The Present™ (Surreal Psychological Short Film)

A frustrated man becomes hypnotized by a meditation infomercial and engages in a surreal battle for control of his mind.
S T A R R I N G
Jake Brady
Dante Bernard
Director: Richard Rogers
DP/Composer: James West Webb
Production Designer: Forest Van Hoose
Wig & Makeup: Jennifer Mullins, Madison McClain, Lisa Pedraza
Colorist: Jack Caswell
Re-Recording: Alexander Verbitskiy
Shot on Red Dragon 6k w/ Vintage Cooke Zoom Anamorphic
Big thank you to everyone who supported this film. SkyCorp® thanks you for your dedication and loyalty.
F E S T I V A L S E L E C T I O N S ™
FilmQuest
GenreBlast
Kapow Intergalactic
Arizona Underground
Sunscreen West
National Film Festival for Talented Youth
SUPPORT US ON PATREON: / skycorphomevideo
INSTAGRAM: / skycorphomevideo

[@sagesmith]

i watched the whole thing, blew me away. this is meant to be seen in a theater. i can't imagine how much work must've went into this.

[@DOOF1]

@@DJKinney grammar nazi

[@Oliepolie]

@@DOOF1 petty commenter

[@thezestychunk5575]

DJ Kinney silence you peach of a human

[@stevanthewise7240]

So like, ima not continue this name calling ._.

[@theofficialunofficial7805]

This shit is out of it man lol

[@1109films]

I love the work you guys do on this channel. There's like this Black Mirror vibe mixed with absurd comedy and it's fantastic.

[@hoangtran4736]

0:19 who also thought that plane was also gonna pull a *pro gamer move*?

[@theblueytimes]

me

[@VFACodex]

and me

[@SamDaBul]

Funny to think this guy was an idol to me 10 years ago, and is now a full-blown director. Awesome work dude.

[@iamlucidess]

Needs 100k views like, right now.

[@purrpletiger2159]

WHY DOESN'T IT HAVE IT YET

[@youlikejazz7320]

Still doesnt!!!!

[@maksyma]

you fellas need to learn how to let go

[@iamlucidess]

Just proves that KZbin does not want us to let go. I highly doubt this appears in anyones recommended. When we truly break, and there is a level of self that we never thought could be lost is gone in a flash; only then we can let go. There might be a pain we cannot handle, or we simply accept the situation we are in. Rarely does one willingly walk into that state of mind, for it requires a catalyst of sorts. We learn from our mistakes to only hope that we live out the dream within a dream, and wake up.

[@MetalSlugzMaster]

Still needs to happen dammit!

[@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243]

I initially came to Skycorp for the absurd comedy, but after seeing this, I’m staying for the amazing videography and production value. If the channel ever made a shift from the current content to stuff like this, I wouldn’t be mad

[@ToniPanagu]

This is amazing. Really loved the sequence where he struggles to get the remote back, then immediately let it go with the balloons after getting it. He let go of his "control," and was left embracing the "present." Also loved the ending, where he attempted to call Skycorp but found out that he had his remote all along. To realize that you have the control you were searching for, all along, the ability to turn off the distractions, that was what the ending was all about. What a poetic piece of satire. How amazing it is that you've managed to use analog technology to comment on today's postmodern predicament.

[@chelseabarker2250]

Great summation 👌

[@joncarranzakuh-ran-zah8566]

I know its probably not supposed to be read as deep as i am.. But god watching him get angry while hearing his thoughts continuously berate him, and talk like shit to him. I feel that. I feel that so deep.

[@sixtolavalle343]

I pledge my allegiance to SKYCORP. Just mailed 8 pints of my blood for the CORP high priest. 🙏🏽🕊

[@KAngel32]

M O R E B L O O D

[@ironhell813]

I don’t think they’re Satanists…

[@sixtolavalle343]

@@ironhell813 key word “think” . The pints have been mailed already bud

[@Seattlefan77]

​@@ironhell813well they're definitely something

[@reesebear2]

Great short man. I've been watching you since 2008 and It's great to see how much you've progressed. You're one of the big reasons why I decided to go to film school actually. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.

[@skycorphomevideo]

Thank you for your support over the years and for the positivity! I WILL adopt you if things don't work out with your own family.

[@itchydez]

@@skycorphomevideo 2008?! WHAT?!

[@fluorinegas6944]

@@skycorphomevideo yeah, 2008? where can we see these old videos?

[@skycorphomevideo]

Slikthemighty it’s from my old KZbin channel cyberkiwi27 that I made in middle / high school. The videos are absolutely terrible.

[@trajankhan]

@@skycorphomevideo I'm gonna watch these so called "terrible videos"

[@jasonday5143]

What a wild ride. This was very satisfying to watch. I really appreciated how voices were used. The soundscape really made this something special. Completely surpassed my expectations, and the end tied it together superbly. Also, I like the recycling of Floop Pinkerton's 90s prank calls phone.

[@Poorgeniu5]

I just realized, this short film answered why SkyCorp is able to [REDACTED] commercials.

