Horror Short Film "High Desert Hell" | ALTER

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Four young adults venture to a remote location in The High Desert of California and are mysteriously preyed upon.
"High Desert Hell" by Francis Galluppi
#ALTER #horror #shortfilm
Connect with the Filmmakers:
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"High Desert Hell" Credits:
Director - Francis Galluppi
Writers - Francis Galluppi and Casey Guldberg
Producers - Francis Galluppi, Chris Mapes, Atif Malik, and Frank Galluppi
Director of Photography - Mac Fisken
Assistant Director - Chris Mapes
Colorist - Mac Misken
Editor - Francis Galluppi
Visual Effects - Chris Mapes
Music - Francis Galluppi
Jessie - Kristen Vaganos
Grant - Paul Grant
Samantha - Amanda Colby Stewart
Michael - Matt McVay
Old Man - Robert Brosk
About ALTER:
The most provocative minds in horror bring you three new short films every week exploring the human condition through warped and uncanny perspectives.
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[@francisgalluppi6476]

It's an honor to be a part of your channel/community!

[@FilmSpook]

*MASTERFUL STORYTELLING! I am really enjoying this! Thanks, Francis and crew, and thanks, ALTER!*

[@sephinew3333]

Wow that was so much better than most full length movies 💐🙏Loved it!

[@cherrylovell404]

This was fantastic! Where was this filmed??

[@kimistry9533]

Great story!! Thanks Francis!👍❤

[@FilmSpook]

@@sephinew3333 Loved it, too! An excellent thriller at 17 minutes long, *amazing.* 💗

[@MisterG2323]

Moral: when some random desert rat drives up and tells you you're a burnt offering, that's your cue to gtfo, no ifs, ands, or buts.

[@rojayannapowell9081]

Wow you role hard don't ya?? Just tell it like it is...SWEET!!

[@deanmoulton8994]

"That ole time religion" ;(

[@TheUKisThere]

I don't claim to know things about the world, and not very religious, but if I was told that... Peace.

[@ItsAllLove4Real]

EXACTLY!!

[@billmurray7473]

In the 80s , this would have been A Slasher Movie.

[@AlexandriaSWest]

I love horror films that take place in bright sunshine, because in reality daylight doesn't stop human monsters. I wish she'd just let the rattlesnake finish the job and taken off without damaging the car. The entire film demonstrates how a few bad choices can change everything. Excellent short!

[@TheFireline]

I visited your channel....please tell me: why do you stop uploading your cover songs? Your voice is lovely!

[@thelovevvitch]

Is it possible that the car was damaged already so that there would be no survivors?

[@twilightresonance1789]

LOL you really think you made a very intelligent point, but i reality its a childs perspective with no merit

[@bigseanprice]

the world will never know@@TheFireline

[@mariamabdullah1932]

Ààà​@@TheFireline

[@TonyYeungExe]

The snake be like, " dafuq this girl doing.......I thought I was the murder."

[@myozbubble]

*murderer

[@tonosama516]

@@myozbubble Everybody (except you) knows that snakes have bad vocabulary.

[@contrelaviolenceforward7260]

@@myozbubble ไม่เข้าใจ ช่วยอธิบายหน่อยได้ไหมคะ please.

[@myozbubble]

It was just to clarify the OP's comment.

[@TooMuchSauce_HQ]

@@tonosama516 😂

[@BubblemouseM]

Wow, Jessie is clearly running away from an abusive man in her past (referenced by her friend “he’s across the country, I’m not gonna let him hurt you”) and ended up getting into an even worse situation 🥺 poor gal

[@tomsdottir]

She might be talking about Ryan Reynolds. He does evoke strong feelings.

[@BubblemouseM]

@@tomsdottir Ryan Reynolds evokes the strongest of emotions. It’s okay though. He’s half way across the country

[@tomsdottir]

@@BubblemouseM That's what I keep telling myself...*glances nervously over shoulder*

[@BubblemouseM]

@@tomsdottir oh my god no. He’s...HE’S BEHIND YOU!!! NO RYAN REYNOLDS! PUT THE BEARD TRIMMER AND GLASS OF MILK DOWN!!!

[@tomsdottir]

@@BubblemouseM Could be worse: could be Shia le Beouf

[@matycee]

the exorcist paperback, the classic cloth camera strap, the reliance on coke for the best time possible... the zep shirt, of course. I'm in

[@rowstone3019]

It could have been a 🎉 party. A blood bath will do.

