Behind the scenes of Laika's greatest artistic feat yet

Laika's latest stop-motion masterpiece, Wildwood, represents the culmination of the studio's decades-long evolution. In 2016, when they released Kubo And The Two Strings, it was evident that Laika had transformed from a traditional stop-motion studio to a more technologically advanced one. Under the leadership of CEO Travis Knight, Laika has integrated various technologies, such as CGI, sophisticated armatures, and live-action elements, while maintaining their core commitment to using steel, silicon, fabrics, and an immense amount of patience in storytelling frame-by-frame.

CEO Travis Knight explains Laika's approach to incorporating technology, stating that they consider it relevant when it enhances a character's speech or proximity to the camera. This philosophy allows Laika to seamlessly blend physical and digital elements, creating a cohesive visual experience. Brad Schiff, Laika's stop-motion animation supervisor, emphasizes the complexity of their work, which goes beyond the simple binary of physical versus digital.

He highlights the importance of lightweight materials for achieving delicate puppet movements and the revolutionary impact of 3D printers, which have drastically reduced the time required to create individual faces.

Special effects supervisor Ollie Jones adds that while their 3D-printed heads still have visible seams, a "seam team" in the VFX department digitally blends these joins, ensuring a seamless final product. Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel, who joined Laika's team for Wildwood, shares his experience with stop-motion, describing the intricate process of piecing together a sequence like the one where General Angela Bassett saves Prue McKeel from enemy crows and coyotes.

This sequence showcases the harmony between analog and digital techniques, with CG used for the farthest environments and set extensions, while puppets are employed for close-ups.

The film's success lies in its ability to balance the visual reality of the bird character with the realistic performances of the puppets. Special effects supervisor Jones explains that understanding the unique anatomy of birds, such as their fused clavicles, was crucial in creating a believable character capable of expressing a wide range of emotions.

Through the collaborative efforts of Laika's talented artists and engineers, Wildwood stands as a testament to the power of fusing old-school craftsmanship with modern technology to create an immersive and emotionally resonant cinematic experience.