Horror Short Film "Polaroid" | ALTER

[@WatchALTER]

Director Ben Schwartz made this film at only 19 years old, where it played at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) last year. Here is his statement about the film: "The initial concept of this film was created for more of a challenge than an actual written idea. The objective was to make a five minute short film without any equipment, other than a camera and a tripod. Without any audio equipment during shooting, there could be no dialogue, and all sounds had to be reimagined with foley. All basic lighting had to be done with practical light sources. A lamp near our character and another to fill the room, was all that was used to create what you see on screen. I'd been making short films ever since I was little, and never had the resources for a cast, crew, or budget for filming. Having to improvise with the few tools I had, I'm proud to have finished what I didn't even believe was possible before I started. My main goal is to show other filmmakers my age, that you don't need fancy camera equipment or a big budget to make a proper short film. That being said however, it still is nice to have those benefits. I could've improved many aspects of my film with a bit of money, and some helping hands. Maybe it's time I spend some cash, and create the ultimate horror masterpiece!"

[@reneebrady8389]

Ben Schwartz did a FANTASTIC job in hitting his goal with this short, truly impressive!

[@tietjen666]

Sir! Get on that masterpiece already. It's not like we are burying bodies in pits or anything!

[@bolojean-luc2337]

ALTER Hi ! Im a storyteller from France 🇫🇷. Are you possibly seeking stories,even in prose format ?

[@skboxedyou7979]

You did a brilliant job. Great short with good acting. Superb. Wish it was longer but you get the idea of the story straight away

[@TessaLCastro1216]

I think he did a great job...the way in which it was done really made it scary

[@ArcherR135]

No loud jumpscare, no booming noise, this is the scariest kind of horror, silent horror

[@nbayoungboyedits4929]

Facts I still got scared 😂🤣😂

[@edmondgreen7970]

Unless you pause it at 3:52 and see the "monsters" doopy face.

[@kpop_is_luv6435]

@@nbayoungboyedits4929 yeah me too 😂

[@isacsalustinonascimentonas2933]

Good morning

[@isacsalustinonascimentonas2933]

👍🏻

[@ArsonBjork]

Why can't real film understand that jumpscares are not scary, it's just a reflex It's the threat of a jumpscare that is scary, this film understands

[@bobbyredmond8211]

idk about all that. Nice try tho

[@insalubriousdithyramb1742]

Jump scares are not scary at all. Neither is the threat of a jump scare. Good horror films build suspense and tension and keep it throughout the movie. Short films like these have limitations but I'm sure there are still better ones out there.

[@r.e.d.docena5957]

Jump scares are part of what make horror films scary. For me, jump scare, coherent scenes leading to the jump scares (the build up and the suspense), good story, emotion filled actors/actresses, and the sustain in the atmosphere after the jump scare are for me makes a good scary horror film.

[@alara5977]

Yup. Jumpscares left me angry. Some movies have them jumpscares and sudden loud noise and background music. I don't like surprises.

[@themondoshow]

Nah jump scares are scary

[@wrivuroy00]

Alter is genius! Hit like before watching! They make Quarantine days better

[@thedraftingax5963]

Yup 👍!

[@tangocharlie1428]

Definitely

[@tabathaking1763]

Pak De.. Had to go back and make sure I hit like 😅

[@user-kg4ho9jr2r]

Mr. Schwartz is achieving things that a lot of young horror fans, myself included, have long dreamed of. His ability to read the moments where the audience will expect something and then completely subvert that expectation is brilliant. There were moments where a jumpscare could have been placed, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who would have shrieked aloud. But the director relying primarily on the concept and atmosphere to build tension is something I really appreciate. Good on you, Ben! Hope to see more from this young man.

[@reneebrady8389]

I've never been more creeped out by such an innocent object like a Polaroid camera then I am right now! I'm amazed at what director Ben Schwartz was able to accomplish with a tiny budget and 5 minutes! Intense! Bravo!

[@JustinLHopkins]

The atmosphere was especially creepy. Thunder in the background, dark corners in the room, the subtle soundtrack.

