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WELCOME TO THE COUNTRY OF LAIKA

In the field of animation, a world of wonder takes place, where imagination knows no bounds and storytelling emerges with meticulous precision. From a young age, Laika and the funny backgrounds of stop motion have captivated the audience, as the armed cartoon characters come to life with active movement planning and emotions, sparking a passion that still exists today.

Founded in 2005 in Portland Oregon, LAIKA Studios has for the past 15 years delighted audiences around the world with its stand-up animation features with five films under its belt representing the highest levels of quality, earning a reputation for combining creative narratives with sophisticated art and technology.

This celebration of art is at the forefront of the British Film Institute’s latest exhibition, LAIKA: Frame x Frame. which opened its doors on August 12th and runs until October 1st at BFI Southbank, the exhibition is part of the wider Stop Motion: Celebrating Handmade Animation on the Big Screen season. LAIKA invites audiences to explore the heart and soul of their creations through Frame x Frame. This free exhibition offers a unique opportunity to examine the artistic precision and innovative techniques that bring these beloved films to life in an unparalleled level of detail in animators, intricately designed sets, costumes and spooky props. With over 700 artifacts on display, this immersive narrative experience showcases the best of the medium and allows the viewer to explore the intricate art behind one of the most famous and dedicated studios in stop-motion animation.

BUILDING A DREAM

As Director Henry Selick rightly said, “What makes stop-motion so great are real things brought magically into imperfect form; the artist’s hand is there, the electricity of a man touching, rubbing and torturing himself to bring life out of an inanimate object.” This feeling perfectly sums up the theme of the LAIKA exhibition: FRAME x FRAME, an in-depth exploration of the creativity and dedication that defines LAIKA and its beloved films.

Dan Pascall, LAIKA’s Senior Manager of Event Marketing and Production, shared details during his opening speech for the launch of the exhibition: “When we started to develop this exhibition, knowing that we would be collaborating with the BFI, it was clear that we needed to go deeper into our creative processes. Our goal was not only to show the superhero dolls and highlight the opportunity of each project and highlight the key to the creation of the project. characteristics that previous exhibitions often hit focus, providing a rare glimpse behind the camera at the many different departments that work together to make our stories come true.” The title Frame x Frame emerged from this idea, serving as a guiding theme for the exhibition.

Each film receives dedicated attention as visitors traverse different themed areas focusing on different aspects of the animation process each entering the unique realm of creativity and collaboration required to create the studio’s legendary films. In the section dedicated to Coraline: It Takes a Village, those present can see the spirit of cooperation that unites the different departments, emphasizing the community effort needed to keep the Laika aspect alive. It switches to ParaNorman: Brought to Lifehighlighting the intricacies of doll making, it details the specialized roles within the doll department, such as hairstyling, costume design, silicone casting, and sculpting, each essential to creating characters that resonate with audiences. Moving on to The Boxtrolls: Engineering Magicvisitors will be attracted to the originality embedded in the development of the prop, each handcrafted item reflecting the careful design and iteration processes used exclusively by Laika, where no off-the-shelf solutions are sufficient. The show then leads to Kubo and the Two Strings: Expanding the World, showing how visual effects seamlessly enhance stop-motion, revealing the tools and techniques used by VFX and camera departments to enhance the dramatic wonders of film. Finally, The Missing Link: Setting the Stage investigates animation as performance, emphasizing the importance of ergonomic rigging designs that facilitate the animators’ movements, allowing them to navigate the complexity of their designed sets with ease. Each part of the exhibition not only reveals the technical and artistic innovations behind Laika’s films but also tells a unified story of love, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines this renowned animation studio.

MADE BY MAN’S HANDS

As visitors explore the exhibit, they will encounter one frame from each film in each of the five sections, augmented by a constellation of supporting artifacts. The building develops an understanding of what it takes to breathe life into just one 24-second shot, with displays featuring illustrated concept art, character designs, storyboards, costumes, animation, props, sets, and new digital content. This collection not only highlights the amazing attention to detail that LAIKA is known for but also captures the studio’s limitless creativity. The wonder of this connection lies in the beauty of such small details, delicate features and small things that are carefully designed in small, waiting to be discovered, these complexities breathe life into the fascinating world that we see on the screen, from the lights that are wired by hand to shine, the banners are moved by the wind, the hands and other accessories, the parts of the Moon 38-8 are really the devil in the details. This innovative approach has allowed LAIKA to bring out previously unseen items from its extensive archives, enriching the experience. Pascal also detailed the operational challenges of converting their large Portland studio—which spans 300,000 square feet—into a compact but focused 3,500 square foot space in London, emphasizing the careful planning behind the show.

BUILDING VISIBLE SKILLS

The exhibition is well-lit and well-placed, the design inspires a sense of luxury, with curious cabinets and drawers full of amazing 2D and 3D objects such as fabrics and 59 unique pieces that make up the face of a single character as it takes more than 150,000 frames to make each film, as well as visual information that shows the screen. The sheer volume of visuals is staggering, serving as a testament to the work and love woven into every frame. After all, it takes a community of creators to make magic happen.

For Laika, All Roads started with Coraline, their cornerstone film after all, celebrating its 15th anniversary with a 3D remaster that just premiered at BFI Southbank so we’re kicking off this adventure with a stunning recreation of Coraline’s Other Garden. As you enter this life-size simulation alive with a kaleidoscope of amazing flora and fauna, you feel an instant connection with the protagonist of the film, enveloped in his amazing world. It’s an engaging introduction that invites visitors to engage with the exhibition intimately, capturing personal moments against the backdrop of Coraline’s story. This immersive setting sets the tone for the show, highlighting Laika’s dedication to creating connected and exciting environments. The show concludes with a sneak peek of their upcoming 6th series, Wildwood. Here, visitors are treated to a custom animated introduction and behind-the-scenes content, giving an exciting glimpse of what Laika has in store for the future.

The exhibit serves as a testament to the labor-intensive nature of this art form and highlights the deep level of patience, vision, and sheer artistry involved in drawing stop-motion stories. As visitors view the carefully selected exhibits, they are invited to experience for themselves the changing journey of Laika’s beloved characters, each brought to life through a careful arrangement of art and technology. Laika Frame x Frame is not just an animation experiment; is an odyssey into the heart of storytelling itself, celebrating the harmonious interplay between imagination and art that continues to inspire generations.

CELEBRATING THE LEGACY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF STOP-MOTION

The Laika: Frame x Frame exhibition is not just a retrospective; it’s a celebration of the craftsmanship that established Laika’s identity and a nod to the important role that stop motion plays in the wider realm of cinema. In an era where motion pictures continue to evolve, Laika’s meticulous, frame-by-frame storytelling serves as a reminder of the patience, vision, and artistry involved in creating these masterpieces. As we appreciate these films, we also recognize their ability to touch audiences of all ages—reminding us that animation is not just for children but an art form that can explore deep themes and emotions. With the BFI’s commitment to presenting motion pictures as an integral part of the cinematic discourse, this exhibition acts as an important cultural opportunity, inviting seasoned and new fans alike to embrace the magic of motion that enhances our understanding of the art and devotion behind these beloved films as each frame tells a story waiting to be discovered.

If you have to blink, do it now…

You need to book your free tickets in advance – from here.