Ahlan Simsim key art of children posing with Ernie and Bert

Behind the Scenes on the Set of the Jordanian Sesame Street – Ahlan Simsim

Ahlan Simsim key art: a large brown muppet stands at the wrought-iron park gate on the Amman set.

Client Collaboration with Slate Media & Jordan Pioneers

Jordan Pioneers and Slate Media engaged in a unique project to produce the Jordanian version of Sesame Street, known as "Ahlan Simsim." The task was to photograph Unit Stills and Key Art for the production. Muppets, specially brought in from New York, were handled with meticulous care by trained wranglers to ensure they remained in pristine condition throughout the shoot.

Ahlan Simsim key art: the brown muppet waves at the park gate as children run past in the sunlight.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two crew members stand with arms around each other looking at an LED street backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member in a headset stands on set with children blurred behind her.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling crew member in a black t-shirt stands among other crew on a dim set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member in a headset stands behind a camera rig on a colorful night set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling boy stands in front of a colorful cotton candy cart with string lights.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two crew members sit in mesh chairs watching a monitor under teal and orange light.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a woman hands a bag of pink cotton candy to a boy at a market stall.

Ahlan Simsim key art: two children sit on a park bench between Bert and a blue bird muppet.

Ahlan Simsim key art: children line up beside Bert and another muppet on a park path.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Ernie and Bert stand in front of a yellow bus with a painted city backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Ernie and Bert pose with a group of smiling children in a sunlit park.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Ernie, Bert and an orange bird muppet by the yellow bus on the city set.

Ahlan Simsim key art: a boy leans in beside the blue and yellow bird muppet on the street set.

Ahlan Simsim key art: two boys face a teal muppet between them on the painted street set.

A Distinctly Cultural Adaptation

In this Arabic version of Sesame Street, almost all the characters depicted were renamed to better resonate culturally, ensuring the content remained relevant and engaging for the local audience. Previously, work was done with the sister company, Black Iris Media, on a commercial shoot for the international telecommunications company Orange. That experience paved the way for this more relaxed and flexible shoot.

The Music Video Shoot

A Farewell Directed by Ahmad Alyaseer

The shoot, a music video for Sesame Street, was directed by Ahmad Alyaseer, a seasoned director whose work on Ahlan Simsim has earned critical acclaim, including an Emmy nomination. This shoot marked his last directorial project on the show before moving on to a new role at Netflix, making it a poignant farewell for him and the dedicated team that brought countless hours of educational content to children across the MENA region.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Ernie and Bert standing in front of a yellow school bus under a blue sky

Production at Olivewood Studios

Close-up of a blue feathered Muppet with orange hair on a busy street set

Ahlan Simsim unit still of studio lighting and set setup at Olivewood

The production took place over two days at Olivewood Studios, a new film studio in Jordan inspired by iconic lots in LA and Chicago. Olivewood Studios represents a significant advancement for Jordan's film industry, providing comprehensive facilities from production offices to green rooms, makeup rooms, and more. Jordan has long been a favored location for international productions, from Disney’s Marvel and Star Wars to classics like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Indiana Jones." With such facilities, there's hope for even more extensive local collaboration on future projects.

