Dream Corp LLC

Dream Corp LLC is an American live-action/animated sitcom created by Daniel Stessen for Adult Swim. The series is an absurdist workplace comedy set in a run-down dream therapy facility located in a dilapidated strip mall. In each episode, a new desperate patient has their dreams recorded, analyzed, and, if necessary, adjusted, by Dr. Roberts (Jon Gries) and his staff of misfits.

Dream Corp LLC
GenreComedy
Created byDaniel Stessen
Directed byDaniel Stessen
StarringJon Gries
Nick Rutherford
Ahmed Bharoocha
Mark Proksch
Stephen Merchant
Stephanie Allynne
Megan Ferguson
Sunita Mani
ComposerChad VanGaalen
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes28 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Brian Owen
  • Kahlea Baldwin
CinematographyMårten Tedin
Editors
  • Ali Greer
  • Andrew Fitzgerald
  • Jordan Kim
  • Joe Stakun
  • Daniel Stessen
  • Chris Poole
  • Paul Rogers
  • Kelly Stuyvestant
Running time11-25 min.
Production companies
Release
Original networkAdult Swim
Original releaseOctober 23, 2016 (2016-10-23) –
November 23, 2020 (2020-11-23)

The series is the first on Adult Swim to use rotoscoping. It premiered on October 23, 2016.[1]

On July 15, 2022, actor Jon Gries confirmed the series was cancelled after three seasons and it was sold to Hulu. Preliminary discussions about a revival have occurred.[2][3]

Plot

Dream Corp LLC is set in a run-down dream therapy facility located in a derelict strip mall which "operates on the fringes of medical science and legality".[4] Desperate patients – all of them referred to only by number – have their dreams recorded and analyzed by Dr. Roberts and his staff. Roberts uses an unconventional method: he inserts himself into those surreal dreams to guide the patient to overcoming their problem, all while being watched and monitored by his colleagues, including the claw-handed technician Randy; Ahmed, a dope-smoking nurse; the sardonic robot T.E.R.R.Y.; Roberts' female psychology assistant (who changes every season); and a patient, 88, who has been co-opted to work for Roberts as part of his therapy, because he could not pay for it.[5][6]

Cast

Production

Dream Corp LLC is a black comedy created by Daniel Stessen,[5] known for co-writing and directing The Gold Sparrow, an animated short film released in 2013. Adult Swim commissioned a pilot based on Stessen's original idea for the series in May 2014,[7] ahead of the network's upfront advertising meeting.[8] The pilot featured guest stars Bud Cort, Baron Vaughn, and Moises Arias. The series is produced by Williams Street.[9] Dream Corp LLC was ordered for a full season in November 2015,[5] and the network made mention of the series in their 2016 upfront.[10]

The series is the first on Adult Swim to use rotoscoping to achieve animation; this technique entails drawing over live-action footage.[9] This process was used for Stessen's short film The Gold Sparrow and the pilot for Dream Corp LLC.[11][7] Reclusive animator and songwriter Chad VanGaalen was brought on board to provide musical score for the show and also designed "T.E.R.R.Y." the office robot.[12] The trailer for the series was released on October 5, 2016.[13]

The series' animated segments are handled by two companies. BEMO provides the visual effects and CG graphics, while Artbelly Productions provides the rotoscoped character animation using their proprietary rotoscoping software, Rotobelly.[14] The live action portions of the show were produced by Caviar Content in season one, with Alive and Kicking, Inc. taking over live action shoots in season two.

Season 2 premiered on October 21, 2018.

A "sneak preview" of season 3 premiered as part of Adult Swim's annual April Fool's programming stunt.[15] It was expected to premiere in summer 2020, but a late June 2020 launch date was pushed back.[16] On October 12, 2020, it was announced that the third season would premiere on October 25, 2020.[17]

On July 15, 2022, actor Jon Gries confirmed the series was cancelled after three seasons and it was sold to Hulu. Preliminary discussions about a revival have occurred.[2][3]

Style

The visual style of Dream Corp LLC has been described as "the degraded, retro-futurist look of Terry Gilliam’s Brazil and the underrated The Zero Theorem, while the sci-fi exists in the realm of lo-fi realism like Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."[18] The original Artbelly rotoscopers worked on the films Waking Life (2001) and A Scanner Darkly (2006), the look of which also contributes to the show's aesthetic.[18]

Episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
16October 23, 2016 (2016-10-23)November 27, 2016 (2016-11-27)
214October 21, 2018 (2018-10-21)December 2, 2018 (2018-12-02)
38March 31, 2020 (2020-03-31)November 22, 2020 (2020-11-22)