[@ingridsantana706]

You should watch some Asian movies then 😅😅 they have a bunch of horror movies camera related

[@Nocturnalux]

@@ingridsantana706 'Shutter' immediately comes to mind, that was a great movie.

[@ingridsantana706]

@@Nocturnalux omg yeees. Almost sure I had "shutter" in mind hahah

[@isacsalustinonascimentonas2933]

Me too

[@andreafraire7406]

Why doesn’t everyone turn their lights on?

[@shantcheetah]

ikr?? it's the simplest way to find the ghosts

[@libbymills4432]

Ikr?! It makes me crazy, but I love these short films.

[@shatakshidogra2724]

exactly!!!!

[@billyandrew]

Because whatever it was makes the lights blow, as we saw twice in the vid. Smh and lol.

[@aubreyhidges6208]

Cus the lights will f'n explode! Didnt u watch!? Lol

[@shantcheetah]

when that light bulb broke out of nowhere i had a mini-heart attack lol

[@billyandrew]

I had a couple, during this vid.

[@shantcheetah]

Billy Andrew haha i feel you bro. thats why i love this channel, they have some of the scariest films out there, better than a lot of the mainstream horror films

[@shantcheetah]

Billy Andrew btw bro i make acting & comedy videos on my channel so feel free to check it out if you want :)

[@surayyaibrahim180]

Heheeh I can relate

[@drmg735]

I didnt blink

[@rainmirron]

Suspenseful music, leaving the monster to your imagination, the impending sense of doom. All the tellings of a classic thriller and I'm here for it. Excellent job from such a young film maker with limited resources.

[@ingridsantana706]

Watching it during daylight and still scared af

[@WatchALTER]

Ingrid Sant'Ana same!

[@billyandrew]

*Ingrid Sant'Ana* Yup, know the feeling. 😂😂😂😂

[@snowfoal]

aha same

[@TessaLCastro1216]

Thank you lol same here

[@JustinLHopkins]

It’s a dark and stormy day where I live, so that didn’t help when I watched.

[@blep5413]

Polaroid cameras actually look pretty freakin' cool (the flash and click sound is always satisfying to me)

[@J_Honor_]

I grew up in the 80's when they were out and everyone loved them. I still do.

[@billyandrew]

Same here. Can get the click sound and flash on my fone, but the whirring sound ain't available. 😂😂😂

[@nictheartist]

Nowadays, they are a pricey hobby, though, because the film is a bit on the expensive side.

[@kanadetyupanon9003]

I have to take of my glass, make it a half screen and put the screen 1 m away ... That's how scary it is ...

[@crystallee1368]

did the latter... 😂

[@whoasked7192]

haha did you also stop shitting in the street like your fellow Indians ?

[@whoasked7192]

@TheFallenRuler Only your father eats shit

[@edmondgreen7970]

Just pause it at 3:52. That dopey face the "monster" is making will take all the scary away for ya.

[@sam.44400]

If you get a mysterious box at your doorstep and you don't recall ordering anything online...how about don't open it? No? 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@vietinis7050]

You'll be curious as f

[@sam.44400]

@@vietinis7050 Nope, return to sender. Lol

[@vietinis7050]

@@sam.44400 ...

[@michaeltula8313]

SkinLikeHoney . People in New York steal mail all the time. It’s not unreasonable to assume someone would open an unmarked box at their doorstep

[@sam.44400]

@@michaeltula8313 I wouldn't know I'm not from NY lol

[@rw5258]

Taking a picture of a dark area of a room never ends well...😜 Thanks Alter! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@billyandrew]

Ain't that the truth! 👀👻👹😈👾 😲🤪 😂😂😂

[@alto0417]

Hey that's freaking hilarious 😂😂😂👻👻🙈🙈🙈

[@dethengine]

Yeah, it's almost as if we've seen this concept over and over and over again.

[@isacsalustinonascimentonas2933]

Good morning

[@stephensotor8104]

That had me shaking.... Like a Polaroid picture.

