The Present™

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

[@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.

[@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

[@hoangtran4736]

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

[@theblueytimes]

me

[@VFACodex]

and me

[@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

[@SamDaBul]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@2Peter3Nine]

Great summation 👌

[@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.

[@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"

[@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!

[@kawaiiii725]

I just started watching you guys and I'm honestly floored with this one. It's beautiful and takes a different tone from the rest of the videos I've seen. Absolutely remarkable. Stellar acting and gorgeous cinematography.

[@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!

[@7Andy77]

This channel is so underrated

[@Poorgeniu5]

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

[@fatso79750]

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

[@johnanchor2415]

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

[@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.

[@MrMertz]

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

[@DeclanCorey]

Black Mirror ain't got nothing on you guys

[@rr8035]

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

[@jakubchomko172]

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

[@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.

[@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®

[@s0phic]

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

[@Marzimus]

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

[@bishopp14]

Every video on this channel is criminally underviewed!

[@DJWF1990]

Beautiful work you guys. Absolutely stunning.

[@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.

[@milteno4051]

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

[@lddevo88]

Now this is ART. Severely underrated content right here!

[@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.

[@usuallydead]

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

[@andei_]

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

[@_Synthesize_Me_]

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

[@GalvinPatrick]

So much potentials! Should be making a Netflix series

[@Estradiol_Gaming]

The most under viewed channel on this website

[@xeno4109]

God your channel is so underrated. Amazing work

[@gysst]

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

[@elmarjuz]

This is fucking amazing. All Hail SkyCorp.

[@javidking63]

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

[@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!!!!!!!

[@DonKynos]

This was surprisingly relatable.

[@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

[@_DigitalDave_]

Absolutely mind blowing

[@caggeles]

Thank u SkyCorp :*

[@MilkDestroyer]

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

[@farisalamahdi5836]

Man, that is the most craziest surreal short film i saw and inspired by the few films poltergeist, video-drone and 1408

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

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

[@fiyahspinnah]

He made the right choice at the end

[@LilMoleRatTopHat]

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

[@idkis_thename4438]

You have amazing talent

[@wanderfilho5443]

That was incredible

[@ergotoxicosis]

so well done, you done burnt the steak

[@That80sRPGGuy]

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

[@TheArchetypes]

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

[@TheJackTheLion]

WHAT A F'N MASTERPIECE

[@irishgameman]

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

[@BruselskySluzebnik]

This is underrated masterpiece.

[@tetotetotetotetotetotetoteto]

this is sooooo goooooood

[@TheAncientMysteriesBeckon]

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

[@ultrariley7580]

Videodrome 2 looks great!

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

exactly my thoughts

[@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.

[@Aiko-xy7qf]

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

[@matthewsmet4686]

Brilliant

[@adyeah2464]

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

[@3_raging_kilos]

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

[@tommywakefield9514]

Big Support!

[@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! 🤯

[@aesopbricktop]

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

[@cornl]

This is AWESOME

[@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.

[@raykel568]

This deserves 10x more views-

[@bigkoi1015]

This is a actually a life lesson for me, thanks

[@SquadJuiced]

Surprisingly profound.

[@maniac4toys]

This is absolutely incredible.

[@lofiwackpainting4620]

Amazing

[@ssidradumercer2038]

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

[@babblingalong7689]

A masterpiece.

[@_DigitalDave_]

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

[@rileywatkins8474]

This was... Incredible

[@alexandermacer5226]

Well that certainly was an experience thank you

[@vilvismargots5937]

This is The Way ☯

[@history384]

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

[@eagledove9]

I can't quite find the exact time of it, but in the area around 3:30 or somewhere, I heard music that actually reminded me of 'The Polar Bear King,' one of the most peaceful and benevolent movies that I can think of right now. Near the beginning, the princess is out walking in the woods, in the winter, and there is music playing in the background. That movie is the reason why I love hardanger fiddles. They have that movie on DVD now. I do have it, but it's in my trailer that I'm not living in, and my TV is broken. Bits and pieces of the movie can be seen online. The soundtrack is also around somewhere, in bits and pieces.

[@unknownfakename]

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

[@Freezy_exists]

Why did this actually help me sleep

[@insertchannelnamehere5044]

Im subscribing

[@evanbarnes9984]

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

[@memechild2025]

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

[@pdkup]

Awesome stuff. Keep it up :)

[@_ian2671]

I don't know what or why I just watched, but it was entertaining.

[@circusrosefirespinning]

Beautiful and eye opening

[@djwiggles2835]

This is giving me Corridor vibes

[@jakebrady7752]

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

[@thomasvleminckx]

I need the soundtrack to this!

[@UnownDepth]

This was dope

[@Fatecreated]

I couldn't help but think. Dam. That's alot of 🎈 balloon 🗑 trash flying off somewhere. Hopefully it was on land so it could get picked up lol. Dank short none the less

[@thexskating]

Fucking incredible. From Cyberkiwi to 2020 to the rest of time.