New venture will be owned by LAIKA/house principals
LAIKA, the animation studio based just outside Portland, is spinning off its advertising/commercial division LAIKA/house to concentrate exclusively on the feature film arena. Next up for LAIKA is The Boxtrolls, its third feature film, releasing domestically on September 26.
LAIKA/house president Lourri Hammack, creative director Kirk Kelley and managing director of strategic operations Al Cubillas will lead a new studio specializing in short to mid-form animated content for the advertising and broadcast markets. LAIKA plans to continue operations under the LAIKA/house banner as it transitions work to the new studio over the summer months.
“We’re very proud of the entire LAIKA/house team and its heritage of beautiful, industry-leading work,” said Travis Knight, LAIKA president & CEO. “But as LAIKA finishes our third film and is in the process of actively developing an ambitious range of future projects, it’s become clear that we need to devote all of our artistry, innovation, and resources towards our feature films in order to craft the distinctive and evocative stories for which LAIKA has become known.”
Knight continued, “With Coraline and ParaNorman we set a high standard for ourselves and the entire animation industry. The Boxtrolls and our slate of upcoming films aspire to push the bar even higher. Our commitment to creating superlative works of art has been the force driving both of LAIKA’s divisions since our inception. We wish Lourri, Kirk and Al tremendous success as they carry on that tradition of excellence in their new venture.”
Hammack related, “Animation isn’t just a storytelling medium–it’s our life force and our passion. In just a few short years, LAIKA has created groundbreaking works of feature-length animated art that continue to inspire and amaze. We are honored to be entrusted with LAIKA/house’s rich legacy as we build the next chapter of our longstanding advertising and commercial division.”
Known for its storytelling and character animation in CG, stop motion and 2D, LAIKA/house has turned out work for such brands as Apple, Cuervo, Target, M&Ms, Honey Not Cheerios and FOX Sports, as well as agencies including 72andSunny, BBDO, TBWAChiatDay, Leo Burnett and Wieden+Kennedy.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More