Whether I’m directing CG animation, live-action, or gameplay capture artists, making video game trailers has been one of the most thrilling and downright fun parts of my career. From 2020-2022, I worked as a creative producer at Secret Powers: a production supergroup (truly, I love these people) for creative quests known for making badass trailers. There, I had the privilege of learning the gaming industry ropes from internet icon Jay Allen—creative director and owner of Secret Powers (and the mastermind behind the original He-Man video!). Under his wing, I soaked up everything about game trailers and we made stuff I’m really proud of. My role as a creative producer included crafting killer pitch decks, wrangling game capture artists, pulling together shotlists, working with storyboard artists, writing copy, pitching new creative, and giving notes to our editing wizards.
Blending my cinematic passion with the wild world of gaming? It’s the ultimate crossover event, and I’m here for it. From my time at Secret Powers and beyond, these are a few of my favorite gaming spots I’ve helped bring to life:
AILA: GAMESCOM TEASER
DIRECTOR’S NOTES:
Working as both director and editor on the teaser for AILA—a horror title exploring AI and mental health—was a dream for me. Mental health is something I’m deeply passionate about, and combining that with my love for horror films made this project especially exciting. Collaborating with creative director Mike Cala at Supernaut, we aimed for a modern A24 horror vibe, similar to Longlegs. The world created by the devs at Pulsatrix was beautifully creepy, and they were incredibly collaborative throughout the process. I directed them in-engine to nail some very specific shots, capturing that perfect spooky mood. The trailer was covered by IGN and streamed live at the opening night of Gamescom, the world’s biggest video game convention. It was a sinister, fun world to play in, blending my passion for mental health, horror, and cinematic storytelling into one unforgettable experience.
CREDITS
Publisher: Fireshine Games
Developer: Pulsatrix Studios
Agency: Supernaut Studios
Creative Director: Mike Cala
Director/Editor: Ben Davis
Capture Artist: Dominic Hassett
Sound/Music: Tom Gault
Motion Graphics: Eddie Ramos
RIOT: HEXTECH MAYHEM
PRODUCTION NOTES:
During my time as a creative producer at Secret Powers, I worked with our team to play a key role in bringing the Hextech Mayhem trailers to life for our client Riot Forge. Collaborating closely with creative director Jay Allen, we shaped the creative to deliver a fun, irreverent trailer that stayed true to Ziggs, the game’s bomb-loving main character from League of Legends. In my role, I wrote copy, gave notes on animations to our partners at Moontower VFX, worked with our designers on the motion graphics looks, and assisted in pitching the initial concepts. It was an explosive project from start to finish—pun fully intended, because when you’re working on a rhythm game about bombs, you’ve gotta go out with a bang!
PS4 / ATLUS: DRAGON’S CROWN PRO
DIRECTOR’S NOTES:
Directing the live-action trailer for Dragon’s Crown 4 was one of my earliest collaborations with Secret Powers, who brought me on to direct after we hit it off on a Sinclair Oil campaign. Bringing the vibrant, intricate costumes of the game to life was a real treat, thanks to the brilliant work of our wardrobe designer, Janet Schwarz—she made sure every detail popped. Then came the fun part: running around Longhorn Caverns with a wizard and an elf, capturing the kind of snippets that make you feel like you’re in the game itself. It was the perfect fusion of VFX, cinematic techniques, and an epic practical location, all combining to bring the game’s fantasy world to life in a way that felt as playful as it was immersive.
CREDITS
Client & Medium: Sega / ATLUS, Social Media
Director: Ben Davis
Production Company: Secret Powers
Creative Director: Jay Allen, Brian Campbell
Producer: Taylor Barber, Jessica Espinosa
Cinematographer: Jake Wilganowski
Production Design: Michelle Bond
Post, VFX & Editorial: Secret Powers
HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE
DIRECTOR’S NOTES:
Working on the production of Hatsune Miku Colorful Stage was all about bringing the music to life in the most fun and visually dynamic way possible. We went all out with glowing makeup, hired the incredibly talented professional dancer Billie Merritt, and filled the set with glowsticks to really amp up the music video vibes. The project was a blast, with every element designed to capture the electric energy of the game and the colorful world of Hatsune Miku. It was all about making the music not just heard, but felt, through the vibrant visuals and movement.
CREDITS
Client & Medium: SEGA, Social Media
Director: Ben Davis
Production Company: Secret Powers
Creative Director: Jay Allen
Producer: Chris Rodriguez
Cinematographer: Aaron Youngblood
Post, VFX & Editorial: Secret Powers
Post Sound: Sanctus
CONWAY TRAILER
PRODUCTION NOTES:
Working on the trailer for Conway was like stepping into a Hitchcock film. As a creative producer at Secret Powers, I teamed up with Jay Allen and our team to craft a trailer that oozed authentic noir vibes. Collaborating with creative director Mike Cala from Supernaut and the devs at White Paper Games, I directed precise shots in Unity to bring that dark, painterly look to life. It was a perfect blend of Hitchcockian tension, noir aesthetics, and cinematic storytelling—basically, a dream project. The result? A mystery game trailer that feels as atmospheric as it is stylish, and one I’m especially proud to have been a part of.