Favourite Fake Trailers

Like many aspects of filmmaking, there is no “one path” to success.  Starting with an original screenplay and taking it through to a produced film is a rare opportunity and should definitely be celebrated, but there are many other avenues and strategies, especially when it comes to independent films.

I have been on teams where we have taken a portion of a feature-length screenplay and created a short film, partly to practice, and partly as something to show potential funders during a pitch.  Creating a trailer for your project as another strategy.

Creating a fake trailer based on an interesting or funny concept or a spoof is a fun way to practice your skills at writing and execution, and is a clever way to attract potential funders, for the right project.

Here are a couple of my favourite fake trailers.

Tetris

This trailer combines elements from films like Transformers and Independence Day to create a trailer for a film that could be directed by Michael Bay.  The world is under attach by invading blocks and the protagonists have to fight to stay alive and protect the ones they love.

Note: This is not the trailer for AppleTV+ Tetris (which is a real thing, starring Taron Egerton, directed by Jon S. Baird and written by Noah Pink, streaming soon).

Shark Pool

An exaggerated, often overdone concept of a group of teens throwing a red solo cup a party when the unlikely shark crashes the festivities.  

There’s a shark in the pool. But it’s a really nice pool…. Just DON’T GO IN THE POOL.

These are just a couple that I struck me as fun and memorable.  I am sure there are plenty of others out there, even some that resulted in real movies.

Another fun, fake trailer is the one Jon Watts did for “Clown”. He then co-wrote and directed a feature version (shot here in Ottawa!) that was produced by Eli Roth, before going on to direct the most recent Spider-Man movieshttps://t.co/hu7e007DJG

— Stephanie Davy (@Steph_Davy) March 14, 2023