Dreamworks hold exhibition at Te Papa

Emma Miller attends the UK Gala Screening of How To Train Your Dragon 2. Photo / Getty

Keen animation enthusiasts have an opportunity to see how their favourite characters came to life in a Dreamworks Animation exhibition hosted by the country's national museum.

Dreamworks Animation would showcase their two decades of film-making that include rough sketches of a film through to the completed project at Wellington's Te Papa museum.

Visitors would also be treated to an interactive "dragon flight" -- inspired by the studio's film How to Train Your Dragon.

This included an interactive panoramic dragon ride on the back of Toothless, a dragon in the movie.

The experience would also show visitors computer-generated imagery (CGI) film.

Te Papa chief executive Rick Ellis said visitors could immerse themselves in the exhibition.

"This exhibition really draws back the curtain on the artistry and creative process that goes into creating these films," he said.

The exhibition opens tomorrow and will finish in March next year.

Dreamworks Animation films include Shrek (2001), Madagascar (2005) and Kung Fu Panda (2008).