Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joseph Dibartolo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joseph, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned to become the refined filmmaker I am today by studying the people I worked with and always soaking up information. Early in my career, I had many “trial by fire” opportunities that helped me improve my technical and leadership skills. Continuously studying and researching film pieces that resonate with me artistically has been a great way to discover best practices to apply in the field. Throughout my career, I have consistently explored outside of my comfort zone. Doing so has propelled my career as both a director and director of photography, giving me a distinct style that defines my work today. Taking creative risks in this industry can be challenging without a strong support system. Luckily, I have been surrounded by incredibly loving and talented filmmakers since the early days of my career. They have dedicated time to mentor, guide, and encourage me along my journey. This support has allowed me to step into leadership roles with confidence throughout my career so far. My advice to other filmmakers is to keep pushing yourself to take calculated creative risks. Building a strong professional and personal support system, while consistently learning from other talented individuals, can help you overcome most obstacles and enhance your contributions to the field of filmmaking. To me, the most essential skills as an executive filmmaker are: leadership, selflessness, storytelling ability, technical knowledge (camera, lighting, post-production), courage, motivation, and determination.

Joseph, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Joseph Salvatore DiBartolo, and I am originally from northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border. I grew up playing ice hockey, wakeboarding, working on my car, watching movies, and listening to music. In high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do for my career. I took an Introduction to Filmmaking class my senior year and learned about the basics of the filmmaking process. Growing up, I didn’t necessarily think about what goes on behind the camera as much as ingesting what I was watching. Once I was a few weeks into the class, I knew this was the industry I was destined to work in.

Fast forward, I now own my own film production company, JDB Productions. My team and I create commercials, sports preview shows, narrative pieces, music videos, car crane operations, event coverage, wedding videos, and animations. We do full-scale productions in-house and fill in roles on other sets, too. We’ve set ourselves apart from other competing companies because we believe that visual storytelling transcends language. Our creative process is rooted in connecting with people through audiovisual mediums, telling stories that ignite emotion. We solve a lot of problems for our clientele and work night and day for them. I am most proud of our work portfolio and reputation. We build our business off of positive relationships, transparency, and product quality. Personally, my wife is my biggest supporter and fan. She loves me, encourages me, and pushes me to be my best at all times. I have her to thank for my career. Without her, I would not be the great filmmaker and leader I am today.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to direct theatrical feature films and larger commercials. My passion for storytelling and the thoughtful contributions I believe I can make in the industry are what drive me. I have a long way to go, but I am proud of what my team and I have accomplished thus far. For my company, I would like to continue to grow and to have the capability to direct a feature film with all of our network of professionals, in-house. My business partner, Nathan, has been an integral part of enabling our growth and I truly couldn’t have asked for a better teammate to conquer goals with. I know we both share this vision and are resilient beyond measure.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is putting so much of myself into my work and seeing people watch and enjoy it. Every piece I create has a lot of myself woven into it. This is how I express myself to others; every project is a part of me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jdbprod.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdb_productions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JDBPRODUCTIONS
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dibartolo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jdb_productions
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jdb-productions-san-clemente?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
• Other: 2023 REEL – https://vimeo.com/864987745
  Personal Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/_directordibar_/