Ahlan Simsim unit still of children walking on the Olivewood Studios set

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members wearing headsets stand in a production studio near a large camera crane.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A bearded crew member carries a large tripod across a studio floor during production.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member wearing a headset adjusts a silver equipment stand in a studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Three crew members talk in a large studio with filming equipment in the background.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member leans over a cinema camera mounted on a dolly beside green brick set pieces.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member checks a handheld device while others work around a camera dolly on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member wearing a camera harness walks between lime-green brick pillars on the studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member wearing headphones stands inside a production equipment truck surrounded by gear.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members stand on a studio set with a camera mounted on a tracking dolly.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members operate a camera on a large dolly on tracks in a dark studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: View from inside a dark studio looking out at a red car parked near a wardrobe building.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members prepare a red vintage car in front of a large LED screen showing a city park.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member in a baseball cap stands beside a red car on a studio set with a park backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A woman and a girl in matching plaid overalls and blue shirts pose together in a studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A bearded crew member looks off-camera with a slight smile on a dark studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A young girl stands in a studio in front of a large screen showing a park and city skyline.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Three crew members huddle around a camera to review footage on a small monitor.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member with curly hair gestures with his hands while speaking to a colleague in a studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A bearded man in a black t-shirt looks thoughtfully off-camera on a studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member kneels to adjust equipment for a woman in tan overalls on a studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A woman in tan overalls stands between golden metal gates on a studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members look off-camera while operating monitors and equipment on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members work with monitors and technical equipment on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A young girl stands between two crew members in front of a red car and a digital backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member in a headset and striped shirt looks off-camera on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members talk with two children on a set with a city-park screen and a red car.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Four crew members in black shirts stand together on a studio set beside a vintage red car.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two young girls stand in front of a park backdrop with a red car nearby.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members talk with three children on a studio set in front of a park LED wall.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two boys in matching striped shirts and suspenders stand beside a smiling crew member on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A bearded crew member laughs and gestures playfully while talking with a colleague on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members smile and talk on a dark film set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A studio set with children and a red car in front of a large LED screen showing a city park.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Production crew members work with camera equipment and monitors in a large studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member watches a monitor with his feet on an equipment case in a large studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members work in a large studio around a lit set with a digital landscape backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members review footage on a field monitor on a brightly lit studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Three girls stand on a studio floor with production lights and a white backdrop behind them.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members work with a young girl on a studio set between large diffusion screens.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members set up lighting, a boom pole, and a large white diffusion sheet in a studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member wearing a headset holds a lighting silk on a studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Production crew members work in a studio in front of a large screen showing a bright park scene.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A man in a colorful jacket reads a picture book to a young girl on a wooden park bench.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members gather around a production monitor and look at an illustrated children's book.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A group of crew members gathers around a production monitor on set to review footage.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members work among lighting screens, brick stacks, and a wooden wheelbarrow in a large studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew film a man and children on a park-bench set in front of a large LED backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A man in a colorful tracksuit and a girl sit on a wooden park bench, the man holding a children's book.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A man in a colorful jacket and a young girl in overalls sit together on a wooden park bench.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member with sunglasses on her head stands with arms crossed between colleagues on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A group of crew members intently watch production in a dark studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A bearded crew member watches a monitor with his hand on his cheek on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members work among large light diffusers and set pieces in a vast studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A wide black-and-white view of the studio with lighting panels, crew, and tall set pieces.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Green set pillars stand before a forest LED screen in a dark studio filled with lighting gear.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A man in a colorful jacket and a young girl sit side by side on a wooden park bench.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members crouch in a studio to operate a large camera rig on a jib.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Three crew members in headsets work with a large camera crane in a dark film studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member moves a large green brick-textured set piece in front of a park backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A smiling crew member looks over his shoulder and gives a thumbs-up in front of a park backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A smiling crew member in a black t-shirt poses in a studio with lights behind him.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member with glasses, a headlamp, and a headset works on a dark set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member wearing a headset and white tank top looks on from a dark studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member wearing a headset works on a dark studio set among colleagues.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A man with a beard and light eyes looks off-camera while sitting on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A bearded man in a black shirt sits in a mesh chair on a studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member with glasses and a lit headlamp clasps his hands behind his head on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A production crew member wearing a headset looks upward while working on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members review notes beside stacks of bricks on a studio floor.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A brown Muppet stands on a park-gate set while a camera crane and crew fill the studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A smiling crew member poses with a large brown Muppet waving on a park-gate studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A bearded crew member in a black cap and t-shirt speaks on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members work around a camera crane and monitors in a dark studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two crew members laugh with a large shaggy brown Muppet on a studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members wearing headsets gather around a production monitor in a studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A wide studio view of a park-gate set, a brown Muppet, a camera crane, and children near a bicycle.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew film a large brown Muppet and three children in front of golden gates and a park backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Crew members talk with two children beside a tall brick-wall prop on a studio floor.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member gestures while talking with a child actor near a prop brick wall on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Children and a large brown Muppet pose on a park set in front of a camera crane.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Puppeteers operate Ernie and Bert on the studio floor while children and crew look on.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Ernie and Bert stand with a group of children on a colorful outdoor park set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Ernie, Bert, and a group of smiling children stand together in a sunny park setting.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Ernie, Bert, and six smiling children pose together in a sunlit park with palm trees.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Ernie, Bert, and six children pose and smile in a sun-drenched park.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Two children and a blue bird Muppet sit on a park bench with school backpacks.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member in headphones stands beside a large camera crane in a dark studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A smiling crew member with a mustache poses in a studio next to production equipment.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A crew member in a tan fedora looks toward a monitor on a dark studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: A black-and-white portrait of a crew member wearing a fedora on a production set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member with curly hair in a green jacket leans on a chair.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew members and children gather around a colorful ring stacker on a park set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a woman in a red sweater and headset talks on set beside two children.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew silhouettes stand against an LED park sunset in a dark studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a wide studio view of an LED park backdrop with crew and children near green brick pillars.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: four children on a park set with a camera crane and LED backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Elmo sitting at a classroom table beside a girl drawing with coloured pencils

