History in Objects is a continuing series exploring Lucasfilm’s legacy stretching from their founding in 1971 to today, and their current article looks back at the invitations to the unforgettable Industrial Light & Magic Halloween parties that ran for 35 years.
Tucked into the back of an employee desk drawer or stuck between the pages of an early company yearbook, a forgotten old invitation to one of Industrial Light & Magic’s legendary Halloween parties might be hiding, an event which, according to memory, officially started in 1981 and ran until 2016.
Receiving one of the ILM Halloween Party invitations must have been a highly anticipated affair – not only would one learn where and when the next can’t-miss Halloween event of the year would occur, but the recipient would often be smacked with a bold and whimsical invite illustration, ranging from EC Comics-inspired cover art to satirical riffs on famous horror movie posters.
These invitations would have directed employees and their guests to any number of venues around the San Francisco Bay Area over the years, but for the parties taking place between 1992-2006, one venue lives large in the memories of employees who experienced them – Kerner. ILM’s Kerner facility in San Rafael, California, so named because of the street – Kerner Blvd. – where it was located, hosted all of the parties for 15 years in one of its three large soundstages – “Cookie Bay,” Main Stage, or Windward Stage.
These soundstages, which by day were used by ILM’s artists and engineers to create movie magic, were transformed for one night a year into the Bay Area’s most sought-after Halloween celebration venue, populated by the most creative, innovative, and bizarre costumes one can imagine.
Head to Lucasfilm.com to see some of awesome costumes from years gone and hear some memories from ILM employees. Hope you had an awesome Halloween!
