LAIKA Archives: Deb Cook Revisits the Costumes of Coraline's Other Mother

Unlock the hidden door to LAIKA’s archives and explore the secrets behind our classic stop-motion animated films! In the first episode, Costume Designer Deb Cook looks up-close at Other Mother’s unforgettable costumes in Coraline-from the subtle differences between Mel Jones and Other Mother’s (nearly) identical wardrobes to a deep dive into the design and creation of the Beldam’s scary-spiky dress.
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At LAIKA, our films are born in imagination, shaped into stories, and crafted by passionate artists who give life to unforgettable characters. Founded in 2005 and located just outside Portland, Oregon, LAIKA’s five films were all nominated for Oscars® and PGA Awards for Outstanding Animated Film.

[@lisssafilipe]

If one day LAIKA opens a museum for it's stop-motion films production - I'll fly wherever it is to be the first in line for the grand opening.

[@aquariussis4984]

Don’t they have one already

[@peppito8408]

@@aquariussis4984 the portland museum i think ? The one where they expose all their puppets and costumes design plus movie set

[@Sinnamonie]

They have one in Portland!

[@dinonuggets9496]

@@peppito8408 yeah, they even had a OMSI event and they played the movie and the producers came =D (they also did other movies from laika)

[@dinonuggets9496]

And also in the outside of the theater thing they had a showcase of the sets

[@Loonlings]

I never noticed the major difference between the mom and other mothers first look. The detail is amazing ❤️

[@treethief4987]

Funny how I did manage to notice those things as a kid, but somehow never noticed the other mother had 4 legs.

[@Loonlings]

@@treethief4987 to be fair they look confusing

[@Tulip_bip]

I really like how tiny details like that will still affect you even if you dont notice them

[@StarryInkArt]

Same. I GASPED.

[@justwaiting5744]

Same!

[@rubiconrubich8233]

That little trivia about Other Mother wearing a kid sock sweater in her introduction scene is now gonna have a special place in my mind

[@mayawilliams35]

That's one famous sock, that's for sure 🧦✨

[@olivesholives5736]

I'm now imagining the Belldam in a sock.

[@VeeVee_Edits]

It’s ironic that a monster who eats children is wearing children’s clothes.

[@heatherlutz2102]

Kinda ironic isn't it?

[@O5ANANAJ1MI]

Keep that to everyone else Olive.

[@zakthepenguin5106]

It’s very interesting to me that she mentions that the technology have come so far, and now they have different ways of doing fabric and animating, but at this time period, when they were a little bit limited and more creative of how they did things, I think that Coraline was probably the best movie

[@TheLugiaSong]

Yeah, I'm very curious as to how technology has changed. In any way, workflow will become easier, but I hope this kind of animation never loses its very human charm and creativity. That's one of the joys of stop-motion, I think.

[@Phantom-sl9qv]

it's hard to believe that 2009 was 13 years ago, I still remember seeing this movie when it came out in the theater

[@empathicalcryde8803]

small companies that rely on innovation to succeed are more creative than a cash cow businesses' eventually become with enough initial success, not disparaging the huge amounts of work involved in any new production

[@3clipse449]

I think in terms of technical amazingness, kubo is the best Laika film. But in terms of vibes and nostalgia, coralline wins

[@StarryInkArt]

@@Phantom-sl9qv same!

[@captaincrowfish6042]

This is the kind of video I've wanted for ages. I practically live for all these descriptive, detailed discussions on the process of how these worlds and characters are made that you can't find anywhere else. Keep being awesome 💛

[@tramarthomas6105]

:)

[@AllieInWonderland]

Same I love these kinds of videos as well and Coraline is one of my favorite films, so it’s very interesting to see and hear all the work that happens behind the scenes!

[@teleportingpotatoe]

theres another video about the hair process

[@captaincrowfish6042]

@@teleportingpotatoe send link?

[@teleportingpotatoe]

@@captaincrowfish6042 just look up Coraline hair on youtube

[@Andy_Kitsune]

Laika needs to make an art book for Coraline!! 😭😫 I think some people have said it can't be done because a lot of stuff was auctioned off (I'm not 100 % sure tho) but with so much love from the fandom still to this day there must be a way to still make a art book from the movie! To think we even get this video TODAY about Coraline is great! Laika knows how much people love Coraline.

[@BrandonTheFanGuy]

Seconded! I would KILL for an artbook

[@cohandora]

@@BrandonTheFanGuy if given the chance, who would you kill first?

