Horror Short Film "The Study" | ALTER

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Six strangers volunteer for a medical study that's hiding a dark secret.
"The Study" by Will Bakke
#ALTER #horror #shortfilm
Connect with the Filmmakers:
willbakke.com/
www.riotstudios.com/
More About "The Study":
Six strangers looking to make a quick buck arrive at a cabin in the woods to take part in a medical study. Upon arrival, the group gets to know each other by trying to guess the reason they each decided to sign up. Emily, the quiet one of the group, starts to regret her decision to take part in the study after feeling ostracized from the group. But when the gang lets down their guards, the group bonds over a night of drinking, card games, and dancing.
During the party, another participant, Brandon, accidentally throws a ball through a painting above the fireplace. Only the ball disappears right through it. The group discovers a passageway behind the painting that loops back into the cabin through another entry point. Only the physics don't add up. The gang conducts some tests of their own only to find a closet door that leads to a seemingly infinite abyss. What happens next leaves the gang scrambling for answers and a way out of the study.
"The Study" Credits:
Written and Directed by Will Bakke
A Riot Studios Production
Produced by Will Bakke and MIchael B. Allen
Cinematography by Joe Simon
Starring:
Kenah Benefield
Christen Bakke
Keeley Manca
Leah Gaston
Brady Johnson
Deleir Georges
Key Grip / AC - Derrick Mitchell
Gaffer - Clayton Stringer
Art Director - Dorothy Bennett
Catering - Aubrey Georges
Original music composed by - David Levy
Post-Sound mixed by - Cabel Adkins
Colourist - John Carrington
About ALTER:
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Video Title
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[@willbakke8866]

Writer / Director here! Let me know what you guys thought of the film and hit me with your questions...

[@prayashgoswami8633]

What was experiment all about?

[@CyberSpider35]

Honestly I don't get it. Is this a story about... some random people trapped in space anomaly? I think story should be a little longer.

[@willbakke8866]

@@CyberSpider35 Totally get it! This film was a proof of concept for a longer series or feature film. We really wanted to set up the world and tease out this bizarre cabin in the woods that was bigger on the inside than it was on the outside. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to expand the story soon!

[@willbakke8866]

@@prayashgoswami8633 Gonna take some time to unpack that, but we'll hopefully be expanding the story soon to answer that question. Stay tuned!

[@Clandestineclementine]

Glad to hear that you’ll be expanding this story. The whole setup is intriguing. I am already sold for the next part. Hope you make a full length movie soon. Good Luck.

[@purvaahuja3527]

It felt like a really long trailer for an amazing movie that I would definitely like to see.

[@dahlia700]

yeah i feel like more than half the movie was just blah blah, wasn't satisfying, ended too soon after it really began

[@zoevalentiae2391]

@@dahlia700 horror in short format, right? lots of dissatisfaction can happen. as i watch this one closely though, i start to feel like it doesn't truly waste any of its / our time; the empty dialogue i.e. their guessing at each others' motivations for participating is a clever device i'd argue is likely intentional; it stops the viewer from trying to "outrun the writer" i mean "guess the plot" because there's ostensibly something happening in the foreground as the setup ( weird to call it a setup when we've only time for 3 [ ball, silverware, person ] instances of payoff ) is communicated with visual information. i'd give this another watch. see if you think there's anything to what i'm suggesting -- do let me know what you think if you do, please -- and thanks for your comment regardless. xo -zoe

[@dahlia700]

@@zoevalentiae2391 I'll give it another watch for sure on mind the things you said I appreciate it. I just wished this was longer because everything was so perfectly set up to make it longer. Like it's that kinda intro that makes me wish this was a movie on the big screen. It was like i took a bite of a very delicious apple but had to put it down before I finished it lol. And its just rare lately to see good horrors that start off so well like this one. I was wondering in the begging if the plot had anything to do with an escape room scenario.

