LAIKAs stop-motion Wildwood featurette is the perfect antidote for AI slop
LAIKA lead armaturist Matt Cole breaks down how he brings the horses of stop-motion film "Wildwood" to life.
In an era dominated by AI-generated content, LAIKA's new stop-motion film Wildwood offers a refreshing alternative. The film's featurette provides a captivating glimpse into the painstaking process of animating the movie's horses. Directed by Travis Knight and featuring the voice of Peyton Elizabeth Lee as headstrong teenager Prue McKeel, Wildwood follows Prue's journey to save her abducted baby brother in a fantastical forest.
The stop-motion horses in Wildwood were brought to life by a dedicated team of artists and animators, with lead armaturist Matt Cole providing insight into the creation process. As an armaturist, Cole constructs the skeletal framework of the stop-motion puppets, which are later manipulated by animators to convey expression and movement. Cole's personal connection to horses, stemming from his childhood, added an extra layer of importance to getting their movement just right.
The featurette showcases every step of the process, from designing the skeletons in CAD to testing their movement and achieving the final onscreen appearance. Cole emphasizes the film's commitment to pushing the boundaries of stop-motion animation, with Wildwood's horses marking a particularly challenging yet rewarding feat. He describes the process as a "Swiss watch inside the puppet," highlighting the intricate design and specialized joints required for the characters' movements.
Ultimately, Cole views Wildwood as a "transformative" experience that brings back cherished memories from his youth, demonstrating the unique magic of stop-motion animation at LAIKA. The film is set to release in theaters on October 23.
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