Joel Kapity’s upbringing was marked by the practical, often tough, reality of his family’s carpentry business. Every day, he witnessed firsthand the unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship – the early mornings, the late nights, the constant hustle, and the resilience needed to keep a family business thriving. This powerful lesson in grit and self-reliance contrasted sharply with the surrounding privilege in the community where he lived. While his family wrestled with the demands of their trade, battling to stay afloat, a young Joel found his escape behind the lens of a humble video camera. This video camera became his constant companion in the 1990s. Joel immersed himself in the world of films and TV throughout his childhood in the 1980’s and 1990’s, not just as entertainment, but as a deep, self-directed education in the art of narrative. In high school, this fascination solidified into a clear purpose: to be a storyteller. Recognizing this powerful drive, his high school granted him the extraordinary opportunity of a month-long sabbatical to direct his first written and directed short film, 'My Spot', bringing his vision to life with an ensemble cast. 

His journey was amplified by the crucial tutelage of two transformative mentors and acting coaches, Mark Ferguson and Scott McDermott, who believed in his potential when perhaps others didn't see it. They helped him refine his dramatic storytelling and Shakespearean acting skills, deepening his love and understanding for classical texts. He approached these roles with the same work ethic and attention to detail that he observed in his family’s work ethic keeping the family business alive. Joel eagerly embraced every opportunity to perform. He poured himself onto every stage he could find, from lively musicals and improv comedy to experimental theater and intense Shakespearean competitions, even adding the rhythmic pulse of African drums to his repertoire. His journey wasn't just about performing; it was about connecting with audiences, sharing emotions, and finding his authentic voice through every role, whether dramatic or comedic. 

He won Shakespeare acting competitions that led him to perform on stage at New York's iconic Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in his role as King Henry in Henry V. This deep immersion in Shakespeare's works cultivated a profound love for Shakespeare’s timeless storytelling. This inspired Kapity with the power of universal themes and complex character portrayals. During this New York competition, Kapity would meet one of his judges, also a well-known actor, Geoffrey Owens (The Cosby Show, The Paper, The Blacklist, The Night Agent) and would 10 years later have the amazing opportunity to direct him in a film called Dreams.

He honed his craft further in the late 90s, studying acting, directing and cinematography at Columbia College Chicago Film School.

During his time in college, in a tragic shooting, Kapity lost one of his close friends which was devastating to him. In his last year at college his family also lost everything including the family business they had for 25 years.

Upon completing his college studies, Kapity received an offer to serve as a production manager, a position that enabled him to manage international productions for Philips Healthcare, a prominent global leader in health technology with multi-billion-dollar operations.

In 2005, Kapity launched his company, Dreams On Screen Productions. He began building his portfolio by producing and directing music videos. These projects were initially thought to be impossible due to their complex technical requirements, but he successfully brought his clients' visions to life. He didn't just direct music videos; instead, he crafted award-winning visuals that propelled artists like Deitrick Haddon, Marvin Winans Jr., and Patrick Dopson into the spotlight. At the same time, his expertise in production work grew for a variety of corporate clients. Through these diverse experiences, he established himself as a creative force across both the entertainment and corporate sectors.

In 2008, Kapity joined forces with Moonstep Productions for many years, serving as their Video Director and Producer. With a keen eye for detail, Kapity engineered the cinematic look of each project, ensuring every advertising campaign and commercial possessed film-like quality. 

In 2009, Kapity partnered with award winning artist Deitrick Haddon directing and producing his music video titled I Need Your Help. This opportunity gave him his biggest break into the entertainment business. Haddon and Tyscot Films soon asked for Kapity to Direct and Produce their feature film feature film debut, Blessed & Cursed (Deitrick Haddon, Sheryl Lee Ralph (Moesha), Drew Sidora (Step Up, White Chicks, 2 Fast 2 Furious), Kierra Sheard, Karen Clark Sheard), was given great reviews and ratings on cable networks.

In 2010, Kapity embarked on a pivotal phase of his career, producing and directing large-scale musical acts and complex multi-camera live recordings. This same year saw the release of his debut film, followed by the commencement of production in December on his second feature film, Dreams. This drama, distributed by Lionsgate Home Entertainment, delves into the struggles of four Chicago residents pursuing their aspirations, navigating challenges like past traumas, including abuse and failures, and the presence of a criminal figure. Dreams was inspired by a true story that deeply resonated with Kapity, compelling him to dedicate 10 years to its development. The film achieved theatrical success, boasting sold-out premieres in Chicago, screenings in Los Angeles and Atlanta, features in film festivals, and a limited theatrical run in AMC theaters. This cinematic triumph explored themes of hope and overcoming childhood demons, featuring powerhouse performances from Grammy-nominated Angie Stone, Thomas Mikal Ford (Martin), Terry Vaughn (The Steve Harvey Show), Geoffrey Owens (The Cosby Show, The Paper), Syesha Mercado (American Idol), Lou Myers (A Different World, Tin Cup),  award-winning artist Twista, Marvin Winans Jr and Vickie Winans of the legendary Winans family. On January 28, 2014, Lionsgate Home Entertainment partnered with Kapity to release Dreams on DVD, broadening the audience for this captivating drama. His collaborations also extend to industry veterans like cinematographer Keith L. Smith, known for his work with esteemed filmmakers such as Oliver Stone on productions like JFK, Natural Born Killers.

Kapity's significant achievements in advertising began in 2010 through a partnership with Bill Scheffler & Visual Wright, a distinguished agency recognized for its expertise in CGI, 3D, image creation, and motion graphics. This collaboration spanned ten years, during which Kapity directed and produced Chevrolet TV commercials. A hallmark of these commercials was the meticulous integration of green screen techniques with computer graphics, flawlessly merging practical footage with CGI elements. 

In 2014, Kapity's expertise in creative direction and production was further leveraged at IMX Studios, an advertising powerhouse serving a diverse clientele including LeapFrog Toys, VTech Toys, Serta, Kmart, Kenmore, DieHard, and Craftsman. As Video Director, Creative Director, and Art Director, he oversaw crews, managed production deadlines, and notably pitched and secured the business to produce over 300 commercial advertising deliverables for VTech Toys and LeapFrog Toys.

In 2018, Kapity was sought out to join Rust-Oleum’s Marketing Studio which produces all the advertising campaigns and marketing content for well-known and respected billion-dollar company. As the Senior Creative Director, Kapity holds a pivotal leadership role under Joe Roach (Director, Marketing Studio), responsible for setting the creative vision, guiding the creative process, and overseeing the execution of creative projects within advertising, marketing, and design. He directs commercial projects, leads and mentors creative teams, manages budgets, and ensures that all creative output aligns with brand guidelines and business objectives. He has been a driving force behind captivating campaigns for major brands.

In 2019, Kapity became Creative Director for GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, leveraging his skill with powerful and moving narratives to promote acceptance and rights for individuals with Down syndrome through impactful advertising and fundraising. He crafts compelling stories that amplify GiGi’s Playhouse's mission to change the world's view of Down syndrome, ensuring individuals are seen, valued, and empowered to follow their dreams. GiGi's Playhouse supports this through free, purposeful programs offered worldwide. 

Kapity is finishing a scripted limited streaming series called I Am Your Keeper, starring Grammy Award Winning American Artist Mali Music, D.Darrel Griffin and award-winning artist Briana Babineaux. I Am Your Keeper is a fictional story about a drug dealer who must dispose of a kilo of cocaine during a police raid. As a result, we see his life change as he has 24 hours to repay his boss for the lost drugs.