That’s Not Me – a new horror short about a compromised safe space

Sponsored Feature: Alt-Vision Studios 

That’s Not Me is a new thriller/horror short written and directed by Skyler Loyd that explores identity and the unsettling sense that something familiar has shifted. 

Trailer here:

What begins as a quiet evening inside a safe space slowly warps into something unrecognizable. As an unnatural storm isolates the house from the outside world, unease grows, and trust begins to fracture. With nowhere to escape, a fight for survival begins. This is a different kind of home invasion, and running only makes it worse. 

A Q&A with Writer/Director Skyler Loyd

Welcome, Skyler! Thanks for joining us to discuss your new horror short That’s Not Me. How did you come up with the concept for the film?

Thank you for having me. That’s Not Me was originally written for the Film Four Corners Short Film Festival. I wanted to explore the idea of a compromised safe space and the devastation of losing trust in such a traumatic way. I looked inward and asked myself, “What would truly scare me in a real life setting?” Something as simple as coming home and realizing someone is already there. Your home is supposed to be a sanctuary, so I wanted to flip that sense of safety on its head.

Your home is supposed to be a sanctuary, so I wanted to flip that sense of safety on its head.

Were there any specific influences you drew from while in the creative process?

I pulled inspiration from both horror classics and more modern films, including Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Twilight Zone. I was also influenced by It Follows, especially its idea that nowhere is truly safe and that running only makes things worse.

The synopsis mentions this is a “different kind of home invasion”. How do you subvert expectations in the film?

A home invasion is something we have all thought about. Without giving too much away, I took that familiar idea and twisted it. What if there was a false sense of security?

You juggle writing, directing, and acting in That’s Not Me. Which role did you find most challenging?

I have always been the kind of creative who wears a lot of hats. Most of my work, especially in music, is written, produced, and performed by me. I loved doing all of it and would do it again. The creative freedom was incredibly rewarding. That said, juggling everything was not always easy. My co star Anthony Lujan and our director of photography, Paul Hamby, were also handling multiple responsibilities. We carried each other through the process. Paul and I spent long nights in post production, and all three of us spent many late nights on set. Paul handled camera operation, audio, cinematography, and editing. Anthony not only acted, but also choreographed the stunts and made sure everything was done safely.

How did you balance the psychological aspects of the story with the more intense, survival elements?

There is a constant sense of impending insanity, especially for the characters, as they try to process what they are seeing and experiencing.

Any fun BTS stories to share? 

The rain in the opening scene is completely artificial. I have worked on projects in the past where the rain looked obviously fake, so it was important for us to make it as realistic as possible. It was freezing cold, but we had a great time making it happen.

What do you hope viewers take away from experiencing That’s Not Me?

I hope viewers walk away realizing that independent horror can be just as entertaining and impactful as big budget horror. I also hope the film encourages more independent projects across all genres.

That’s Not Me was first shown publicly on April 13th, 2025. Unfortunately, there were technical difficulties with the Film Four Corners projection equipment. The film kept freezing, and the audio fell out of sync. When the film was cut off, the audience began chanting, “Play it again.” They genuinely wanted to see the film without the disruptions. Because of their response, the film was replayed

We believed the technical issues had ruined our chances of placing in the competition. Despite this, the film won second place from the judges. When it was announced that we had also won Audience Choice, the crowd erupted with applause and cheers. It was an incredibly moving moment for me, as it was the first award I had ever won for my work. Sharing that experience with my co star Anthony Lujan, director of photography Paul Hamby, and our crew made it unforgettable.

And the first week of release, it peaked at #2 on BloodStreamTV, something I did not expect! 

Stream That’s Not Me on BloodStreamTV.

For more information on That’s Not Me, visit the official website, IMDb and Instagram.

To keep up with director Skyler Loyd, visit his official website and Instagram.

Check out That’s Not Me feature on Bite Nite Presents.

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