LAIKA Studios has released a behind-the-scenes featurette showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship behind their upcoming fantasy film “Wildwood,” offering a compelling contrast to the prevalence of computer-generated content flooding digital platforms. The featurette provides viewers with an insider’s look at the labor-intensive process required to bring stop-motion animation to life.
Directed by Travis Knight, “Wildwood” tells the story of teenager Prue McKeel as she embarks on an adventure to rescue her kidnapped younger brother. The narrative takes her through the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted forest situated outside Portland, Oregon, populated by anthropomorphic creatures and outlaws. Lead armaturist Matt Cole guides audiences through the creation of the film’s stop-motion horses, demonstrating the complexity involved in constructing the internal skeletal frameworks that animators manipulate frame by frame.
Cole emphasizes the technical precision required in his work, explaining that the puppet skeletons function like intricate mechanical systems complete with gears and specialized joints. Having grown up around horses, Cole brought personal investment to ensuring the creatures’ movements appeared authentic. The featurette documents the entire journey from computer-aided design sketches through movement testing to final screen appearances.
“Wildwood” arrives in theaters on October 23, representing LAIKA’s continued dedication to advancing the stop-motion animation medium and delivering tangible artistry in an increasingly digital landscape.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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