Original Star Wars soundstage in San Rafael to close

One of Industrial Light and Magic's original soundstages and model and practical effects shop in San Rafael is set to close.

In 1978, Lucas moved ILM's headquarters from Southern California to San Rafael into the building on Kerner Boulevard. 

Lucas moved ILM to the Letterman Digital Arts centre in 2005, combining it with his Lucasfilm outfit, in San Francisco, California.

The soundstage now houses 32TEN Studios, also owned by Disney (Lucasfilm's parent company). 

In a statement to ABC7 News, 32TEN said: "32Ten is simply going out of business due to adverse business conditions including the declining use of miniature practical effects in film production, and also the halt in production due to the Hollywood strikes."

Speaking to ABC7 News, 32TEN Studios' Sean House said: "My feeling is, it's a travesty this is a historic place, it's a tragedy for the Bay Area film community."

Alongside House, 32TEN employees Scott Wickman and Doug Cox are setting up a crowdfunding effort in order to preserve the building and save it from being repurposed.

According to Wickman's announcement on Facebook, the current tenants have to vacate the premises by October 31. 

He adds: "Almost ALL of the effects, and numerous famous scenes, for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi were created and filmed here. The list of other major films that had moments filmed here, or had their practical effects done at the studio is massive; The Rocketeer, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump, and Back to the Future to name a few.

"It would be an absolute travesty to lose this historic location and a major blow to the film community in the Bay Area."