November 10, 2025 • 17 mins
In this episode of Who’s in My Class?, we sit down with Dillon Sibilla — an actor, writer, director, and producer who’s returned to RCBC after years of real-world experience in the entertainment industry. As the founder of DS3 Films and the creative force behind his first feature film, shot entirely in South Jersey and set to premiere in Summer 2026, Dillon shares his journey of rediscovery, resilience, and creative drive.
From navigating serious medical challenges to finding renewed purpose in education, Dillon opens up about what it means to follow your heart, embrace life’s detours, and redefine success on your own timeline. Whether you’re a student balancing big dreams with real-world responsibilities or someone thinking it’s “too late” to start again, Dillon’s story is a powerful reminder that growth, creativity, and connection can happen at any stage of life — especially in a community like RCBC.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (00:00):
Brooke, welcome to RCBC's, who's in my
(00:04):
class on the Baroness podcastnetwork with Dr Brooke Mailhiot.
If you look around your lecturehall, the library or the hallway
outside your math class, you seehundreds of faces. People are
rushing to class, grabbingcoffee or just trying to find a
quiet place to study. We spendhours every week right next to
them, but how much do we reallyknow about the people sitting in
(00:26):
the next seat? RCBC is built ona foundation of diverse
backgrounds, hidden talents andextraordinary journeys. Behind
every student idea is a story, apersonal challenge, an
unexpected ambition or a goalthat defines their path. This
series is dedicated to askingone simple, powerful question,
(00:47):
who is in my class? We're hereto pull back the curtain and
spotlight the voices of thestudents who make up the heart
of our community. We're seekingout the deeply personal, the
inspiring and the trulyunexpected stories you won't
hear anywhere else. Join us andmeet the people who are
navigating life, defining theirfuture and achieving incredible
(01:10):
things right here at rcbc, getready to be inspired by your
classmates. This is RCBC. Who'sin my class Joining us today is
Dylan Sibilla. He is an actor,writer, director, producer, and
is currently working on hisfirst feature film that was shot
right here in South Jersey. It'sset to premiere in the summer of
(01:33):
2026 he is also the owner andfounder of DS Three Films, and
he's a returning student righthere at rcbc. So after several
years of professional experiencecertificate programs such as the
University of Cambridge'swriting for performance and
entertainment industriesprogram, Dylan has returned to
continue his educational journeyright here at RCBC, Dylan, we
(01:55):
are super excited to have youhere on the students sitting
next to you the student's voice,welcome.
Unknown (02:02):
Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to be
here.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (02:05):
I wanted to just start off because you have
such a inspirational story ofgetting out there in the real
world, having real worldexperience, you know, going out
and doing some other educationalprograms, certificates programs,
and then you came back here torcbc. Why RCBC? What is it about
(02:26):
RCBC that brought you here?
Unknown (02:28):
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, that's a fantastic
question. I'm excited to be hereagain. Like I said, Really, it
was the first place I came afterI graduated high school, so this
was the first college experiencethat I had, and it was always
something that I wanted to comeback and finish eventually in my
life, and I didn't really knowexactly when that would happen.
(02:49):
And like you said, I went offand did a lot of work. I did
these different certificateprograms and did a lot of
different educational programs.So I was always doing something,
and I always wanted to come backhere and finish what I started.
It was just something that wasvery, very important. Very
important to me. And this year,I just had the opportunity to
come back. I was living in NewYork, actually, prior the end of
2024 Yeah. So I had anopportunity to come back to
(03:12):
South Jersey, continue theprogram, the exact same program
that I'd started literally 10years prior. The school was
really, really great, justletting me come back in, pick up
where I started, enroll inclasses. So, you know, it just
meant a lot to me to finish whatI started, essentially.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (03:26):
And I think that's what's really interesting
about your story and aboutcommunity colleges, is that
there's no one person fits amold to come back. And I am such
a supporter of the term likelifelong learning. Yeah, and you
should never stop learning,right for sure, and I think
that's what's really interestingabout you. And what I thought
(03:46):
was really great is how weconnected that you had a class
with another instructor, andthen myself, and then you told
that instructor about your,like, whole life story. And they
were like, I think you need tocall Dr mayad. You need to email
her. You need to put it outthere. And I think the
networking and the sharing ofthe stories and the talking to
(04:09):
your professors, I think, issomething that possibly a lot of
students lack, and they don'tknow how much can happen when
doing that, when having thoserelationships and building those
relationships, whether that's inan educational setting or in
obviously, like your perspectiveof professional settings, of
making movies and trying to getcapital and raising money and
(04:34):
putting a crew together, do youwant to share, like, any of
those kind of relationshipbuilding Tips, maybe for
students, whether that's here inthe classroom or that's out in
the real world, what? What is abenefit to them for those
things?
