What film made you fall in love with LAIKA? Now you can see them all at LAIKAxOMSI this October 15 – 31, 2021!
I need to figure out how to get to Portland to attend the special on the 15th anniversary of LAIKA with screenings of the five films (Missing Link, Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman, and Coraline) that all have received Oscar® nominations for Best Animated Film. As part of the celebration of the little stop motion studio that could <tee hee> they have partnered with the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) for filmmaker discussions of ALL THEIR MOVIES and a PUPPET DISPLAY <yes I know I’m shouting but I’m gosh darned excited and jealous of Portland> this October. So, if you want to celebrate Halloween and you have the money to travel or are local you purchase tickets and get additional info HERE.
Animation has a unique ability to entertain, educate, and inspire audiences. We feel so fortunate to have LAIKA here in Portland providing us the unique opportunity to spotlight their creative, award-winning films. LAIKA’s work aligns with our mission to inspire curiosity in people of all ages, so we’re delighted to celebrate their 15 years of artistic innovation by hosting this truly special event.
Russ Repp, VP of Retail and Marketing at OMSI
We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with a world-class institution like OMSI to share the magic of LAIKA’s filmmaking with our hometown fans. Our studio has a unique approach to filmmaking, enhancing the artisanal stop-motion technique with technological innovations and through installations like this, fans have a chance to see that artistry up close whilst getting some behind-the-scenes details from our filmmakers.
David Burke, Chief Marketing Officer MO & SVP, Business Operations at LAIKA
LAIKA has announced they are working on a new animated film called Wildwood. The film is based on the bestselling novel written by Colin Meloy, lead singer and songwriter for The Decemberists, and illustrated by artist Carson Ellis that will be directed by LAIKA President & CEO Travis Knight. So now we know what LAIKA has been doing during the lockdown and have given all of us something to look forward to!
I’ve been a fan of LAIKA since Coraline that has always appealed to my weirdling heart. Really what I’ve always loved about their films is that they embrace weird people and accepting people <cough> creatures as they are and not always picture-perfect pretty.
I’ve had the opportunity to see some of the puppets and speak to the artists that work at the studio and it’s always a delight. They all seem to be so happy working in such a creative way that allows imagination and creativity to flourish that so many people love to watch.
I am going to try to save up some money and keep an eye on airfare deals to be able to celebrate with other fans at OMSI. They will have on display puppets and sets from all of the LAIKA’s Oscar®-nominated films visitors to OMSI will be able to see how the team builds the worlds for their films over the two-week exhibit and screenings where some of the key artists will participate in Q&As at the OMSI”s Empirical Theatre.
LAIKA’s ‘hero’ or main character puppets, as well as Moonbeast and the Skeleton (small scale) from Kubo and the Two Strings, will be on display alongside several memorable sets, including:
• Coraline’s Other Kitchen with Other Mother/Other Father and Beldam’s Sewing table from Coraline
• Interior of Norman’s Bedroom and Mitch’s van with the gang and Zombie judge from ParaNorman
• Sparky’s Market tent and Snatcher’s Truck from The Boxtrolls
• Kubo’s market building from Kubo and the Two Strings
• Sir Lionel’s apartment and Adelina’s boat cabin from Missing Link
Some of LAIKA’s most notable artists will be on hand for in-person Q&As:
Friday, October 15: Ollie Jones, Director of Practical Effects
Saturday, October 16: Production Designer Nelson Lowry
Sunday, October 17: VFX Supervisor Steve Emerson
Friday, October 22: ParaNorman and Missing Link writer/director Chris Butler
Saturday, October 23: Brian McLean, Director of Rapid Prototyping (3D Printing)
Sunday, October 24: Animation Supervisor Brad Schiff
Friday, October 29: VFX Supervisor Steve Emerson
Saturday, October 30: Head of Production/Producer Arianne Sutner
LAIKA FILMOGRAPHY
MISSING LINK (2019)
Mr. Link, AKA Bigfoot (voiced by Zach Galifianakis), is lonely and believes that the famed investigator of myths, Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman), is the one man who can help. With adventurer Adelina Fortnight (Zoe Saldana), the trio embarks on an epic journey to find Link’s distant relatives in the fabled Shangri-La. Along the way, each finds their true identity.
KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS (2016)
An epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan. Clever, kindhearted Kubo’s (voiced by Art Parkinson of Game of Thrones) relatively quiet existence is upended when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award® winner Matthew McConaughey) and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen – a magical musical instrument – Kubo battles gods, monsters, and epic landscapes to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family, and fulfill his heroic destiny.
THE BOXTROLLS (2014)
The Boxtrolls, a kind-hearted community of quirky, mischievous, fantastical box-wearing tinkerers, have lovingly raised a human orphan, Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright of Game of Thrones), since infancy. In the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the cobblestoned streets of Cheesebridge, they transform mechanical junk into magical inventions and live a happy and harmonious existence away from the posh society above that fears them thanks to the scary stories spread by the villainous Archibald Snatcher (Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley). When Eggs and his Boxtrolls family become increasingly at risk because of Cheesebridge’s citizens misunderstanding them, Eggs must venture above ground, “into the light,” where he meets and teams up with another 11-year-old, the fabulously feisty Winnie (Elle Fanning). Together, Eggs and Winnie devise a daring plan to save the Boxtrolls from Snatcher, embarking on an adventure with madcap antics and open hearts which proves that heroes come in all shapes and sizes – even rectangles.
PARANORMAN (2012)
ParaNorman is the thrilling story of 11-year-old Norman Babcock (Kodi Smith-McPhee) who must use his unique ability to see and speak with the dead to save his town from a centuries-old curse. In addition to spooky zombies, he’ll also have to take on mysterious ghosts, wily witches, and, worst of all, clueless grown-ups. Now caught in a wild race against time to save his family, friends, and town, Norman must bravely summon up all that makes a hero – courage and compassion – as he finds his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits. The Voice cast includes Anna Kendrick, Leslie Mann, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.
CORALINE (2009)
Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning) is bored in her new home until she finds a secret door that leads her into a world that’s just like her own…but better! But when this fantastical adventure turns dangerous and her “other” Mother (Teri Hatcher) tries to keep her forever, Coraline must count on all of her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family.
About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. As a private, non-profit organization, OMSI does not receive any government funding but relies on earned and contributed revenue for its operating expenses. OMSI operates the largest museum-based outdoor science education program in the country and provides traveling and community outreach programs that bring science learning opportunities to schools and community organizations throughout Oregon and the region. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit omsi.edu. Connect with the museum on Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram.
About LAIKA
LAIKA, founded in 2005 in Oregon and shaped by the vision of its President & CEO Travis Knight, is a studio that combines a classic commitment to artistry and cinematic crafts with a delight in innovation and cutting-edge techniques. LAIKA’s five films, Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), and Missing Link (2019) were all nominated for the Academy Award® for Outstanding Animated Feature. Kubo and the Two Strings won the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film and received an additional Oscar® nomination for Visual Effects. Missing Link was awarded the Golden Globe® for Best Animated Film. LAIKA was also awarded a Scientific and Technology Oscar® plaque in 2016 for its innovation in 3D printing. Recently, the studio announced its first live-action feature film based on the action thriller novel Seventeen by screenwriter John Brownlow. Travis Knight will direct LAIKA’s sixth animated feature film Wildwood, which is currently in production and is based on the novel by Colin Meloy, lead singer, and songwriter for The Decemberists, and illustrated by Carson Ellis.
@LAIKAStudios
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