[@zoevalentiae2391]

@@dahlia700 you have such a lovely attitude. it's refreshing to have such an exchange here, & i credit you & i as much as the film. i love-love-love the idea of an escape room. e.g. think of all those films about haunted houses (houses october build, hell fest, need i go on parts 2 & 3 lol) ... obviously, Dahlia, if i may so call you, i appreciate the way you think & the way you express your thoughts. let's say this IS an escape room. we'd have to already deduce (induce, technically) that the pills are either part of character, or part of an underground escape room for people who NEED MORE (what does that have to do with the horror junkies like us that end up watching ALTER shorts!? -- just hoping against hope we'll get lucky enough to find The Study every time!? i pretend to know not) ... what else do we know, and perhaps more importantly: what else could explain the situation so elegantly as your escape room suggestion? could they be (this is almost the same) on a ride at an amusement park!? is it a virtual reality game, wherein every player is at home with a tiny little earpiece in their ear (black mirror episode 0501? whatever black mirror is? ok i love that episode lol) ... i kinda feel you've more ideas than myself, ideas in the same area & maybe way outside of it. thank you so much for responding at all & again if you can more. i'm quite obsessed with this film it seems lol

[@SunlessNick]

That sums it up very well. They're an engaging group of characters, and I'd have liked to see more of what's happening and what they go through.

[@johnwhitaker545]

I got sucked in pretty quick and forgot it was a short. I’d like to see where it goes

[@afifaturrahmahfifi6437]

Damn me too

[@angelavolkov1126]

That's the thing, it's a short so needs to stand on its own.

[@chrisriley8775]

We definitely need a part 2 and 3 , at least maybe 15 minutes each. Who's with me?

[@S0BB1NG.R0S3SS]

I AM

[@kunaldev1257]

I need this whole 3 hrs

[@rockydavis94]

Verily yay, no ending of such traumatizing video art of the Devil's power by man doth make sense for the unprepared eye to understand until the hour be late for all. Sorry, I'm practicing Shakespearean dialogue. I meant the endings of most short horror either p*** me off or I don't understand, like this. Where are they, some black hole?

[@antsworld.d]

nah fr fr

[@user-qx3yw2zf8y]

I wish it was a little longer so we could really get to the story but i admired the production!Seems like alter is improving the quality of their movies!

[@RakibMfilms]

🤣🤣🤣 alter didn't make this people submit their films to alter and they just publish it. This is gonna be a feature by will bakke

[@user-qx3yw2zf8y]

@@RakibMfilms I know, I mean that alter keeps putting more quality movies on their channel! English isn't my first language so I'm having trouble explaining myself sometimes :/

[@christopher6055]

Exactly

[@RakibMfilms]

@@user-qx3yw2zf8y no worries but your English is great

[@Ethanito]

Hey guys ! I hope you’re doing great, i just wanted to let you know that : i worked so hard on my last short film entitled “Ben, genius despite him” (Wich is especially on green screen). Story : A teen who’s a bad student who becomes a genius because of a dream he did. This short film is in French but I actually made English subtitles. Enjoy it

[@jeremydyar7566]

Refreshing to see a group of people in a movie actually be kind to each other for once.

[@CyberSpider35]

For horror movie it wasn't really creepy. Maybe a little weird. Also I have the feeling this story ended before it could properly starts.

[@willbakke8866]

Totally get that! The truth is, we made this on a shoestring budget in only three days. We didn't have enough money to make the full feature film. So this is just an appetizer of what we hope to continue in a feature.

[@marcusohlson9448]

@@willbakke8866 Well then it makes perfect sense, and also much better, and it leaves you wanting more👍🏻🙂

[@BarnabyJones07]

Honestly, I first thought I was watching this on Alter's sister channel Dust for the sci-fi feel of it all

[@robinhoodmerrymensti]

I want to see the full movie ...

[@lovelife2day]

@@willbakke8866 I thought it was awesome. Definitely an enjoyable 😉 watch. But now I need more.

[@Cinnamorolli_]

That was EXCELLENT, but I really need a sequel now

[@MidnightVideo]

Agreed!

[@ashleymarie371]

SERIOUSLY!! I want to know what happens next.