Unknown (04:48):
Yeah, absolutely, that's such a good question.
When I first came here about 10years ago, when I was, I guess,
1819, I was kind of theopposite. I was very reserved, I
was very shy. I kind of kept tomyself, and I. Wasn't really
great at making thoseconnections. So I didn't really
put myself out there. I didn'treally, you know, tell anybody
my story or let anybody in likethat. And when I came back this
time, after so much growth andso much experience, you just
(05:11):
kind of learn how to do that. Idid the complete opposite. So
every single professor, everysingle class I had, I told them
my story, first and foremost, Iemailed them introduction,
probably a way too long oversharing email of like, Hey, this
is where I'm at. This is exactlyme. This is why I'm here. Like,
just nice to meet you. This iswhy I'm gonna take the class and
so on. And I guess it does makethe difference, like you said.
(05:34):
And I think just when you areopen to people, you be an open
book, and you kind of just letpeople into your experience,
wherever you are, whether that'sgood or bad, like, you know, you
can talk about the challengesyou're facing as well, and
that's also really valid. Andpeople will meet you where
you're at, and then they'll kindof see, okay, what can I do to
help you, or how can we worktogether on something? So I
think, I think really, justbeing honest and being open with
(05:58):
people is often the bestpractice. And for me, that came
after just years of, you know,not being that way and kind of
having to learn that some peoplemight learn that faster, I
think. But for me, it just sortof was, was years of just
putting myself out there andtrying to pursue things that I
wanted to do, in which case youended up having to reach out to
(06:18):
people, and you had to seek helpand learn things. So it
definitely comes with practice,and the more you put yourself
out there, the more you speak topeople and just be open about
it. I think it gets easier andeasier.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (06:29):
How have you connected with the students?
I know, I know it was probablyvery challenging to come back in
your mind, like I'm an olderstudent. I was here, you know,
10 plus years ago now I'm back.What your expectation was of
being in a classroom. You know,classrooms look a little
(06:49):
different. You know, than 10years ago. School's a little bit
different. Professors are alittle bit different.
Expectation levels are a littlebit different. So how did you
kind of take on the students andthen that kind of element of
that feel of being back in aclassroom and and interacting,
Unknown (07:07):
yeah, it was definitely a little strange at first. I
won't be I'll be honest, yeah, Iwas definitely, I thought it'd
be, it'd be more uncomfortable,to be completely honest. I
thought maybe I would feel alittle more isolated. But it's
sort of the minute I came back,it's like riding a bike, I was
immediately accepted. Everybodysort of found it interesting. I
think they were just more Soeither they found it interesting
(07:28):
or they're just genuinely didn'tcare. They're like, Okay, you're
another student, you know. So Ithink it was, which I think is
also a pro, because I thinksometimes in people's heads,
they have it worked out, like,oh, everyone's gonna care about
me or what I think, or, youknow, we might be sort of so
self conscious in the fact thatwe think everybody's going to
look at us and be, you know,what's he doing, or what's he
concerning, you know? So I feellike, in a good way, people
(07:51):
either just kind of were like,Hey, you're another student.