[@adorablytana]

Please I would buy it asap

[@Andy_Kitsune]

@@jakeystarsuper Ah thank you! This is great it's all together in one place at least. This is the best we can get for now 😅

[@Ellie-vb9vm]

Honestly, even in the first stages compared to the other mother, real mom just looks softer. Her character design and the way that the clothes hang off her but cup her face when it comes to the neck brace leads me to think that the real mother is more inviting, more genuine.

[@enio9477]

She doesn't look perfect and that makes her feal more real and relatable

[@pedrosegundo8109]

Exaclty, instead of the forced perfect appearence of the other mother. It looks uncanny.

[@heyryanisonx3141]

The hair plays a big role too, how it comes to a jagging point rather than a soft even curl

[@MacaldaReye]

I was 13 when this film came out, I’m 27 now. I was obsessed with Coraline for the better part of my teenage years, I wanted to be a stop motion animator and everything XD funnily enough now I’m a writer, voice actress, and work in sound design, so I think 13 year old me would be pretty happy with that ^_^ but seeing the figures and hearing the music again had my heart fluttering, I’d give anything to see those figures in person one day, I hope they’re kept safe and preserved for a long time!

[@SHIANS570]

I love love this life update❤️🥰. This just shows that even though we do not get to have the future that we envisioned when were young, living within the proximity of these aspirations still displays our love and respect to our younger "us". Congrats and keep thriving!

[@StarryInkArt]

I was 8 years old, now Im 21 and about to turn 22! Its amazing how fast time goes. It feels like yesterday we were seeing this in the movies 🥺 I wanted to be an artist but a 2D animator, but now Im doing videos on social media creatively and doing so much more! Its amazing how these things can help shape us!

[@stacik2905]

Obsessed with Coraline ever since it came out when I was a kid, thank you so much for this wonderful resurgence.

[@lswritings3340]

LAIKA should open a museum and display all their models, sets, and concept art from old movie. Animation nerds like me would absolutely go!

[@kalystagutierrez1607]

They do in Portland IIRC

[@optimistprime2751]

This was really emotional for her going back through all her old designs. Coraline was a major passion and had so much love and effort put into it. I hope all her memories were good ones.

[@HELLVALEN]

I love how they keep EVERYTHING to small notes and fabrics they used or just for testing so cool

[@the1trueLisaCurtis]

I love Coraline so much! I've watched it hundreds of times since it's come out, and my daughter and I love to watch it together every Halloween season. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@yuriychemezov]

It's Coraline. Coraline Jones

[@the1trueLisaCurtis]

@@yuriychemezov darn talk to text autocorrected me

[@zepp3793]

It’s literally a comfort movie, I can watch that while cuddling in bed on a cold day lol

[@ana_fontes35]

I'm really a big fan of Coraline I'm obsessed and I've lost count of what I've seen, Laika's films are really good and it's amazing the way they were made every detail is perfect.From the first time I saw Coraline I already fell in love I never felt fear but appreciation, congratulations you guys are really great.

[@carolinekoppenmoscoso3112]

Tjybg

[@FrozenPines]

Coraline has always and will always be my favorite movie ever! I adore the designs, the story, the music, etc.

[@florence9978]

This is so fascinating! So inspiring seeing all the work and dedication that goes into every part of Laika films!

[@namshaw7515]

This is really the reason why I love stop motion movies, so much craftsmanship goes into making a single scene it's astonishing

[@amberrousseau1517]

I could watch stuff like this for hours! I’ve been watching Coraline at least once a year every year since middle school (now 21) and it has such a special place in my heart

[@Chloe4656.]

Same I'm 23 now.

[@craycrayaura6868]

Amen to that!

[@TheNothingEverything]

God Coraline was an absolute masterpiece. I slept on it for ages but was completely blown away, never seen a movie like it it felt like a fever dream. Such an underrated movie.

[@kuro0.__.0]

It's crazy how much detail and work this movie was. They all did a amazing job 👏🏻

[@kerplop]

I love how Norman's peeking out of the van in the background, like "hey, what's going on out there? Are we making another movie?"

[@HKogen]

Thank you! The first peplum ensemble is such an amazing piece of tailoring, very wearable and figure flattering. And at the same time, it works so well as a narrative device, the subtle menace of the tournure elements being the decisive point of departure between the Other Mother and her real counterpart.

