Aardman Animations, the renowned stop-motion studio behind Wallace & Gromit, has partnered with Apple to create a festive spectacle projected nightly onto London’s iconic Battersea Power Station. This impressive holiday film, shot entirely on the iPhone 16 Pro, showcases the power of mobile technology in filmmaking.
The multi-Oscar-winning Aardman team, known for classics like Creature Comforts and Chicken Run, leveraged the iPhone 16 Pro’s capabilities to bring their latest Wallace & Gromit adventure to life. Director Gavin Strange, in a behind-the-scenes video released by Apple, described the project as “mind-bending,” emphasizing the scale of the animation and the iPhone’s surprising ability to capture the intricate details crucial to Aardman’s signature style.
The iPhone 16 Pro’s Telephoto camera proved invaluable, allowing the team to capture minute details in ProRAW format from a distance. This facilitated the complex stop-motion process, which involved nine exposures for each of the animation’s 6,000 frames. Strange praised the iPhone 16 Pro as a “great stop-motion tool,” demonstrating its capacity to handle demanding animation projects.
Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a snippet of the animation on social media, highlighting the collaboration and festive spirit of the project. The projection can be viewed on Battersea Power Station between 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. each evening until December 31st. A special installation at the Battersea Power Station Apple Store offers a closer look at the film’s set, props, and handcrafted characters.
Inspired to create your own stop-motion magic? Several iPhone apps can help, including Aardman Animator, also available for Android. For expert advice and techniques, a tutorial featuring Aardman director Gavin Strange offers valuable insights into the art of stop-motion filmmaking.
This holiday season, witness the charm of Wallace & Gromit come alive in a unique way, demonstrating the innovative possibilities of filmmaking with the iPhone 16 Pro.