You're one of us. We accept youimmediately, or they found it
interesting and wanted to speakabout it. And right now, I've
been trying to get involved asmuch as I can speaking to
members of the theater club. Ijust attended one of their shows
on last Friday, so trying to,like, get involved a little bit
as much as I can, speak to themabout their journeys, find out
more about what they're doing.And, yeah, just really try to be
(08:12):
a part of the community now.And, you know, just be honest
and be open and talk toeverybody. I think you're
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (08:16):
kind of trying to take my job here with
this podcast about learningabout everyone's journey and
who's who's in the class. But Ilove it. So when I, you know,
thought about doing this podcastand and you had reached out to
me and, and, you know, we hadexchanged emails back and forth,
what I really thought was veryinteresting was your own story
(08:38):
and your own journey, of like,what you wanted to do and how
you set forth to do that. Canyou share a little bit more? I
know we said a little few of thethings in your bio. Share a
little bit more with us aboutyour like endeavor. Like, where
are you at? What are some of thegreat like highlights of your
(08:59):
career so far? Because you havea lot, so you share that with
us.
Unknown (09:02):
Yeah, so I was acting for a long time, like we talked
about. The short version isabout five years ago, I started
screenwriting as like my primaryfocus still acting as well. And
I went to University ofCambridge online program,
actually, that you talked about,and, yeah, just started learning
writing, really getting intothat craft. And from that moment
(09:23):
on, I've been working on thisone big project, feature film.
I've done a lot of shorts, butthis was, like a big passion
project, get everybody involved,type situation. And, yeah, it's
I've had the idea in my head forfive years that I wanted to make
it, and it's taken this long tofinally now be in the process of
bringing on investors, gettingcapital, putting together our
(09:44):
team. It's going to be shotentirely here in Burlington
County, where, yes, absolutely,it's all local talent, locally
shot, locally sourced. And it'sgonna be a lot of fun. We'll
tell everybody about it.Everyone will come out, and you
can check our socials and DSthree films. And get ready, get
updates for
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (10:01):
it. That's awesome. So you're still making
connections. What kind ofconnections have you made with
your other classmates, otherthan I know you said about the
theater club, what about like inclass, like collaborating with
them, working with them? Yeah,
Unknown (10:13):
we've done a lot of group projects in the class that
I have here in person, and, Imean, I've met a lot of bright
students that had really, reallyinteresting ideas and were
really, really impressing me alot. And some of them also are
sharing their creative endeavorsas well. So I know some students
that want to be writers, andthey'll be like, Hey, can I send
you some writing and things likethat. So I've definitely been
meeting a lot of students withvery interesting, varied
(10:35):
backgrounds, and, yeah, a lot tooffer. So it's definitely you
meet really, really talentedpeople here, I think
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (10:42):
so you've had a very up and down journey
because you shared that, youknow, you had some momentum and
that you've done some amazingthings in the entertainment
space, but then you had somepersonal health issues and
things like that. Would you mindsharing how you've cut, you know
what has happened and then howyou overcame them. Because I
(11:04):
think other students probablyhave similar stories, and they
really just don't know how toshare. And then maybe, you know,
do what you've done that kind oftake that power and that you
know momentum and come back andfinish school, or be a go getter
and produce a feature film?Yeah,
Unknown (11:24):
yeah. Definitely the most serious thing was, at the
very start of this year, I beganhaving this heart issue, which
eventually led to surgery. I hadto get a heart surgery, and I
was actually still takingclasses here at the time the
spring semester. Wow, yeah, itwas. It was definitely a tough
challenge. And, I mean, I'm anolder student, but I'm still in
(11:46):
my 20s, so it's a bit of ashock, just from a medical
standpoint, certainly, yeah. Sothat was definitely challenge. I
think for me, I'm somebody who,I think, once you kind of find
your goals in life, and you putyour mind to something, you just
find a way to make it work. Andfor me, I honestly was kind of
(12:07):
driven by the fact that I hadthis project that I wanted to
work on, and people were alreadyexcited about it. I already had
people interested in it, and Isort of made a promise to myself
that I was going to make it. AndI do honestly think that helped
get me through that. And ofcourse, the commitment to the
school, I was already inclasses, so I was like, Hey, I
got to do this project anyway,if I had to go to the hospital
and then still have to meet myassignment deadlines. So I don't
(12:29):
know, for me, I think Idefinitely found having these
deadlines and having these goalshelped push me through. Because
my mentality was never reallyself pity or anything like that.
