In the very first episode of JustJoeBTS, host Joe sits down with the filmmaking brothers, Joseph Thomas and Francis Thomas, from the Chicago area. Together, they dive into a raw and insightful conversation about their journey in the film industry, from childhood inspiration to launching full-scale creative projects.

This episode is packed with heartfelt stories, filmmaking wisdom, and a healthy dose of humor as the trio reflects on what it means to be a creative in today’s ever-evolving media landscape. Whether you're a film student, aspiring director, or indie content creator, this episode is your behind-the-scenes pass to the real hustle of storytelling.

🎥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Joseph and Francis discovered their love for filmmaking through writing and home movies
• Their creative evolution from authorship to directing and producing
• Why early 2000s films and classics like Lord of the Rings and Batman inspired their aesthetic
• A hilarious and memorable VFX story involving jumping out of a window (and terrifying their mom)
• The importance of cinematography, lighting, and story over camera gear
• Thoughts on how modern movies have lost some of their originality — and what they’re doing about it
• Deep dive into their web series “A Dangerous Path” and their feature film The Street Corner
• How they navigate the creative tension of working together as brothers
• A candid look at blending genres like sci-fi, action, and comedy as indie filmmakers
• Their thoughts on the best and worst of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, including Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
• The journey of releasing a feature film on Amazon Prime Video, budgeting, crew building, and the business side of film production

📚 Bonus Highlights:

• Francis shares how leaving a full-time job to pursue filmmaking full-time shaped his career
• The influence of YouTube on improving their on-camera skills and storytelling voice
• Why story is the most powerful marketing tool, with nods to Apple ads and TED Talks
• What it’s like to lead, fail, pivot, and grow in an industry driven by passion and risk

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Just start. The journey from home movies to Amazon releases happens one step at a time.
• Don’t underestimate the power of collaboration and compromise — even if you're arguing like Spielberg and Lucas.
• Story is everything. Gear and budget help, but storytelling is what connects with your audience.
• Indie filmmakers can — and should — be ambitious. Feature films are possible without Hollywood budgets.

Whether you're here to learn, laugh, or feel inspired by the relentless grind of independent creators, this episode has something for you.

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to create boldly.