[@safeenasafeena2782]

Agreed. 😯

[@seanhudsonforester]

The synopsis states: What happens next leaves the gang scrambling for answers and a way out of the study. Um, that is not what the ending conveys, the ending merely conveys something is amiss with the law of physics. That is all we get. This is a great beginning to what could be a mini series or a movie. I liked it. It leaves it open for more mystery, but doesn't give away too much detail.

[@MelieneGardner]

Agreed. I liked it quite a bit, but I also want more.

[@greatpower6063]

yeah id watch this on netflix or some other thing. funny how shudder never picks up this alter stuff, but they'll put on some old movie from the 60s xD

[@TheIncredibleShrimpolino]

I'd be worried that it is one of those movies you really enjoy watching but in the end the conclusion is something like "yeah, it was just ghosts"

[@Oriol-oo7jl]

@@TheIncredibleShrimpolino i's aldso would love to see this story further developed, but i'm positive is not gonna be a "just ghosts" story, because the gigantic black space connected to the wooden door seems more about space anomalies and reality rupture than ghosts. I answer you becouse i got your feeling and know what you mean

[@blondehootie]

It was like watching the beginning of what could be a really fantastic full length movie. In fact I yelled out "No!" when it ended, as I just wanted to see more. 💯% ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@DeanSmith-xw8dk]

I was expecting the guy who fell into the doorway into the darkness to come flying out of the hole where the oil paining was 😱

[@user-sc9mz2du2e]

Yeah! I was expecting the same thing because the torchlight that fell into the abyss earlier, came out of the oil painting.

[@observationsfromthefencepo7207]

This one was interesting and definitely left me wanting more. I hope that the idea gets a shot at a full feature. The production was of very high quality. The aerial shot fading into the title card was well done. The close-up of the record needle looked good. The characters were set up with personality and you want to know what happens even if one of them is a possible researcher. The story plays with the cabin in the woods trope and using the racquetball was an interesting setup. The music was perfect for the setting and contributed to the professional feel. The title was good as you have the experiment study itself and the characters having to study each other just like the viewer is having to do. The challenge with a work like this is there are unanswered questions. This does not bother me too much as for me it is a successful tease for something bigger. Here to further success. Thanks to Will Bakke and his cast and crew for delivering an entertaining work that deserves to continue. Peace. Sincerely Robert.

[@willbakke8866]

Yo! Thank you SO MUCH for your review. So glad you liked it. We're really trying to pull the funding together to make the feature. Its a really wild story that we think Alter fans would love. Hopefully we'll have more for you soon!

[@moniquevandeplas5210]

yes full feature! Yes full feature!

[@sanjaminic1978]

I'd rather be "teased" properly than being spoon fed crap.

[@mathewpickels2745]

Okay so this is definitely the first horror short that I absolutely need to see more of. This concept is amazing!

[@willbakke8866]

Glad you liked it!

[@adjuafrican2664]

This was like a trailer and it has left me wanting more.... Well done. Would love to see a full length some day soon.

[@paulharris1925]

So this is giving me cabin in the woods type vibes. Idk but I want to see the rest of it tho. Great film

[@willbakke8866]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kosalakannangara3082]

Cabin in the wood it is.

[@Ethanito]

Hey dude ! I hope you’re doing great, i just wanted to let you know that : i worked so hard on my last short film entitled “Ben, genius despite him” (Wich is especially on green screen). Story : A teen who’s a bad student who becomes a genius because of a dream he did. This short film is in French but I actually made English subtitles. Enjoy it

[@lounamoro2651]

Ok ok ok... I actually didn't understand the story, I think it has been finished before it even starts but, as usual the production was AWESOME 😎

[@leejones9766]

This should be turned into a full length movie, I wanna see where it goes. Great job.

[@A.Hess7749]

They’re just testing the waters… the writer/director wants to know what the audience thought, and if it’s worth expanding on. It’s like a teaser… I personally would love to see more. However, I definitely think strange cabin in the middle of the woods with some dimensional anomaly, has been overdone. If they’re going to go down that road, they better have a really good twist at the end to make it come together in an unexpected way. Loved it!

