Joey Coalter was born in Lakewood, California. When he was young his family moved to Temecula, California where he was raised. After graduating high school, he attended Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Initially studying art and animation, he shifted his focus to filmmaking. After college graduation he took his short film, Breakfast at the Sunset Saloon (2020), on the film festival circuit. His most notable work is in writing and directing, but has worked in other areas of expertise including producing, production design, editing, acting, and sound design.