ALONE TIME (Short Film - Thriller) 

Rod here. The director of this short film. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for taking the time to watch this and comment. My friends and I made this short film in 2012. We wanted to make a short film without dialogue, relying on all the other arrows in our filmmaking quiver; sound design, cinematography, score, color, camera language, etc - to see if we could create a mood and a feeling. Since 2012 we've grown as filmmakers. Our 2016 feature film HERE ALONE won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival and is available to stream everywhere online. My 2016 feature film AMANDA KNOX is a Netflix Original. And I'm currently directing a film for Amblin Partners called THE WHITE ROOM. The reactions and engagement that this short film continue to get, 7 years later, is so wonderful to see. 50% of you all love it. 50% of you all don't like it. And that's okay. The very reasons some of you love it are the very reasons some of you don't like it. I'm glad we made this film and learned a lot about ourselves, our process, and our voice as storytellers. Thank you for being here.

I don't think anyone noticed, but she zipped the Bag from her right to her Left. Then when morning came she couldn't find the zipper until she went to her right side. Nice little touch.

One thing I love about this short film is how the woman wanted to spend time alone with herself during her mini camping trip but in fact, she was never alone... This is a brilliant plot with such an unexpected twist and the cinematics are absolutely amazing! You are such an inspiration to everyone.

2023 and still holds strong, great film!👏🏾

That was an awesome movie. You just described every independent woman's worst nightmare in under 12 minutes. Being vulnerable. Awesome.

Nice creepy ending. I always appreciate a movie that can pull off creepy and scary unusually.

I’m always so impressed when a film can make me feel genuinely unnerved! There’s nothing fancy or supernatural here, just creepy, disturbing realism....Great work! Such a credit to everyone involved...

Rose Hemingway she was really good in the short film

Oh god... It was so nice and I was thinking "Ok, and why is this a thriller?" Then she's looking through pictures and it came to me... but I still got those major chills.

This is a beautiful metaphor about how isolating and lonely it can feel to be human. In the opening scene, Ann is alone on a balcony, surrounded by the lights and noise of the city, and a room filled with people She's on the outside looking in and not an active participant. Even when she is physically near other people, their faces are shot out of focus orfrom the neck down. When she trades her monotonous, grey life to escape to nature, everything is lush, green, and peaceful. The stark contrast between the city and the woods is tangible. She appears to be alone, one with nature, an active participant in her own life. But as her photos show at the conclusion of the film, she is not alone. Nobody is ever truly alone.

I'm here because I'm digging deeper into the director's work so i could learn. And this work really makes me shiver. I mean, how can you possibly give so much to the audience in 12 minutes without any words and dialogues? I admire the job you've gone👏

A great actress! Nothing overdone, likable and believable. Very very good

Liked it, but it feels more like the beginning of a longer story.

the quality and color grading of this film is amazing. the shots were breathtaking!

perfect mix of thriller, suspense and plot twist without reverting horror or gore....

People end up getting confused with alone and lonely... When a person ia alone that means he/she wants to be but if a person is lonely its not on her/his own will

Why would she pick up that camera? Over half of the movie is just her going from her usual city life style to camping. I like all of the scenery shots that tell her story without any dialog, the cinematography is very clean, although I feel their could've been more attention to finer details, I did NOT see the ending coming at all! That was nicely done!

That is freaky if it really is based on a true story. I would never go camping again. This seriously had a "I let you go this time... " feel to it for real.

I kept expecting something to happen during the hiking trip, but my expectations were subverted. Really love this one.

Would make an amazing start of a movie... Just amazing. I agree with Megan Rose... I want more..

This is my literal worst fear as someone who loves to be alone and head out of town but THIS IS SO GRIPPING AND SO AMAZING I can't stop watching!

I really liked this. the length of this film is wonderful. That sense of loneliness was very powerful and had a good amount of time to develop. excellent job.

I was so happy for her cause she was looking at all of her nice photos and smiling and then THAT HAPPENED and I threw my phone across the room like wtf this is based on a true story as well... WTF

The realization that some one was there was omg scary.

I'm one of those people who reads the comment before so I know if a jump scare is gonna happen.... 😶

I feel as if I've experienced a full-length feature. This is an elegant and subtle piece.

It should've been called Balls. I would never go hiking alone.

So this is actually based on true story on a woman named Casey Rodriguez , she broke up from her bf and went on solo campaign in Appalachia for some alone time , Casey really choose the most secluded area she hadn't seen any one near , she took some photos from her dad's vintage camera , later coming back she gave it to him to make it clear , He then asked her if she was with someone and she is hiding it from him . She said no and matter of fact she added it was most secluded zone , then he sent her the photographs in which she was sleeping and some one else took them. Fortunately Casey returned safe back home but still this is a spine chilling story.

