TEASER TRAILER, directed by JJ Gibson, is a fast-paced, off-the-wall, cosmic horror-comedy that satirizes modern action movie marketing. The film takes the familiar stereotypes of classic film genres and turns them on their head to create something wild, crazy, and unapologetically silly.
The film introduces HERO, a large hunk of an action star, as its protagonist before unceremoniously killing him off in the first thirty seconds. That leaves his less-than-equipped friends, NERD and SIDEKICK to survive the onslaught of over-the-top movie tropes heading their way.
Played by MJ JENKINS
He's what you might call a “himbo” (if you don’t know what that is, look it up). Slick, masculine, and confident to the point of arrogance – Hero is the textbook definition of a classic 80’s action movie star, muscles and all. The main issue? He’s dead within the first few seconds of the film. Not much shootin’ and quippin’ to do when you’re a corpse.
Played by NICOLAS KIRCHNER
They're Hero’s cheerful yes-man who's willing to follow Hero to the ends of the earth (despite not knowing the guy’s actual name). They’re the definition of codependent, never making a decision for themself. Nonetheless, Sidekick is the type of fella you’d want rooting for you on the sidelines...just not actually in the midst of a fight.
Played by GEORGE GORDON
He's the phrase “erm, actually” personified. After Hero bites the dust, Nerd is left to lead the team to survival. Nerd’s the type of person who needs to express their opinion on everything all the time, much to the chagrin of everyone around them. Their greatest fear is being wrong...at least it was before the teaser trailer they’re in decided to kill them
Played by TYLER DININNO
He's just your average disembodied movie trailer voice. What he says goes. He doesn’t concern himself with the consequences in the universes he creates with his words, but he also doesn’t have many wants at all. He has but one job: narrate.
Played by ALONDRA SOLIVÀN and MICHAEL HERNANDEZ
They are the telenovela alter egos of Sidekick and Nerd. Deep in the throes of passion, these characters are stuck in a love triangle for the ages (all dubbed in poorly translated Spanish).
Played by BENJI MANN
He is...uh...well, we don’t quite know what he is, but he is desperate to get a good grade on his algebra test and willing to do anything to get it.
Anything.
What was the inspiration for this film?
Growing up, JJ Gibson was a huge fan of the films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Upon the arrival of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the sudden halt of film releases, they slowly lost their obsession. Since then, the internet has poked fun at common tropes and cliches the Marvel Movies tend to follow, mocking jokes such as the infamous “Uh, he’s right behind me, isn’t he?” JJ decided to combine this with their love for zany meta-humor, and Teaser Trailer was born!
What software did you use to make Teaser Trailer?
All Visual Development and Layout work was created in Adobe Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint. Animation was created in Toon Boom Harmony, and Compositing was done in Adobe After Effects. The final edit of the film was produced in Adobe Premiere Pro.
Why? Why would you do this?
Not sure… It’s kinda funny though, right?
So uh...are you doing anything later?
Oh...yeah, sorry...I’m...I’m taken.