“You don’t become a hero by being normal.”

The advertising slogan for LAIKA’s new stop-motion movie hit ParaNorman could apply to the Oregon-based studio as well. Far away from the high-profile California animation studios, LAIKA burst on the scene with 2009’s Oscar-nominated Coraline and this year unveiled its new comedy thriller to acclaim. Like The Sixth Sense’s Cole Sear, 11-year-old Norman Babcock is able to see and speak with the dead. Summoning up all that makes a hero – courage and compassion – Norman becomes the only person who can save his town from a centuries-old curse.

The movie enhances classic stop-motion animation techniques with cutting-edge digital technology. The LAIKA artisans’ offbeat sensibilities spark a unique visual style and unusual story; ParaNorman offers thrills, laughs, and emotional moments in equal measure, underscored with a message of understanding and acceptance of “different” people – even zombies.

On Tuesday, November 13th, Joe Strike will interview ParaNorman screenwriter Chris Butler, who with Sam Fell directed the movie, as part of his ongoing Interview with an Animator conversation series at the Society of Illustrators. Behind-the-scenes videos will showcase the low- and high-tech secrets of the movie’s creation, and Butler will reflect on the years bringing his labor of love to the screen. Actual props and other elements seen on-screen will be on display – get ready to meet Norman Babcock in person!

Tickets -- $15 Non-members, $10 Non-members, $7 students/senior

Source: Animator Interviews