‘The Forest is Calling’ installation now open outside the Hard Rock Hotel at SDCC; will soon head to additional North American cities ahead of the film’s October 23 theatrical release.
LAIKA’s “The Forest is Calling Portal Experience,” the first in-person exhibition of the world of Wildwood, just launched outside the Hard Rock Hotel at San Diego Comic-Con, open July 23-26 before continuing on to multiple cities across North America ahead of the film’s October 23 theatrical release.
Inspired by Colin Meloy’s novel and brought to life through LAIKA’s handcrafted artistry, the experience invites fans to step inside the world of Wildwood. Visitors enter an experience inspired by the mythology and atmosphere of the film’s Impassable Wilderness, and can determine which faction of Wildwood denizens they would be part of in the enigmatic world.
The experience includes the Wildwood Sigil, a magical symbol that serves as the symbolic gateway into the Portal Experience; Prue McKeel’s bicycle, abandoned at the forest’s edge; Baby Mac’s wagon, referencing the opening abduction that sets the film in motion; hidden artifacts, symbols and Easter eggs drawn from the film; a lush environment of evergreens, ivy, flora and ambient sound; and an interactive journey with a personalized faction experience, digital photo and collectible keepsake.
Combining practical fabrication and extensive hand craftsmanship, every scenic element has been individually textured, finished and painted to bring the world of Wildwood to life at human scale. Co-designed by Wildwood Art Director Matt Maldonado and Portland agency KAMP Grizzly, the experience extends LAIKA’s handcrafted filmmaking philosophy beyond the screen.
“Before audiences discover Wildwood in theatres, we wanted them to discover its world,” LAIKA Chief Marketing & Operations Officer David Burke said. “The Forest Is Calling is the first invitation to step inside.”
Tickets for Wildwood in the United States will be available later this summer at <a href="https://www.fathomentertainment.com/releases/wildwood” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>Fathom Entertainment and participating theater box offices, with theater locations subject to change. Fans can sign up now to be notified when tickets go on sale.
Founded in 2005 in Oregon, outside Portland, LAIKA is known for its distinctive artistry, innovative filmmaking and use of technology. Its films include Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings and Missing Link, all of which were nominated for Oscars for Best Animated Feature. Kubo and the Two Strings won the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film and earned an additional Academy Award nomination for Visual Effects, while Missing Link received the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Film. In 2016, LAIKA received a Scientific and Technical Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its innovation in 3D printing.
LAIKA’s live-action subsidiary is developing film and television projects, including adaptations of works by John Brownlow, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Katie Kitamura and Emily St. John Mandel, alongside collaborations with filmmakers Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Lulu Wang, Brian Duffield and Jon Spaihts, and production partners including Higher Ground and Fruit Tree.
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
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