This Sunday, acclaimed Oregon animation studio LAIKA capped its month of special screenings and activities at the Academy Museum with an extra special and seasonally spooky day, featuring showings of two beloved films, activities and a compelling filmmakers conversation.
Visitors were able to catch screenings of Coraline (2009) and ParaNorman (2012), with cosplay encouraged and the chance to meet their favorite characters. Throughout the month, LAIKA artists also visited the Museum to share their expertise with guests in special activities and drop-in workshops. Guests were also able to score exclusive merchandise in the Academy Museum Store.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, ParaNorman features Kodi Smit-McPhee as the voice of Norman Babcock: a teenage boy with the ability to communicate with the dead who finds himself forced to save his hometown from a witch’s curse. This visually imaginative and surprising emotional stop-motion horror-comedy was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, and features a charming score by Jon Brion (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). It was also the first PG-rated animated feature to receive a GLAAD nomination for its depiction of Mitch, a gay teenage character.
Following the screening of ParaNorman in the Museum’s Ted Mann Theater, the celebration continued with a live Q&A featuring writer-director Chris Butler, producer Arianne Sutner and costume designer Deborah Cook, moderated by Animation Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Ramin Zahed.
Images courtesy of LAIKA and the Academy Museum.
