Meet John Steele

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Steele a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

John, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

My entire life, I’ve felt like the black sheep, especially as an artist. Growing up in Jackson, Alabama, a small town where hunting and sports dominated everyday conversations, I was the “weird guy.” While others talked about the latest football game or hunting trip, I was lost in drawing, shooting videos on VHS and mini cassettes, and, most of all, making music.

I wasn’t just interested in art, I wanted to create experiences that moved people. Whether it was telling a story through film, crafting a song, or capturing a moment, I was always drawn to the idea of making people feel something. For a long time, I thought my passion for entertaining was just me acting out, a response to feeling like the weird guy. But over time, I realized it wasn’t about seeking attention, it was about finding my purpose.

My early 20s were somewhat typical, I joined the Air Force, thinking I was setting myself up for a steady career. But after an accident left me with limited mobility in my left leg, my time in the military was cut short.
I’ve always had a soft spot for animals, so working in the veterinary field felt like a natural next step. It was a solid career, and I enjoyed it, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t what I was looking for.

In 2018, I picked up a camera, not because I had a big plan, but because people had started asking me to make videos after seeing the short clips I’d filmed on my phone. That curiosity turned into part-time videography work, but even then, I wasn’t sure this was my path. In fact, I got to a point where I was ready to walk away from it altogether and just commit to a full-time career in the vet industry, that would soon change.

Everything shifted for me after watching an instructional video by the legendary Steve Vai. He’s not a filmmaker but one of the most iconic guitar players of all time. I had been playing guitar for nearly 20 years and, while I loved it, I always felt like I was hitting a ceiling, no matter how much effort I put in.

In the video, Steve was demonstrating a technique when he paused to tell a story. He talked about how some kids would come to his private lessons, and at first, he’d think, This kid will never be good. But a year later, that same kid would be effortlessly playing licks that had taken Steve 20 years to master. That moment hit him when he realized he was a learned guitarist, someone who developed his skills through discipline and practice, while others were gifted guitarists, naturally wired for the instrument in a way he wasn’t.

That story left a lasting impression on me. In that moment, I felt like God was telling me, I am a gifted filmmaker and a learned guitarist. It wasn’t that I lacked passion for music, but storytelling through visuals had always come naturally to me and that was my purpose.

For a long time, I hesitated to share this, worried it might sound vain. But the truth is, I believe storytelling is what I was meant to do, and film is the medium that allows me to bring those stories to life.

Since that moment, I’ve had plenty of ups and downs, times when I wanted to walk away completely. But every time I hit that wall, I come back to that moment. It reminds me why I started and why this path matters.
And in those moments of doubt, I have to lean on my greatest strength: the ability to pivot.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

After years of filming, I recently launched my brand – Frame. Harmony. Hue. Rooted in independent film making, it reflects my personal strengths and storytelling approach – Frame The Vision. Elevate The Story. Color The Mood.

My focus is on small, intimate films where the story always comes first. That doesn’t mean sacrificing production value but shaping the production around the story, making the most of the resources at hand to create something truly compelling.

Right now, I’m on a brief hiatus, taking the time to build this brand with intention, defining its direction and connecting with the right collaborators. For the first time, I’m stepping back, not to pause but to lay a stronger foundation for the future of my filmmaking. And that’s something I’m truly excited about.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: Life, Resilience, and Evolving.

Life
Even as I approach 40, I know there’s still so much to experience, and I believe my storytelling will only deepen as I live more of it. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to slow down and be present. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind, but some of the best stories come from truly living. I’m still learning this myself, but if you’re just starting out, take time to observe, listen, and soak in life, it will make you a better storyteller.

Resilience
Thick skin is non-negotiable. This industry will challenge you, put you in uncomfortable situations, and test your limits. Stress is inevitable, but learning how to manage it is what keeps you in the game. Find healthy outlets to relieve the pressure, and get comfortable being uncomfortable, because if you can’t you will most definitely burn out.

Evolving
This one is a personal pet peeve. I’ve seen people get stuck in the past, constantly reminiscing about the way things used to be. That mindset kills creativity. The industry is always changing, new technology, new storytelling methods, AI, and beyond. If you don’t evolve, you’ll end up repeating the same old stories instead of creating new ones. Stay true to your voice, but adapt to the times. The best filmmakers know how to blend timeless storytelling with the tools of the present.

Embrace life, build resilience, and never stop evolving. That’s how you stay in this game.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

My biggest challenge right now is my health. I let the pressures of filmmaking and the relentless grind take such a toll that it landed me in the hospital. It was a wake-up call. Finding a healthy outlet and learning to slow down is crucial because this industry is a long game. If you’re not willing to be patient, it’s worth asking yourself if filmmaking is truly your purpose.

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