[@moony-666]

I adored going to the LAIKA museum. Seeing things so close, how detailed it was. I still remember seeing Coraline’s other backyard in person. The way it glowed, the way it WAS Coraline. Just mind blowing.

[@MsAliciaRL]

Coraline is one of those movies that truly became a classic. Everything about it, from the characters to the atmosphere to the story to the costuming and animation, were all done with passion for the art form. You all did a WONDERFUL job!

[@StopMotionbyNicholas]

Love this! I appreciate the artistry and dedication into everything you all do! Cannot wait to see more ❤

[@mariaritacosta3460]

I'm a character designer and I dream to work with you guys. The fact that you give the characters personality and passion is inspiring

[@Popopopipo17]

My favorite movie of all time. The animation and the storyline never gets old. 🥺❤️

[@ruby8372]

Please never stop showing us this stuff it's so fantastic to relive the films and learn about the way the magic was woven

[@stanm2.0]

This is very cool...the dedication to the end result is at such a high level it blows my mind.

[@wherethegravelsthin]

That skirt all stitched by hand... my gosh! What an incredible little video, thank you so much for sharing these beautiful costume details all these years later. The amount of love and care that goes into stop-motion animation is truly inspiring, and who doesn't love seeing all these amazing things on such a tiny scale?

[@thekrapbook]

Laika and Studio Ghibli are the animation studios that sits very close to my heart! Studio Ghibli Park is now Open and hoping for a Laika One!

[@ursonbear3268]

Deb's point about how far we are now in technical ability is a good one. Although, I'd imagine the movie was much better created; as she stated, "They show the different stages and how much consideration went into the appearance." I love that, as there was a team collaboration! not that with today's tech there wouldn't be; but perhaps the over all appeal and look would be different as there's no physical aspect to the creation i.e. in terms of touching the materials, choosing fabrics at hand vs what could be created with technology. I love Coraline so much! happy that we have it!

[@laurendaley2503]

You have to have extreme talent to make clothes for tiny dolls. Very impressive and it was so cool to see details you have never noticed before, like the differences between real mom and other mom's outfits when we first meet them both.

[@therealmanos]

The complete artistry at every step of this film still blows me away.

[@d73w80]

2:13 damn, their limitations and the creativity those limits necessitated just make their work so much cooler in retrospect. Creative geniuses

[@HampnieHambart]

Everytime I rewatch Coraline I always keep reminding myself that Tim Burton has NOTHING to do with this and it's shoking every time😂😂😂

[@lilithyolanda9851]

Stop motion has become rare in films today. And even when it is produced they don’t reach the deserved hype in theaters. Laika has become a historic studio keeping stop motion alive!!! With a AMAZING story telling with it. I hope the Studio is going strong even when I’m old.

[@Gorgeousbaebeauty]

Thank you LAIKA STUDIOS for being Apart of my childhood for many years!!!! When my niece gets a little older can't wait we gonna watch coraline forever as if it's a new film!! 🔥🔥🔥 I love everything about this video it's incredible how all the tiny details you didn't notice about the mother, and other mother until now ! Thank you for this amazing video 🙏🏽💅🏾💜

[@kerry2107]

I would absolutely love to own one of the original puppets. It would be something I'd treasure forever! They are all so beautiful!

[@simpleplanfan011]

Thank you for sharing this with us!! I saw this movie when I was a kid and it was my doorway into the artistry of stop-motion films. I was completely obsessed. Being able to see how you created such a masterpiece is so wonderful. Thank you for everything you do 🙂

[@imissmypencils]

I’d love to watch more videos from Deb Cook and her team. I’m fascinated by her explanations and background stories.

[@aspen1889]

its funny cause usually when people who've worked on a film say it was done with passion, it's easy to tell that it isn't entirely true. A lot of people weren't that invested. With this, you can tell the love that went into it, the creativity of the designs and exploring all these different patterns and fabrics and way they can make their own visions come across in the story they're telling. What an experience working on the movie must have veen

[@joyajohnson2216]

Seeing that Coraline’s mom sweater was a kid’s sock blows my mind.

[@kenzz9682]

This is so awesome! Thank y’all for giving us such a cool behind the scenes look to a masterpiece of a film

[@ph1lharm0nic]

I love how you can really see the passion and love through all of the designs, and just how much effort went into the movie to make it as good as possible Laika is and will probably always be my favourite film studio, they just have so much passion for what they do that its almost impossible to not love it as well

[@kennedytaylor2301]

I really want to see a remade Coraline movie with today's technology. I know it would never be the same as the original, but it would be interesting to see what they originally had in mind for some scenes and designs but were limited by their technology back then.

