What is it like working on an active film production at LAIKA?
I get to use my painting skills in the Puppet Hospital. Working on set and running around the stages gives me more of that “I’m making a movie!!!” feeling, and it’s a different world from Puppet Fabrication, where I worked previously. It’s hectic but also pretty magical when you see shots you worked on in the daily reviews. In Puppet Fabrication, it feels like we’re making beautiful perfect statues that nobody can touch or breathe on when they’re finished, but in Production the puppets are pushed to all their limits.
My team in the Puppet Hospital is always ready to support me. I know if I ever feel that there’s too much on my plate, someone from my team will be there to help me. I’m also always ready to help my teammates, and that kind of symbiotic relationship warms my heart.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Every day involves solving different problems. These puppets will be used for years on a production, so breaking, fading, and other wear and tear can be pretty unavoidable. In addition to repair work, Puppet Hospital MDs such as myself go out to stages before shots to make sure the puppets match their reference models and are looking their best.
How would you describe your role at LAIKA in a nutshell?
Exactly what you’d think of for someone who works in a Puppet Hospital on a movie. A doctor for puppets who is also the hair, makeup, and costume crew. We wear a lot of hats.
How did you get started in the industry?
I went to college for animation, took a stop motion class as an elective, had a special professor (shoutout to Nathan Asquith!) and incredible classmates who fueled my addiction to stop motion, and haven’t stopped since.
How would you describe the educational and professional journey that brought you to LAIKA?
I would describe it as the hardest I have ever worked to be good at something. Part passion, part discipline. I’m lucky that my friends, who hardly saw me at all my senior year, stayed by my side throughout it. I believe I was brought to LAIKA because of my eagerness, determination, and also luck.
Are you active with any employee resource groups or committees at LAIKA?
I’m one of the leaders of the Outreach Committee, which has been nothing but joy. We do workshops, tours, talks, and anything else we can to help LAIKA’s designated community partners. It’s cheesy, but the youth we work with really do inspire me with their uninhibited creativity. There are so many incredible minds that are overlooked and neglected because of where they come from, or the way they look. I feel honored to get to be an adult in these children’s lives who says, “I support you. I know you can do this.” Because you never know which kid doesn’t get to hear that as often as they should.
What's something about life at LAIKA that continues to surprise you?
Everyone’s hidden talents. A lot of people here will be a genius in their department, and then go home to some random hobby that they’re also a genius at. There’s someone from the Model Shop who can make knives. Real knives!!! My former supervisor from Puppet Paint makes beautiful metal spoons and jewelry. The Hair/Fur department lead is an expert on BUGS. And don’t even get me started on what people here make for Halloween.
I get to use my painting skills in the Puppet Hospital. Working on set and running around the stages gives me more of that “I’m making a movie!!!” feeling, and it’s a different world from Puppet Fabrication, where I worked previously. It’s hectic but also pretty magical when you see shots you worked on in the daily reviews. In Puppet Fabrication, it feels like we’re making beautiful perfect statues that nobody can touch or breathe on when they’re finished, but in Production the puppets are pushed to all their limits.
My team in the Puppet Hospital is always ready to support me. I know if I ever feel that there’s too much on my plate, someone from my team will be there to help me. I’m also always ready to help my teammates, and that kind of symbiotic relationship warms my heart.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Every day involves solving different problems. These puppets will be used for years on a production, so breaking, fading, and other wear and tear can be pretty unavoidable. In addition to repair work, Puppet Hospital MDs such as myself go out to stages before shots to make sure the puppets match their reference models and are looking their best.
How would you describe your role at LAIKA in a nutshell?
Exactly what you’d think of for someone who works in a Puppet Hospital on a movie. A doctor for puppets who is also the hair, makeup, and costume crew. We wear a lot of hats.
How did you get started in the industry?
I went to college for animation, took a stop motion class as an elective, had a special professor (shoutout to Nathan Asquith!) and incredible classmates who fueled my addiction to stop motion, and haven’t stopped since.
How would you describe the educational and professional journey that brought you to LAIKA?
I would describe it as the hardest I have ever worked to be good at something. Part passion, part discipline. I’m lucky that my friends, who hardly saw me at all my senior year, stayed by my side throughout it. I believe I was brought to LAIKA because of my eagerness, determination, and also luck.
Are you active with any employee resource groups or committees at LAIKA?
I’m one of the leaders of the Outreach Committee, which has been nothing but joy. We do workshops, tours, talks, and anything else we can to help LAIKA’s designated community partners. It’s cheesy, but the youth we work with really do inspire me with their uninhibited creativity. There are so many incredible minds that are overlooked and neglected because of where they come from, or the way they look. I feel honored to get to be an adult in these children’s lives who says, “I support you. I know you can do this.” Because you never know which kid doesn’t get to hear that as often as they should.
What's something about life at LAIKA that continues to surprise you?
Everyone’s hidden talents. A lot of people here will be a genius in their department, and then go home to some random hobby that they’re also a genius at. There’s someone from the Model Shop who can make knives. Real knives!!! My former supervisor from Puppet Paint makes beautiful metal spoons and jewelry. The Hair/Fur department lead is an expert on BUGS. And don’t even get me started on what people here make for Halloween.