Phil Tippett, one of Hollywood’s most legendary animators and visual effects supervisors, is closing his longtime studio after 35 years. Even if you don’t know his name, you certainly know his work. Tippett co-developed Go-Motion, a technique that added computer-controlled motors to move models during exposure, introducing realistic motion blur to stop-motion animation in films like The Empire Strikes Back and Dragonslayer. He also served as the Senior Dinosaur Supervisor on Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, guiding CGI animators on real-world animal mechanics to bring those creatures to life.
Now, thousands of items from the 6,200-square-foot Tippett Studio are going up for auction in Berkeley, California. The liquidation sale features an “everything must go” approach, putting decades of Tippett’s iconic props, models, artwork, and equipment on the block.
As reported by Cartoon Brew, the sale listings manifest spans screen-used history: models and sketches from Mad God (Tippett’s 2021 experimental stop-motion horror showcase), an artist-proof AT-AT model from The Empire Strikes Back, Starship Troopers miniatures, storyboards, prototypes, and three models connected to the original Star Wars Dejarik chess sequence. Beyond the memorabilia, the auction includes working studio infrastructure—3D printers, lighting setups, mold-making gear, welding tools, and entire toolboxes.
The fire sale marks the culmination of a difficult financial stretch for the legendary facility. Tippett Studio agreed in 2024 to sell a majority stake to Indian VFX company PhantomFX before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection later that spring. PhantomFX completed its acquisition in July 2025 following a court-confirmed reorganization plan, leading to the studio’s ultimate closure.
Sadly, there’s no telling where Tippett’s personal archive will end up. It’s unlikely these pieces will land in a public museum, and most casual fans can’t compete with high-end collectors. They’ll likely end up under glass in a private basement, which almost makes you want to plan a heist to get them back.
As for Tippett himself? He isn’t walking away from the craft.
“We had almost a 40-year run. It was a good run,” Tippett reflected in a recent interview with CBS. When asked about retirement, his answer was characteristically resolute: “I will die with my sword in my hand.”