[@jahmya58]

I hope u ppl know we CAN NOT get tired of this movie 😭 forever release things about it

[@Kassabonn]

the behind the scenes videos on this channel are so so good. They're so interesting and really go into detail. I could watch these for hour

[@claudiagomes1104]

Something about this video matures me want to cry (in a good way). I love this movie so much and to see behind the scenes with binders and kids’ socks and a ziplock of used buttons and a loose leaf note from Henry Selick about the final skirt that’s dated and just signed H.S…. I dunno man. I love this movie and it feels special to know these little things

[@NebLleb]

It goes without saying that "The Beldam" is probably Neil Gaiman's most recognisable creation that ISN'T Dream the Sandman, and using her animated incarnation as a basis to explore the many designs and outfits a stop motion character can go through is a fantastic, fascinating idea. Now, if only Arrow Video can do what Shout Factory did in the US and release Coraline on UK home video...

[@payton6278]

the amount of work and dedication put into this movie makes it so magical.

[@Effyyy05]

One of the reasons why this film is phenomenal is how they value the storyline. I wish laika would go back to making this type of stories alive again.

[@unknowncreature-0069]

The fact that they can make such tiny details on an already small scale just amazes me

[@moirad3895]

I never noticed all the details in the other mothers legs in spider form, it looks like they have layers to grab onto prey! God I love this movie so much

[@naman-jain-00]

Thank you so much Laika Studios for sharing with us such an incredible archive. Hats off to your creativity.

[@amandas7808]

Coraline is truly such a work of art. I am blown away every time I see behind the scenes videos for this movie.

[@atilanojessalonicab7504]

Every inch of Coraline is a masterpiece. Hats off to LAIKA Family!!

[@neveroddoreven6597]

I honestly love the design of final stage Other Mother. It is still somewhat reminiscent of human proportions, but as mentioned in the video, EVERYTHING is insect-like. There are some human bones, too, but they’re jagged and distorted to an almost visually painful degree. I also love the attention to detail. Her hands are made out of sewing needles, and other parts of her body are seemingly taken from other objects, too.

[@vinnycarothers4740]

her legs look like seem rippers

[@returndates7166]

OMG thank you for releasing these types of content! The work your studio produces is one of a kind and I'm so happy to be able to witness this. Coraline is a timeless animation, I love it very much 💖

[@PkmNIhMs]

The joy!the pure joy!!i i experience when watching this film is ! Its just sooo goooD!!! coraline is other worldly. God i love love love this film with my whole heart. I cant wait to show my children one day.

[@beepboopygjm1767]

> we'd have al lot more technology at our fingertips now to make this very differently... Part of the character of this is hownit was put together I felt this. Kubo was mindblowing (haven't watched the latest! The pain) and smooth and everything great, and Coraline paved the way for it. The less smooth movement of Coraline and how everything is seemingly raw holds a special place in my heart and my childhood. Thank you for sharing this!!

[@visabellanl]

You guys have changed my life forever since 2009. So glad to be a Laika kid!

[@saiartzz]

I love when they show more of behind the scenes and their thinking process for theses films 🤍🤍

[@ariadnefrolich7243]

Other Mother Used Button Eyes a.k.a. another item to add to my list of Movie Props I wished I owned. It's so cool they've archived all these items rather than just discarding them (as sometimes happens with movie props).

[@kimchi8022]

This is amazing. Coraline is still one of my all time favorite movies 10+ years later. Was sad when it got removed on Netflix. It was on there for the longest time too.

[@sassyfrenchpotato]

The way the archives are perfectly curated and impecable, with every detail of the process is absolutely inspiring 😍💕 it shows how hard and professionally everything is handle in every stage of the art process, it fills my soul with excitement

[@robertbrookes2000]

Always great to see the amazing effort and detail put into stop motion films. I honestly think the film of Coraline is better than the book, and it's the years of time put into details on such small scales why I think this.

[@davidromerocortes4865]

Este trabajo es increíble, lo.bien que fue hecho cada detalle, pude apreciar todo lo que la película ofreció y estoy seguro que hay más. La Vi tantas veces y no me cansaría de hacerlo de nuevo.

