So watched this video, working on my own, but I need some advice on how to go about making these special effects. Any thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-7XwboOx98

a puppet?

Whoever made this did an excellent job. It took me a while to decide whether the monster was like a puppet controlled through a hole in the bottom or not...but after a few viewings, I think I've determined that there are a few physical effects involved (look closely at the way the plate and the dirt coating the plate bounces around during the flashes of light)

But mainly it just seems like some hardcore 3D work in Maya (my assumption based on the epic match move camera tracking). Followed up by some great compositing skills. (most likely After Effects)

I could be wrong though.

or maybe there was a demon in the phone! holy Jeepers captain underpants! and maybe Santa is real..and all those other things that my parents made up to ruin my faith in anything