Human Art & Stop-Motion in LAIKA’s Wildwood with Peyton & Jacob
As autumn settles in, LAIKA Studios is gearing up for its most ambitious stop-motion feature yet: Wildwood, a cinematic adaptation of Colin Meloy’s dark fantasy novel. For five years, the LAIKA craftspeople have dedicated themselves to meticulously building and animating this complex world, resulting in a project that promises to be a true masterpiece of handmade animation.
The magic behind this visual spectacle is something that shines brightest in the interviews with the stars, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, who plays Prue McKeel, and Jacob Tremblay, who portrays Curtis Mehlberg. During a recent tour of the studio, they opened up about the unique process of bringing a stop-motion world to life, sharing insights into how acting informed their characters and the sheer scale of the effort involved.
When discussing the process, Lee revealed that when they entered the recording booth, they hadn’t seen the final film. The LAIKA team prioritized allowing them to be inspired by their voices and performances, trusting their talent to define the characters and the film’s emotional landscape.
Tremblay shared a similar experience, noting that while he wasn’t deeply familiar with the source books before starting, the script provided the foundation for his story. Both actors found that their performances were deeply rooted in the material, allowing them to inhabit their roles authentically.
The scope of the project is staggering. Tremblay reflected on the hard work of the production, emphasizing that the massive sets built by the studio, which are often only used for establishing shots, demonstrate an insane amount of effort. This scale reminds one of the dedication required for projects like Coraline, underscoring the payoff of such intense labor.
The process of voice work on a LAIKA film offered a distinct experience. Tremblay noted that while he recognized his voice in previous projects, for Wildwood, he found it beneficial to disassociate from his own voice to fully immerse himself in the character. Lee highlighted the excitement of contributing to a film made entirely by human artists, calling it a huge honor to help keep the art of stop-motion alive.
The thematic core of the film revolves around profound human experiences. Lee explored her character’s journey—moving from self-assured confidence to realizing that her worldview can shift entirely. This exploration of vulnerability and discovering a new “North Star” resonated deeply, inspiring her to embrace new possibilities and find magic in the world.
The film also tackles the complex theme of emotion, with the realization that love can be both a force of healing and a source of pain. These deep explorations of moral ambiguity and emotional truth resonate with the audience, inviting them to consider the story’s nuances and gray areas.
Director Travis Knight’s approach further enriched the creative journey. He encouraged the team to explore every facet of the story, urging them to try everything—from the most childish to the most mature, the quietest to the loudest. This collaborative energy allowed the team to explore different perspectives, leading to a result that is rich with emotional depth and intangible magnetism.
Ultimately, the power of Wildwood lies in the tangible human element. The films possess an unexplainable emotional depth because they are created by people pouring their heart and soul into the work. It is this unique blend of human artistry and visionary storytelling that secures LAIKA’s place as an influential force in the world of animation.
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