“Lovingly, meticulously crafted through a combination of detailed miniatures and digital animation, Apple’s ‘Share Your Gifts’ is the tech brand’s most ambitious holiday ad to date—and one that only gets more impressive with each subsequent viewing,” David Griner writes for AdWeek. “The nearly 3-minute spot has the atmosphere of a fairy tale but is firmly rooted in modern culture, showing a young creative soul named Sofia who spends her free time at her MacBook, working away at… something.”
“Developed by Apple’s bespoke creative agency, TBWA\Media Arts Lab, and animation house Buck Productions, ‘Share Your Gifts’ has quite a bit of DNA in common with Apple’s previous holiday ads, including the much-admired “Misunderstood” spot from 2013, which put the brand on the map of A-list Christmas-season advertisers alongside British brands like John Lewis and Sainsbury’s,” Griner writes. “But while ‘Misunderstood’ was the story of someone creating in apparent isolation and ultimately surprising his loved ones with a heartwarming video, ‘Share Your Gifts’ is less direct. Instead, we don’t learn what Sofia was making — but we do learn the lesson that sharing your creations, while sometimes terrifying, is vital.”
“Among the many visual Easter eggs hidden throughout the spot, there’s also an audio surprise you wouldn’t be able to guess just from listening: Like the fictional star of the ad, the musician behind the commercial’s song is a young artist who began by writing pieces on her Mac,” Griner writes. “Billie Eilish, a 16-year-old American singer, recorded the track ‘Come Out in Play’ specifically for the ad.”
Read more, and see all of Apple’s holiday ads over the years, in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: According to the ad’s creators, research has shown that 7 out of 10 people feel they’re not creative or not living up to their creative potential, so this ad will hit the target in at least 70% of viewers!
We like it. Beautiful song plus beautifully-rendered computer animation telling a timeless message; what’s not to like? — MacDailyNews, November 20, 2018
SEE ALSO:
Apple debuts annual holiday ad: ‘Share Your Gifts’ – November 20, 2018
I’m sure Mr Tinkle will hate it
Loved this, and found the behind-the-scenes video even more spectacular. It’s amazing the amount of work that goes into creating little films like these…
Lots and lots of meticulous work. Labor of love !
But having been involved with production sets.. its also unbelievable how much waste of man-hours and time there is ( unions)
Does anyone know what breed of dog that is?
Shaggy, highly empathetic, and helpful!
Digital.
I always liked “misunderstood”.
In all the family Christmases we had I have just about 25 seconds of one 8mm silent movie showing my parents, brothers, (but not me, I’m behind the camera) and both sets grandparents around the Christmas tree early in the morning opening presents. I’d give anything for 25 more seconds. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to all! Hug the ones you love.
brilliant work, absolutely brilliant
Now can we assign this crew to work on the new MacPro? Maybe it will be done in less than a decade.
This girl needs to go paperless.
“According to the ad’s creators, research has shown that 7 out of 10 people feel they’re not creative or not living up to their creative potential, so this ad will hit the target in at least 70% of viewers!”
Uh … this ad doesn’t target those viewers at all. In this spot, Sofia IS creative, and IS using a Mac to live up to her creative potential. She simply lacks confidence, which is an entirely different issue.
I don’t like it at all.. worst Ad I’ve seen from Apple in a few years.. others were much better. This one is way too busy and says to me “Look how much 3D Tech, wireframes and textures we can put in this short ad.! This Doesn’t hit me in the heart al all… in the brain Yes.. it’s very High tech… but Elton John’s Ad is 1,000 percent better and leaves you with a lump in your throat! Also as far as people not feeling creative in their lives.. I was so motivated by Elton’s ad to sit down at the keyboard and PLAY! “Misunderstood” was way better. This has no lasting appeal.. it will be quickly forgotten yet probably awarded with all kinds of “Best Use of Digital Tech.” Meh.. NOT Verklempt at all!