[@zethraelofteldrassil3149]

But, the coke went to waste

[@maggotst.pierre2361]

@@zethraelofteldrassil3149 im sure the religious desert nut huffed it. Looks a little worse for wear

[@EVHomeEntertainment]

This was really surprising, not what I was expecting at all. Love the drone work around the title at the beginning, and the buildup of the events and the tension was really great. Very confident filmmaking, another fantastic pick by then Alter curators!!!

[@FilmSpook]

YES, I loved the crazy turn of events, and I agree, that drone footage was super impressive! 🏆 Amazing Film

[@ronstone007]

Yeah I was expecting something like The Hills Have Eyes, Texas Chainsaw Massacre or most of Rob Zombies films. But instead we got a realistic story set in the country side of America

[@texavery395]

@@ronstone007 I'm sorry what was remotely realistic about this

[@sephinew3333]

11pm perfect time for some nice alter foreplay before bed

[@ravenclaw4814]

Same hereee

[@lloydrobert6182]

Gosh, I needed that! Tremendously dark. 'High Desert Hell' lives up to its promise. Wishing the marvelously talented makers all the strength and finance to go ahead with a full-length feature!

[@MichaelFrazierTube]

It's an ongoing pleasure each and every time, alter....every single time.

[@TooMuchSauce_HQ]

Common line in horror movies: “It’s probably nothing” Me: probably probably so there’s a chance it is something I’m out 🏃🏾

[@CuriousGoodsJessica]

It's hard to express liking a movie that makes you sad, but it's happened to me so many times I need a phrase for it now. Alter is SO freaking cool, every single show I see is really excellent!

[@ellie_4952]

Don’t ever seem to fail to put on a good watch, thank you once again

[@qweencannabis804]

I love everything about this film I wish it was longer 😭 I definitely enjoyed it tho 🥰

[@MaNuLaToROfficial]

thats what she said

[@FilmSpook]

👍🏾💗 *WOW, I really loved how this was filmed, the bright, desert look, with the ominous tone, and the story is excellent! Much thanks to Francis Galluppi and crew, and thanks again, ALTER! Superb filmmaking here.*

[@MINDMAPFILMS]

just WOW, direction and cinematography at its absolute best!

[@ilovecats4208]

Oh man, the High Desert really is Hell. I lived there for too long. Lol Great film! This could definitely be turned into a full movie.

[@tonymarcum2571]

Hell yeah it is! I stayed up there for too long as well

[@carlaallas9314]

ALTER is the BEST ❤ Love from Philippines! SALAMAT

[@migo9625]

The best nga wala namang jowa, wala din🤧

[@laramie474]

The fact that there's actually real weirdos like this in the real world lmao.. Edit: Never had so many likes 💀 thanks!

[@rowstone3019]

The best part of horror is ho it reflects real life. Real life is super scary.

[@squamish4244]

@Maniac 5000 Well I don't know, all the people who believe they will be Raptured away and the Left Behind books...okay, they are unlikely to be axe murderers, but it's still pretty weird. Yes I know this doesn't affect their lives for the most part and only the craziest people in any religion today are like this.

[@squamish4244]

@@MorteWulfe I don't seriously believe they are axe murderers, I just think the Rapture stuff is really weird and can affect your life in a big way. If you think the world's going to end soon and only the Chosen - including you - will be Raptured up to Heaven, then you have less incentive to invest in the world's future.

[@vivienly_]

I believe u lol

[@rowstone3019]

@Maniac 5000 I read the signs and ignored them. I have had nothing but fun. Fear feels great. It's a high for me. No different than going super fast down a mountain on a board. Sounds like your doing well. Sounds great! I'm being who I wanna be. Peace, smoke some green. Chillin is the way.

[@kimberlyjeanne9456]

Aw man, I wanted Jessi to live! She actually did exactly what a final girl should and made sure the bad guy was dead. Fake Abraham Lincoln got her anyways. This kept me hooked though!

[@vladdracul5072]

He was a fake? I wouldn't have guessed.

[@JudgeDrey]

It's actually "Discount" Abe Lincoln

[@tonyprice2256]

Same.

[@bandanasharma5356]

What the hell is to stay at such place... Me: what a beauty you are ! Desert: just leave👁

[@taytaytasty]

I wonder if Jesse would have survived if she took up the offer for the hotel?

[@PassionFlower29]

I still think he would have tried something in the car or on the way. Her chances would’ve been better tho

[@maggotst.pierre2361]

@@PassionFlower29 he said he was offering her salvation, but I'm pretty sure she wouldn't agree with him killing her friends and a scuffle of sorts would ensue and one of them would end up dead.

