transit trouble

Created for Daryl Della’s class at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Transit Trouble begins as a seemingly typical student-film scenario. Lorenzo Ocon plays an eccentric weirdo (typecasting, anyone?) who takes an unusual interest in the comic book Nate is reading at a bus stop. The setup feels familiar—until the bizarre twist ending, where Lorenzo smears what appears to be feces across his face to scare Nate off. The “feces,” in this case, was a half-melted, dirt-covered Snickers bar, though the unsettling effect remains unforgettable.

The story itself was inspired by an anecdote from Brandon J. Snyder, who recounted a real-life encounter on a San Francisco bus with a man smearing actual feces on himself, laughing maniacally. While Snyder wasn’t on set, Daryl credited him as a writer, a move that frustrated Nate, who felt his own contribution deserved more recognition.

Daryl approached the project with some trepidation, unsure how the absurd gross-out humor would land with his classmates. To his relief, Transit Trouble was met with great acclaim, solidifying a lesson that would guide him throughout his career: boldness and creativity always trump playing it safe.

The production also included a nod to classic short films like Looney Tunes and The Three Stooges. After his teacher suggested removing the opening credits from the rough cut, Daryl added an illustrated title card reminiscent of those vintage works. With this adjustment, the quick credits made perfect sense, elevating the film’s quirky tone.

Transit Trouble remains an oddball gem in the Dollars & Donuts archive—a gross-out gag at its core, but one that’s elevated by its blend of boldness, inspiration, and a healthy dose of chaos.