Collaborating with a Trusted Crew

Seamless Coordination with Assistant Director Ali Mango

Assistant Director Ali Mango played a key role in this project, having previously recommended the same photographer for a commercial shoot with Orange. The long-standing professional relationship with Ali ensured smooth collaboration on set. His trust allowed for efficient photography, capturing special moments without disrupting the flow of production. The images, often unnoticed during the shoot, were delivered swiftly, leaving the crew pleasantly surprised by the results.

Ernie Muppet riding a bicycle with a Jordanian hillside town behind him

Ahlan Simsim unit still of crew laughing while reviewing playback on set

Familiar Faces and Strong Rapport

Many crew members were familiar from past projects, which fostered a comfortable and non-intrusive environment. The existing rapport meant that everyone, from production assistants to executive producers, felt at ease, allowing for authentic captures. This trust extended to the gaffer and grip teams, who often went above and beyond to assist with lighting and equipment, ensuring optimal conditions for photography.

Ahlan Simsim key art: a man in a cap reading a picture book to a young girl on a park bench

Young girl drawing at a table beside Elmo in warm lamplight

Ahlan Simsim key art: Two boys in striped shirts talk to a blue Muppet with a yellow beak on a colorful street set.

Ahlan Simsim key art: A smiling woman drives a red car with a blue Muppet in the back seat against a forest backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim key art: A woman and a blue Muppet sit in a red car on a tree-lined road.

Ahlan Simsim key art: A woman and a blue Muppet smile from inside a vintage red car.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Bert and Ernie ride bicycles in front of a sunlit hillside city.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Ernie and Bert ride bicycles in front of a sunlit hillside town.

Ahlan Simsim key art: A man and a woman sit at a wooden table with snacks in a festive outdoor market at dusk.

Ahlan Simsim key art: A man and woman sit at a table with snacks in a vibrant outdoor marketplace with a popcorn cart.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Cast members and orange, grey, and purple Muppets pose together at a nighttime street festival.

Ahlan Simsim key art: A shaggy green Muppet sits in a wheelchair in front of a brightly lit popcorn stand at night.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Children and a green Muppet in a wheelchair pose in an outdoor night market under string lights.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Elmo draws with a child using colored pencils at a table in a warm indoor set.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Elmo sits at a table and draws in a notebook against a nighttime city background.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Elmo sits at a desk with colored pencils, holding a green pencil over a notebook.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Elmo sits at a light blue desk with scattered pencils and a sketchbook against a bright studio backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Elmo draws at an outdoor table at night with pencils and a sketchbook.