[@7Andy77]

This channel is so underrated

[@fatso79750]

Isn't making movies fun!!! NOW TAKE YOUR PANTS OFF! Lol

[@nostalgianetwork1225]

My lore: what if this movie is actually about the early days of Skycorp and they just got popular through commercial. This man is the first victim of Skycorps's technology and manage to escape their mind control so he doesn't become a slave.

[@DavidZhou]

18 month passion project, that's amazing. Absolutely loved it! What did you shoot this on/with?? Subbed :)

[@skycorphomevideo]

Thanks so much! We shot on a Red Dragon 6k with a 70's Cooke Anamorphic Zoom Lens. Some slow-mo Phantom Flex and TV Segments on VHS.

[@rallokkcaz]

SkyCorp Home Video such great choices of medium and lenses. This is what a lot of people trying to invoke a retro aesthetic miss, also a lack of familiarity with it. This is so solid, please make more.

[@khaeilyn2000]

Magnavox, obviously

[@MetalSlugzMaster]

@@skycorphomevideo Nice! I figured there was vintage optics used judging by some of the "flaws" in the bokeh and the blooming seen in some back-lit scenes. Lends perfect character to the film considering it's SKYCORP®

[@MrMertz]

Just watched this in such a sleep deprived state. Almost passed out a couple times and it honestly added to the experience.

[@jakubchomko172]

After seeing a few other things on this channel I really wasn't expecting this. Thank you SkyCorp.

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

Reminds me very much of David Cronenberg's "Videodrome" (except without that one's inevitable "waking up in a foreign city's back alley dumpster, dehydrated, bloody-knuckled, hungry and confused, sick and emotionally empty, vision all blurry, with a black eye, strong headache, torn clothes and sore genitals post-vision syndrome"). Well done, SkyCorp!

[@rr8035]

Literally a Standing ovation, everyone who worked on this has produced a modern classic and i wish the world to them.

[@usuallydead]

Utterly criminal that 1.5 years into its existence this has less than 31k views.

[@s0phic]

This is exactly how hard it is letting go and living in the present in today's society! Spot on, great short film! 👍

[@DeclanCorey]

Black Mirror ain't got nothing on you guys

[@Marzimus]

The audio was stellar. Really sold the aesthetic of confusion. Would recommend. 🤙

[@johnanchor2415]

This blew me away. I go to your channel for funny silly short videos. This left me jaw hanging open. Absolutely awesome!

[@scheiepfostierer4652]

Oh my god, how does this only have 40k views

[@babblingalong7689]

share it with your friends to increase view count

[@TheRealMurdocFluxes]

this had me pulled in more than any movie I've seen in a long time. outstanding.

[@DJWF1990]

Beautiful work you guys. Absolutely stunning.

[@Nitephall]

Joseph Campbell said there is always a gateway guardian to defeat on the journey to the treasure. Or you could look at it like he had to integrate his shadow before finding peace. I cannot count how many mornings I woke up just as hungover as this guy and knew there was no way out. No magical commercial for me. I truly felt his pain. Amazing film, serious kudos to everyone who worked on it.

[@andrewbowers8402]

I can't describe how cathartic and satisfying it was to watch this. When he sat I his room with the balloons floating around I his room and he just sat there, fear and darkness swirling in his mind...that's precisely how i feel. I relate to this film...a bit too much for comfort.

[@S1x_FT_Ttv]

Oh I haven't seen one of your kind in a while.

[@lddevo88]

Now this is ART. Severely underrated content right here!

[@Poopdudeification]

When he woke up and said "uuuuuuuuuuuuggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" I felt that deeply.

[@tomwills5231]

This really should be either a horror tv series or a series of movies. I would to see this with an even bigger budget

[@GalvinPatrick]

So much potentials! Should be making a Netflix series

[@andei_]

Quite amazing. I have not seen a KZbin video worth watching in quite some time. This was rather creative and thought provoking. Kudos.

[@MilkDestroyer]

Oh man, this felt like a literal trip. Love this.. Hits home really hard.

[@_Synthesize_Me_]

You guys are ridiculously talented and this is quickly becoming my favourite KZbin channel. Thank you for all of your work!

[@xeno4109]

God your channel is so underrated. Amazing work

[@milteno4051]

One of the best videos on youtube, seriously. It's astonishing that it has 70k after 5 years.

[@ssidradumercer2038]

0:39 that's me. Everyday. Every morning.

[@irishgameman]

Best ASMR EVER! This put me to sleep faster than 2001 A Space Odyssey. Thanks SkyCorp. 👍😊

[@clayaggeles]

Thank u SkyCorp :*

[@fiyahspinnah]

He made the right choice at the end

[@LilMoleRatTopHat]

I still don’t get how SkyCorp isn’t more popular.

[@TheArchetypes]

Man this is absolutely amazing. It perfectly encapsulates mania in my opinion

[@JonFromWA]

It's like if Scott Pulgrim & Video Drome merged. Really awesome short film.

