚫
[[Category:Visual effects companies]]
⚫
[[Category:Companies based in San Francisco, California]]
[[Category:Special effects companies]]
[[Category:Special effects companies]]
[[Category:Companies based in San Rafael, California]]
[[Category:Visual effects companies]]



[[de:Kerner]]
[[de: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]

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