Claire is...

Film 996: Super 8

Trivia: Since the kids were making a zombie movie, there are several references to director George A. Romero. For example, Romero Chemicals as the evil company, plus the poster for one of his movies in Joe's bedroom and reference on the radio.

Steven Spielberg (a producer of the production) was reportedly on set many times throughout the course of filming. Director J.J. Abrams and Spielberg have both gone on record stating that the filming of this production was some of the most fun they have ever had on set.

The film according to J.J. Abrams was homage to the producer of the film, Steven Spielberg, and his films of the 1970's ranging reverence from Spielberg's directorial films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind & E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to Spielberg's produced films like The Goonies.

Originally, when the boys were sitting and waiting for Alice to pick them up, they were supposed to just talk. However, J.J. Abrams heard the boys singing together between takes later on, and re-shot the scene featuring them singing "My Sharona."

As teenagers, J.J. Abrams and his friend Matt Reeves (director of Cloverfield and Let Me In) were hired by a certain Steven Spielberg to restore some of his Super 8 home movies.

Cameo 

Dakota Fanning:  During the town hall meeting, for a brief second you can spot Elle Fanning's big sister among the assistants.

Director Cameo 

J.J. Abrams:  Dressed as a soldier coming out of the jeep he is driving at 01:08:15.