Apple’s realistic Christmas ad!

While most companies are turning to generative AI to create visually disturbing holiday ads this year, Apple continues to embrace practical effects with its new festive short film, “A Critter Carol.” The ad takes place in a forest filled with tech-savvy woodland creatures.

Shot on the iPhone 17 Pro, “A Critter Carol” Features Puppets, Not Digital

In the ad, a hiker drops his iPhone 17 Pro, and a curious raccoon finds the phone. The raccoon uses the phone to improvise a performance of “Friends” by the band Flight of the Conchords, along with other animals, including a bear, a wolf, an owl, a deer, a squirrel, and a rabbit. The phone is eventually found by the hiker using his Apple Watch.

Similar to the new Apple TV intro, which was created by filming a glass logo illuminated by colorful lights, Apple has released a behind-the-scenes video showcasing the practical effects used in creating “A Critter Carol.”

Extensive use of blue screens and blue body suits allowed for the digital expansion of the forest set and the removal of human performers in post-production. However, all the creatures in the ad (critters) were handmade puppets, animated by a small army of puppeteers controlling various body parts.

And yes, the entire production was reportedly shot on an iPhone 17 Pro.