Arts

LAIKA presents - MADE BY HUMANS: CREATIVES IN CONVERSATION

by Sony Music Entertainment

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About the show

What does it take to make something magical? Artists from award-winning animation studio LAIKA are paired with fellow expert creatives to create a genuine dialogue about filmmaking, practical effects, the grind, and the inspiration behind making magic. Together, we explore what drives them, how they push through the hard days, and what their work reveals when held up next to each other. Join us as we discuss craftsmanship, inspiration, and mythic wonder that bring our most iconic worlds to life, from Coraline and LAIKA’s upcoming film Wildwood to Jurassic Park, Project Hail Mary, your favorite TikTok videos and so many more.

Latest episodes

An Insider’s View on How Practical Effects Are Made with Oliver Jones and Kevin Parry

September 30, 2026 · 56 min

What makes practical effects so magical? LAIKA's Head of Character and Practical Effects Oliver Jones sits down with former LAIKA animator and now solo superstar digital creator Kevin Parry to discuss the world of practical effects and how…
Why Stop Motion Animation Matters in the Digital Age with Keith McQueen and Phil Tippett

September 25, 2026 · 37 min

Why make models in the digital age? LAIKA's Head of Model Shop Keith McQueen and legendary stop motion pioneer Phil Tippett explain why the human crafted still matters. #MadeByHumans #Podcast #Animation Learn more about your ad choices…
The Power of Costume Design and Storytelling with Deborah Cook and Sandy Powell

September 23, 2026 · 47 min

Costume design is the one cinematic element that touches story, character, history, psychology, and visuals all at once. When it’s working, you don’t notice it consciously… but you feel it immediately. LAIKA's Deborah Cook sits down with…
Using Visual Effects in the World of Stop Motion Animation

September 18, 2026 · 48 min

With a wealth of technology tools to deliver fascinating films, less is more is often the edict when it comes to special effects in this conversation with LAIKA’s Visual Effects Supervisor Steve Emerson and ILM veteran visual effects…
Wildwood: Building a Character From Page to Puppet

September 11, 2026 · 39 min

Bringing a single character to life takes a village: an actor's voice, an animator's physical performance, designers, cinematographers, and a screenwriter, all converging on one emotional truth. This episode explores that rare…
Two Forms of Puppetry: From Project Hail Mary to Wildwood

September 9, 2026 · 50 min

Puppetry takes wildly different forms on screen: from small stop-motion puppets animated frame by frame to massive creatures operated by multiple puppeteers and Brad Schiff and James Ortiz perfectly encapsulate this spectrum. LAIKA's Head…
Filmmaking Magic with Special Guest Zach King: From Coraline to Viral Illusions

September 9, 2026 · 49 min

From Coraline's sets to viral TikTok illusions, two masters of practical effects swap secrets:. Brian McLean, LAIKA's Director of Rapid Prototype, has spent 20 years pushing stop motion forward with groundbreaking innovation. And Zach…
LAIKA Presents: Made by Humans, Creatives in Conversation

September 8, 2026 · 2 min

What does it take to make something magical? Step inside award-winning stop motion animation studio LAIKA where artists chat with fellow expert creatives about filmmaking, practical effects, craftsmanship and the mythic wonder that brings…