I was always just like, hey,let's I just have to do that
anyway. So let's just get thisfixed and move on.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (12:45):
You've, you've a wonderful mindset and
such a positive feeling aboutyou, who has inspired you?
Unknown (12:53):
Great question. Oh, my goodness, so many people. That's
a hard question. I had a lot ofpeople that I looked up, look up
to in my life currently, forsure, my parents have always,
always inspired me. My olderbrothers, my two older brothers,
have always been role models forme. I've learned a lot from
them. And honestly at the schoolhere, I feel like every one of
(13:14):
my professors, in some way oranother, have honestly inspired
me, especially since I've comehere some of my in classes, in
person classes. So getting tomeet them and speak to them and
hear their stories, I think I'vehonestly been inspired by them
in a way as well. And I guess toextend it's just the overall
student body here at rcbc, justhearing what everyone wants to
do, and the excitement that alot of students have about their
(13:35):
future that inspires me too. Andyeah, everyone you know talking
about, Oh, where do I want to goafter this. You know, rcbc can
be a good opportunity to go to afour year college after so that
inspires me. But, yeah, there'sso many, so many mentors the
name. So
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (13:50):
after this feature film, what's, what's the
five year plan, the 10 yearplan? Where are you seeing
yourself? Post rcbc and postthis amazing feature film that
you're going to be shooting herein South Jersey?
Unknown (14:03):
Yeah, that's a great question too. I would like to be
making more films in the future.That's definitely something I
want to keep doing. I have a fewideas after this initial one, so
hopefully still making movies.And honestly, this is something
that I hadn't even thought aboutuntil I came back to rcbc, but I
do honestly want to finish thatbachelor's degree. So the school
(14:24):
has had a lot of resources. Theadvising team here is amazing,
the transfer team and thingslike that, and even the
professors. So I'm reallyinterested in I'm not exactly
sure where that's going to be.I'm looking into that now. I've
done a few tours, but yeah, I'mactually considering now going
to a four year school andfinishing that degree, finally,
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (14:43):
well, you are such an inspiration. And I
know from how you speak aboutyour professors and the other
peers in your class, that I'msure you inspire them. Could you
leave them with a piece ofadvice, since you are a, you
know, coming back. You know,being around them, hearing what
their goals and dreams are, whatadvice would you give them right
(15:07):
now? You know, that's you 10years ago.
Unknown (15:11):
Yeah, great question. I think it's there's a few parts
to it. One, definitely take thetime to find out who you are and
what you want to do. And a goodway to do that is to be open
with others, like we weretalking about the beginning, and
speaking with your professors,speaking with advisors, speaking
with your peers, anybody youhave, to your friends, family,
(15:32):
just to be open and be like,Hey, this is kind of what I'm
thinking. I'm really feelingpassionate about this. What can
I do? Like, maybe just put itout there in the world, like,
Hey, this is what I want to do.How can I get there? Can I get
there? If you don't know, dosome research, figure it out,
but definitely try to find outwhat it is you really are
passionate about, and followthat through and open it up to
the world. Because I think whenyou put something out there, it
(15:53):
helps get momentum. And, youknow, the world will kind of
push it forward. I think, in away, if not, to get too kind of
like out there, woo, woo withit. But I definitely think put
it out there, the energy willbuild and you'll have that
momentum.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (16:06):
Okay, last question before we wrap,
favorite class.
Unknown (16:11):
Oh, my God, favorite class for me. Okay, I do have,
there's a few. I have a cinemaclass right now, and that's
always fantastic with Williamwind and he gives some good
recommendations. So I think justbecause I love movies, I have to
have to give to that
awesome. Thank you so much forsharing your voice with us
today. Dylan, we are super proudof you to have you as an rcbc
(16:34):
student and a baron here atCampus. And best of luck to
everything you do in the future.