I thought it was perfect. I loved transition car ride from the city to wilderness. It slowly relaxed me to make the ending jump.

Breathtaking short film, very beautiful and 100% worth warching

A movie that grabs the viewer from the very beginning and leaves them wanting more. Very well done!

I feel have to comment in that I'm embarrassed to say that I've watched this film 5 times, it's usually posted next to films that I haven't seen before, and I end up coming back to it., it's just that this one is done so well, even without the ending which is great by the way, I find this so compelling, every shot seems flawless but not forced and the actor is also excellent.

Another piece, though this one isn't sci-fi: A dramatic story which holds the suspense until the very end. (I kept trying to figure out where the twist was going to come from; this was great.) The cinematography in this piece was terrific: super high quality throughout. Finding pieces like this really bring home the fact that long term, creation of high quality films is going to come from independent creators on places like RU-vid. Well done to the film's creators.

Very interesting. I do feel however that this was a bit too long for the point. There was a part where she was getting on the subway, and you see a man get on the same cart as her. You don't see his face clearly thought. I feel that if you added this mysterious man as a creepy character, subtly adding him into scenes where you barely notice him- if at all, it could have been more of a connect the dots type thing. I also would have made this into 5 minutes rather than 12, because you lost me with boredom at parts. However, I must say the feeling I have after watching this film is unlike anything I have ever felt while watching a movie. I feel grossed out and creeped out, and it generated legitimate fear in me. Bravo. This was worth the watch.

This film should be used as a public service announcement, that people shouldn't go camping alone!!! In this day and age is very dangerous to Camp by yourself.

I've watched this film at least 10 times which is probably why it pops up in my feed, I find this a very well made and completely watchable film, and I can't put my finger on why but I'm usually in the mood to rewatch it. Kudos to Rod Blackhurst.

Incredible visuals, nice twist but it should have been shorter due to the simplicity of the plot.

I think the most genius part in the film was when you put the attention on the guy in the train station using leading lines even though he was incredibly out of focus

Wow ! Enjoyed this short film. This is what you call real talent

Hi Rod I first watch this masterpiece in 2016 and still come back here whenever I want to refresh myself with a short film. I am a cinematographer and the work in this film has been my inspiration in many of my projects. Cheers to you and team for this fantastic work which is perfect in all of its aspects!

My first instinct was WHAT THE FUCK! What the ACTUAL fuck!! Then I was like. That's smart though. I want more!

The cinematography is brilliant, and the tracking shots were beautiful. I absolutely love the locations you picked, so pretty! I can't start to imagine how long it must've took to make.

Brilliantly done. This is why I won't even walk in the woods behind my house. Beautiful made film.

I keep coming back to this short. Amazingly told! Without words I could feel what she was going through the whole time.

Before the horror part I was thinking: This is my life, exactly like this; I don't speak to anyone during the week and than I go hiking during the weekend to have a rest from the noisy polluted city.

Whoa! The ending!

Hum, puts a new vibe on being alone in the great ourdoors and that of being a hard sleeper! Great job!

I always catch small things in shows and movies that were forgotten or left out but it’s nice to someone pay attention to the small details. This should become an actual movie , I would’ve loved for it to be longer

who scared at 0:58 :D

adirondacks, the most beautiful place on earth. amazing to see my home represented.

This could’ve been a movie about self discovery but nooo

it's a cool little film with a sweet twist. i think this could have been shorter, eliminating some of the slow moments of her wandering, spacing out. this could also work as an opening to a feature suspense/thriller.

Freaky ending. Perfectly freaky. It was a warning from the Sasquatches to stay out of their woods!

Rob, this was a brilliantly done movie. I was wondering when it was going to get thrilling, then WHAM BAM!!! Thank you for sharing your work with us!

Dear Rod Blackhurst BRILLIANT Much Love to you ❤️🌎❤️🌎❤️🌎🇺🇸

I think it was that one guy at the train stop cause he was watching her a lot like wtf

I love the timing of the ending, that moment when she's just staring at the photo before in such peace and then she looks at the next one and the pure horror on her face, it's just so well done

This Film is Amazing. It created a felling that you are been followed since she began to hike and the whole time I thought that it is just imagine but then at the last seconds it was actually true and the shots were absoluteley breathtaking. For me this is a 10/10 Movie.

Just lovely. Well directed and great cinematography.

