Pacific Index

Senior Dyullun Grundon shares experience working on his capstone project

   While Dyllun Grundon, class of 2025 and student filmmaker, violently tore apart his McDonald’s five dollar meal deal at his kitchen counter, I spoke to him about his senior project. In between mouthfuls of chicken nuggets, a double cheeseburger, and fries being eaten by the handful, he spoke candidly about his senior project, a sketch comedy show rooted in absurdity, discomfort, and crudeness going by the name of Dyllun Grundon’s Special Program. 

   “It’s about being crude and cringe and obnoxious and absurd,” Grundon explains. His three sketches include a “bring your sex doll to work day” office event, a documentary following the ego-implosion of a failed actor attempting a one-man performance of “Hamlet,” and a surströmming sandwich-making competition. His comedic inspirations include “The Tom Green Show,” “Tim and Eric”, “Million Dollar Extreme,” “SNL,” and “Portlandia.” 

   Though he acknowledges the subjectivity of comedy, Grundon embraces the niche appeal of his work. “I don’t aim to make anything wide or to be enjoyed by the masses,” he says. “I wanna make something that I enjoy and that I think people like me will find worthwhile. If every person that viewed it liked it, it most likely would have failed.”

   Taking on the role of writer, director, actor, editor, and producer, Grundon faces the challenge of balancing all aspects of production. “I can’t act for shit,” he admits, “but I’m acting a lot in these sketches.” He credits his friends and collaborators, specifically Lovelynn Sistoso and Zachary Harrington, as essential to bringing his vision to life. “They were the best help I could ask for. They’re my little henchmen. They enable and encourage me to do stupid and fucked up stuff.”

   Grundon’s influences extend beyond sketch comedy. He draws inspiration from the dark humor of Todd Solondz (director of “Happiness”), the dry comedic style of Dogme 9,  directors Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg, and the grotesque irreverence of Harmony Korine. He also references literary figures such as David Foster Wallace and Thomas Pynchon, admiring their blend of crude humor with intellectual depth. “Stuff like that asks a lot of the audience. I really admire that.”

   One particular moment during production solidified Grundon’s approach to humor. While filming a “60 Minutes” style documentary parody (the aforementioned one-man show of Shakespeare), he found his character through improvisation. “I got really close to the mirror and started slightly air-humping while saying, ‘take it, take it.’” He laughs profusely, nearly choking on his Sprite. “It induces cringe. It makes me feel gross talking about it, and that’s exactly what I want.”

   Grundon, responding to being asked about his interests in film, says, “I like reading film studies, talking about movies, and stuff like that, but I’m not a big production guy.” As far as his post-graduation plans, he shares, “My immediate plan is to stand in front of a big cannon and fire it so it blows a giant hole in my chest.” He thought this joke was so funny that he began to laugh much harder than a person medically should. “I also hope to go to grad-school and become a professor. If I fail at that, it’ll be incredibly hilarious. People can come back at our ten-year reunion or whatever and giggle about it. I’d also find that funny.”

   For other aspiring film students, he advises, “Watch more movies. You’re wrong if you think you watch a lot of movies. Influence doesn’t exist in a vacuum. If you think that you’re anything separate from history, you’re wrong. All influences build off of themselves. There’s no such thing as a born filmmaker.” 

   He also stresses the importance of planning. “Start as early as possible. Have your idea fully concrete by the spring semester of junior year and start getting ready over the summer.”

As Dyllun Grundon’s Special Program nears completion, its creator remains steadfast in his mission: to push comedy beyond comfort and challenge audiences to embrace the absurd. His work, among others, will be available for viewing on Senior Capstone Day, April 23.