Ahlan Simsim key art: Ernie and Bert talk in a bright studio with a brown Muppet and other friends behind them.

Ahlan Simsim key art: A large shaggy brown Muppet with a yellow face waves beside colorful balloons.

Behind the scenes: wide view of the Olivewood Studios stage with crew, camera cart and large lighting setup

Ahlan Simsim unit still of Ernie and Bert with puppeteers and crew beside the school bus set

Behind the scenes: crew member standing on the lit market set at night, string lights and teal LED wall behind him

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three girls hold hands on a grey studio floor before a sunlit park backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a SuperTechno 30 camera crane beside children and crew under large lighting silks.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two crew members in black sit on a wooden bench in a dim studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member wearing a headset looks down thoughtfully on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: four children play with toys and drawing books on a picnic blanket on grass.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members talk on set beside a camera and a picnic blanket.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member stands behind a yellow bus on a studio floor with an LED skyline backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member with a headset sits in the open doorway of a yellow bus.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew members roll green sod onto a studio floor beside a yellow bus and red truck.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a bearded crew member in a headset points while a boy in overalls looks on near a yellow bus.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members laugh together in front of a production truck.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Ernie, Bert, and a large brown Muppet stand by a yellow bus against an LED city skyline.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Ernie, Bert, and a large brown Muppet on set with a puppeteer lying on the floor.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Ernie and Bert stand back-to-back near a yellow bus, with a brown Muppet behind them.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Ernie and Bert stand side by side in front of a yellow bus and LED city skyline.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Ernie, Bert, and a large brown Muppet pose with children near a yellow bus against a city skyline.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a colorful jacket poses with a large brown Muppet in front of a city skyline.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a color-block jacket points at the camera beside a large brown Muppet.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a woman hugs a large brown Muppet while a man photographs them; Ernie and Bert sit in the background.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling woman hugs a large brown Muppet in a dark studio with Ernie and Bert behind them.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a woman smiles while hugging a large shaggy brown Muppet on a studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a red jersey looks at his phone beside a large brown Muppet.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: close-up of a blue Muppet with an orange unibrow, yellow beak, and white bowtie.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a puppeteer reclines on a floor chair holding a blue bird Muppet.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a puppeteer lying on a floor mat holds a blue Muppet.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew polish a vintage red car on a studio floor in front of an LED forest backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a vintage red car sits on a studio floor before an LED forest road, with crew around it.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew work around a vintage red car on a studio set with an LED forest backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a bearded crew member talks with a blonde colleague beside foliage backdrops.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew members confer beside tall walls of green foliage on a dark soundstage.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew gather around a monitor on a flight case while one kneels with a script binder.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew huddle around a rolling equipment case and production monitor.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member checks a phone behind a cinema camera with a golden gate in the background.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member looks at a smartphone beside a camera rig and golden park gates.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a blue Muppet with a pink nose sits in a vintage red car beside a young woman.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a blue Muppet buckled into the passenger seat of a vintage red car next to a young woman.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a blue Muppet sits belted in the back of a vintage red car while a woman smiles in front.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling woman drives a vintage red car with a blue Muppet buckled in the back seat.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members in headsets gather around a smartphone in the studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members in headsets discuss a phone screen on the studio floor.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a vintage red car sits on a studio floor before an LED city skyline, with lights and a crew member nearby.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a vintage red car on a studio set in front of an LED screen showing a city skyline.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two crew members talk by a camera dolly in a dim studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two crew members confer on a grey studio floor among lighting stands.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members work around a MovieTech camera dolly on a studio floor.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew lean over a camera on a wheeled dolly in a dark studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew talk near camera tracks and a red bicycle in front of an LED city skyline.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members face an LED wall showing a city skyline over water.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members talk together on a production set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member adjusts a boy's bicycle while another boy stands beside a blue bike.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew instruct two children on bicycles in front of a large lighting diffuser.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew work with a camera on a dolly and tracks in a studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man stands on camera tracks before an LED city skyline, with two children on bicycles.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew members direct two children on a studio set before an LED waterfront skyline.Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew members direct two children on a studio set before an LED waterfront skyline.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member instructs two children on bicycles with a city skyline in the background.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member adjusts a camera on tracks while a boy on a red bicycle waits nearby.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member with a headset leans his arms on an equipment case.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew film children on bicycles in a studio with an LED city skyline.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a woman in a black leather jacket sits on set before colorful wooden stands.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man gestures on set in front of an LED cityscape and a silver ladder.