Rob Schmidt counts Stephen King among his fans. King listed Rob’s “Wrong Turn” as his favorite film the year of its release and offered Rob his novel, “Insomnia” to adapt. He received his MFA in directing and screenwriting from the American Film Institute and his BFA from Purchase. In addition to features he has made dozens of short films, docs, ads and music videos and has worked in television on shows for NBC, Showtime, Discovery and Fox. Rob drew the attention of Killer Films and producer Christine Vachon with his award winning shorts “Earl’s Demise” & “Saturn.” Vachon produced his MGM feature, “Crime and Punishment in Suburbia,” a Sundance favorite, and his feature “Speed of Life” drew the attention of Stan Winston, with whom he went on to make “Wrong Turn.” Working again with his favorite actress, Eliza Dushku, Rob made “The Alphabet Killer” based on the double letter murders in and around Rochester, NY. He is a Directors Guild & Writers Guild member. He also loves teaching and has taught for NYU Grad Film and The New School. Rob is attached to direct several features and often working in indie documentary and true crime. He resides in Atlanta and has homes in NY and LA.
