CATCH YOUR BREATH - Award Winning Short Horror Film

A shy teenager (Andrew) is peer pressured by his older brother (Mike) into playing a game that is said to summon the ghost of the town legend, 'The Lady Beneath'. To disprove his brother and impress a girl at school he reluctantly agrees.
The rules of the game are simple, as long as Andrew holds his breath, he is safe from The Lady Beneath. But how long can Andrew hold his breath?
For best experience watch with headphones!
Written and Directed by: Matt Sears
Starring: Samson Oliver, Toby Oliver, Renee Sears
Produced by: Matt Sears, Jason Scott Goldberg, Brandon Waites
DOP: Jay Slater
Music by: Tim Williams and Maxwell Stone
Post Production: Matt Sears

[@twistedcoasters1533]

I’m just shocked he remembered the rhyme after only hearing it once

[@MattSears]

Haha, yep - i'd have to write it down.

[@shavonbest6864]

​@@MattSears I swear I said the exact same thing!!!!☺️

[@Beatrizvillacorta]

Anything to get that girl

[@thecupcakefoxblog]

But didn’t remember to hold his breath

[@gerellsmall661]

I was thinking that too. 😅

[@woiace]

Moral of the story: don’t give in to peer pressure.

[@courtney2368]

Fr

[@MariusRiley]

: Or to air pressure.

[@gregsmith5587]

NERD!!!!

[@MinglesLingles]

Or actually try

[@kevingiles623]

Moral is hold breathe for 60 secs lolsss

[@thomashazard525]

Ok, so who else was holding your breath along with the kid? It's kind of hard to hold it for a minute with that thing bearing down on you, isn't it? Great short video. One of the best I've seen in a while. Should be a full length movie.

[@MattSears]

Thanks Thomas, yeah absolutely. It sounds easy enough, but when you're scared it's nearly impossible. Working on turning it into a feature. So fingers crossed.

[@infiniteknowledge9038]

I was also holding my breath

[@madmaxiemartialartsnerd485]

Really depends on your experience in holding your breath, swimmers and climbers can do this challenge no problem, same with runners, average joe? yeah you kinda fucked.

[@TweakoTheSecond]

@@MattSears dude that would be insane!!!

[@sonicdit99]

It is a good subject for short movie, but not for full length movie imo. What would the movie be about ? A pack of teenagers holding their breath for 1,5h, with a cgi monster trying to catch them ? I dont like this hollywood type of horror movies, which got reduced just to boo-boo-boo monsters and jumpscares. Honestly, most today's horror movies could be made in a 10minute short movie.

[@accradata]

Great to see she got the friend as well. He deserved it

[@IGot7RevtinyArmyStayOnceBlink]

That actually was Annoying. He did deserve it but the rules made it sound like she only takes the one who called for… so this was kind’ve dumb.

[@Whotfasked69]

@@IGot7RevtinyArmyStayOnceBlink well he did say that you have to hold your breath for one minute for her to disappear and he didn't so maybe that's why Shes still there

[@blackmoon3452]

"mom can we have bloody mary?" "No we have one at home." bloody mary at home:

[@apolloaraujo6305]

Okay I’m convinced these horror short films are way better than a full horror movie

[@phrike7588]

Probably because it's all concentrated into just a few minutes instead of spread out into a full movie. And that's why short horrors going full length usually are very bad. It's way easier to come up with one or two great ideas than making a great full length movie.

[@225terror]

no bro this shit was dumb asf

[@valoskii8773]

Attention span

[@user-mr-m12312]

I would say this particular short wasn't too good.

[@me-eq5mv]

Agreed

[@ianwilliam3811]

Just goes to show, you don't need million dollar special effects to genuinely put the frighteners on people; just a great story, a couple of decent actors and good direction. Enjoyed this.

[@MattSears]

Thank you Ian! Was really proud of how this one came together, so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for checking it out.