I think this is actually pretty brilliant! Despite what some may refer to it as boring due to the lack of excitement/suspense until the very end, I think the ending was a huge twist because up until then the film provided us with a peaceful sensation. Showing us green imagery of the environment and providing us with overall peacefulness and even dragging out the film long enough so we can get into that peaceful "vibe", until it so suddenly rips that away from us by showing a picture of the woman which someone else must have taken is the perfect way to send shivers down your spine.

"Wow that picture is gorgeous... O.O... Oh my god" *end credits* Woooooww, well done

It must be that guy that was following her around. Totally loved it. It leads you into a maze. Makes you wonder, what's coming next. Your use of sound is superb. She talks at the right moment. 😊👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

She is not alone. A camera man is always with her.. 😇😜

It really make you curious in what happens next.

You're never alone.

Good from start to finish - subtle, just subtle enough...

Excellent! The man at the train station and at the stop walk, he had been following her. Like her I am happiest in the mountains, hate noise and city's. Give me Gods nature!

Absolutely amazing. Great soundtrack too.

...the blurry blonde guy in the subway took the picture! Great art, loved it.

Amazing upper state NY. Beautiful mountains.

This is perfect! I kinda saw myself in her. The social standards that is pushed onto us, to "join in" and socialise but the need for space to breath, away from the head noise and pressures. I loved her fearless, adventurous spirit(camping alone) and her obvious love of nature. The ending got me. 👌 Those two weird guys though? 🤔

Someone had followed her to the woods. That's one thing for sure. Nice movie upload.

I'm sad to say it, but this is a dangerous world we are living in. We have all kind of sick people around us. A girl should never go camping alone, as she did in this video. You should always have a friend with you, this apply for men also, but especially for a young woman as she was.

I wish there were more short FIS like this it's amazing

Now that's how you do it! So many of these movies just leave you hanging at the end...this one felt complete.

Personally i felt the ending made a mess of the rest of the film. I didn't have any suspense building in my mind so when it came out of nowhere at the end it felt out of place. But that's just my view and other than that it was a really wonderful film which i thoroughly enjoyed. Thankyou.

How could anyone dislike this? Even if you don't completely understand the story, the cinematic techniques are beautiful and should appreciated. Great job my friend. Hope to make something like this one day

Rose character holding skills 🧡🧡🧡 top notch 🔝👌🏼

beautiful location

She lives in a bleak environment. Small wonder that she wants to break out. She experiences absolut loneliness there in the wilderness, but it seems to be a way more satisfing loneliness compared to the one people have to deal with in big cities. Well done.

I have chills. I was not expecting that at all, and it completely threw me off. Well done!

The ending not withstanding, some times not only you need a break from people but from everyday life. The smile on her face that she found peace says it all. Too bad that all was ruined.

Finally. A REALLY good short thriller. Just one quick moment and it becomes amazing. My biggest respect

Damn!!!! Needs to be a part 2! Loved it!

I hear the foot walking in the water before she dive into the lake. From there onwards I got thinking like some one is there with her. Holy shit at the end scene instantly remembered the water foot steps sounds

7 years later , today's I watching this short film.. lovable ..❤️

I guess it beautifully portrays the message of fear of being watched/judged everything we do in life. Have you guys notice how many times we have stress lines on his forehead in a day from waking up,driving until we sleep in bed. We always have this subconscious level of what if others are watching and thinking about me or am I over analyzing ?

Rod, you should be so proud of this film. Wow! Over a million views! Richly deserved. You did so many things right in this film, but everything stems from an intelligent screen play and concept. This film is such a model for how to make a short feature! You must have agonized over the ending (or maybe not :) ). So professionally filmed!!!

half way through i was like how is this a thriller? so keep warching til the very end ppl

I don't normally sleep that soundly at home behind a locked door, let alone in the woods. Holy moly.

Great film. The whole time, it felt like there was always someone watching her.

Loved the shocking ending! Beautiful location too!

Very well made short film, entertaining from start to finish!

Beautiful scenery, i was ready to pack . So peaceful.

That was an epic short!!!!!! i would like to see a full featured film on this story. the scary things you dont see are always the worse.

I liked this very much. Great photography and I love the contrasts of city and country side. It's the kind of content I'd strive to make.

This is absolutely subtle and brilliant: none of those slightly childish devices used for shock effect; stunning photography; and a very talented young actress.

Great job on this film. I first watched it several years back and loved it. Since then the story keeps popping into my head. It haunts me and I have to come back and re-watch it, again and again.

8:09 Boy that water has gotta be cold!! Now, back to the film....

I've been watching a lot of shorts in preparation for shooting my own. This was the best one I've seen so far. Very well done.