Laika, the Portland-based animation studio known for its meticulous stop-motion techniques, has revealed the extensive craftsmanship behind the creation of a key character in its upcoming film *Wildwood*, set for release on October 23. The film features a giant golden eagle named the General, voiced by Angela Bassett, whose intricate design and animation represent one of the studio’s most ambitious efforts to date.
The General stands out as the largest puppet Laika has produced for a film, measuring approximately two and a half feet tall with a wingspan of five feet—substantially bigger than their typical one-foot-tall puppets. Inspired by real eagles for authenticity, the puppet construction began with detailed 3-D models and 2-D color references, followed by the assembly of a steel and plastic armature. To achieve the bird’s natural flexibility, layers of lightweight silicone sponge were stretched over a stocking-like fabric, effectively simulating musculature.
Laika created three separate puppets of the General to suit different scenes: two designed for flight and another with folded wings. Each puppet featured between 3,700 and 4,000 individually applied feathers, crafted from laser-cut polyester satin. These feathers were carefully dyed, embossed, and glued by hand, totaling about 12,000 across the three versions. Select feathers, especially around the wings and neck, were wired to allow animators to simulate wind resistance and enable interaction with other characters, such as the protagonist Prue, played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee.
One of the most sophisticated elements of the General is its neck, constructed with a 3-D printed, Slinky-like spiral that can extend and bend without collapsing—a departure from Laika's usual foam or silicone designs. This mechanism includes an extendable barbell controlled by an external rack-and-pinion system, operated via a bicycle brake cable, offering precise articulation.
To enhance realism, many of the puppets in *Wildwood*, including the General, incorporate “breathers,” mechanical features that simulate subtle chest compression and expansion to mimic breathing. Animators use a hex wrench to activate the puppet’s internal diaphragm during filming. The eagle’s wings, too heavy for manual manipulation alone, are supported by motors mounted in the shoulders, enabling finely tuned movements remotely adjusted with dials.
The animation process is deliberate and painstaking: two main animators, Dobrin Yanev and Anthony Straus, brought the General to life, with Yanev focusing on the complex flight sequences that took four years to complete. These scenes employed advanced rigging systems, including a hexapod and a gimbal on tracks, allowing the puppet to perform dynamic aerial maneuvers while the camera moves in synchronization to create an immersive flying effect.
Facial expressions were managed through a combination of pre-recorded voice performances and digitally animated face replacements. The studio used 3-D printed faces for every frame, tailored to match the emotional tone required by director and Laika CEO Travis Knight. These faces were meticulously labeled and swapped during animation to align with precise timing and character interactions.
Overall, the General puppet stands as Laika’s most sophisticated creation, blending traditional artisanal skills with innovative engineering to achieve a lifelike presence that anchors *Wildwood*’s fantastical narrative.