[@ianwilliam3811]

@@MattSears thanks for taking the time to respond Matt. Keep 'em coming and I'll keep watching!

[@raelynnharrison6014]

They need to make this into an actual film!

[@tofuu625]

THIS IS SO SCARY!!‚ the way i‘m trying my best not to breath LMAOOO

[@MattSears]

Haha thank you!!! It's harder than you think

[@cindyaldridge5984]

Watch the one, "I Heard It Too" I was done after that. But yet I'm here again. This one sucked 2 me and why would his friend not go with him o do it. It made no sense but the other one I named was better but you might think it's not that great. Lol

[@milo-mac]

Mike telling Andrew he needs a bath is a fun little laughing moment, I personally enjoyed that 😌

[@sam.animations.official]

Watching this under a blanket fullscreen mode hits different

[@user-lw4qx4fs4g]

You should watch it on a 30" monitor with stereophonic headphones, alone, lights off and at midnight...as I am right now.

[@moonshelter3448]

Love the monstrous woman. Very impressive image. Would love to see the full-length movie with this lady. She deserves more backstory and screen time.

[@anyavance]

As soon as that candle went out I HELD MY FUCKING BREATH

[@Terri_MacKay]

Me too. And every time he relit the candle, I was praying that we weren't going to see whatever was getting out of the tub, by creepy candlelight, standing right behind him.

[@dantepalmarini6095]

Really enjoyed this short film, I think “The Lady Beneath” was terrifying, loved the way her hair was moving, really nightmarish! 👍

[@MattSears]

Thank you Dante! Glad you mentioned that. A lot of hard work went into that hair haha.

[@Oakleaf700]

@@MattSears It was very well done.. Mad hair.

[@prophetofhorror]

I agree. I also think when she got to the stairs, the combination of her descent and the tight space heightened the suspense. I kept saying, get up! But I knew she was going to get him.

[@stef987]

Agree, her floating hair was amazing!

[@kylekozak3033]

I held my breath long enough. I don’t think that in real life I would make it. 😂

[@jeffreyharnden7523]

This should've been a 2 hour movie it's waaaaay to excellent to be such a short movie the cast is very talented poor poor Andrew

[@MattSears]

Thanks Jeffrey! I'd love to turn this into a feature. I'm working on a script atm, so fingers crossed I can bring it to you soon.

[@4n0nym0usm4r3y]

@@MattSearsplease do! I loved how scary this one was and I would love for you to make a longer version!

[@chewingondaritos]

holy fuck no don't give them ideas please

[@moonontheman1657]

I was thinking the same exact thing!

[@tappbyte]

SHut up

[@alfredsmith6381]

Tight storytelling. Nothing was wasted or extra, and the monster's makeup was perfect. Well done all around.

[@Peanut_taco_muffin]

Agreed, the makeup/ fx were excellent for an independent short!

[@-JaggedGrace-]

i zoned out for over a minute when he was getting ready to do it and I think I missed nothing

[@Peanut_taco_muffin]

Amazing job, Matt. It was well scripted, well acted, great sfx/cgi- even the foley sound was great! I agree this should def be a feature film ❤

[@MattSears]

Thank you Peanut Taco Muffin (great name btw). Really appreciate the kind words. Fingers crossed we can make it soon.

[@Peanut_taco_muffin]

@@MattSears thank you! Lol. I have faith- this is one of my favorite shorts in a long time. Best of luck!!

[@paullevine1813]

Many myths & legends are often rooted in some form of truth , we all know the story here , ya wanna play ya gotta pay . Remember to read the fine print if you make others play you get to play as well like it or not & man when that door slams at the end it's round two .. A most excellent short !!!! My guess is now both brothers are together again forever & we know in horror evil just does not care that your sorry .

[@MattSears]

Thanks Paul! Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah you got it. I was hinting that when Andrew plays the game, his physical body never leaves the bathroom, but his soul enters the ghosts realm until he completes the game. Mike comes to his rescue but ends up entering that realm as well.

