One of the most anticipated stop-animation movies of the year is Kubo & the Two Strings by LAKIA & Focus Features is in theaters August 19, 2016. Earlier this month, I had to opportunity to attend the Press Junket for Kubo & the Two Strings at the exquisite Four Seasons Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California. More about that experience & some cool ways to learn more about Kubo & the Two Strings below.
I never put much thought into how much work goes into a stop-animation film until I attended the press junket of Kubo & the Two Strings in July and learned more about the process from director & creator of the movie, Travis Knight. Before attending the press junket, I did a little research on Laika from my friend Carol’s article on her visit to the studio – go on, read it, it’s fascinating.
During the Press Junket for Kubo & the Two Strings, we were invited to screen the movie in it’s entirety. (Look for my review to come in the next few weeks.) And then, we attended a press day at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Kubo & the Two Strings Press Day
So much goes into a movie press day to really help the press understand all that went into making the movie. Some press days have props from the movies, some have music & food the help capture the mood of the film, and most have giveaways that have something to do with the film too. And of course, all of the press days include interview time with the creative team – actors, producers, directors, and writers.
The press day for Kubo & the Two Strings was no exception.
An amazing origami artist was on hand to amaze us with all of his beautiful creations.
Focus Features actually sent us this bunch of paper roses for Mother’s Day. He made over 200 hundred of these bouquets!
We also had the opportunity to watch this amazing candy making – he literally took less than 3 minutes to make this horse out of melted candy. He explained to us that this is a lost art and one that his family has done for generations.
And then, I had the opportunity to film a scene in the movie. I can’ begin to tell you how much fun this was to film in front a green screen. Pretend to act like a scared chicken? No problem!
Then came the time we had all been waiting for – the opportunity to interview the stars of the film, Charlize Theron and Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey. We also had the opportunity to speak to Art Parkinson, who voices Kubo, and the mastermind behind it all, Director Travis Knight. Look for these interviews next week. I’m such a tease……
From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience
LAIKA, the acclaimed animation studio and creators of the upcoming epic adventure film, Kubo and the Two Strings, which Focus Features releases in U.S. theaters on August 19, will present “From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience” August 5-14 at Universal Studios Hollywood.
For the next week or so, visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood will have the opportunity to take in this cool experience:
“From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience,” will showcase the evolution of LAIKA’s unique blend of handcrafted stop-motion animation and visual effects magic that will come to life in four imaginatively themed rooms. The extensive display of original sets, puppets and props will immerse guests in their singular, fantastical worlds.
“LAIKA’s films are an imaginative fusion of old-school movie magic and cutting-edge technological innovation,” says Travis Knight, LAIKA’s President & CEO who makes his directorial debut with Kubo and the Two Strings. “For the first time ever, we’re peeling back the curtain and inviting audiences into our worlds, to see where our dreams are born. This experience offers a rare glimpse into the remarkable creative process of the brilliant artists and mad geniuses of LAIKA. I’m thrilled that their cinematic wizardry will be beautifully on display at Universal Studios Hollywood.”
Kubo and the Two Strings Interactive Map
LAIKA and Focus Features bring us a one-of-a-kind interactive map of the mysterious worlds of Kubo and the Two Strings:
From your desktop, visit kubomap.com to explore Kubo’s realm and dive into each location of his epic quest through an interactive map experience.
Kubo’s quest stretches far and wide through the mystical realm of the Vastlands. With his protectors Monkey and Beetle by his side, Kubo unlocks more of his powers at every challenge, racing toward an epic clash with the dark side of his magical family.
Using an innovative mix of Instagram grids, story-based video loops, and an annotated and interactive map of Kubo’s journey helped to amplify the film’s larger-than-life themes of magic, mythology, and heroism, this mind-boggling map will give users an emotional investment into Kubo’s quest before walking into the theater.
There are so many cool ways to get connected with the movie before it’s even in theaters!
Kubo & the Two Strings is in Theaters August 19, 2016
Set in a fantastical Japan, Kubo and the Two Strings follows the journey of clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson), a young boy whose relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (voiced by Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (voiced by Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey) and sets out on a thrilling quest to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family and fulfill his heroic destiny. The voice cast also includes Ralph Fiennes, George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tarawa, Brenda Vaccaro, and Rooney Mara.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4-6qJzeb3A