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two crew members talk in silhouette against a colorful night street set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member's silhouette works behind a large glowing orange fabric sheet.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a bearded crew member in a headset and camouflage hat against a bright orange backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members look off-camera, one pointing, on a dimly lit set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members confer on a dimly lit set with warm orange lights.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member in a headset looks up attentively in a dim studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member looks at a camera monitor on a dark studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member in a beige hoodie stands beside production equipment under orange and teal light.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: silhouette of a crew member wearing a headset against an orange backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew work around a camera crane in a large soundstage with teal and orange lighting.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: orange light panels and an LED dusk street scene fill a dark studio with tables and chairs.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two crew members on a dim set, one holding a coffee cup, the other in a headset.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member with a coiled earpiece looks on under orange studio light.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a wide studio view of an LED street backdrop, camera dolly, and crew silhouettes.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two crew members sit behind a strapped production monitor on a dim set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling crew member with a headset under teal and orange lighting.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a lime-green night-market stand with juice jars, a pineapple, and string lights.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a woman in a hijab looks down at a green market stall hung with lemons and apples.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a baseball cap works behind a green market stall with string lights and lemons.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: hanging oranges and juice jars on a green night-market stall wrapped in string lights.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling boy in a red shirt at a night market with a bag of oranges nearby.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a girl in yellow overalls sits at a cafe table on a colorful night set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling crew member in a baseball cap on a night-market set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: children sit at cafe tables on a night-market set with string lights and crew nearby.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members sit in mesh chairs on a dark set beneath a camera crane.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members sit in a dark studio talking under orange and teal light.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a wide studio view of a night-market set, LED street backdrop, and children at tables.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: close-up profile of a woman with a soft smile under warm and cool studio lights.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two crew members look toward a production monitor while one points off-camera.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a woman and a man sit at a table with snacks on a colorful night-market set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew silhouettes and a camera crane face a bright LED backdrop on a large soundstage.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man and a woman smile at a table with snacks in front of a popcorn stand.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man and a woman sit at a table with snacks in front of a brightly lit food stall.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: puppeteers sit on the studio floor holding Muppets while children sit at tables under a camera crane.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a yellow Muppet, a goat Muppet, and a purple Muppet sit at a wooden table on a night-market set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a grey goat Muppet stands between two other Muppets at a night market.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: orange, grey, and purple Muppets stand behind a table on a night-market set with string lights.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew and actors on a colorful night-market set with string lights and food stalls.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: close-up of a man with a long grey beard under orange and green lighting.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew and cast gather on a dark studio set with a camera crane in the background.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member talks to children and adults at a table while a woman holds a purple Muppet.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member directs people at a table on a dark set with a purple Muppet nearby.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew, children, and Muppets gather under string lights on a night-market set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: children, adults, and yellow, grey, and purple Muppets pose at a night-market table.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three Muppets sit with children and adults at a night-market table under string lights.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a green Muppet in a wheelchair sits in front of a popcorn stand at night.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member in a black t-shirt watches a monitor on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member leans his chin on his hand while watching a production monitor.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew work in a large dark studio with lighting gear and a bright LED screen.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew silhouettes fill a dark soundstage lit in orange and teal, with an LED palm-tree backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member faces a night-market set where children and a green Muppet gather around a table.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a green Muppet in a wheelchair is surrounded by children at a night market with a popcorn stand.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member in glasses and a headset rests his chin on his hand in a dark studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three children stand in front of a brightly lit fruit-juice stall at night.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member watches a night set decorated with warm string lights.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member in a headset looks off-camera under orange and teal light.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling crew member in a headset holds a drink can to her chin on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Elmo sits at a drawing table with a girl while a camera crew films.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew and children film a scene with Elmo at a table under string lights.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Elmo and crew stand with two girls drawing at a table on a night-market set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two girls sit at a wooden table drawing with crayons as adults look on.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member in a mesh chair gestures while talking on a dim set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Elmo and a smiling girl sit at a table drawing with markers and colored pencils.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Elmo writes with a pencil while crew work on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Elmo writes with a pencil on a studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a film crew shoots a scene on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Elmo and a girl draw side by side in sketchbooks at a wooden table.