[@sanjaminic1978]

They probably all start disappearing and being back in their home with no memory of any events. And we never get to find out what has been studied.

[@paulkasden9758]

This is freakin EXCELLENT. Wow. So well done 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@willbakke8866]

Heck yeah! Glad you liked it.

[@paulkasden9758]

@@willbakke8866 seriously bro. Every part of this one. Music... acting... suspense... just freakin awesome. Keep on keeping on broski

[@Ethanito]

Hey dude ! I hope you’re doing great, i just wanted to let you know that : i worked so hard on my last short film entitled “Ben, genius despite him” (Wich is especially on green screen). Story : A teen who’s a bad student who becomes a genius because of a dream he did. This short film is in French but I actually made English subtitles. Enjoy it

[@LoveTJones]

Expecting part 2 soon

[@Amanda_Benally_]

That's it? Pls make a 2nd part !! Love this one please ! What will happen don't leave us wondering for to long 💛👍💯

[@Ms.ZachiaJohnson-Moses1992]

Wasn't this uploaded years ago? We need a sequel.

[@krishanubanerjee6955]

Here's my theory - the cabin is kind of a vessel that allows you to traverse through a negative plane of existence. For every person, this plane of existence is different. Since all the subjects (except Emily) took the pills, their personal versions of this negative plane clashed with one another and produced random effects. If only one of them took a pill, this negative plane would be more stable, producing predictable results. The scientists wanted to study the unpredictability that the merging of multiple negative planes would do, hence the experiment. The guy who is here for the 11th time has not witnessed these random effects before, since then only one of the test subjects was given pills, while the others crunched placebos. This was the first time they were all given the real pills. This should be VERY interesting!

[@MidnightVideo]

yes

[@peterd3215]

Imo the pills were likely just a way for the scientists to get these kids to this location willingly whilst probably signing waivers to the event. The girl said she didn't take hers meaning all these events are happening to them all in the same way. They aren't tripping etc is what It seems to lead you to assume.

[@BLane-xr1ic]

Brilliant! Or perhaps the guy who was shot into the abyss, hasn't been on 11 experiments and is, in fact, a researcher ensuring the ball is thrown in the right spot at the right time and convincing the others he has gone missing??

[@BLane-xr1ic]

@@peterd3215 Yeah! They would also be able to explain away strange events when they all go home, blaming drugs so they don't tell the press some wierd house is swallowing people.

[@Smortboi20]

yeah but you took that out of your ass the movie didn't give ANY information about ANYTHING

[@deeb8282]

Feel like this should of been a bit longer...this was almost like a cliff hanger at the end. Just left thinking who, what where, when and how come???

[@emilyperkins9947]

I've been in a bad place lately...Alter definitely knows how to get me back to myself with AMAZING short films!

[@mariajulien-harris146]

Come on this is so freaking good. You all better make a second part of it or turn this into a full length film. ❤❤

[@gomezgomez9665]

Ooooh left us hanging for more hey? We shall wait.... cool concept...

[@artemisnectar7]

🤯what?? No more!! Aww man this was Awesome 👻👻. Great cast & acting👍🏽 ALTER u already know 🥰

[@jneilson7568]

One of the best looking shorts on here, I was getting really invested. Seriously gorgeous. I join the calls for more of this asap! So far I'm getting 'Cube' vibes mixed with 'Cabin in the Woods'. Very intrigued 🙂

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! You can't stop now! We want to get inside that picture as soon as possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@brentdutcher2875]

Loved it, wish it would have continued.

[@MidnightVideo]

Love a good cliffhanger tho. We got some horror shorts for ya too.

[@pharmbagg]

Damn I want more of that story

[@allorfh2495]

This feels like a teaser for a proper movie or that is at least 40 minutes long

[@berserk1704]

Alter could literally make the best horror movie

[@amandaroman3471]

They don’t make any movies - people submit the films to be shown on the channel to help get their name out there

[@ahzar4384]

You cant just end it like that nooooooo! We need a part 2

[@Phalxxx]

If a short horror film is like having a small snack, this one is like someone taking away your thanksgiving dinner after two bites.

