Back by popular demand, ‘From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience’ returns to Universal Studios Hollywood for a limited holiday engagement; special interactive experience runs December 21 through January 15.
LOS ANGELES -- By overwhelming popular demand, acclaimed animation studio LAIKA will present a return holiday engagement of “From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience” from December 21, 2016 to January 15, 2017 at Universal Studios Hollywood. This special event will take place within the theme park’s Globe Theatre and is included in the price of admission.
The innovative, interactive Experience offers an up-close look at the artistry and imagination behind LAIKA’s groundbreaking 10-year filmmaking history, which includes the Academy Award-nominated films Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012) and The Boxtrolls (2014), as well as this year’s acclaimed Kubo and the Two Strings, recently named Best Animated Feature of 2016 by the National Board of Review, Washington DC Area Film Critics Association and Atlanta Film Critics Society and nominated for ten Annie Awards (including Best Animated Feature). The exhibition previously debuted this summer at Universal Studios Hollywood and was met with tremendous success, enjoyed by thousands of guests.
“From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience” showcases the evolution of LAIKA’s unique blend of handcrafted stop-motion animation and visual effects magic that will once again come to life in four imaginatively themed rooms. The extensive display of original sets, puppets and props will immerse guests in their singular, fantastical worlds.
“We’re thrilled to be able to return to Universal Studios Hollywood after our successful summer debut of the LAIKA Experience,” said Travis Knight, LAIKA’s President & CEO who recently made his directorial debut with Kubo and the Two Strings. “There’s nothing like experiencing the LAIKA wonderland up close and personal. We’ve likened it to Santa’s Workshop with a much weirder bunch of elves. Not everyone can come to our studio just outside Portland, so we’re once again taking that experience to our fans so
“The LAIKA Experience was a phenomenal success for our guests this past summer and we are excited to welcome its return to our theme park,” said Xiomara Wiley, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Universal Studios Hollywood. “Partnering with Focus Features and LAIKA on this exhibit is a perfect example of how we entertain our guests with exclusive behind-the-scenes movie magic.”
Fueled by the vision of President & CEO Travis Knight, feature film animation studio LAIKA celebrated its 10th anniversary in December 2015. Located just outside Portland, Oregon, LAIKA was awarded a Science and Technology Oscar plaque in recognition of its innovation in 3D printing in 2016. Its three films, Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012), and The Boxtrolls (2014) were all nominated for Oscars® and PGA Awards as Outstanding Animated Film. Coraline earned Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics’ Choice nominations, and was named one of the year’s 10 Best Films by the American Film Institute (AFI). ParaNorman (2012) garnered BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and GLAAD Media Award nomination and won two Annie Awards (the animation community’s Oscars equivalent) and was cited as the year’s best animated film by 14 critics’ groups. The Boxtrolls also earned Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe Award nominations and 13 Annie Award nominations, more than any other film that year. Kubo and the Two Strings, which marks the directorial debut of Travis Knight, was released by Focus Features on August 19th, 2016.
See how “From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience” was built in the time-lapse video below, and be sure to check out the fantastic images of the exhibit further down:
Source: Focus Features
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
