When one talks about the 32TEN Model / Practical Effects shop, you can’t avoid their illustrious history. 32TEN was originally built by ILM back in 1980 to extend beyond their offices next door. The new facility was built to house a sound stage, office space to support the artists and technicians, and a beautiful screening room. The offices here were the original home to Pixar studios, and it is here that Edit Droid, one of the first non-linear editing systems, was developed. And it was a testing ground for something called Display / Image Pro which eventually became a little thing known as Photoshop. This is a pretty serious pedigree.
ILM eventually sold the facility and it became the Kerner Studios, and then after they closed their doors it was eventually reborn as 32TEN Studios. Many of the very same craftspeople who were part of the original ILM team are now part of the 32TEN Model / Effects shop. Going over the resume of the original artists is pretty much a tour of the history of miniature and practical efx in the modern cinema. Miniatures and EFX for such films as Star Wars, Indiana Jones Star Trek, Back to the Future, Die Hard and more can trace their roots back to this team in one way or the other.
We don’t think we are exaggerating when we say the Model and Practical Effects team at 32TEN represents the state of the art in these crafts anywhere on the planet. Moving forward from the miniatures work, the integration of digital EFX into the mix has created a new level of possibilities. For many situations the fact is that model work is THE way to go. Digital has added flexibility and cost conscious considerations into the equation, but count us as heretics when we say “sometimes analog is better then digital”. Yep we said it and we mean it.
You don’t have to be the next George Lucas to take advantage of this team of talented experts. Though in fact you might be the next industry giant, this team has been using their skills for a wide range of clients and budgets. From indie film, to corporate projects, to commercials and more, this team is committed to making their services available to the entire production community. Don’t be intimidated or star struck by their credentials, or your budget or lack thereof. Give them a shout and let them know what you are up to and perhaps they will have a solution you didn’t think possible.
The team at the Model / Practical Effects is a veritable whose who of recognized leaders in their field. Some of these include Practical Effects Supervisor Geoff Heron, and model makers: Sean House, Todd Fellows, Nickd’Abo, Peggy Hraster, Dan Hauck, Beth Bernhardt, Pierre Maurer, Lauren Abrams and Todd D’Amario.
History only gets you so far, and no one in this business gets to rest on their laurels if they want to survive. The 32TEN Model / Effects team has carried on the tradition of craftsmanship that has created some of the best known scenes in modern cinema, but they have added new technology to take the their art to the next level. We are happy that this team calls the Bay Area home. Check them and out and be a part of the next chapter of movie magic.