[@paullevine1813]

@@MattSears Thank you Matt i did enjoy it & as you share your talents with us i as a guitarist would share a bit of my music if you care to give a listen. Just an old audio track here. Please feel free to leave a comment on my page if you like what you hear. Much appreciated. good thing my playing isn't as scary as your films . LOL Really nice writing & production on your part. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHnNYWece7mlkKs

[@tylerswx1243]

How many tried holding their breath as well

[@MattSears]

Did you succeed!?

[@Taklover]

me

[@niniisroses008]

me and i almost died

[@MattSears]

@snowyvibes Did you make it!?

[@raze7x]

A short film way better than dozens of full lenght! Fantastic job!

[@Sidar800]

My only complaint was this wasn't long enough! She looked so damn creepy after he fell down the stairs and she slowly peaked around the corner. I'd be dead if I had to hold my breath for a minute 😅

[@MattSears]

Thank you! I have a feature idea for this, so hopefully I can make that happen. It sounds easy enough, but its actually pretty hard when you try it.

[@Sidar800]

​@Matt Sears Thanks awesome to hear. I don't know the first thing about getting all this done lol and I'm sure it's far from simple but maybe try to get ahold of Blumhouse? I'm sure that's way easier said than done though.

[@ParanormalHorrorArtist]

Dude the guy must have excellent memory??. I would straight up scare the guy who waited downstairs. Ain't nobody gonna throw the "girl will like you" card at me.

[@user-do6bh3qd4u]

I AM ADDICTED!!! award-winning short horror movies are way better than theater movies!!

[@shadowandlight237]

I must admit that i managed to hold my breath for 30 seconds

[@robertmedrano6371]

Mine is 50 seconds

[@Alexander24328]

I barely made it to 60 seconds

[@JiraiyasWife]

"I don't want to do this anymore." "Okay. Seems like a bad idea anyways." Lady Beneath: "Hey!! No fair!" The End

[@aneshachatterjee2851]

The good ending

[@lukeysnookey2877]

Bro has the lungs of a 90 year old smoker like how can he not hod, his breath for even 20 seconds

[@user-bs6ft5ye5z]

exactly

[@vihaankhanna3324]

i love how bro loves to chill on the floor instead of getting up

[@Imagine_dragon]

This is a scary because I knew what was gonna happen. All he had to do it to hold his breath for long enough to survive is just don’t move.

[@debbie20062003]

Catch Your Breath and The Sky by Matt Sears --> never trust a "friend!" Both are excellent stories. Go Matt!!

[@MattSears]

Thank you!!! Go Debbie!!

[@refrigerator806]

Bro this is really good and scary, i was trying to hold my breath too when the guy is holding his breath

[@MattSears]

Thanks Chels, thats what I was hoping people would do!

[@prophetofhorror]

Awesome short. The whole concept was well thought out. The buildup was compelling, and you really stuck the landing, so to speak.

[@MattSears]

Thank you! It was a concept i'd been working on for a while, so that's great to hear. Thanks for checking it out and the kind words.

[@prophetofhorror]

@@MattSears You're welcome Matt, and my pleasure. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

[@davef1796]

I agree with some of the other commenters - this should be a full-length film! This was excellent and very frightening!

[@MilaSkarpel]

That design of Monster... is soooo impressive *___* Absolutely horrific (in a good way). Bravo!

[@MattSears]

Thank you!! Worked hard on the look of her, really glad you liked it.

[@Blankchannel0]

if i was a critic, which i am not, i would rate this 100000000000000/10. way better than spending money to watch a full-length movie.

[@joshuaswisher6748]

Perfect! So many short films do it wrong. This was excellence.

[@christine4223]

Incredible! I can hardly believe this is only nine minutes long. It felt both much longer and much shorter. So well done.

[@MattSears]

Thank you Christine! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@Oakleaf700]

@@MattSears I'm going to have to wait til daybreak to watch this fully!.

