Meet Jayden Dial: Filmmaker, Podcaster, and OTL Stanford for the Arts Program Intern
August 3, 2026
Jayden Dial’s passion for storytelling began when she was 10 years old, creating home videos and vlogs. Now a college student entering her third year at Stanford University, Jayden has directed short films exploring Black history through a ‘fantastical’ lens (think: a blend of fantasy and sci-fi), contributed to the global podcast collective This Teenage Life, and shared her work through prominent media outlets like the Today Show, Teen Vogue, and The New York Times.
This summer, she’s bringing her knack for storytelling to Outside The Lens as our Stanford for the Arts Program Intern. As part of our OTL Team Spotlight Series, we asked Jayden to talk about where her love of storytelling started, what she’s learned along the way, and what she loves to do in her spare time.
Here is a Q&A with Jayden Dial.
What talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be able to speak any language in the world.
What’s a word or phrase you overuse?
Slay
Who is a teacher, mentor, or artist who shaped how you see your trade?
I have to give credit to my 6-8th grade humanities teacher who taught me how to analyze films and music. He was the first person at my school to lead a class on “Film Analysis” and the curriculum really encouraged me to understand the deeper meaning behind films. A lot of what I learned in this class I refer back to often when consuming media.
He also introduced me to the book and movie The Outsiders, which is still to this day one of my favorite stories. The book was very popular at my K-8 school because everyone had a part in it. We get to read the book in 8th grade, and in the same year, we put on a play that we present to the younger students, who then look forward to continuing this tradition. The Outsiders also has an emotional soft spot for me– it’s the first book I ever cried to. It felt like regular humans going through human things.
What’s the trait you most value in the young people you interact with?
I love witnessing young people who have a strong desire to keep learning. Students that are excited to learn, work together, and engage are the best–It also inspires me to keep learning new skills and growing my talents.
If OTL gave you an unlimited budget for one piece of equipment, what would you buy?
I would buy an IMAX camera and a LED Screen. These are not necessary for the organization, but I personally would love how to learn how to use them. I recently watched The Odyssey in IMAX and it was very immersive–I felt like I was in each scene of the movie, and like it was intended to be created and seen in this format.
What’s a small ritual that gets you through a hard week?
I enjoy getting a workout in at the gym or my local YogaBox, as well as listening to podcasts and my favorite music. I’ll sometimes finish a tough week by eating a sweet treat and watching a movie with my mom.
If you had to teach a class on something totally unrelated to your current work, what would it be?
I’d call the class, “How to be comfortable with your own company: The only child’s guide to living the best life.”
I grew up an only child, and during the pandemic, I really learned to enjoy my own company. It gave me this greater sense of self, and I realized I didn’t need to be with someone 24/7. I’ve had to lean on this skill even more in college, where sometimes you have to get comfortable with putting yourself out there alone to meet new people that lead to meaningful connections.
Was there a specific moment you remember thinking, “I want to actually direct films,” not just make videos for fun?
Yes, this moment came in 2021, when I made my first film, An Angel’s Voice–inspired by the Redemption song by Dr. Beatrice Berry. It’s one of my mother’s favorite books that she gave to me on my 14th birthday. I made this film through a media arts program at Digital Gym and my first time in their narrative program. We had to write a story in just one week. Filming was fast-paced and a lot of work, we even shot part of it at Verbatim Books. By the time we wrapped, I was left with this desire to keep creating more films. I learned so much about the filmmaking process, and by the end, I realized I was capable of doing it all if I really wanted to share a story. This was also when I knew I wanted to keep telling stories, especially the kind of Black-youth-centered, fantastical stories I don’t see enough of.
What made you want to intern with Outside the Lens, and what are you excited to have already learned while being here?
For the past five years, I worked in a space with youth summer programming focused on STEAM. This year, I wanted to try something new that’s aligned with my passion for filmmaking and storytelling. This is also my first time working at an organization that specializes in teaching youth media. I feel like the roles are flipped, and now, I get to see the excitement that comes with teaching new media skills to students. It’s really cool to see a student unlock their artistic side and hone in their creative process.
Is there a skill or lesson from your time at OTL that you think will stick with you long after the internship ends?
Working at OTL has solidified my belief that every student just needs the right tools and the right teachers. I’ve watched young people here light up when they pick up innovative skills like product design and 3D design–things I’ve never even done before and wish I learned earlier. It’s been an important reminder for me that every person has a creative side; they just need the chance to tap into it. Arts programs like this aren’t a nice-to-have, they are critical for youth development. Every student deserves access to that kind of opportunity.