Apple’s 1984 commercial, directed by Ridley Scott, made its unforgettable debut on January 22, 1984, during Super Bowl XVIII. This groundbreaking ad redefined the boundaries of advertising with its cinematic storytelling, dystopian theme, and rebellious spirit. It boldly declared that the Macintosh would challenge the conformity of its time.
Now, over four decades later, we’re reimagining this iconic moment using modern creative tools, bringing its timeless message into the present day. Here’s how we’re dissecting and rebuilding the infamous ad, step by step.
Step 1: Extracting the Iconic Moments
We began by revisiting the original masterpiece, isolating the most pivotal scenes—the gray-clad audience, the menacing Big Brother figure, and the rebel sprinting down the aisle with a sledgehammer. Using VLC Media Player, we meticulously analyzed the ad frame by frame, capturing its essence and identifying the elements that made it so impactful.
Step 2: Reverse-Engineering the Aesthetic with ChatGPT
Recreating the ad’s essence required decoding its artistic DNA. With ChatGPT, we reverse-engineered prompts to guide tools like MidJourney. For example, prompts like “A dystopian auditorium filled with gray-clad figures, dominated by a giant screen showing a totalitarian leader” helped us design visuals faithful to the original’s atmosphere.
Step 3: Generating the Visuals with MidJourney
Using the crafted prompts, we turned to MidJourney, an AI-powered image generator, to reimagine the ad’s visuals. From the rebel’s heroic sprint to the shattered screen, MidJourney brought these moments to life. For added depth and customization, we used RunwayML to refine specific elements.
Step 4: Animating the Vision with RunwayML and LumaLabs
Once the visuals were ready, we used RunwayML and LumaLabs to bring them to life. These tools enabled us to animate pivotal scenes, such as the dramatic moment when the rebel’s sledgehammer shatters Big Brother’s screen, sending shockwaves through the dystopian audience.
Step 5: Crafting the Details with Photoshop
The rebel’s run down the aisle posed unique challenges. Using Photoshop and its generative features, we built the scene piece by piece. This process involved blending backgrounds, enhancing movements, and creating textures that matched the original ad’s cinematic quality.
Honoring the Legacy of January 22, 1984
When Apple’s ad aired on January 22, 1984, it challenged the conventions of both advertising and technology, presenting the Macintosh as a symbol of individuality and rebellion. As we reconstruct this legendary piece, we’re not just recreating history—we’re showing how modern tools can reinterpret and amplify its message for a new generation.
A Modern Claim for 2025
To complete this journey, we’ve reimagined the ad’s final claim, adapting it to today’s context:
“In 2025, human beings will introduce AGI. And you’ll see why 2025 won’t be like 2025.”
This statement carries the same spirit of defiance and optimism as the original, showcasing how Artificial General Intelligence could redefine our future, just as the Macintosh once did.
This is the final result
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