[@MattSears]

@@Oakleaf700 That's cheating!

[@Oakleaf700]

@@MattSears Haha! Yes...But I was in the house alone at night..with the extortionate price of electricity, I can't afford to be sleeping with the lights on 😂

[@MattSears]

@@Oakleaf700 Ok yeah that's a fair point. Just use candle light....by the bathtub.....and then blow one out and see what happens.

[@brianshaner8865]

Great short. Another fine gem by you and your cast and crew. Fantastic job. Love your horror shorts. Keep it up!

[@LalzuimawiaSailo-qt8yv]

When the second candle blows off ...all went dark,and i thought it was my phone screen problem

[@KidsNFilm]

Wow! This was really good! The young man was amazing and the makeup on The Lady Beneath was award-winning!

[@MattSears]

Ah thank you so much! Yeah they were both great. Really happy with their performances. The makeup was actually VFX so i'm really happy with that comment! ha

[@michaelclemons1761]

Ok. That was SO AWESOME!!! Cool concept. Great acting by the young gentlemen. Absolutely PERFECT setting for a horror flick. And the FX work on the monster was beautifully unsettling. A definite 10 on my HEEBIE JEEBIES meter. 😱😱😱👏👏👏

[@tinaj1816]

You guys are truly amazing...This was one of the best and scariest short horrors I have seen in a good while. Keep up the good work, Bravo!

[@MattSears]

Thank you so much Tina! Very much appreciated. Hope to be back with another short soon!

[@Hey_Jamie]

I feel like I’d have gotten immediately spooked with this atmosphere if there hadn’t been background ‘music’ (tones, really) in that first half. It already has a scary setting. The music sort of makes it feel like it’s telling me it’s supposed to be spooky. But I don’t need it. It’s already spooky. Even the flashlights they’re using freak me out because they’re not the kind that you can aim at something and see what you’re looking at. They’re more of an immediate space illuminator. Not really for scary adventures. So that alone gave me the anxiety I’m sure you were aiming for lol

[@ClaudiaMitchell-jn7fw]

The photography was superb along with the sound and acting, perfect, in my opinion !! ☝️. You’re a class act .

[@MattSears]

Thank you so much Claudia! Appreciate you watching my films! :)

[@ClaudiaMitchell-jn7fw]

@@MattSears You’re welcome. ✨🌸✨

[@averyy.]

A great short will with an awesome atmosphere! It was very scary and had a great buildup!

[@MattSears]

Thank you Avery! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@alexandraradu1788]

ky5

[@averyy.]

@alexandraradu1788 ?

[@TrevorBarre]

Cheap and cheerless.

[@casechow]

EXCELLENT!! Acting, storyline, monster, lighting, everything is a hit!! Well done!! ❤️

[@MattSears]

Thank you!! Really appreciate it 😁

[@mishasami]

I absolutely agree!! This was making my heart pitter patter. I could hear it throug my headphones! This is truly a masterpiece. ❤️❤️❤️

[@greyfraser3078]

@@MattSears tyhis shit was ass

[@PadillaPodcasts]

don't lie to people

[@coreyhall9461]

He really playing red light, green light with a ghost! LOL!!!!

[@Gentleman_Jester]

I really like these short horror films. Seems like the creativity is much better than anything Hollywood spews out these days. Its funny to say but it almost seems like a short film with a small budget has more freedom to focus on what they’re trying to accomplish with the story. Big movies with big budgets have so many different aspects to address are constrained to work within a set of parameters. They always have people looking over their shoulders. So the movies become machine printed spectacles. Where as short films like this are the purest form of the art. Well done. I really enjoyed this one. Have to go change my underwear now though.

[@MattSears]

Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed it! There's definitely a lot of creativity and talent out there. I'm amazed by some of the work I see on KZbin and at festivals.

[@ClaudiaMitchell-jn7fw]

So frightening ! Best thriller I’ve seen in years ! 👍👍…………….😳 !