Ahlan Simsim unit still 242

Ahlan Simsim unit still 243

Ahlan Simsim unit still 244

Ahlan Simsim unit still: behind the scenes

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Elmo looks up at a man in a yellow sweater while a crew member stands nearby.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling crew member with her hand on her chin looks toward a monitor.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: two crew members hold a red-and-white checkered cloth beside a ladder and orange-lit scrim.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew on ladders hold a checkered cloth while Elmo sits near a table and an LED street screen.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew prepare a camera on dolly tracks beside an orange-lit diffusion screen.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew on stepladders hold a red-and-white checkered banner in front of an LED dusk backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Elmo holds a green pencil at a desk against a blurred night street.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling man in a yellow sweater stands with a colleague before a white studio backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling man in a yellow sweater looks off-camera on a studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a yellow sweatshirt smiles down at Elmo at a drawing table.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a yellow sweater leans over a desk smiling at Elmo.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: close-up of a MovieTech dolly track and wooden shims on a studio floor.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Elmo holds a green stick against a bright white backdrop, with a pink balloon in the foreground.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew gather around a monitor as a puppeteer holds Elmo toward the screen.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew and Elmo watch a production monitor on a strapped equipment case.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a yellow shirt smiles at Elmo at a desk with art supplies.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew members talk on a studio floor with Elmo and other Muppets on stands behind them.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew members talk on a colorful market set decorated with pastel balloons.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three crew members pose together in a dark studio near a Slate Film Services truck.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: three smiling crew members pose in a dark studio with a production truck behind them.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a fedora smiles while posing between Ernie and Bert.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling man in a straw hat poses with his arms around Ernie and Bert.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a fedora poses between Ernie and Bert against a dark studio background.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a woman smiles while posing between Ernie and Bert.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a woman smiles while posing with Ernie and Bert.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a puppeteer wears the shaggy orange-brown torso of a large Muppet costume.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a fedora poses beside a large shaggy brown Muppet waving at the camera.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a man in a fedora and Muppet t-shirt stands next to a large shaggy brown Muppet.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling woman is hugged by a large shaggy brown Muppet in a studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a woman smiles while hugging a large shaggy brown Muppet in a studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: crew gather before a bright white screen with a camera crane and Muppets nearby.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a smiling crew member in a WRITE SHOOT EDIT t-shirt talks with colleagues on set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: Bert and Ernie lean into the frame on a bright white set with a large brown Muppet and balloons.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a crew member laughs while working with a Muppet on a studio set.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: puppeteers lie on the floor with Ernie and Bert facing a white screen and other Muppets.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: puppeteers lie on the floor operating Ernie and Bert in front of a white studio backdrop.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a large group of crew members clap around production monitors in a studio.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: the production crew poses together in front of a large white studio screen.

Ahlan Simsim unit still: a large group of production crew members pose together in a studio.