Where leaders of the world's top studios grow together.

WELCOME, FOUNDER

Why did you launch your studio in the first place? For financial independence, fun, and freedom.
As the founder of Impossible Pictures, I lived that life for 20 years prior to exit.

Today I lead a practice that spans the globe, gathering all the best practices that busy studio owners need so their studios can thrive.
20
Years
Helmed Impossible Pictures
10
Years
Thought Partner to leading studios
500+
Studios
In 40+ countries
1
Mission
Helping creative businesses thrive

ABOUT

Decorative

JOEL'S STORY

“What one thing most unleashed your studio's superpowers?”
People often marvel at what Impossible Pictures achieved and ask me this question. My answer is simple: mastery of the business.

Today, I possess a rare perspective. From helming Impossible to now leading FORUM as the pied piper of studio ownership, my journey is an unyielding commitment to helping content creators thrive.

What fuels my fire? Empathy. I've lived the highs and lows of the entrepreneurial roller coaster. My 20 years at the helm of my studio weren't so much about building a body of work – or even building a business – they were about creating a legacy of influence.

So don’t mistake me for a consultant who has never run a studio. I've walked the walk. I've been my own audience. I’m the thought partner who intimately understands the trials and triumphs of business.

This empathy is what fuels the deep trust I build with owners. From big metropolises to remote corners of the globe, I've impacted over 500 studios in more than 40 countries. Each collaboration and partnership is a testament to how experience and insight combine to help creative companies outperform.

Today, I carry with me a resounding message of positivity and possibility that celebrates the ingenuity – and sheer guts – of studio founders everywhere.

EXPERTISE

How I work.

POPULAR APPEARANCES

Where to learn more.

WEBINAR

How Small Studios Grow

Unsure where to start? Watch my webinar revealing real-world examples of studios overcoming ephemeralization a.k.a. "the race to the bottom."

WATCH NOW

TRIBUTES

Joel, you stand for something that not a lot of people in our industry could recognize without you being the first.
Amanda Russell
Co-Founder & CD at Cream Studio
Joel has that rare combination of experience, charisma, and a natural ability to explain complex ideas in a simple way. He’s kind of a unicorn.
Joey Korenman
Founder at School of Motion
The Jumpstart accelerator was an eye-opening experience. It was the compass we needed to find our own path and take Animagic to the next level.
David Calderon
Co-Founder and ECD at Animagic
Guys and gals, listen to Joel Pilger. We repositioned ourselves under his guidance and thinking. It has changed our success rate dramatically for the better.
PJ Richardson
ECD & Co-Founder at Laundry
Bottom line, our industry is stronger and better because of Joel Pilger.
Ricardo Roberts
Co-Founder and EP at BIEN