Today we’d like to introduce you to Bob Rose
Hi Bob, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in Baltimore, I’m a very large, mostly Italian guy who came from middle-class obscurity. My Father’s love of Mel Brooks and my Mother’s drive to encourage my creativity came together to create the monster photographed on my driver’s license.
I fully embraced my Pop’s obsession with spoof movies and subsequently sketch comedy of the 70s, 80s and 90s. This led directly into the “matured immaturity” of my creative core today, one that seeks maximalism, alternative comedy and subversion. This ensures that anything I make is not everyone’s cup of tea, but also might be someone else’s trashcan filled with delicious goo.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My parents loved me, my friends loved me. Being loved was never the struggle and I couldn’t tell you why that is, but it’s true, trust me, I was there.
On the brain side of things two learning disabilities, both dyslexia and “audio/visual learning impairment,” have always stood in the way of my creative life, filmmaking and writing. I learn and speak better through visuals. If you show me a picture it burns in my brain, but if you show me a paragraph of text it has the potential to flop on the floor in front of me and die. This has always led to concentration and productivity issues which have plagued me all my life. I’ve done plenty, but I might have done more.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At 42 I’m not sure I could sum up what I do, except maybe say that I make odd stuff and often with friends I love.
I’ve been a “YouTube Filmmaker” since 2006 and the DIY world has always been my arena where I fight alongside my chosen family.
Some would say I specialize in absurdist comedy, some would call me a critic, some would call me a filmmaker. I’ll steal from the great John Carpenter and say I’m just a bum. I make what I want, when I can and if no one stops me.
How about some name drops? I used to write movie reviews for Kevin Smith’s first website, I’ve filmed John Waters and I co-edited the zombie segment of V/H/S/2 with the director of The Blair Witch Project, Eduardo Sanchez.
The things I’m most proud of can be separated into two categories. First is my tiny, wacky, stupid, totally annoying films and videos you can find on my YouTube channel. That channel is a “No-Budget Life’s Work” I intend keep growing.
Then there is my roughly 14 years of Podcasting which has resulted in several small triumphs but most notably the shows Bonus Disc and Writers/Blockbusters. Both of these Podcasts are evergreen in their content, available to the public and I truly believe in the end products. The latter show, Writers/Blockbusters, is still going strong with a healthy dedicated fan base.
What sets me apart from others? Uhhhhhhhh I got nothing. I’ve been making stupid, awful, offensive comedy T-shirts for the past two years as a way to deal with grief after the death of a best friend. Who does that? I find myself, for many reasons, at my absolute lowest point and my only solution is peepee poopoo T-Shirts. That probably sets me apart from some people, maybe. You should buy one.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Avoid people that only see you as a resource. People that use people never work out in the end. Stick with those that genuinely want what you, and only you, bring to the table.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/thundergruntbob
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thundergruntbob
- Twitter: https://x.com/ThunderGruntBob
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thundergruntbob
