This hilarious short film titled Haynes Baked Beans may look like a genuine TV advert, but it was actually created as a spoof commercial by Cinesite Studios, the renowned visual effects company. Released online in December 2013, the clip was directed by Alvise Avati and produced by Eamonn Butler, who was also the Animation Director.
The one-minute mock advert opens with astronauts exploring the Moon before a huge alien monster appears and attacks. One of the astronauts finds a hiding place, but his attempt to stay hidden fails when he lets out a loud fart — the apparent result of eating too many baked beans.
The humour, timing, and top-tier CGI led many viewers to believe this was a real advert commissioned by Heinz, but in fact, the brand name “Haynes Baked Beans” was a playful parody. The video was created purely as a showreel piece to showcase Cinesite’s animation and VFX capabilities, not as an official campaign.
Despite not being a genuine commercial, the Haynes Baked Beans spoof quickly went viral, earning millions of views and being widely praised for its creativity and production quality. The ad remains one of the most memorable examples of how a short, witty concept — paired with professional-level effects — can capture audiences just as effectively as a real TV campaign.
Production Credits:
Studio: Cinesite Studios
Director: Alvise Avati
Animation Director / Producer: Eamonn Butler
Released: December 2013