Rob Schrab

Education and early career

Schrab is a graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. In the 1990s, he wrote and illustrated the critically acclaimed independent comics series Scud: The Disposable Assassin.

Film and television

In 1997, Oliver Stone's company Illusion Entertainment bought the film rights to Scud: The Disposable Assassin. In the hopes of getting a chance to write the script, Schrab and his writing partner Dan Harmon moved to Los Angeles. Despite being turned down the pair decided to try their luck in the entertainment business. They wrote a spec script called Big Ant Movie or BAM. This script found its way to director/producer Robert Zemeckis who signed them to a two-film deal. One of the ideas they pitched was called Monster House. They subsequently wrote a script and the film was eventually released in 2006 after being rewritten in the meantime.

With their reputation growing, Schrab and Harmon were in talks with numerous producers and companies. They signed a blind deal with ABC which they then wanted to get out of. They decided to scare the network by "writ[ing] our favorite TV show ever." ABC was not impressed but the script made its way to Ben Stiller who decided to produce a pilot. Heat Vision and Jack (1999) starred Jack Black and, as the voice of a motorcycle, Owen Wilson. The pilot was not picked up but it eventually gained a reputation as a cult classic.

In 2002, Schrab wrote and directed Robot Bastard!, a 17-minute science fiction action comedy film.

Together with Sarah Silverman, Schrab and Harmon created The Sarah Silverman Program on Comedy Central. Harmon was eventually fired from the show, but Schrab stayed on for all three seasons. He also played the cross-dressing host of Cookie Party, Miniature "Mini" Coffee.

Harmon and Schrab later renewed their partnership with the latter working on both Community, the show Harmon created after leaving The Sarah Silverman Program, and Rick and Morty, the show Harmon created after being fired from Community.

Schrab was slated to direct The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part as his first feature, but left the project in February 2017. He co-directed Mystery Science Theater 3000s season 12 along with Joel Hodgson, wrote and directed episodes of the Creepshow reboot for Shudder, and worked with Harmon as a writer on Rick and Morty for Adult Swim.

Other

Schrab is also a regular guest on the podcast Fear Initiative and appeared regularly on the podcast Harmontown before it ended in late 2019.

Schrab has won two Primetime Emmy Award; one in 2009 for co-writing Hugh Jackman's Opening Number for the 81st Annual Academy Awards, and one in 2020 as a producer on Rick and Morty.

References

References

1. (May 24, 2012). "The Lost Projects of Dan Harmon".
2. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418106/ Robot Bastard IMDB]
3. (May 13, 2011). "The Showrunner Transcript: Community's Dan Harmon on Finale Cameos and Season-Long Lessons".
4. (December 17, 2012). "Rob Schrab Interview". Trainwreck'd Society.
5. (April 9, 2015). "'Community' Behind the Scenes: Director Rob Schrab on What He Loves About His Job (VIDEO)".
6. (May 13, 2011). "The Showrunner Transcript: Community's Dan Harmon on Finale Cameos and Season-Long Lessons".
7. (July 16, 2021). "Rick and Morty: Rob Schrab Shares Heartbreaking Morty/Beth Reminder".
8. (January 24, 2014). "Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland on Rick and Morty, How Community Is Like Star Trek, and Puberty".
9. (February 24, 2015). "Rob Schrab to Direct The LEGO Movie Sequel!".
10. (February 10, 2019). "Shudder's 'Creepshow' Series Is Already Among Our Most Anticipated of 2019". Film School Rejects.
11. (May 25, 2019). "'Rick and Morty': Dan Harmon Teases Rob Schrab's Season 5 (!!!) Ideas". Bleeding Cool.