[@Maddi1224]

Dude...that CAN NOT be all of it. You had me hooked on that one. Please make it longer. Lol

[@kimistry9533]

Very great short! Absolutely loved it!! Bravo👏👏👏👏👏Thank you Alter and Mr. Bakke for another great one!!💖💖💖

[@lorieakin1771]

Yes!!! Make this a full movie!👍👍👍

[@komalvishwakarma9740]

Ohhh c'mon I need a sequel 🙃🙃

[@indiabaker8230]

Oh no we need a part two ALTER!!!! Lol this had me on the edge of my seat please please please start doing different parts of the short films this was great

[@sassycat1825]

Have seen that when it came out. Then forgot its name and spent so much time looking for it so I could see it over and over again. Brilliant work done here. Want to see a full length!

[@fancykarlmarx]

This feels more like a proof of concept than a full short. I’m fine with cliffhangers and having the audience decide what happened but not to this extent.

[@s.simonsays]

I’ve seen this before I’m sure but like years ago? I’m confused because this is new but I’m like 98% sure I’ve seen this already. Never mind it was something similar there was pills, weird physics, and a monster.

[@heikehannah]

Had Cabin in the woods feel. Really wanna see more. Great job

[@gren8te319]

8:12 that ball going through the picture was a grea jumpscare

[@newenglandhomeofhorror3619]

I wanted more! Really cool idea! I also LOVE the title card! It has that old school feel like The Exorcist title card or even The Conjuring! Great work!

[@tkell31]

The last line sums up how I felt. Not a particularly unique premise, but seems like the execution was. Nice job.

[@janinag.7354]

I follow ALTER since the begin, and every film was good. One of my best films here. Good work!

[@CuriousGoodsJessica]

Oh no, no no no, don't leave me hanging like that!? This needs to be a full length film, it's more interesting and acted so much more professionally that all the "group of young adults" horror movies! Loved it!

[@mkivy]

Dear altar, what a fabulous fabulous film thank you so much for the great slack! You guys do great work. And we sure enjoyed you!

[@Oriol-oo7jl]

PLEASE PLEASE i want more of this story! I loved it all!

[@rebeccawhitaker8446]

I just wish it were longer I’m super intrigued!

[@bensweiss]

Saw this years ago on another channel and wondered when the second part was coming out.

[@katrinalarsen4048]

Love the move concept. I will be definitely watching out for your future films

[@astroboy90210]

Wow I was like wanting for more. Can someone make this short film a full length film? The Director is genius. The story is like playing in my head now.. OMGGGGGGGGG

[@samdilworth1989]

That was a awesome preview now we need the movie thanks

[@moniquevandeplas5210]

Also I wanted to say I loved the soundtrack they played at the beginning. That felt like soul to me. Is there somewhere I can listen to that full song?

[@BarnabyJones07]

ALTER, you and DUST do this thing where you post these great *short* films and its such a tease because I'd love nothing more than to see the majority of what you post expanded into either a feature length film or a series. This is film is one of them, I think it'd make an intriguing movie.

[@willbakke8866]

We agree! Thanks so much for watching!

[@patryot5668]

awesome you went under and this short is a cliffhanger

[@abbybrandt5247]

Yes I always love your films even early in the morning

[@userunknowno21]

It's night in india bro😂😂😂

[@azdmpcy__6310]

@@userunknowno21 midnight in Indonesia

[@userunknowno21]

@@azdmpcy__6310 hmm I don't know bro thanks

[@RosieChico52]

Please tell me your I'm the process of making some kind of mini series! This was awesome! This would also make a great full length movie!

[@davestonehill6177]

Great start to a movie. Looking forward to seeing the rest of it.

[@catherineg9943]

ARGH!!!! I want MORE!!!! PLEASE continue the story!!!!