[@Aaron_Barrett]

No way

[@jayquinn9157]

That opening song was really awesome!! If anyone's interested, it's "The Ballad of Jim Jones" by Dusty Rhodes and the River Band.

[@lavendergirl4395]

Thanks ❤️❤️

[@pizzelle2]

Thanks so much! I checked the comments for this

[@thejulie4real]

thank you 😊

[@taylorrogers4064]

This reminds me of 70s gritty horror films. I love the grungy aesthetic.

[@starrynight2171]

Hi from Malaysia🙋🏻‍♀️😉 ALTER always the BEST❤

[@kdubbswinston3673]

ALTER!!!! Where have you been all of my HORROR LOVING life?!! Your channel is amazing! Hitchcockian with a twist of Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt! Great channel!!! Thank you!! 😉😍🤗❤✊😌

[@brownsugar163]

Wow this a great video I just wished it stretched out a little longer. 👌👌👌👌

[@kittycool8967]

Story, acting, location, directing all great. This made me feel totally involved from beginning to end.

[@observationsfromthefencepo7207]

Best Line: Are you kidding you me. You guys want to leave over some backwoods hillbilly? Yes, as a matter of fact I do. I don't know how to talk about this without spoilers. So Spoilers are ahead. Using the desert as the environment was an excellent setting for this story. We then get a look at the fascination of abandoned places. I get this as there is I wonder what led to this vibe. The one character's fascination was a solid reason for not leaving immediately. Nicely worked in. The flash forwards were great hooks in keeping the viewer engaged. These were well done. Overall there is a message of how extreme belief systems can be very dangerous. The final reveal with the pictures was nicely done. I wish I could say I saw that coming but I didn't. When the young kid was revealed, I did think I wish that snake would bite him. It did and I was thrilled. Nice to see him get hit by a car too. The ending was not what I wanted but I will say it was pretty slick for a horror flick. Some other nice touches were the quote at the beginning, The Exorcist book, and the Ansel Adams reference. I enjoyed the song as it worked in the atmosphere of the film. This was an enjoyable film and I was never taken out of the story. Much of this can be contributed to the acting. Thanks to Francis Gallupi and crew. You did an awesome job. Peace.

[@kilroywuzhere6864]

“The Ballad of Jim Jones” was a perfect opening.

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

7:53 Gotta light?

[@reginaldwilson9866]

I just knew homie was a part of it and lured his friends there. Good job snake!!!!!!

[@a.m.pietroschek1972]

It captured the old style, seventies of last century, very well. Impressive work.

[@babywecanglo]

I love getting ALTERED 💯

[@SpiritzPlanet]

I find it interesting that Grant was attacked by a viper. Jesus referred to the Pharisees and Sadducees as a “brood of vipers.” Somebody doesn’t approve of Grant’s behavior. :p

[@missprettyschannel]

The ending is so sad and unfair but yes this was a good short horror film.

[@MaNuLaToROfficial]

thats what she said

[@popcornshrimps-ge1rd]

Right, Why didn't she just drive off????????

[@TheDweeb002]

@@popcornshrimps-ge1rd same thing i was thinking. why even stop?

[@MarcusVinicius-we2pg]

What can be more sad and unfair than religion itself? I liked this movie as well!

[@ruthscudder3913]

They keep getting better and better

[@jomontanee]

Whoa! The scene where the car was down is so creepy!!!! 😳😳😳 Well done. Anyway where is the photographer dude?

[@francisgalluppi6476]

Thank you! If you look closely, Grant is standing next to an axe in the decrepit house. It’s the same axe that you see in Michael’s back when he’s lying on the bathroom floor with the other corpses earlier in the film. FUN FACT- we forgot Michael’s camera that day on set so it’s a little confusing and hard to tell that it’s Michael on the floor with the axe in his back haha

[@tiffanysmith1993]

Another amazing short film from Alter 🙌🏾💞

[@USNMelDaria]

Another great video!🙌🏽 Sidenote: The creepy dude who got out of the truck kinda looks like Abraham Lincoln!!!

[@SkotMotion]

Lol he actually is a professional Abraham Lincoln impersonator as well as an actor. Robert Broski.

[@marysab8865]

I thought the same thing!! 😂

[@maggotst.pierre2361]

@@SkotMotion any relation to that tik tok chick with the same last name? Brittany broski

[@nehapatil4861]

Wow!!..thats what I said to myself too👍

[@artemisnectar7]

Jus WOW😬😲😱 awesome sauce 2 all involved, intense 2 say the least..ALTER 🥰

[@alanbryant8457]

That was intense! Very well made from beginning to end. You would think one of them notice the spent rounds all over the ground. Alright Abraham Lincoln drives a Chevy on PCP.