[@kiranshivgan979]

Is that a camera you are holding in your dp (it is dp, right)? 😅

[@arundhativenkat4976]

@@kiranshivgan979 pfp is actually used more commonly :)

[@kiranshivgan979]

@@arundhativenkat4976 thanks, I knew I was missing the "correct" word :P

[@CursedMudflap]

Shake it, shake, shake it, shake it like a polaroid picture~

[@187onamudafuckincop]

Outkast heyyyy yaaaaaaa wooo hoooo

[@monicataylor6145]

During this trying time, I can always depend on ALTER to scare the Hades outta me

[@sleezzzyp]

THIS IS NOT ACCURATE!!! HE DIDN'T OPEN THE BOX WEARING LATEX GLOVES, A MASK, AND 40 WADS OF TOILET PAPER!!! JUST KIDDING, GOOD JOB ON THE FILM THIS IS BRILLIANT WORK AND ORIGINAL

[@soulsymphony5111]

Dark web boxes ? xD

[@joseluisanaya5738]

I watched that micro-short at noon and still got scared AF... it’s a great, silent, super horror story without any cheap tricks, just a lot of imagination with few resources available. Cool atmosphere and built of tension in this dark film. Great to watch horror films in quarantine when Netflix/Amazon gets boring. Always the great choice is to watch ALTER.

[@sharidasaing1427]

No script. Just with clicking sound, damn! This awesome! Really like the concept.

[@MissTique247]

I LOVED THIS! Simple! To the point! TERRIFYING! What I really appreciate is that you didn't force feed us your "whole" vision! You let us make it our own in a way! You gave us the broad strokes of a great film, and let us paint in the details with our own imagination! And yet another film that dialogue has very little to do with a film! Well, better put, it doesn't NEED to carry a film, if done correctly! Thanks again ALTER, and the makers of this film! Really enjoyed it!

[@summerbush322]

Your short films make everything feel better when your stuck in the house. Thanks for the writers and everything and alter for existing.

[@AirbenderHawk]

BOI!!!! The way the camera shot the room after that score played, especially with the loud popping noises with the lightbulb, that got my heart racing from beginning to end; the tension is just there! Well done, most impressive!

[@taylorm9722]

This film should definitely not be watched on a phone! Needs to seen in a dark room on a big screen for maximum effect!

[@sessybunny5707]

With lots of people nearby👀

[@TessaLCastro1216]

I'm 42 & an avid horror fan....and I'm over here squinting my way through this film after @1:52 lol The guy did a great job on this!

[@monro2159]

This was very good. Great pace and brilliant tension. You constantly felt on edge. They built up the expectation well and although the usual jump tropes were there with familiar techniques, the timing of them, the ambiance, lighting, situation, still managed to scare this hardened horror movie buff!!

[@jhoydelrosario7498]

Wow! I like the cinematography. The Ambience of pure horror without any kind of animation effects. Just silent but terrifying kind of horror film. It could be a full length movie. A round of applause with all casts and production staff. You did a great job.👍

[@raunaksandhu2382]

Thanks for the horror movies, keep us entertained during quarantine Edit: holy crap this was creepy

[@WatchALTER]

Raunak Sandhu 🖤

[@akhilsivan3335]

Hello

[@zaemc8254]

I'm here peeking through my fingers on the screen😂😂😂

[@haytijr5823]

Moral of the story: You heard disturbing footsteps walking around the room, just jump out of the window to save yourself.

[@jewelhaines8842]

BRAVO Ben Schwartz! This film creeped me out, big time!! I find sometimes the scariest things are when ordinary situations can really turn on you! Great job!! ❤

[@mother_of_doxies]

The weirdest part of this whole thing is the portrait of Catherine of Aragon on the teenage boy’s wall. Interesting choice of bedroom decor…..

[@leventekalmantorok5518]

At 2:23 just run outside with the phone in your hand!!!! 🤯

[@gotthesinglelife]

Just one of the few times you hope a porch pirate takes the package and get a surprise better than any law enforcement can offer.

[@s.simonsays]

Why did the cute guy have to die!?

[@billyandrew]

To annoy and upset you, why else? 😜😂😂😂

[@s.simonsays]

@@billyandrew Gee idk to kill off all attractive people so we dont need standards

[@surayyaibrahim180]

That is how all horror movies ends...🤣

[@DebojyotiDey-sn2lb]

COZ HE OPENED THE PACKAGE

[@idc870]

THAT MY QUESTION TOO

[@freeidiot]

You did not even show the monster/ghost/paranormal thing, but still heart stopping. Great Job! Watching this on a computer, turned off the full screen mode.