Awesome. Thank you so much. Iappreciate it. Happy to be here.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (16:43):
Thank you for joining us on this episode
of who's in my class, we hopetoday inspired you and showed
you the incredible journeyshappening all around us. Every
student at rcbc has a powerfulstory by listening, you're
helping us celebrate the uniqueand diverse people who make up
the heart of our college. Besure to subscribe and join us as
(17:04):
we spotlight another amazingstudent. Until then, remember to
be curious. Your next source ofinspiration is probably sitting
right next to you. You.
Brooke, welcome to RCBC's, who's in my
(00:04):
class on the Baroness podcastnetwork with Dr Brooke Mailhiot.
If you look around your lecturehall, the library or the hallway
outside your math class, you seehundreds of faces. People are
rushing to class, grabbingcoffee or just trying to find a
quiet place to study. We spendhours every week right next to
them, but how much do we reallyknow about the people sitting in
(00:26):
the next seat? RCBC is built ona foundation of diverse
backgrounds, hidden talents andextraordinary journeys. Behind
every student idea is a story, apersonal challenge, an
unexpected ambition or a goalthat defines their path. This
series is dedicated to askingone simple, powerful question,
(00:47):
who is in my class? We're hereto pull back the curtain and
spotlight the voices of thestudents who make up the heart
of our community. We're seekingout the deeply personal, the
inspiring and the trulyunexpected stories you won't
hear anywhere else. Join us andmeet the people who are
navigating life, defining theirfuture and achieving incredible
(01:10):
things right here at rcbc, getready to be inspired by your
classmates. This is RCBC. Who'sin my class Joining us today is
Dylan Sibilla. He is an actor,writer, director, producer, and
is currently working on hisfirst feature film that was shot
right here in South Jersey. It'sset to premiere in the summer of
(01:33):
2026 he is also the owner andfounder of DS Three Films, and
he's a returning student righthere at rcbc. So after several
years of professional experiencecertificate programs such as the
University of Cambridge'swriting for performance and
entertainment industriesprogram, Dylan has returned to
continue his educational journeyright here at RCBC, Dylan, we
(01:55):
are super excited to have youhere on the students sitting
next to you the student's voice,welcome.
Unknown (02:02):
Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to be
here.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (02:05):
I wanted to just start off because you have
such a inspirational story ofgetting out there in the real
world, having real worldexperience, you know, going out
and doing some other educationalprograms, certificates programs,
and then you came back here torcbc. Why RCBC? What is it about
(02:26):
RCBC that brought you here?
Unknown (02:28):
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, that's a fantastic
question. I'm excited to be hereagain. Like I said, Really, it
was the first place I came afterI graduated high school, so this
was the first college experiencethat I had, and it was always
something that I wanted to comeback and finish eventually in my
life, and I didn't really knowexactly when that would happen.
(02:49):
And like you said, I went offand did a lot of work. I did
these different certificateprograms and did a lot of
different educational programs.So I was always doing something,
and I always wanted to come backhere and finish what I started.
It was just something that wasvery, very important. Very
important to me. And this year,I just had the opportunity to
come back. I was living in NewYork, actually, prior the end of
2024 Yeah. So I had anopportunity to come back to
(03:12):
South Jersey, continue theprogram, the exact same program
that I'd started literally 10years prior. The school was
really, really great, justletting me come back in, pick up
where I started, enroll inclasses. So, you know, it just
meant a lot to me to finish whatI started, essentially.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (03:26):
And I think that's what's really interesting
about your story and aboutcommunity colleges, is that
there's no one person fits amold to come back. And I am such
a supporter of the term likelifelong learning. Yeah, and you
should never stop learning,right for sure, and I think
that's what's really interestingabout you. And what I thought
(03:46):
was really great is how weconnected that you had a class
with another instructor, andthen myself, and then you told
that instructor about your,like, whole life story. And they
were like, I think you need tocall Dr mayad. You need to email
her. You need to put it outthere. And I think the
networking and the sharing ofthe stories and the talking to
(04:09):
your professors, I think, issomething that possibly a lot of
students lack, and they don'tknow how much can happen when
doing that, when having thoserelationships and building those
relationships, whether that's inan educational setting or in
obviously, like your perspectiveof professional settings, of
making movies and trying to getcapital and raising money and
(04:34):
putting a crew together, do youwant to share, like, any of
those kind of relationshipbuilding Tips, maybe for
students, whether that's here inthe classroom or that's out in
the real world, what? What is abenefit to them for those
things?
