October 23, 2016 (2016-10-23) – November 23, 2020 (2020-11-23)
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.
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 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]
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]
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Patient 62 (Rupert Friend) catches amnesia during a routine arachnophobia treatment. Dr Roberts attempts to cure him by hand using fundamentals. Randy gets catfished.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.