[@javidking63]

just let it go... ty skyCorp for giving me the courage to just let it go...

[@TheAncientMysteriesBeckon]

Came for the dark humor - stayed for the *wholesome* and *philosophic* message. Just let go.

[@Estradiol_Gaming]

The most under viewed channel on this website

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

If you are clutching too hard for control, you will not have it; it will have you.

[@Marx1684]

I found this page after waking up to go to the bathroom & feel like I fell down the rabbit bowl. When people find this right here!!!!!!!

[@elmarjuz]

This is fucking amazing. All Hail SkyCorp.

[@ergotoxicosis]

so well done, you done burnt the steak

[@DonKynos]

This was surprisingly relatable.

[@Aiko-xy7qf]

To put it blatantly... That was fucking incredible!

[@seaweed2007]

What kind of satanic shit was that?! Do you have any idea how upsetting that was? Do you have ANY IDEA what that garbage can do to a schizophrenic viewer?! Man, that was refreshing! I’m so relaxed now! Where can I order those tapes? Do you have them in BETA?

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

It's a satanic drug thing you wouldn't understand, unless maybe as the 2nd coming of "Videodrome" (Cronenberg). It is astounding! 🤯

[@unknownfakename]

It felt longer than 12 minutes, but I mean that in a good way because it’s so trippy

[@jakebrady7752]

hey richard i like the film but where are dumbledoo and superkarf?

[@SeanMcGehee]

It was my birthday yesterday. Can't believe I have missed this one somehow on your channel after following for this long, but watching it now really made an impact. Thank you.

[@history384]

This has Garth Marenghi vibes. If it's not him that created this then it has to be the inspiration for Black Mirror.

[@_DigitalDave_]

Absolutely mind blowing

[@TheJackTheLion]

WHAT A F'N MASTERPIECE

[@3_raging_kilos]

Holy fucking shit why doesn't it has million views, it's amazing!!!

[@adyeah2464]

I came from Ryan the Leader's channel and all I can say is wow. Keep up the incredible content

[@JVMstudio97]

Amazing! By the way did you guys get your remote back or is it lost forever?

[@7Andy77]

I wonder where the remote landed

[@gysst]

Amazing! One of the best short movies I've seen! Very imaginative

[@wanderfilho5443]

That was incredible

[@arturom31]

Oh this is so nice. I have no words. i've been following your work for a while but i never give myself the time to watch this. Someway this give me vision of what i want to do (with a youtube channel i have been working out)... an inevitable, thank you for the reminder to let go. Thank you SkyCorp.

[@tetotetotetotetotetotetoteto]

this is sooooo goooooood

[@BruselskySluzebnik]

This is underrated masterpiece.

[@raykel568]

This deserves 10x more views-

[@aesopbricktop]

Wow, that was actually mind bendingly amazing. Thank you.

[@idkis_thename4438]

You have amazing talent

[@matthewsmet4686]

Brilliant

[@SquadJuiced]

Surprisingly profound.

[@Freezy_exists]

Why did this actually help me sleep

[@memechild2025]

I, too, groan in agony and existential dread every time I wake up.

[@maniac4toys]

This is absolutely incredible.

[@mr.shepherdspie7958]

this seems like a great thing to watch while high

[@evanbarnes9984]

Dude this was beautiful and weird! Clearly written by a person who's taken acid and experienced the being of thoughts.

[@tommywakefield9514]

Big Support!

[@ieatnapkins9225]

How in the actual fuck is this not more popular

[@_DigitalDave_]

Rewatching like 2 years later, im surprised more people haven't seen this

[@lofiwackpainting4620]

Amazing

[@djwiggles2835]

This is giving me Corridor vibes

[@alexandermacer5226]

Well that certainly was an experience thank you

[@sumdood8563]

Is this the closest thing we’ll get to a SkyCorp Movie?

[@jacobday1214]

That was incredible! How can I be a PA on the next one?

[@cornl]

This is AWESOME

[@ultrariley7580]

Videodrome 2 looks great!

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

exactly my thoughts

[@bigkoi1015]

This is a actually a life lesson for me, thanks

[@zekejanczewski7275]

I think this movie, and skycorp as a whole, is a critique of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. There are motifs of treatong the symptoms rather then the root cause for all of them. Rather then focusing on adressing problems, CBT provides symptom releif. If you have crippling anxiety, an approach like Gasalt or psychoanalysis might help you discover where and when your anxiety occurs, giving you a greater sence of self. CBT gives you ways to manage stress whenever you feel anxious. You ultimatly should try both.

[@insertchannelnamehere5044]

Im subscribing

[@cypherusuh]

This is very well made, but very cursed indeed

[@CerealExperimentsMizuki]

The Mountain Sage must've unlocked the Sage Of Six Paths, that must be why he's like God.

[@thomasvleminckx]

I need the soundtrack to this!

[@pdkup]

Awesome stuff. Keep it up :)

[@gibbypeen5826]

I did NOT expect that

[@babblingalong7689]

A masterpiece.