Essex film crew take on John Lewis with zoo Christmas advert

Leigh director Simon Firth and his crew from Deadline Communications filmed the two-minute advert, which has now been released, featuring Shoebury youngster Aaron Jay Johnson. 

Following on from the opening of Dinosaur Realm earlier this year, the zoo’s Christmas toy at the Santa Experience is the woolly mammoth - inspiring the advert’s title “A Mammoth Adventure”. 

Amazing - Director Simon Frith directing child actor Aaron Jay Johnson (Image: Colchester Zoo / Deadline Communications)

The advert follows Aaron, who plays Cole who visits Colchester Zoo “dreaming of a woolly mammoth called Wilbur who helps save Christmas”.

Following the positive reaction, the south Essex firm are hoping to give the likes of giants like John Lewis and Sainsbury’s, who are famous for their Christmas adverts, a run for their money.

Wow - Colchester Zoo Christmas advert (Image: Colchester Zoo / Deadline Communications)

Simon added: “It is very easy to underestimate how much time, and effort goes into creating a Christmas ad.

“You definitely have to have a plan and a great team behind you, and even then it is probably just our experience that helps keep things on track. 

“With all things considered I certainly feel we have given the big names a run for their money this year.

“It wasn’t made with the big budgets of the ones you see on the TV, but it was made with a huge amount of love, and still gives the emotional kick that audiences expect from a Christmas ad.”

Filming - Cinematographer Struan Wallace and director Simon Frith line up the camera for a shot (Image: Colchester Zoo / Deadline Communications) The live-action segments were shot across two days, one day in the zoo, and one day on a location in a home setting. However, planning for it began back in early September to create the story, the music, and all the animation process. 

Filming - A shot from the new Christmas Advert (Image: Colchester Zoo / Deadline Communications)

Simon said: “The crew and I absolutely loved making this Christmas film for the zoo.

“This month we are celebrating our 20th year in business and so it is great to be able to support another local business too, particularly one that does so much good work for conservation.

“Winter is a costly time for zoos with increased energy bills and typically lower numbers of visitors.

“So, it is essential that people are reminded that winter is still a good time to visit the zoo.”