How They Made The Elf Movie

These Actors Weren't Acting...Behind The Scenes Secrets About How The Elf Was Made.

While there have been a ton of Christmas movies over the years that have since become classics, there aren’t as many who have become quite as beloved as 2003’s Elf. Starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human boy who was switched at birth and wound up being raised as an Elf working for Santa in the North Pole, Elf was a huge hit as soon as it arrived in theatres, and became an instant Christmas favourite for families everywhere. But you might be surprised to learn that it wasn’t always an easy road to get the movie made in the first place, due in part to the fact that director Jon Favreau insisted that everything that happens in the movie be done for real. That’s right, even though most movies at the time, and definitely nowadays, would have relied on a ton of CGI effects in order to bring Buddy to the big screen, Favreau made sure that this movie would be a totally different story. And even though CGI would have been a lot cheaper and a whole lot easier, the team got to work building a world around Will Ferrell that was as real as possible. For starters, they actually shot all of the New York outside shots in New York, letting Ferrell run around the city dressed up as Buddy and interacting with strangers! They then used all sorts of Old Hollywood tricks in order to make Buddy appear huge and out of place amongst the elves. We have all the awesome details for you, so check out the video!

0:00 - Intro
0:44 - Humble Beginnings
3:13 - Buddy On The Streets
6:40 - A Real Classic

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Written by: Emelia Hellman
Narrated by: Emma Love
Edited by: V.Serhii

[Gothyellie]

Is it a coincidence that were watching elf in class today we also watched it last year

[sethfreakinrollins]

This movie is one of the best Christmas movies.

[emilyosborn]

Did you know that in the scene at the doctors office, he actually eats/swallows real cotton balls

[f_iry]

I watch elf every year. Even though it’s kinda boring to watch the movie every single year, I still cherish the time we do watch it every year. I always look forward to seeing will on screen sugary spaghetti every year. I hope people have fun traditions like me and other people!

[cloudystrawberry-]

This is one of my favorite Christmas movie🥰good to know the movie was real🤪🤪

[aaliyahplowman]

Omg my dad watched the thing that tells you how they made the movie like yesterday lol and when he thought the guy in the red suit was santa the guy in the suit wasn’t even an actor lol!

[Nurturing]

My FAVORITE Christmas movie of all time❣️🎄

[miyadeen]

i love all of the scenes the elf in it is hilarious l love the theories so good.

[kodiakfamily]

Awesome movie. I watch at least 5 times a year!

[feather_fluff_art_n_stuff]

When there are 0 views, 13 comments, and 18 likes. :)

[leahluostarinen]

Elf was my favorite movie and also really funny to watch around Christmas time

[laceyrose]

I love elf but my fav is jingle jangle

[notnoadysnoodles]

I never thought any of them were fake... I even learned from a friend at church that the director, Will and the camera guy walked down the streets of New York!!!

[lordvenjix]

This movie is sweet and funny, though it can't quite seem to make up its mind whether people should need proof of Santa's existence or not. Some of the jokes in Elf work better than others, and the talents of Caan, Steenburgen, Bob Newhart (as Buddy's adoptive father), and Ed Asner (as Santa) are neglected. But director Jon Favreau shows some verve and keeps the story moving quickly enough to keep it from feeling like a series of skits.

[charliemushroom]

I am a true fav of Elf, but there was one scene you missed that was 100% real! It was the one where Buddy eats the spaghetti with all the marshmallows, pop tarts and so much more sugar. Btw, the actor actually got I think it was diabetes from that scene lol

[jessicaames]

When I think of Buddy I think of the movie is Santa clause 3 at the end when they say his name

[theintrovertedaspie]

You forgot to mention that Jim Carrey was offered the role for buddy. But he turned it down. And they actually did use CG digital effects but very rarely. The exceptions are the snowflakes fluttering around in the North Pole, Santas's flying reindeer, the exterior of Gimbals shopping ball, and Buddy's arm that rapidly threw those snowballs.

[nickredman]

Elf is on my list of favorite Christmas movies
The Christmas story to

[justinganz]

Did the shoot the North Pole scenes at BC Place or Rogers Arena?

[Hahaha-wbwl]

“Forced perspective wasn’t used for decades until this movie”. Ya.. except for a little trilogy of films that were already shot and filmed a year before Elf came out called Lord of the Rings.