[@mushroomlena]

These behind the scenes videos are what I’ve always wanted to see from Laika! I would watch hours of making of and behind the scenes footage. As well as videos like these going over the history/thought process of costume and set pieces.

[@thatglitchingboii6744]

Laika thank you for making these amazing stop motion movies. We all know it took you guys a very long time to finish them at the time and that time was worth it all. Thank you so much for this.

[@angelicvega7040]

I’ll never forget seeing a bunch of LAIKA figures and props and sets in person. It was so cool to see the Boxtrolls figures, etc in displays.

[@Misa-Missaa]

i love love love this so much, the other mother is one of my favorite villain, she is smart and her design is totally stunning for real ❤

[@KillerCaitie]

This was absolutely delightful to watch and learn from!

[@squidlette7741]

Daaang! The side profile art at 5:39 with her face like that is downright terrifying!

[@sitdowndrank3077]

Y’all are literally the last bastion of animation, and I’m here for it. You could literally make a movie about nothing and I would pay $60 to see it.

[@iwillgowiththatcat8667]

This lady made my entire childhood.

[@Girllover248]

Coraline was and is my fav film as a kid! My parents were so weirded out when 7 yr old me wanted coraline for a movie

[@alexdeleon1463]

Fascinating work! The in-depth analysis from fabrics, to the making of the puppets, so many experimentations, the sketches, the filming, and so much more! Love, love, LOVE Coraline.

[@Phantom-sl9qv]

I'm 24 now and Coraline is still one of my favorite movies of all time, I still remember seeing it when it came out in 2009 when I was 11 and just loved it

[@TheLugiaSong]

Fascinating! I'd love one day to make stop-motion like that in Coraline, it's a big inspiration for me. Really interesting seeing the ingenuity behind the scenes. As a kid, I assumed it was all done digitally.

[@Jakeybakey5]

So fascinating, more like this please!! Coraline truly was ahead of its time, Laika is just so incredible

[@welm8412]

Seriously need them to make more movies 😭 i always love their craft and story

[@Snips.Snails.Fairytales]

I'd love to see more videos like this! The costuming for Coraline had been fascinating to me since its release.

[@austinlong7029]

I love the movie of Coraline. That was the best movie ever that I've ever seen my whole life. I enjoyed that movie and I am happy to see somebody that talks about the character and the other mother. Thank you for making that wonderful movie. You are the best and I hope you have a good day

[@oliviahobbs2422]

i am obsessed with this movie

[@warriorsandweirdos4819]

It's good to see how we go back in time just by checking and remembering the whole coraline's set and characters. It definitely didn't altered, very unique and sophisticated

[@giulia1204]

This format is perfect! I prefer it much more and it's very interesting to watch as an aspiring puppet maker. Please make more! 🖤🖤🖤

[@Kruukk]

Amazing, it shows why the movie looks so incredible, people like this lady really put it their heart into it.

[@moano3271]

I never really realized all the subtle differences from one personality to the next when i watched the movie (several times i might add..hehe)So well executed! Brilliant work

[@scarfguy5337]

Itgreat seeing a peak into the way some of my favorite stop motion films were made. Thank you all for sharing

[@BonnieTheBunny20]

YAY hq shots of the movie, with hq shots of the beldam. dream come true

[@TheBeardedAtheist]

This is so cool. My hands shake from a stroke I had a few years back but growing up I wanted to work with Claymation so bad. I watched The NBC on repeat from the day it came out on VHS.

[@DaichiXEdward]

this is amazing. please a museum or a docu series or something because watching these people talk about their craft and the thought process is just AMAZING

[@andresgarciarubio741]

love this type of videos, hope they never stop

[@narutoforever123]

Please make this into a museum or something I am willing to pay just about anything 😭 this company is so cool

[@ShaneFalko]

Would love to see a full series exploring different departments’ work

[@fluorescentalien5204]

when I was 6 I was taken to see coraline in theaters, and it TERRIFIED me. 15 years later, I still can't stop thinking about it ❤

[@PoisonEngene]

This is still my favorite movie. I'm so glad this video came out!🤩

[@CaneCanCook]

I could watch hours of this. Thank you for sharing.

[@Sahnequeen]

Todays possibility of computer animation always stuns me (e.g. Avatar, which is my favorite movie), but stop motion fascinates me the same. Everything you see in the movie actually exists, because it's handmade + it was moved step by step, to bring it to life. Amazing!