[@MisterG2323]

A pleasure catching up to this one. It earns all the views! More excellence from the Sears crew!

[@MattSears]

Hahaha thank you!!! This is defo one of my favourites, so glad you enjoyed it.

[@GeorgeWeeman]

He keeps telling him to wake up, as he's coughing lol

[@johannaclark6241]

Wow, when it was over, I couldn't believe 9 minutes had passed. Had me drawn in from beginning to end. 👏🏼

[@MattSears]

Awesome, cheers Johanna. Hopefully can keep you hooked for 90.

[@uncannypictures]

this was soooo goood! great work everyone!

[@MattSears]

Thank you!! :D

[@rushilnotpro]

its actually easier to hold ur breath if there is little air inside ur lungs

[@colorstudios123]

The fact that I'm watching this in s bath with two candles next to me

[@MattSears]

Don't blow one out!!

[@WST-Dysphoria]

I came here after watching jacksepticeye watch one of your other shorts and I saw your comment under the video and came straight here to see this. I was not disappointed! Gonna check out the rest of your stuff! So much talent! I hope she got the other kid to honestly. Its neat to see this kind of ending for once. Both the person not getting away and that they get found by someone else who also appears to not get away. LOVE a good, "bad" ending! Had me on the edge of my seat the entire time - holding my breath!!!

[@MattSears]

Thank you so much! It's always a nice bit of exposure when a big KZbinr reacts to your work. Thanks for coming over to watch the rest of my films. Definitely love a good, bad ending!

[@Bibulous.]

Its second british short horror film that i watched,and this one as spooky as another,for 9 minute length its really impressive,good atmosphere,good soundtrack,good actor play,monster looks pretty real also

[@emmafrost16]

I was like "bruh can't hold his breath for a minute" then i actually tried it and guess what i'll be taken by the ghost as well. 😂😂😂

[@KaspenPlayzz]

Ok so i can hold my breath for 30 secs but hell naw I ain't holding my breath for an entire godamn minute, i would die

[@staceywebber8808]

This was awesome I was hoping he would survive I was automatically holding my breath without realizing it ❤️

[@ClaudiaMitchell-jn7fw]

Me too ! 😳

[@rachelmckitterick]

Brilliant! Another amazing short horror film.

[@MattSears]

Thank you Rachel! Really appreciate it, thanks for watching

[@rachelmckitterick]

@@MattSears You're welcome. Your short films are so well done.

[@MattSears]

@@rachelmckitterick that's very kind! Can't wait to show you the next one. Check out abandon us and boltcutter by bury tomorrow. They're horror music videos I've written and directed

[@rwf-kd3wu]

Great job, one of the best horror shorts I’ve seen in a while!

[@nunya8351]

"Yew fockin' wot, mate?"

[@bigmike8564]

That was unbelievable A great new twist on horror

[@sharmaking7905]

You did well in this short film, I hope in future you will make more short film like this.

[@MattSears]

Cheers Sharma. Check out my channel, theres plenty more. With more on the way too.

[@DestIAmTiny]

“Think of how cool she will think you are” be a homie and just tell her I did it

[@IPigGod]

the scariest thing in the short is that someone is paying the water bill at a vacant house

[@jeremypgiles]

This was great. We really enjoyed this. Well done team.

[@noma4133]

He can't hold his breath all the time, so I'm afraid that a ghost will approach him every time he breathes.😱 The child who played Andrew was good at acting.

[@MattSears]

He did a great job!

[@holidayinnexpresssuites1637]

love the play on red light green light holding the breathe and if he doesn't she gets to move.. GENIUS

[@dangercat8919]

Very original and fun. I was holding my breath is so many parts!

[@Will313J]

Well done... Definitely would like to see this turned into a movie.

[@MattSears]

Thank you, me too!

[@danecobain]

Oh cool, you got my sleep paralysis demon to appear in one of your films!

