Phil Tippett is a living legend in the Animation and Visual Effects Industry, specializing in creature design and character animation.  His creations have inspired generations of filmgoers, as well as filmmakers, who often seek him out for collaboration.  

Tippett takes a hands-on approach to the creation of his work.  He founded his namesake company, Tippett Studio, in 1984 after making his name as head of animation and creature design for George Lucas' Star Wars films and company Industrial Light & Magic.   

Tippett's career covers nearly every major milestone in modern visual effects history.  From the holographic chess scene and Cantina Band creatures of Star Wars, to the revolutionary marriage of computer technology with stop motion (an invention he termed "go-motion") on films such as Robocop, to the Academy Award winning dinosaurs of Jurassic Park, Tippett has remained an innovator and a trailblazer. 

Tippett guides and mentors for the Tippett Studio supervisors and crew as they create terrifying, alien and, occasionally even cute, creatures for the numerous films that wind their way through his studio.

In his spare time, Tippett is creating a stop motion independent film series titled "Mad God," funded by fans through website Kickstarter.  

Recently, Phil oversaw the design and creation of a multi-dimensional dark ride for Chinese Theme Park developer Wanda, “The Monkey King: Havoc in the Heavens.”

Phil's roots in stop motion, modeling and practical effects and his ability to use this foundation in conjunction with developing technologies has made him one of a handful of artists whose careers have spanned the transition of visual effects from largely practical to digital.

In a career that has spanned more than 40 years, Tippett has earned two Academy Awards; and six nominations, one BAFTA award; and four nominations, two Emmys and widespread acclaim for his role in the advent of modern digital effects for motion pictures.