Unknown (04:48):
Yeah, absolutely, that's such a good question.
When I first came here about 10years ago, when I was, I guess,
1819, I was kind of theopposite. I was very reserved, I
was very shy. I kind of kept tomyself, and I. Wasn't really
great at making thoseconnections. So I didn't really
put myself out there. I didn'treally, you know, tell anybody
my story or let anybody in likethat. And when I came back this
time, after so much growth andso much experience, you just
(05:11):
kind of learn how to do that. Idid the complete opposite. So
every single professor, everysingle class I had, I told them
my story, first and foremost, Iemailed them introduction,
probably a way too long oversharing email of like, Hey, this
is where I'm at. This is exactlyme. This is why I'm here. Like,
just nice to meet you. This iswhy I'm gonna take the class and
so on. And I guess it does makethe difference, like you said.
(05:34):
And I think just when you areopen to people, you be an open
book, and you kind of just letpeople into your experience,
wherever you are, whether that'sgood or bad, like, you know, you
can talk about the challengesyou're facing as well, and
that's also really valid. Andpeople will meet you where
you're at, and then they'll kindof see, okay, what can I do to
help you, or how can we worktogether on something? So I
think, I think really, justbeing honest and being open with
(05:58):
people is often the bestpractice. And for me, that came
after just years of, you know,not being that way and kind of
having to learn that some peoplemight learn that faster, I
think. But for me, it just sortof was, was years of just
putting myself out there andtrying to pursue things that I
wanted to do, in which case youended up having to reach out to
(06:18):
people, and you had to seek helpand learn things. So it
definitely comes with practice,and the more you put yourself
out there, the more you speak topeople and just be open about
it. I think it gets easier andeasier.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (06:29):
How have you connected with the students?
I know, I know it was probablyvery challenging to come back in
your mind, like I'm an olderstudent. I was here, you know,
10 plus years ago now I'm back.What your expectation was of
being in a classroom. You know,classrooms look a little
(06:49):
different. You know, than 10years ago. School's a little bit
different. Professors are alittle bit different.
Expectation levels are a littlebit different. So how did you
kind of take on the students andthen that kind of element of
that feel of being back in aclassroom and and interacting,
Unknown (07:07):
yeah, it was definitely a little strange at first. I
won't be I'll be honest, yeah, Iwas definitely, I thought it'd
be, it'd be more uncomfortable,to be completely honest. I
thought maybe I would feel alittle more isolated. But it's
sort of the minute I came back,it's like riding a bike, I was
immediately accepted. Everybodysort of found it interesting. I
think they were just more Soeither they found it interesting
(07:28):
or they're just genuinely didn'tcare. They're like, Okay, you're
another student, you know. So Ithink it was, which I think is
also a pro, because I thinksometimes in people's heads,
they have it worked out, like,oh, everyone's gonna care about
me or what I think, or, youknow, we might be sort of so
self conscious in the fact thatwe think everybody's going to
look at us and be, you know,what's he doing, or what's he
concerning, you know? So I feellike, in a good way, people
(07:51):
either just kind of were like,Hey, you're another student.
You're one of us. We accept youimmediately, or they found it
interesting and wanted to speakabout it. And right now, I've
been trying to get involved asmuch as I can speaking to
members of the theater club. Ijust attended one of their shows
on last Friday, so trying to,like, get involved a little bit
as much as I can, speak to themabout their journeys, find out
more about what they're doing.And, yeah, just really try to be
(08:12):
a part of the community now.And, you know, just be honest
and be open and talk toeverybody. I think you're
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (08:16):
kind of trying to take my job here with
this podcast about learningabout everyone's journey and
who's who's in the class. But Ilove it. So when I, you know,
thought about doing this podcastand and you had reached out to
me and, and, you know, we hadexchanged emails back and forth,
what I really thought was veryinteresting was your own story
(08:38):
and your own journey, of like,what you wanted to do and how
you set forth to do that. Canyou share a little bit more? I
know we said a little few of thethings in your bio. Share a
little bit more with us aboutyour like endeavor. Like, where
are you at? What are some of thegreat like highlights of your
(08:59):
career so far? Because you havea lot, so you share that with
us.
