Laika’s stop-motion fantasy Wildwood looks so smooth
Laika's upcoming stop-motion film Wildwood was showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival, highlighting its unprecedented smoothness and lifelike quality. The studio achieved this visual evolution through the use of digital frame-grabbers and advanced puppet technology, including internal breathers that simulate natural breathing. The film, which follows a young girl named Prue in a fantasy wilderness, is scheduled for a theatrical release on October 23rd.
- ▪Laika's head of animation Brad Schiff explained that digital cameras and frame-grabbers allow animators to track puppet movements for smoother animation.
- ▪All major puppets in Wildwood feature an internal diaphragm called a breather, a technology first experimented with in the 2019 film Missing Link.
- ▪The production involved 233 puppets, 49 animators, and took 231 weeks to complete from start to finish.
- ▪The film's plot centers on a young girl named Prue who loses her little brother in an impassable wilderness filled with fantasy elements.
- ▪Wildwood is set to hit theaters on October 23rd following its early screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.
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EntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentFilmCloseFilmPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All FilmMovie ReviewCloseMovie ReviewPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Movie ReviewLaika’s stop-motion fantasy Wildwood looks so smoothReviews from TIFF 2026: Julian and Stuffed, along with an early look at Laika’s next animated feature.Reviews from TIFF 2026: Julian and Stuffed, along with an early look at Laika’s next animated feature.by Andrew WebsterCloseAndrew WebsterSenior entertainment editorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email…
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