[@tylerlane4587]

Dude that’s what I’m sayin! Like the spent shot gun shells everywhere.

[@MaNuLaToROfficial]

thats what she said

[@Heisenberg24680]

Just can't stop watching Alter. Binge watch mode on. Keep it up🙏🙏

[@chrispaulson2934]

🤣😂🤣😂 the CQB 241 license plate on the Plymouth! Nice nod there! Would love to know the filming location. Just beautiful in every way, a damn fine and entertaining story! Great job to all involved in this production 👏👍😀

[@francisgalluppi6476]

Finally! We shot this short 3 years ago and you’re the first person to pick up on that! I wish there was some sort of prize haha it was shot near Salton Sea in California. I heard that the decrepit house recently burnt down :/

[@chrispaulson2934]

@@francisgalluppi6476 😁! You totally just made my day! Thank you! Oh cool!! It's a shame to hear about the house, but it still looks like a great location to visit for film and photography 😀 Keep up the great work that you do! 👍

[@ehsanshahriarenan1323]

Dark yahh🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@MADYESTASTUDIOS]

incredible... at a point, I just forgot that it is a short film.... it feels like watching a full feature film...

[@MichaelFrazierTube]

Mac Fisken, the cinematographer, really steals the show here.

[@F.Castle93]

Well then.... I did not want this to end. Good shit Galluppi. Please give us more!!

[@jewelhaines8842]

Cool !! Has a great 70's vibe ! ❣

[@terrymcnickle332]

Mr. Galluppi, you wore many hats and they all fit perfectly. Well done, sir

[@francisgalluppi6476]

Thank you!

[@tanrose8645]

😳I would've gotten out of there after dude showed up! Well done! 👏🌹 PLEASE Stay 'safe', everyone❣️ Blessed be🌜

[@AB-kg4xo]

LOL Loved the ending. Cracked me up. Another I want to see as a full length film.

[@kiyu-269]

Amazing!

[@stevehutchinson3679]

Should have taken up the offer of staying in a hotel...😏..lol, but Alter wouldn't be Alter, without the chaotic unadulterated carnage, that Alter provides...Now that was some creepy💩Alter...👍

[@FilmSpook]

He and the older man were planning to sacrifice the other couple in the desert, no matter what. But she might have had a better chance to escape if she'd said yes.

[@allisonchains113]

Dang-👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 wasn’t expecting for Jessie to get off’d 😄 Nice job with acting, with directing, and especially with plot.

[@lily_jack5270]

YES I LUV IT

[@mrmustashio274]

2:46 loved her response

[@MidnightVideo]

lol yes

[@florincezar3559]

Respect ALTER👍

[@KellySmith-qp8db]

Definitely one of my top 3 fave horror shorts thus far!! Enjoyed thoroughly!!

[@brentage5000]

Michael, you're outvoted three to one. When that happens, either you go with the group or get left behind. Then again, considering this is alter...

[@sundaymorning4758]

I believe he is also a dead man (05:33)

[@brettzforeman]

Grant was playing both sides. If he had taken Jessie to that hotel, then the other two would have been defenseless in the free house. Michael had already spent his hotel money on coke, so he was not leaving the free house and probably wouldn't have minded having it to himself.

[@gavalar7485]

The atmosphere and setting give me real "MANOS - The hands of fate" vibes. (but with actual actors and sound design etc) 🔥🤘

[@StephenBrown-nx2gd]

This was beautifully done.

[@jimjustice581]

My ONLY criticism is that the volume goes up and down. I’m constantly adjusting the volume of my earphones. Interesting character development with a wicked bad ending. I loved it!

[@moniquevandeplas5210]

Okay a few things. Wow! This was so well done. Spoilers ahead: As soon as freako showed up my first thought was he's the grandfather...cuz the young kid and him have the same hairdo...no shit that is actually what I thought. Second, I love the outfits and I am going to guess this was supposed to be early 80's due to them and the window opening I saw. Made me think of the window opener I had in last house I lived in though my parents did buy that house in the seventies and it was built before that. Also they way it was established not many people came around based on a car that was sitting with square tires. Sorry, I feel like I am not being articulate. I am actually a little shaken from this short. The whole concept of a friend trying to protect the other friend from an ex and you set the parameters of a girl who picks problem guys and I guess it resonated with me because let's say I have been with a few bad freaks. I was so happy that the girl though figured out to get in car and go and run him over...I was like so refreshingly different than just running and screaming but of course she screwed up the shocks and didn't have time to take the bat for self defense...Damn it! She loses! But I love the snake bit. The metaphorical Adam and Eve Significance! Bravo! So good!

