From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience
Through August 14, Universal Studios Hollywood is playing host to the amazing exhibition, From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience. Showcasing pieces and sets from all four of their films, the event provides an unprecedented view into the level of detail and craftsmanship that sets LAIKA apart from other animation studios. This exhibition is a must-see if you're in the area and a fan of animation.
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| Entry to the LAIKA exhibition. |
Groups are allowed into the exhibition 18-20 people at a time, which makes for a nice way to experience everything. There are never too many people around and plenty of room to move about. The exhibition begins with an introductory monologue by one of the guides on LAIKA and their incredible work, which is simply mind-boggling to hear just how far they've come since its founding in 2005. A special thank you to Mike who gave an impassioned and enthusiastic introduction to the exhibition that set a great tone for the experience.
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| The show was staffed by an enthusiastic crew who really made the experience special. Thanks for the great intro to the show, Mike! |
The exhibition goes in chronological order of the films, starting with Coraline and ending with the soon to be released Kubo and the Two Strings. Arriving at the Coraline portion of the show was quite fun as they recreated the tunnel Coraline travels through between the worlds that attendees get to walk through while perusing the displays. The ParaNorman area contained a life-size replica of Norman's room complete with his awesome zombie slippers.
The truly amazing aspect of this experience though was the fact that there were no barriers of any kind for the puppets and set pieces on display. This allowed for everyone to get up close to each of the puppets, props, and sets to truly admire the level detail. The amount of audible gasping and murmured "wow"s that I heard while moving through the show is a true testament to the level of detail and artistry that LAIKA puts into every single piece. Every piece was perfectly displayed in order to be fully admired and appreciated by attendees.
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While every piece on display was astounding in its own right, there were several that simply stunned all who saw them. The houses from Coraline and Paranorman were two such examples as was the galleon and giant skeleton from Kubo and the Two Strings. It's impossible to pick a favorite piece. Below this article are photos of various pieces from the show that will give you an idea of how amazing everything was.
The LAIKA exhibition at Universal Studios Hollywood truly was magical and impressive in every possible way. If you're in the area between now and August 14, it is well worth a visit. The exhibition is included in the price of admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. Be sure to check with staff members at the Globe Theater on exhibition hours for the day as they do vary. To all who were involved in putting this experience together and everyone who works at LAIKA, thank you for bringing the magic of LAIKA to all of us in the most fantastic way.
