Brian McLean is the director of rapid prototype at LAIKA. Known for his works on acclaimed stop motion films such as Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014) and Kubo and the Two Strings for which he received a Academy Award for Best Visual Effects nomination at the 89th Academy Awards in 2017, that he shared with Steve Emerson, Oliver Jones, and Brad Schiff.

In 2016, he was awarded a Scientific and Engineering Award – an Academy plaque; at the Academy Scientific and Technical Awards from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science that he shared with Martin Meunier for pioneering the use of rapid prototyping and 3D printing in character animation–stop motion film productions.

He was named by “Variety” as one of 2012’s “Animation Elite.” Prior to LAIKA, Brian worked as a traditionally trained sculptor creating large scale characters for Warner Bros. and Disney. He also hand-built toy prototypes and numerous scale models for TV and print ads while working at M5 Industries, best known for the TV show “MythBusters.” He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture in 1999 from Boston University.