Check Out Billy Barnes’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Billy Barnes.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Billy Barnes and my filmmaking story begins in San Jose, California, where I was born and raised. Even as a child, I knew I wanted to be an artist, but because no one in our family or close friends circle had pursued a creative path, getting full support from my parents was a challenge. Their constant question was: “How do you make a living?” A question I didn’t know how to answer.
The Leap of Faith: Landing in Hollywood
The answer came when I was 27. I responded to a Craigslist ad and landed a gig on the E! Channel home makeover show, Clean House with Niecy Nash, which was filming in the Bay Area. It was my very first time on a professional set, and I quickly worked my way up to become the script supervisor. When filming wrapped, the producer, and now long-time friend, Jessica Everleth (Producer of Surviving R Kelly on Netflix), offered me a job in Los Angeles. I dropped everything, packed my car, and moved to LA, certain this was my big break.
However, the job quickly ended with the season, and I learned a tough lesson, I needed more work lined up. For about a year, I struggled, living on and off in my car and on film friend’s couches while taking every odd film job I could—from motion capture modeling to being a paid audience member on the Carson Daily Show—just to earn enough to get my own place.
The Setback and the Sworn Oath
My perceived big chance came when I was hired as a camera assistant on a short film with Amy Poehler. My lack of experience in that technical role proved fatal, and I was fired after the second day. This was the final straw. I couldn’t sustain that lifestyle and was nowhere near a steady, living wage in LA. I returned to the Bay Area and swore off being a filmmaker.
The Return to My True Calling
Fast forward some years, and I was working in the tech industry, but I was utterly miserable. The lack of creativity and an undeniable inner voice kept urging me to pick up a camera again. So, at 38, I made the pivotal decision amd left the tech industry, my 401k, and my comfortable 9-to-5 to pursue my true love, cinema.
I moved to Culver City and lived on my best friend Koosha’s air mattress, simply filming everything I could: event recaps, BTS for film shoots, and footage of jiu-jitsu/MMA fighters. This relentless hustle landed me a job at Paramount’s Bellator MMA. For five years, I directed and produced all the long-form pre-fight shows (Countdown), gaining valuable skills in storytelling and working with networks like Showtime and DAZN.
The Origins Series and a Telly Award
After five years, it was time to create my own show. I decided to start my own production company, Thnklab Productions INC. With all the experience I gained producing content for established YouTube channels and streaming platforms, I decided to start my own. With that came my first docu-series called Origins, a motorcycle series centering on celebrities and influential figures and their passion for riding. I pitched the idea to Keanu Reeves’ motorcycle company, Arch, but initially heard nothing back and almost shelved the project.
It was celebrity photographer Brian Bowen Smith who took a chance and offered to be the subject of the pilot episode. As a zero-budget show, I personally had to write, direct, produce, film, edit, color, sound mix, market, poster design, and event coordinate our premiere. The first episode, featuring Brian Bowen Smith, ended up winning a Telly Award which helped breathe life into the idea that I could successfully build my own 40 minute docu-series.
This success led to working with amazing riders like actor Josh Brolin, Guns ‘N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, SFX artist and Born Free Winner Caleb Owens, and now Choppers Magazine owner, Cary Brobeck.
The latest episode, which premiered in front of 300+ attendees on November 16th marks a significant milestone: my first attempt at submitting to the Emmys. Seeing the support from the motorcycle community, film industry types, and of course my parents really was a full circle moment for me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to achieving my dream of becoming a successful filmmaker has been anything but smooth, marked by years of false starts and setbacks. Even today, at 44 years old, I wrestle with the doubt of whether I’m getting starting too late of a start when it comes to directing my first major feature film. Upon fully re-entering the industry, my biggest struggle has been navigating a constantly shifting landscape: AI video is now threatening work, budgets are being cut, and the prioritization of algorithm-based content over pure storytelling makes securing a sustainable income incredibly difficult. Despite these continuous professional challenges, the necessity of overcoming scarcity—from launching my zero-budget show to contending with today’s reduced opportunities—has forced me to be relentlessly resourceful and resilient. Fortunately, I have found a supportive circle of friends and amazing artists, including Brian Michael Smith of Lone Star 9-1-1, Jessica Everleth, Michael Delano, Loan Thach of Cotu Media, and my mentor, Eddie Perez.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the creator behind the award-winning motorcycle docu-series, Origins, which can be found on the Thnklab Motors YouTube Channel. Operating as a true “Swiss Army Knife” due to zero budget constraints, I specialize in producing shows from the ground up. I conceptualize, write, direct, produce, shoot, edit, color, sound mix, and market the entire series with very few members. This extensive control is what truly sets me apart. I can launch a full-scale creative project, including marketing campaigns and premiere events, without the need for major studios, PR firms, or big budgets, (athough all that help would be nice and greatly appreciated). What I am most proud of is the tangible growth visible across the show’s episodes. There’s definitely a visible progression from Episode 1 to my later installments, one can see the significant evolution in both the visual quality and the depth of the storytelling. This humbling process of recognizing and overcoming my own shortcomings has been invaluable, providing the crucial experience needed to one day direct feature films. This journey of growth and achievement, however, would not have been possible without the support of key collaborators like Austin Esposito, Danny Delgado, Rooster, Brian Bowen Smith, and, most importantly, my wife and family.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am always open to collaborating with like-minded artists and creators, especially within the vibrant motorcycle community that has already connected me with so many amazing individuals. For those who wish to support my work, the most valuable action is simply watching a single episode of the Origins series on the Thnklab Motors YouTube Channel, as viewership directly helps my production company grow. Additionally, for those able to offer financial assistance and help keep the dream alive, we welcome contributions through our GoFundMe campaign.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thnklab.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braythirteen
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thnklabmotors

Image Credits
Photographer: Loan Thach