In case you need yet another reason to visit Universal Studios Hollywood, now with the price of your daily entrance you can take in the world of LAIKA (Coraline, The Boxtrolls, Paranorman and now, Kubo and the Two Strings). “From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience” invites you to visit the miniature wonderland of each film and get a behind-the-scenes look at how each of these films was created.
From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience is hosted at the Globe Theater in Universal Studios Hollywood from August 5 – 14. Entrance is included in the prices of admission.
I was lucky enough to gain early access to the exhibit, and it only further impressed upon me the absolute artistry and outright awesomeness of LAIKA’s films. Stop-animation is a mind-blowingly long and tedious process, but the final result brings stunning images, life-like characters and in the case of LAIKA, stories that stay with us long after we leave the theatre.
Some of the cast from “Paranorman”. The actual puppets and figures are on display at the special exhibit in Universal Studios.
Heads from both Kubo and Monkey. Dozens of Kubo puppets and over 80,000 microexpressions were used to create a believable and life-like Kubo.
The Experience features four themed rooms, documenting the studio’s last decade of work. Each room holds set models, video feed of the creation process and actual (yes, actual) puppets used in the making of the movies. It’s beyond impressive, it’s downright awe-inspiring and it will make you want to watch each of LAIKA’s film all over again. This time with the insight and eye of an animator, costume designer, set constructor and puppeteer.
Mike Hollenbeck, LAIKA animator, makes minor adjustments to Kubo and captures the changes, frame by frame, to give the illusion of fluid movement.
Pink Palace Apartments from the set of “Coraline”
House from “Paranorman”.
Take a peek inside the van from “Paranorman”.
From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience is hosted at the Globe Theater at Universal Studios Hollywood from August 5-14 and entrance is included with the price of admission into the park. LAIKA’s latest film, Kubo and the Two Strings, comes to theatres August 19th.
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