Season 1 (2016)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Pilot"Daniel StessenOctober 23, 2016 (2016-10-23)1010.859[19]
Patient 88 visits Dream Corp to cure his romantic problems under the supervision of Dr. Roberts and his questionable staff. 88's card gets declined. Dave Coulier guest stars
22"The Smoking Nun"Nick RutherfordOctober 30, 2016 (2016-10-30)1020.930[20]
Patient 54 (June Squibb) is an elderly client who is trying to quit smoking. She leaves Dream Corp a new woman. 88 gets stabbed in the neck.
33"The Predator"Christopher RoeNovember 6, 2016 (2016-11-06)1031.013[21]
Patients 86 and 103 (Geoffrey Arend and Dan Gill) confront their biggest fears and relationship phobias with help from The Predator. Randy loses a limb.
44"Tijuana Zebra"Daniel StessenNovember 13, 2016 (2016-11-13)1040.805[22]
T.E.R.R.Y. the robot turns 21 and feels outdated. The staff joins forces, alongside T.E.R.R.Y’s mom (Stephnie Weir), to cure T.E.R.R.Y.'s depression and help him find the meaning of life.
55"You Down with OCD?"Daniel StessenNovember 20, 2016 (2016-11-20)1050.931[23]
Patient 46 (Mary Lynn Rajskub) suffers from severe OCD and is a rare case even for Dr. Roberts. The staff gears up to find her when she suddenly goes missing. T.E.R.R.Y. and 88 compete for her affection.
66"The Leak"Daniel StessenNovember 27, 2016 (2016-11-27)1060.836[24]
Disaster strikes at Dream Corp LLC when a leak causes the staff to evacuate during routine dream maintenance. Joey sheds her innocent self after being left behind in the dream world by Dr. Roberts, adopting a demonic form (Liam Neeson). Meanwhile, Patient 13 (Cleo King), a military official, intrudes.

Season 2 (2018)
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [25]Written byOriginal air date [25]Prod.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
71"Deep Impact"Daniel StessenOctober 21, 2018 (2018-10-21)2010.556[26]
Patient 21 (Jimmi Simpson) is afraid to fall asleep. After a parasomnia episode injures the new intern Bea, Dr. Roberts drops in to the patients dreams to guide him through the wake of his fears.
82"The Bullied"Christopher RoeOctober 21, 2018 (2018-10-21)2020.489[26]
Patient 74 (Eugene Cordero) visits Dream Corp LLC for his debilitating fear of confined spaces. T.E.R.R.Y. discovers the internet.
93"Accordion Jim"Nick RutherfordOctober 28, 2018 (2018-10-28)2030.554[27]
Patient 13 (Cleo King) returns for Dream Therapy after cancelling her last four appointments. Dr Roberts cautiously agrees to treat her. 88 survives a dog attack.
104"Amnesia"Mark ProkschOctober 28, 2018 (2018-10-28)2040.524[27]
Patient 62 (Rupert Friend) catches amnesia during a routine arachnophobia treatment. Dr Roberts attempts to cure him by hand using fundamentals. Randy gets catfished.
115"Woomba"Christopher RoeNovember 4, 2018 (2018-11-04)2050.606[28]
A very pregnant Patient 6 (Natalie Morales) visits Dream Corp LLC desperate to be cured of her strange addiction to eating couch cushions (Pica (disorder)). Randy makes a cyst popping video but his cyst contains a surprise.
126"Wild Bill"Nick RutherfordNovember 4, 2018 (2018-11-04)2060.503[28]
Roberts' old roommate, Bill Ruff (Darrell Hammond), pays a visit to Dream Corp LLC under the guise of selling bad office artwork. Everyone in the staff is charmed, except for 88, who makes it his mission to expose Bill's real intentions. This episode references the films Short Circuit 2, Falling Down, and The Goonies, as well as an episode of the tv sitcom Friends.
137"Guys and Dads"Christopher RoeNovember 11, 2018 (2018-11-11)2070.661[29]
A dejected Mr. Simzer (Craig Robinson) brings his teenage son to Dream Corp LLC for treatment. The staff realizes his son isn't the only one who needs Dream Therapy. Randy loves Mama's Meat Pops.
148"88's Weekly"Dugan O'NealNovember 11, 2018 (2018-11-11)2080.600[29]
88 goes under to get treatment for his "confidence". Dr Roberts tests a groundbreaking new technology.
159"Staff Infection"Daniel StessenNovember 18, 2018 (2018-11-18)2090.636[30]
Patient 30 (Mo Collins) visits Dream Corp LLC for treatment of a long list of "symptoms." A chemical spill in the Lab puts the facility on lock down. A new side of Ahmed is revealed while 88 is put in grave danger.
1610"Pickle Trip"Nick Rutherford, Daniel StessenNovember 18, 2018 (2018-11-18)2100.539[30]
88 eats Ahmed's pickle without knowing that the pickle has been dosed with numerous psychedelic and psycho-active drugs.
1711"Dust Bunnies"Dugan O'NealNovember 25, 2018 (2018-11-25)2110.637[31]
Patient 75 (Iqbal Theba) comes to Dream Corp LLC to help clean up his life and regain the respect of his children. T.E.R.R.Y. introduces the staff to his new friend Leonard.
1812"Can't Touch This"Nick RutherfordNovember 25, 2018 (2018-11-25)2120.603[31]
Skin to skin contact feels like fire to Patient 66 (Allyn Rachel). With a history of minimal human touch or relationships, Dr Roberts prescribes her a Dream Date.
1913"What Happens in Randy, Stays in Randy"Nick RutherfordDecember 2, 2018 (2018-12-02)2130.697[32]
Dr Roberts wrangles Randy for his biannual session to address his agoraphobia. T.E.R.R.Y. struggles with his conscience.
2014"The Krux"Daniel StessenDecember 2, 2018 (2018-12-02)2140.560[32]
Patient 101 (Toby Kebbell), a serial killer nicknamed The Krux, is wheeled into Dream Corp LLC as part of a court-ordered, time-limited evaluation. Dr. Roberts struggles to navigate Patient 101's subconscious and calls on the entire staff to help contain their most challenging patient to date.