Unknown (09:02):
Yeah, so I was acting for a long time, like we talked
about. The short version isabout five years ago, I started
screenwriting as like my primaryfocus still acting as well. And
I went to University ofCambridge online program,
actually, that you talked about,and, yeah, just started learning
writing, really getting intothat craft. And from that moment
(09:23):
on, I've been working on thisone big project, feature film.
I've done a lot of shorts, butthis was, like a big passion
project, get everybody involved,type situation. And, yeah, it's
I've had the idea in my head forfive years that I wanted to make
it, and it's taken this long tofinally now be in the process of
bringing on investors, gettingcapital, putting together our
(09:44):
team. It's going to be shotentirely here in Burlington
County, where, yes, absolutely,it's all local talent, locally
shot, locally sourced. And it'sgonna be a lot of fun. We'll
tell everybody about it.Everyone will come out, and you
can check our socials and DSthree films. And get ready, get
updates for
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (10:01):
it. That's awesome. So you're still making
connections. What kind ofconnections have you made with
your other classmates, otherthan I know you said about the
theater club, what about like inclass, like collaborating with
them, working with them? Yeah,
Unknown (10:13):
we've done a lot of group projects in the class that
I have here in person, and, Imean, I've met a lot of bright
students that had really, reallyinteresting ideas and were
really, really impressing me alot. And some of them also are
sharing their creative endeavorsas well. So I know some students
that want to be writers, andthey'll be like, Hey, can I send
you some writing and things likethat. So I've definitely been
meeting a lot of students withvery interesting, varied
(10:35):
backgrounds, and, yeah, a lot tooffer. So it's definitely you
meet really, really talentedpeople here, I think
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (10:42):
so you've had a very up and down journey
because you shared that, youknow, you had some momentum and
that you've done some amazingthings in the entertainment
space, but then you had somepersonal health issues and
things like that. Would you mindsharing how you've cut, you know
what has happened and then howyou overcame them. Because I
(11:04):
think other students probablyhave similar stories, and they
really just don't know how toshare. And then maybe, you know,
do what you've done that kind oftake that power and that you
know momentum and come back andfinish school, or be a go getter
and produce a feature film?Yeah,
Unknown (11:24):
yeah. Definitely the most serious thing was, at the
very start of this year, I beganhaving this heart issue, which
eventually led to surgery. I hadto get a heart surgery, and I
was actually still takingclasses here at the time the
spring semester. Wow, yeah, itwas. It was definitely a tough
challenge. And, I mean, I'm anolder student, but I'm still in
(11:46):
my 20s, so it's a bit of ashock, just from a medical
standpoint, certainly, yeah. Sothat was definitely challenge. I
think for me, I'm somebody who,I think, once you kind of find
your goals in life, and you putyour mind to something, you just
find a way to make it work. Andfor me, I honestly was kind of
(12:07):
driven by the fact that I hadthis project that I wanted to
work on, and people were alreadyexcited about it. I already had
people interested in it, and Isort of made a promise to myself
that I was going to make it. AndI do honestly think that helped
get me through that. And ofcourse, the commitment to the
school, I was already inclasses, so I was like, Hey, I
got to do this project anyway,if I had to go to the hospital
and then still have to meet myassignment deadlines. So I don't
(12:29):
know, for me, I think Idefinitely found having these
deadlines and having these goalshelped push me through. Because
my mentality was never reallyself pity or anything like that.
I was always just like, hey,let's I just have to do that
anyway. So let's just get thisfixed and move on.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (12:45):
You've, you've a wonderful mindset and
such a positive feeling aboutyou, who has inspired you?
