Laika, the award-winning animation studio nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, celebrates 10 years of bold and memorable filmmaking this month. For a company whose name means “little barker” in Russian, Portland, Oregon-based Laika has made quite a noise in the global film industry over a relatively short time.
With its world-class filmmaking team, Laika pushes the boundaries of family entertainment and animated movies, redefining what stories can and should be told through the art form.
“When Laika began we had a simple goal: to make movies that matter,” says Travis Knight, Laika’s President and CEO, who also is lead animator and a producer on its films. “Laika is devoted to telling new and original stories in new and original ways.”
“We aspire to make films that are bold, distinctive, and enduring,” Knight continues. “We are committed to telling stories that are thematically challenging, aesthetically beautiful, emotionally resonant,...
With its world-class filmmaking team, Laika pushes the boundaries of family entertainment and animated movies, redefining what stories can and should be told through the art form.
“When Laika began we had a simple goal: to make movies that matter,” says Travis Knight, Laika’s President and CEO, who also is lead animator and a producer on its films. “Laika is devoted to telling new and original stories in new and original ways.”
“We aspire to make films that are bold, distinctive, and enduring,” Knight continues. “We are committed to telling stories that are thematically challenging, aesthetically beautiful, emotionally resonant,...
- 12/15/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Laika, the Portland-based animation house behind stop-motion animated feature Coraline and this summer’s ParaNorman, has appointed Mary Sandell as its head of production. Sandell was a producer on Coraline and joined the company in 2005. Prior to that he worked as a producer on DreamWorks’ animated series, Father of the Pride, which aired on NBC. She was also a producer on The Pj’s, the stop-motion TV series from Eddie Murphy and Imagine. Sandell is considered a vet in the field, having over 20 years working in commercials, films and TV. “Both a standard-bearer for business and
read more...
read more...
- 5/9/2012
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chris McCoy and Jan Pinkava are writing the animated film "Little White Lie" for Laika Entertainment, the company behind the Oscar-nominated "Coraline."
"Lie" stems from an original idea by Pinkava, who has a story credit on Pixar's "Ratatouille," which he co-directed. Pinkava also will direct "White Lie."
Mary Sandell is overseeing for Laika.
McCoy, repped by CAA and manager Shawn Simon, has two comedies set up with producers Stacey Sher and Michael Shamberg at DreamWorks: "Good Looking" and an untitled college-set comedy.
Pinkava, who won an Oscar for the animated short film "Geri's Game" in 1997, also has worked on the Pixar movies "Monsters, Inc.," "Toy Story 2" and "A Bug's Life."
Laika has an adaptation of Alan Snow's "Here Be Monsters!" in development along with the original feature "Paranorman," about a 13-year-old protecting his small town from a zombie attack.
"Coraline," which was written and directed by Henry Selick,...
"Lie" stems from an original idea by Pinkava, who has a story credit on Pixar's "Ratatouille," which he co-directed. Pinkava also will direct "White Lie."
Mary Sandell is overseeing for Laika.
McCoy, repped by CAA and manager Shawn Simon, has two comedies set up with producers Stacey Sher and Michael Shamberg at DreamWorks: "Good Looking" and an untitled college-set comedy.
Pinkava, who won an Oscar for the animated short film "Geri's Game" in 1997, also has worked on the Pixar movies "Monsters, Inc.," "Toy Story 2" and "A Bug's Life."
Laika has an adaptation of Alan Snow's "Here Be Monsters!" in development along with the original feature "Paranorman," about a 13-year-old protecting his small town from a zombie attack.
"Coraline," which was written and directed by Henry Selick,...
- 2/21/2010
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
First come the nominations for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards … then come the thanks.
Here’s statements from people with Coraline and A Serious Man.
“We are very happy to have received these nominations and would like to thank the Academy and everyone that made this film possible – a special thanks to Focus Features and Working Title Films. Thank you very much.”
– Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Nominees: Best Picture; Original Screenplay – A Serious Man
________________________________
“I feel very lucky and very grateful that Coraline is nominated. There were more excellent animated features released in 2009 than in any year before, so being included makes all of us from Laika and Focus Features very proud. And the diversity of the nominees in both storytelling and animation techniques gladdens my heart: The Princess and the Frog and The Secret of Kells, done in hand-drawn animation; Coraline and Fantastic Mr. Fox, in stop-motion; and Up,...
Here’s statements from people with Coraline and A Serious Man.
“We are very happy to have received these nominations and would like to thank the Academy and everyone that made this film possible – a special thanks to Focus Features and Working Title Films. Thank you very much.”
– Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Nominees: Best Picture; Original Screenplay – A Serious Man
________________________________
“I feel very lucky and very grateful that Coraline is nominated. There were more excellent animated features released in 2009 than in any year before, so being included makes all of us from Laika and Focus Features very proud. And the diversity of the nominees in both storytelling and animation techniques gladdens my heart: The Princess and the Frog and The Secret of Kells, done in hand-drawn animation; Coraline and Fantastic Mr. Fox, in stop-motion; and Up,...
- 2/3/2010
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
"A Serious Man" and "Coraline" from Focus Features received Oscar nominations today. "A Serious Man" scored Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay nominations while "Coraline" received Best Animated Feature nomination.
Here are statements from the nominees:
"We are very happy to have received these nominations and would like to thank the Academy and everyone that made this film possible . a special thanks to Focus Features and Working Title Films. Thank you very much."
- Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Nominees: Best Picture; Original Screenplay - A Serious Man
________________________________
"I feel very lucky and very grateful that Coraline is nominated. There were more excellent animated features released in 2009 than in any year before, so being included makes all of us from Laika and Focus Features very proud. And the diversity of the nominees in both storytelling and animation techniques gladdens my heart: The Princess and the Frog and The Secret of Kells,...
Here are statements from the nominees:
"We are very happy to have received these nominations and would like to thank the Academy and everyone that made this film possible . a special thanks to Focus Features and Working Title Films. Thank you very much."
- Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Nominees: Best Picture; Original Screenplay - A Serious Man
________________________________
"I feel very lucky and very grateful that Coraline is nominated. There were more excellent animated features released in 2009 than in any year before, so being included makes all of us from Laika and Focus Features very proud. And the diversity of the nominees in both storytelling and animation techniques gladdens my heart: The Princess and the Frog and The Secret of Kells,...
- 2/3/2010
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Today, the Oscar nominations were announced and definitely revealed a few surprises in many different categories. This is the biggest award show of the season, but it might also be this year's most interesting as well. The Academy Awards will be televised on Sunday, March 7th at 8pm Est. Here's some reactions from A Serious Man and Coraline. Both films were produced by Focus Features.
As a member of the Florida Film Critics Circle, I did screen both these movies in Tampa before our critic association had to submit our award picks. A Serious Man could be a serious contender for Best Original Screenplay, but one can't see the Coen's gettting another Best Picture win. Coraline was innovative using the old-school stop-motion animation, but as an overall movie, it won't be strong enough to top the other nominations.
A Serious Man
Best Picture
Best Original Screenplay
Coraline
Best Animated Feature...
As a member of the Florida Film Critics Circle, I did screen both these movies in Tampa before our critic association had to submit our award picks. A Serious Man could be a serious contender for Best Original Screenplay, but one can't see the Coen's gettting another Best Picture win. Coraline was innovative using the old-school stop-motion animation, but as an overall movie, it won't be strong enough to top the other nominations.
A Serious Man
Best Picture
Best Original Screenplay
Coraline
Best Animated Feature...
- 2/2/2010
- Tampa Film Examiner
Dakota Fanning has signed on to voice the title character in Laika Entertainment's animated feature Coraline. Henry Selick (Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach) is writing and directing the film, based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman. Bill Mechanic will produce through his Pandemonium Films along with Laika's Mary Sandell. The story centers on a young girl (Fanning) who discovers an alternate version of her life after walking through a secret door in her new home. On the surface, this parallel reality is similar to her real life, only much better. The adventure turns dangerous, however, when the girl's counterfeit parents try to keep her forever.
- 10/21/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.