Wildwood’s director says AI is ‘antithetical to everything that we are at this studio’
Laika CEO Travis Knight has publicly criticized generative AI, labeling it antithetical to the studio's stop-motion animation process. Despite using advanced technology for puppet mechanics, Knight emphasizes that tools only hold value when guided by human artistry.
Why it matters
This reflects the ongoing tension between creative industries and the rise of generative AI, highlighting the value placed on traditional craftsmanship.
Wildwood is the most ambitious film yet from Laika, the stop-motion studio best known for the likes of Coraline and ParaNorman. It’s a sprawling fantasy adventure that took five years to complete. The process involved more 230 puppets — including 36 of the main character Prue alone — which were brought to life by a team of 49 animators. All told, more than 1,000 artists worked on the film in some form. The painstaking process that goes into making a Laika film offers a distinct counterpoint to the instant progress promised by generative AI tools.
Recently Wildwood director and Laika CEO Travis Knight joined a chorus of influencer filmmakers in denouncing the technology. So when I had a chance to speak to Knight ahead of Wildwood’s premiere on October 23rd, I asked him what it’s like releasing a film like this at a time when AI tools seem inescapable.
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