[@drea6717]

“This house tells a story”.....”yeah, pay your bills!”🤣🤣🤣 idk why but that had me rolling

[@Lee_Plenty]

Intro Song: Dusty Rhodes And The River Band "The Ballad Of Jim Jones"

[@jonrodriguez7931]

I enjoyed this cause it had some length and great shots in it. I.e actors, acting, and the tone was really welcoming and inviting.

[@whocanmakeyourwholeweek7272]

great effort and camera work. simple and effective story suspense all the way through. well done!

[@samdilworth1989]

2:46 That was funny. Pay your bills 😂.

[@MidnightVideo]

yes

[@Queen.AnneBoleyn]

This was AMAZING and I love the 🏜️ high desert plot. Killer. Absolutely killer film.

[@JessicaN555]

Damn, this felt like a full length movie in a little more than 16 minutes! Bravo!

[@marissabones]

This was brilliantly shot

[@robertkcisaw7528]

Digging the early 2000's horror vibes 😎

[@fermantanori1667]

The snake🐍bite was awesome..

[@dreembarge]

Wow! Amazing great work. All aspects: top notch.

[@TessaLCastro1216]

Another unforgettable bite of horror from a snake called ALTER🐍

[@dawniethedime]

Yall can't ever let the final girl live 🤧

[@odanesolomon8683]

Best one in a long time 💯💥👍

[@patrickhubbard5675]

Cool a burnt offering, now the hot blonde can light her damn cigarette, maybe.

[@detrajackson5992]

😳...That was cra cra!!!!

[@sherimlena2686]

I loved it but can someone plz explain to me what's going onnnn? Im confusedddd and intrigued

[@madnessbydesignVria]

SPOILERS!!! It would have been funny if the old guy saw the others were dead, and just lifted the hood of the car, made a quick fix, and sent her on her way... :)

[@Lucky_Chase]

See? This is what happens when the Bible is taken literally. Abe Lincoln ambles up and spouts random non chills.

[@grantm.9109]

As someone who has spent pretty much all 21 years of his life living in Southern California, I am still dumbfounded by how many people don't bother wearing sunglasses in the desert. There's a reason videos like this that are filmed at mid-day in California/Nevada/Texas always seem a bit overexposed. It's friggin' bright!!!

[@wesleyrodgers886]

Awww. I love happy endings.

[@brettzforeman]

Sounds like this guy was rooting for Creepy Truck Guy

[@rudevalve]

Certified Gold!!!!l

[@Whitewolfen]

Wow. That was disturbing. Had my mouth hanging open and I was frozen watching them die. That would make a awesome movie. We need more well told stories in full movies, not all jump scares and gore.

[@KevinMacaringue]

Really amazing movie!!!! Instant favourite!

[@LotsofLisa]

1:45 The bus that only takes you to hell. The discovery of Short Horror was one of the few highlights of the lockdown.

[@coyotedelanube8572]

The young man in this movie looks a lot like Richard Thomas from the old tv series The Waltons. Look at him, for example, at 2:30. Very strong resemblance.

[@cb1610]

Ok but I just had to say this , the two main girls (blonde & brunette) they look like the adult version of girls meets world (Riley & Maya) like they are sooooo similar ,even the characteristics

[@libratude9595]

Whoa!! 😳😮

[@turnerwright]

Proving once again it's never a good idea to date a religious person.

[@andrewohare8550]

For sure. I had a bad experience dating someone who was extreme religious. I'm into comic books and star wars. She forced be to abolish ally interest. I wasn't going to put up with that

[@billmurray7473]

In the age of pandemics, dating and hooking up will soon be Obsolete. It might as well be.

[@jennawalden8547]

@@andrewohare8550 no you’re best out of that relationship. Nobody’s got the right to control anybody like that

[@katkelly870]

When she ran over him i felt that 😆 Great short

[@jeromystone778]

I spent part of my youth residing within Hesperia, California. Twas indeed a "High Desert Hell". Good flick however. Kudos.

[@leonbowen6567]

I guess I'll say it for the hundredth time you guys are in mfkin sane 🤘🤘🤘🤘!!!!

[@KevinPooley1]

Wow super solid 🤘🏾

[@todaysgrailtomorrowsbeater]

congratulations to the director

[@lovemonkeyfunfun]

Holy crap that was scary! One of my top fave alters

[@AMYBIERHAUS]

FABULOUSNESS, as always! 🥰