[@NotStarskiwars]

aw man i really was hoping that there was more dangit D: SO GOOD

[@isivonbonbon21]

I feel intrigued now we need part 2 please!😩

[@sabrinam2815]

“I’m not with them” *runs upstairs* like girl?? 😭✋🏽

[@Mz_Raven]

OMG NOOOO!!?? That cant be the end! 🤣 Ok this soo needs a sequel please Loved this definitely needed to be a fullovie

[@bigbevakaheavybevy7913]

That was Soo good......i wish it was longer😢🤗🤗👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@austinschuster3669]

Yo this needs to be a whole freaking movie!!!

[@amarieoflothlorien]

Loved it, ended way to soon though. Hope you can do a full feature

[@masnaringquest4626]

Um, I need a whole movie please, Fam... damnit.

[@ok-qt5qj]

I want to see what's in the basement ect.

[@chrisriley8775]

I would love to see a sequel for this film. The end was weird, what happened to the guy that fell? Actually this should be a three part series if you ask me. 5/5 Hey has the cast posted here, I would love to meet them and the director but I see i'm 3 weeks late!

[@richardwarner8648]

Are you continuing this? Or have you already? I really liked it. You and your team are obviously talented and knowledgeable.

[@blackzodiacvideography9311]

I like this film. It's quite mysterious. I would like to see a Part 2 👍🏾

[@juliusejudo]

The problem with these niche of movies is it always starts off with the base cliché personality types. But i dont know how they can get around it

[@moniquevandeplas5210]

true but I have to say you made me think about another thing I wanted to say. Even though these were cliche personality types I thought they were delivered better and then when they did the thing with the one guy calling out all the other cliches I thought that added a really nice sense of irony. The cliche that got me was they killed off one of my two favourite characters right away.

[@summienicole]

Nooooo I want more of this haha. I was into it, so much that I stopped working haha

[@Black0bsidian]

Oh I’d def watch this full length!!!

[@mrym._mwddh]

Oh shyt..I watched it at night. Awesome 👍🏻

[@momentomori5411]

Alter>>>any other short horror film channel

[@davidwelden3419]

Try omeletto

[@shaxx2005]

gosh it was way awesome! pls do continue

[@davidwelden3419]

I'd like to see a full length feature! I'd traverse covid to go to the theater for it

[@willbakke8866]

Sweet! Thanks so much glad you liked it!

[@chiposamudzi894]

Honestly needed more, it was so well done but I personally didn't get it??? Production was AMAZING!!!!!! Are we supposed to be waiting for a sequel?

[@darenapalyvoda6037]

I need this to be made into a full length film fr

[@radovanzweihander6012]

Its good!!, and reminds me of Coherence. I need the whole movie!!!!

[@danajones5896]

Weirdly creepy, awesome short! Thanks😐👍💯

[@pritimaya9566]

Just started to watch I hope it won't disappoint me

[@hinkleshabit1838]

Wtf?! You can't end it like that! 😂😅 Good shit!!

[@cottoncandylana4719]

Brrooooo this needs to be in theaters RIGH NOW!!! I wanna this fully through!

[@elsazarate1982]

I needs to know what happened! Lol this was really good!!

[@returnofthegoth2220]

was this an audition piece bc i want more!

[@willbakke8866]

It was! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thecow7296]

So much promise.I would love to c this as a full movie.

[@andersonjaymez]

Noo!!!!!!!!!!! Please make a second part!

[@jinifur]

Great casting, killer plot. Just wish it was a lil longer!

[@bernardrichards9247]

Loved it! I definitely agree with those who said it's just the beginning of something longer :)

[@killionaire3651]

You were testing the water with your skills, and I understand that completely. A comment in the section would have been better than ignoring everyone for year's. Wish i never seen this. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@horror.channel]

Great

[@NoName-lw2pm]

Getting a "follow for part 2" feeling lol 😂

[@brentage5000]

Weird, and I wish it had more of an ending, but good and creepy. Reminds me of that hole of mystery from the Simpsons episode with all the baseball players