[@jajajuju6708]

Best part: the lightbulb that flashed forward before it burst ... good tension and storytelling

[@uglyfellaa.k.athacommentor5907]

Morale of the story: if there's a mysterious package on ur front porch just leave it there.

[@tats763]

This was great! The suspense was quickly ramped up. It had me flinching. 😄

[@KINEMAFACTORYTV]

Very cool!!!

[@tracyrobinson9442]

3:56 I honestly couldn't tell for a couple moments if the audio had a beat sound or it was it my own heart pounding?!?! Hate the dark and when bulbs start breaking I'm out. WELL DONE!!! Super glad I watched this at 2 in the afternoon. Whew.

[@tiffanybenefield1980]

Awesome work!!! Keep up the fantastic job for for real to the young guy who wrote & filmed this. He truly has some phenomenal talent.

[@06385sheri]

Very short and immediately satisfying. Thank you Alter for such great films.

[@LEVIAHAN]

3:52 ty ALTER for another sleepless night

[@mathieubutts2584]

Alter your content could never disappoint me. Highlights of the quarantine Alter .

[@cryptoknight9565]

When I saw “Polaroid Horror Film” across my news feed I thought it was a short documentary about their stock prices

[@ishajoshi5500]

OMG!!! You guys nailed it again😍 In love with your stories 💘... Love from India🇮🇳💕

[@tanukumari6518]

All the bulbs r bursting out and he's still willing to play with the Polaroid. Crazzzzyyyy.....

[@clockworktri]

One of those horrors where the tension is so thick I'm holding my breath. I'm watching with my cat for comfort, and the light bulb exploding made him jump which scared the crap out of me. He's no help at all.

[@MaddMountains]

I've been watching horror films since I was a wee lad, so I'd like to consider myself scare proof, but this scared the bejeezus out of me. Well done, Ben Schwartz.

[@MichaelFrazierTube]

Daymn, i literally have never gone back frame by frame to figure out what was the film, my tv settings, or my brain. GREAT work here.

[@tietjen666]

Deftly terrifying! Great use of subtlety and nuance. Highly skilled. Bravo.

[@shatakshidogra2724]

i jumped when the bulb exploded....watching with headphone on got really scared

[@sadhgurusshortvideos6265]

It wasn't that scary for me 😅

[@shatakshidogra2724]

😂

[@Horror9T9]

I like the concept of the story..👌👌👍

[@drdr76]

...and that's why Polaroid went out of business.

[@WatchALTER]

d ragland 👀

[@MWorsa]

👻

[@billyandrew]

@@TheTazzietiger Joke...over head...whoosh! Sound familiar? 😜😂😂😂

[@GasoMask]

Oooooooo a box. *it gets taken away by 3 guys in hazmat suits*

[@Javdenm]

This is my favorite other than blue door that you have put out on KZbin!

[@ednicolettasnyder6219]

Best ALTER I've seen since "The House Abandon."

[@uglyfellaa.k.athacommentor5907]

Where my ALTER Fans at?!?!

[@cristianv7228]

Bravo six, going full screen

[@WatchALTER]

Roger, roger. Good luck. Over and out.

[@Kuyjac258]

Imagine watching this in bed at 2:43am in the dark and with headphones because I am that idiot. I almost screamed when the first light smashed. All of a sudden my husband’s snoring is a comfort right now.

[@nova69chev]

Alter is the only thing keeping me going in pandemic.

[@alexarmantomato]

You know......you should probably leave the house when the light bulbs start popping like that. Also does anyone else feel like this is the shorter version of the movie Sinister??

[@Heartstreaks23]

of course I didn't miss the short horror film from Alter tonight 😆

[@Winka0316]

Kinda scary to have a scenario like that but i love this scene

[@jordandenny6875]

John Krasinski made A Quiet Place, Ben Schwartz made this. Comedians should take the horror genre over and kick out generic horror cliches

[@sarabaisara3107]

Good one. Liked it🖤

[@hayasheeeesh]

This is awesome. Such a great film!

