Elf (2003)

“I just like to smile! Smiling's my favorite.” — Buddy

Upon its release in 2003, Jon Favreau’s film Elf was instantly given that most coveted of labels: modern classic.

A rare unicorn (or narwhal) of a film, Elf combines the sweetness of holiday gems like A Charlie Brown Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street with the hand-crafted magic of Rankin/Bass favourite Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a dash of outrageous innocence care of comedian Will Ferrell. The attention to detail is astounding and it’s what places the film squarely in its intended milieu. The background sets of Santa’s workshop and the elves’ homes are a pale grey, making the colourful costuming and props pop against it, the figures vibrant and cheerful. The North Pole is a true winter wonderland, surreal and dreamlike and full of toys and talking animals and men made of snow.

Elf is also literally bookended – as films often were, once upon a time – with a carefully crafted tome featuring illustrated elves on painted, glittery pages. Computer-generated snowflakes twirl and float past as stop-motion creatures cavort and contribute, painting signs and pulling in credits. Behind this charming introduction – and the stop-motion animation scenes in the film proper – are special effects artists and brothers Edward, Charles, and Stephen Chiodo. Known as the Chiodo Bros., the trio are responsible for such delights as Killer Klowns from Outer Space, the marionettes in Team America: World Police, and the critters in, well, Critters. For Elf, the Chiodo Bros. along with director Jon Favreau, visual effects supervisor Joe Bauer, and a large team of animators, capture the feeling of the classics. The film’s influences are present in every nook and cranny, every yellow stocking and waggling moustache, adding up to a warm fable worthy of its pedigree and earning Elf a place in the pantheon of cherished holiday films.

A discussion with Special Effects Artists CHARLES, EDWARD, and STEPHEN CHIODO of Chiodo Bros. Productions.



First, thanks so much for taking the time to speak with me! The last time we talked was about Dinner for Schmucks in 2011. What have you been up to in the last five years?

Stephen: Waiting for you to call us and talk about Elf! [laughs] 

Edward: We’ve been doing a lot of practical effects, commercials, and a TV show we do, Dr. Colosso, for The Thundermans, a Nick show. And a lot of work for theme parks right now.

Stephen: We’ve been doing…

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