Unknown (12:53):
Great question. Oh, my goodness, so many people. That's
a hard question. I had a lot ofpeople that I looked up, look up
to in my life currently, forsure, my parents have always,
always inspired me. My olderbrothers, my two older brothers,
have always been role models forme. I've learned a lot from
them. And honestly at the schoolhere, I feel like every one of
(13:14):
my professors, in some way oranother, have honestly inspired
me, especially since I've comehere some of my in classes, in
person classes. So getting tomeet them and speak to them and
hear their stories, I think I'vehonestly been inspired by them
in a way as well. And I guess toextend it's just the overall
student body here at rcbc, justhearing what everyone wants to
do, and the excitement that alot of students have about their
(13:35):
future that inspires me too. Andyeah, everyone you know talking
about, Oh, where do I want to goafter this. You know, rcbc can
be a good opportunity to go to afour year college after so that
inspires me. But, yeah, there'sso many, so many mentors the
name. So
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (13:50):
after this feature film, what's, what's the
five year plan, the 10 yearplan? Where are you seeing
yourself? Post rcbc and postthis amazing feature film that
you're going to be shooting herein South Jersey?
Unknown (14:03):
Yeah, that's a great question too. I would like to be
making more films in the future.That's definitely something I
want to keep doing. I have a fewideas after this initial one, so
hopefully still making movies.And honestly, this is something
that I hadn't even thought aboutuntil I came back to rcbc, but I
do honestly want to finish thatbachelor's degree. So the school
(14:24):
has had a lot of resources. Theadvising team here is amazing,
the transfer team and thingslike that, and even the
professors. So I'm reallyinterested in I'm not exactly
sure where that's going to be.I'm looking into that now. I've
done a few tours, but yeah, I'mactually considering now going
to a four year school andfinishing that degree, finally,
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (14:43):
well, you are such an inspiration. And I
know from how you speak aboutyour professors and the other
peers in your class, that I'msure you inspire them. Could you
leave them with a piece ofadvice, since you are a, you
know, coming back. You know,being around them, hearing what
their goals and dreams are, whatadvice would you give them right
(15:07):
now? You know, that's you 10years ago.
Unknown (15:11):
Yeah, great question. I think it's there's a few parts
to it. One, definitely take thetime to find out who you are and
what you want to do. And a goodway to do that is to be open
with others, like we weretalking about the beginning, and
speaking with your professors,speaking with advisors, speaking
with your peers, anybody youhave, to your friends, family,
(15:32):
just to be open and be like,Hey, this is kind of what I'm
thinking. I'm really feelingpassionate about this. What can
I do? Like, maybe just put itout there in the world, like,
Hey, this is what I want to do.How can I get there? Can I get
there? If you don't know, dosome research, figure it out,
but definitely try to find outwhat it is you really are
passionate about, and followthat through and open it up to
the world. Because I think whenyou put something out there, it
(15:53):
helps get momentum. And, youknow, the world will kind of
push it forward. I think, in away, if not, to get too kind of
like out there, woo, woo withit. But I definitely think put
it out there, the energy willbuild and you'll have that
momentum.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (16:06):
Okay, last question before we wrap,
favorite class.
Unknown (16:11):
Oh, my God, favorite class for me. Okay, I do have,
there's a few. I have a cinemaclass right now, and that's
always fantastic with Williamwind and he gives some good
recommendations. So I think justbecause I love movies, I have to
have to give to that
awesome. Thank you so much forsharing your voice with us
today. Dylan, we are super proudof you to have you as an rcbc
(16:34):
student and a baron here atCampus. And best of luck to
everything you do in the future.
Awesome. Thank you so much. Iappreciate it. Happy to be here.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (16:43):
Thank you for joining us on this episode
of who's in my class, we hopetoday inspired you and showed
you the incredible journeyshappening all around us. Every
student at rcbc has a powerfulstory by listening, you're
helping us celebrate the uniqueand diverse people who make up
the heart of our college. Besure to subscribe and join us as
(17:04):
we spotlight another amazingstudent. Until then, remember to
be curious. Your next source ofinspiration is probably sitting
right next to you. You.
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.