Season 3 (2020)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleWritten byOriginal air date [25]Prod.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
211"Comin' in Hot"Nicholas Rutherford, Daniel StessenOctober 26, 2020 (2020-10-26)TBA0.198[33]
222"Monkey Man"Christopher Roe, Daniel StessenNovember 2, 2020 (2020-11-02)TBA0.254[34]
233"Tricky Ricky"Mark Proksch, Daniel StessenNovember 2, 2020 (2020-11-02)[lower-alpha 3]TBA0.407[35]
244"Fear of Heights"Dugan O'Neal, Daniel StessenNovember 9, 2020 (2020-11-09)TBA0.363[36]
255"Virgil Bottoms"Nicholas Rutherford, Daniel StessenNovember 9, 2020 (2020-11-09)TBA0.329[36]
266"Where Are They Now?"Daniel Stessen, Charles YuNovember 16, 2020 (2020-11-16)TBA0.235[37]
277"Clone Disposal"Nicholas Rutherford, Daniel StessenNovember 16, 2020 (2020-11-16)TBA0.230[37]
288"Randay"Daniel Stessen, Charles YuNovember 23, 2020 (2020-11-23)TBA0.291[38]

References

Informational notes

  1. Executive Producer for Alive and Kicking, Inc., season 2
  2. Executive Producer for Williams Street
  3. This episode had an advanced stealth premiere on April 1, 2020 as part of Adult Swim’s annual April Fools' stunt.

Citations

  1. "John Krasinski and Stephen Merchant's 'Dream Corp LLC' Premieres October 23rd on Adult Swim". Splitsider. October 5, 2016. Archived from the original on April 8, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  2. "'Napoleon Dynamite' Star Jon Gries Talks About His 50-Year Hollywood Career". Newsweek. July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  3. "Miniac Signs Director Daniel Stessen". Shoot Online. May 24, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  4. Nixon, Jenny (ndg) "Dream Corp LLC" Common Sense Media
  5. Stanhope, Kate (November 17, 2015). "John Krasinski, Stephen Merchant Animated Comedy Picked Up to Series at Adult Swim". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  6. August, Alexandra (October 22, 2018) "The Bizarre World Of Dream Corp LLC Explained" Screen Rant
  7. Andreeva, Nellie (May 5, 2014). "Adult Swim Greenlights Live-Action Pilot Produced by John Krasinski". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  8. Baysinger, Tim (May 9, 2014). "Upfronts 2014: Adult Swim Orders Sitcom with Jack McBrayer and Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Archived from the original on May 11, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  9. Wolfe, Jennifer (November 17, 2015). "Adult Swim Greenlights Animated Dream Corp Series". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  10. Umstead, R. Thomas (May 12, 2016). "Upfronts 2016: Adult Swim Slates New Robot Chicken Special". Multichannel News. NewBay Media. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  11. Stanhope, Kate (November 17, 2015). "John Krasinski, Stephen Merchant Animated Comedy Picked Up to Series at Adult Swim". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2016. See also:
  12. "Chad VanGaalen Instagram". Instagram. October 5, 2016. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  13. "Dream Corp LLC Trailer". YouTube. October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  14. "About -". artbellyproductions.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  15. "Video: Adult Swim Drops All-New "Rick and Morty" Trailer and Premiere Date for April Fools' Day Surprise Hosted by Post Malone". The Futon Critic. March 31, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  16. "TV Premiere Dates 2020 << Rotten Tomatoes – Movie and TV News". Editorial.rottentomatoes.com. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  17. "Appointment Confirmed: "Dream Corp LLC" Welcomes You Back for Season Three Sunday, October 25 at 12:30 a.m. ET/PT on Adult Swim". The Futon Critic. October 12, 2020.
  18. Pangburn, DJ (October 23, 2016) "Inside Adult Swim’s New Rotoscoped Sci-Fi Comedy 'Dream Corp LLC'" Vice
  19. Porter, Rick (October 25, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'The Walking Dead' premiere kills it with second-highest ratings ever". Tvbythenumbers. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  20. Porter, Rick (November 1, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'The Walking Dead' takes a bigger-than-usual hit in episode 2". Tvbythenumbers. Archived from the original on November 2, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  21. Porter, Rick (November 8, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'Walking Dead' down but stays on top, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' returns lower". Tvbythenumbers. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
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  25. "Dream Corp LLC - Episodes Guide and Summaries". Next Episode. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
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