LAIKA: The Magic Behind a Stop-Motion Dream Factory

Join us for a conversation with LAIKA Studios' very own Deborah Cook and Nelson Lowry to celebrate the launch of LAIKA: The Magic Behind the Stop Motion Dream Factory, an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the preeminent stop-motion studio. The conversation will be followed by a signing.

PLEASE NOTE: RSVPs are encouraged but not required. Seating is limited and will be first come, first served. Doors open at 5:30 pm.

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An unprecedented look behind the curtain of the preeminent stop-motion studio, this comprehensive volume is brimming with exclusive artwork, photography, and interviews with key creatives.
In this rare glimpse at LAIKA’s 500,000-square-foot dream factory, read how the visionaries of the renowned stop-motion studio bring LAIKA’s handcrafted films to life one frame at a time. Stunning new puppet photography, never-before-seen artwork, and interviews with the studio’s community of storytellers take readers on an unforgettable tour through the studio’s key people, places, and processes, from script development to production design, puppet fabrication, 3D face printing, animation, and visual effects. Featuring a double-page gatefold measuring nearly three feet wide, this expansive illustrated publication on the illustrious studio reveals LAIKA’s innovations in stop-motion filmmaking over the last two decades, from Kubo and the Two Strings to ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Coraline, Missing Link, and Wildwood.
Copyright © 2026 LAIKA, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Nelson Lowry (Production Designer) has led LAIKA’s stellar production design team for ParaNorman and Kubo and the Two Strings. His prior credits include Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (Art Director), the Christmas comedy Fred Claus (Digital Effects Art Director), and Danny Boyle's Sunshine (Visual Effects Matte Painter). Nelson's work on Eddie Murphy's TV series The PJs earned an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation and an Annie Award nomination. He won an Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Production Design in an Animated Feature for Kubo and the Two Strings.

Deborah Cook (Director, Costume Designer) grew up in England and has been involved in animation for the past 18 years. They attended St. Martin's Art College in London where their focus was in Fine Art Sculpture.

Their extensive experience of puppet-making and costume-making at all levels, their art school background of self-directed projects and innovative approach to costume in animation set them apart as the principal costume designer and fabricator in this genre. They have a precise knowledge of movement in stop motion scale and in using specific fabrics to present a seamless representation of real movement in puppet costumes. Their understanding of scale within fabrics and knowledge of engineering movement within the costumes, as well as incorporating other materials with additional properties to achieve this, has made Deborah an industry forerunner in the development of costume within animation. Detailed, lengthy research goes into each and every character’s costume design and fabrication. All of the last five films Deborah has worked on have been Oscar® nominated: Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman, Coraline, Corpse Bride and Fantastic Mr. Fox. Deb Cook received a Costume Designers Guild nomination for Kubo and a Visual Effects Society nomination for Coraline.

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