In a significant development for the digital content creation landscape, LAIKA, the renowned award-winning feature film animation studio, has officially become a Premier Member of the Academy Software Foundation (ASWF). This strategic alliance marks a pivotal moment for advancing open-source software within the visual effects and animation industries, promising collaborative innovation and shared technological growth for the cinematic world.
Based in Portland, Oregon, LAIKA has earned global acclaim for its distinct artistic vision and beloved stop-motion films. Their impressive filmography includes critically lauded titles such as ‘Coraline,’ ‘ParaNorman,’ and ‘Kubo and the Two Strings,’ all of which showcase the studio’s unique blend of traditional artistry and cutting-edge technological integration.
Since its inception in 2005, LAIKA has consistently been at the forefront of technological innovation in the animation industry. Their inaugural feature, 2009’s ‘Coraline,’ set new benchmarks as the first stop-motion film to be conceived and photographed in stereoscopic 3D, and to seamlessly integrate advanced visual effects and 3D printing technology into its production pipeline, pushing the boundaries of what was previously thought possible.
This commitment to innovation was further recognized in 2016 when LAIKA received a prestigious Scientific and Technology Oscar®. This award honored their pioneering efforts in utilizing rapid prototyping for character animation, a breakthrough that enabled unprecedented artistic leaps in character expressiveness, facial animation, motion blur, and sophisticated effects animation within stop-motion film production.
According to Jeff Stringer, CTO at LAIKA, the studio has experienced immense value from the Academy Software Foundation’s work. Stringer noted, “We embarked on a complete rebuild of our production pipeline recently and relied heavily on the open-source projects supported by ASWF. Their stewardship is keeping these essential projects healthy and makes it easy for studios to contribute and share the responsibility. We are thrilled to join the Foundation officially and support its work.”
LAIKA’s involvement with the Academy Software Foundation is not new, with their engineers having actively contributed to crucial projects such as Open Shading Language, MaterialX, and the OpenUSD Working Group. As an official member, LAIKA can now provide enhanced support to these foundational open-source initiatives and directly contribute to expanding the Foundation’s mission, including addressing the needs of smaller studios and fostering new talent through programs like the Summer Learning Program.
Carol Payne, Executive Director of the Academy Software Foundation, lauded LAIKA’s distinctive approach, stating, “Every studio is different, but LAIKA is more unique than most. By combining the tradition of stop motion photography with the use of leading edge digital technology, including open source software, they elevate the process to a whole new level. We are delighted to welcome LAIKA to the Foundation, and very excited for their future contribution.”
The Academy Software Foundation, developed in partnership by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Linux Foundation, serves as a vital hub for open-source software developers across the motion picture and media industries. Its mission is to facilitate the sharing of resources and collaboration on technologies critical for image creation, visual effects, animation, and sound, supporting a healthy and innovative ecosystem.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, LAIKA continues its legacy of cinematic excellence with upcoming animated feature films like ‘Wildwood,’ ‘The Night Gardener,’ and ‘Goblins,’ alongside a range of live-action projects under its subsidiary. This new partnership with the ASWF is set to further empower LAIKA’s innovative spirit, propelling the studio and the broader industry into new frontiers of creative and technological achievement.
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