[@tamaraharris937]

That was awesome! I really enjoyed the creepy atmosphere build up in this film. I was scaring myself thinking that something was going to pop out, this really mess with my head. Keep it up alter.

[@karabiel9167]

I love these variations of Polaroid horror shorts n movies but this was too good to be so short, probably the first short without dialogue that I would watch a full length movie of🙏🙏💚

[@esrat2508]

ever since I discovered alter lately, I've been binge-watching short horrors. Tonight, my electricity was gone twice. I hope it's not you, guys.

[@tabathaking1763]

Jump scares are my favorite reflex😅. That last bulb blowing AND the knowledge that something unseen was in the dark made me scramble right out of my panties 🥺. Left my blood 🩸 flowing quickly 😂. Ty ALTER♥️😁

[@chinadondiva]

Even the freaking lightbulb scared me

[@wolfluvfilms]

Awesome! Polaroid cameras are a great prop. We used one in our 2018 Denver 48 Hour Film challenge horror short "Hi Larry". Great sound design in this too. Love it.

[@BS-zm5jo]

At the start I knew this guy didn't have what it took to survive. Look how he opens a box.

[@kirtij2441]

Thank you for not having jumpscares when the flash went off!

[@azeemamjad117]

I have been watching alter since long time and all short horror stories are just fabulous, amazing...... Keep doing 👍

[@gomezgomez9665]

Simple atmospheric. The sound alone was scary enough....

[@abigrant7194]

Nice. I love these short horror films

[@anxiousanimeartist]

All I could think of after reading the title was "I found a pile of polaroids in the crates of a record shop..."

[@zolphdiggler]

you guys are definitely making this shelter in place bearable

[@abemcg3803]

Much better than the 2019 movie Polaroid

[@LikeaBoss-rl3fs]

Who do you think you are. That’s so racist

[@Abubakr83]

You people have really worked amazing

[@clarissamarierodriguez3562]

love love love ALTER. ❤️

[@wencydulnuan7507]

There was a horror movie about polaroid and I gotta admit this is way better than the movie ❤

[@robliptak93]

“You deserve to be disturbed,” the Alter tag line. I am suffering from ennui and this just added to it. As a class project, give the 19 year old kid kudos, but filming in the dark does not qualify as a scary movie. Filming in the dark seems to be the number one requirement for horror/scary films these days. Plot...nope. Writing...nope. Acting...nope.

[@Nocturnalux]

I would have left the house the moment I saw the first creepy polaroid. No way they'd stick around taking more!

[@ChannelMDiscovery]

Very hard to convince anyone would stay after capturing that on film.

[@Carrottopsrule]

Why did they both open that box thats unmarked I would not do that ever

[@chrissymayhew6059]

Ha! freeze frame 3:52... ALTER, that scared the BEJESUS out of me... you're my hero😍...

[@chrissymayhew6059]

You're movie got a ❤from Chrissy...ha bow dat?

[@johnrebserran2495]

Wow, this gives me chills.

[@thatsmoovekat]

Well done...very atmospheric and creepy.

[@dindawulandari959]

When the lamp is popping. Nice try to make a little heart attack. Good job

[@marklutz8499]

BRAVO to Ben Schwartz!!!!

[@cotton.candycurls2390]

After years of reading and watching horror, I actually ruin the films for my fam. But ALTER keeps the good old thrill I fell in love with, and always helps my insomnia. Love the stuff👌🏻

[@robertjudy9135]

Wicked! I would pay to see the sequel.

[@zoes7967]

Beautiful work!! Wow I was not expecting to be so scared

[@Ok.WhatsYourPoint_]

Yikessss, it's something about taking pictures in the dark that freaks my soul out, never know what's there 🥺🤧😖

[@raedgaj3878]

It's what you don't see that makes it scary, great short.

[@alanbryant8457]

Creepy good film. This guy thinking to take picture or not. When i see Alter in my notifications. I'll sneak away so i can watch my horror films. It's a pain when i have to stop and finish later.

[@jadiquaify]

This one actually scared me good work