[@MattSears]

Hahaha yeah - his agent was a nightmare but we managed to come to an agreement.

[@Stufffonlyforfun.]

This is amazing the acting and the dramatic shots love it. Also she litrally just goes afk when u hold ur breath which is funny

[@ericlucas3563]

Man this would be a dope full-length film

[@joegallicchio26]

Brilliant! Really really scary!

[@robertaller4776]

Truly terrific! Neat story well-acted and filmed beautifully. OK -can't resist it: it took my breath away! Bravo!

[@MattSears]

Thank you so much Robert! Really glad you enjoyed it. I'll quote that on the poster haha.

[@_Unknown_.]

I usually can hold my breath for a long time but while watching this i wasn't able to do it even for a second 😂😂

[@moritzfury2708]

Nice work boys. Better job than a lot of things I see on this plattform. You are gonna get there

[@Crackpot_Astronaut]

Wow this was incredible, what a cool idea! I loved it

[@MattSears]

Thanks Crackpot!

[@Andrewiscoming]

Excellent work I loved this keep it up

[@MattSears]

Cheers Gareth

[@neondisco8635]

I managed to hold my breath, unfortunately I can't say the same for my urine. That has to be one of the scariest movie monsters I've seen in years, she made 'Mama' look like Ma Larkin.

[@dexpeyton700]

“Mum said I wasn’t allowed to play with fire” 😂

[@BassuleleMusic]

….wow y’all really outdid most of the recent major horror productions with a pair of brothers and your wife. Reminded me of Mama, I loved that too. Excellent, excellent work. Edit: I have spent the last ~3h binging short horror films. This was the only one I liked so I had to come back here and say well done again.

[@moshfiq]

A good premise was spoiled by bad acting. The hair of the ghost was mesmerizing.

[@prashantkumbhat]

Excellent! Probably one of the best short horror movies I’ve seen! Kudos team! Wishing you all the success

[@death066]

The least realistic thing about all this is the fact that he remembered that McSh*t word for word, cuz I sure as hell couldn't do that.

[@TLundy1972]

so good Matt!!! love the creature design and the story!!!

[@MattSears]

Thanks Tara. Probably my favourite ghost and concept so far.

[@ReneeSe-entertainer-actress]

Another brilliant film from Matt and I loved being involved. We'll done boys 🙂

[@impatient_eternity]

Lady Beneath ?:)

[@samanthagribbin1758]

Just finished this and it was fantastic! Loved the idea great work mate

[@Turski-Seriali-BG]

the first short horror that actually scared me a bit after billions of tries

[@tonystokes1119]

This was the best short horror film I have seen in a very long time. Keep it up.

[@MattSears]

Thank you very much Tony!

[@joymelton-bollen6383]

WOW. This was phenomenal!!! Definitely going on my saved list!

[@MattSears]

Cheers Joy!!

[@tarmancer]

this is one of the most excellent short horror films

[@MattSears]

Thank you! :)

[@naturallygreen]

loved this omg short films are better than the long ones cause they drag it out lol this was great

[@amjadk5361]

no

[@dannyrugged5118]

no

[@AsemaSahebzada]

no

[@mckinnonproductions]

Absolute GREAT film!!! I actually got freaked out!! The acting was incredible!! Loved it!!

[@MattSears]

Thank you! The boys were great!

[@SuckMyDickBaby]

@@MattSears can you give me the names of the boys

[@alienpromax3511]

If I was a ghost, I would scare those kids while smoking a beer

[@BerishaFatian]

This should be a commercial about how bad smoking is. He couldn't hold his breath for more than ten seconds.

[@psynuxx]

I am very impressed with this. Great writing, lighting, sound design, and FX, just an awesome short film. I have to ask Matt, how did you do the hair floating like it was under water? That was a very nice touch! I'm guessing Blender? I thought the only practical way of doing that would be to use a fan, get the talent to move quicker, then slow down in post... but your version is simply perfect.