Fan movie trailers are probably just slightly better received than fan fiction. In other words, mostly poorly. But, the desire to play around in a fictional universe you admire and respect is intoxicating, and I'm sure anyone with any desire at all has done at least some. There's certainly nothing wrong with it, and some can be very successful indeed. One of my favorite movie trailers isn't for an actual movie at all; it's one for Tron 3 (you can see it here:
Tron Destiny). When you come across really well made fan fiction it makes you wonder how much more the creators can really do.
The saying is "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Taking a successful piece of art, and trying to duplicate it is just that, a copy. While it's great to learn this way, I'm not sure it's flattery. Change parts around, and make it a version of the original yet with your own influences, it becomes a new work and not imitation. Sure, they both contain the same elements, but only because they both come from the same source originally. Renaissance sculptors made various takes on David beating Goliath, yet they are all unique. My point is, taking something and making it your own is a time-tested ideal.
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| image from: "The Matrix Reloaded" |
That said, ripping off someone else's work and passing off as your own is called plagiarism and is fiercely frowned upon. I've no experience with someone copying my own work, but I can imagine it's both flattering and disturbing. You're rightly protective of anything you personally create. Maybe if there's real effort to create then the imitation isn't as harsh. Still, fans will create fiction based on the worlds they love and nobody will ever stop it. I wish them the best in their efforts.
- M
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