Who Needs Big Money To Amaze? THN’s Top 5 Fan-Made Shorts!

These days, technology is everywhere, encroaching on every facet of our lives. Such advancements have turned almost every device imaginable into a camera, thus fooling every Tom, Dick or Harry into thinking, ‘Who needs a ton of cash to make a movie’?

The truth is they’re right… well sort of.

For every Tom with an idea of making it big in the movie world, there’s a thousand Dick’s posting their time-wasting exploits on any social network for the hell of it.

But it’s those passionate Harrys THN wants to focus on. Those fans with the determination and conviction to realise their potential, or at least have fun with their idea. Those who draw inspiration from Spielberg, Jackson or Abrams’ early Super 8 movies, and who, along with the help of friends and/or family members, want to tell a story with the limited resources at their disposal. They don’t want to make masterpieces… not just yet anyway. No, it’s their love of film and storytelling, the heroes and the villains, the fun and the thrill of knowing ‘this is mine’. Hell, even those working in the business are still passionate in making their own magic, as last week’s ultra-violent but awesome Punisher short DIRTY LAUNDRY showed us in spades!

So, here’s THN’s top five fan-made shorts – all it takes is a camera, a home computer, and the odd awesome costume!

BATMAN: DEAD END

This little gem premiered at Comic-Com 2003 to great applause. It features no only the Caped Crusader doing his best to take down his arch-nemesis The Joker, but he must battle a further two hit franchise characters – watch and find out! – across the rooftops of Gotham City.

STAR WARS: TROOPS

A genius idea to take George Lucas’ intergalactic space saga and have it given a side-splitting overhaul. This spoof sees the villainous Stormtroopers as everyday guys, placed in a reality show, inspired by hit US show COPS. Hell, if Lucas had put this much effort into his STAR WARS prequels, the world would be a better place.

PAC-MAN: THE MOVIE

Ever wanted to the see the pop culture icon and video game ghost-muncher Pac-Man in his very own feature film? No, me either but this little short aims to give the little mite a 21st century overhaul with some impressive visuals. Although we’ve no idea what his character’s appearance in this meant to do in terms of the plot, it does bring back memories of dropping my pocket money into the legendary arcade game.

THE LOBO PARAMILITARY CHRISTMAS  SPECIAL

The fun little flick sees DC Comics fan fave mercenary Lobo hired by the Easter Bunny to get rid of good ol’ Saint Nick. It’s rumoured Dwayne Johnson will bring the blue-skinned brute to the big-screen, but that will be worlds away from this bonkers take – even Santa’s little helpers are put to the sword. Just don’t show your little ones.

GREMLINS 3: WARM UP

Okay, this one maybe a bit of as cheat as it includes footage from a number of big-budget blockbusters, but it really is so much fun. The short shows those pesky creatures from Joe Dante 1980s classic GREMLINS seamlessly thrown into hit films like BATMAN, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and THE EXORCIST. We dare you not to enjoy!

There you have our five favourites chosen by those of us here at THN HQ. Have we missed any of your favourites?

Let the debate begin!