postPerspective
Aug 9, 2024
Originally posted on postPerspective
Audio post house Westwind Media has made some sweeping changes recently. Industry veteran Doug Kent has joined the Burbank-based company as partner and president. And on the talent side, re-recording mixers Joe Earle, CAS, and Gabriel J. Serrano, CAS, have joined the Westwind team, which includes recent addition Christian P. Minkler, CAS. The executive team has also grown with the addition of Nicole Zabala in the role of VP of strategy and business development for the company.
Kent’s technical skills and deeply rooted relationships with both clients and talent have made him a respected leader in the sound community. During a 15-year stint at Technicolor, he last held the title of SVP. Kent most recently served as SVP of Formosa Group.
“This is a remarkable opportunity to shape a lasting legacy in the industry,” says Kent. “It’s also an opportunity to foster a business that reflects the expansive culture of Los Angeles, one that better represents the city I live in and grew up in. A person can always affect change, but I’m excited to contribute to and influence the future of our company from this leadership position.”
Joining Kent at Westwind is the sound mixing team of Earle and Serrano. Earle was the 2024 recipient of the CAS Career Achievement Award. With four Emmy Awards (most recently for American Crime Story and Glee) and 24 nominations, in addition to two Golden Reel Awards and 14 nominations, his many credits include Six Feet Under, Dexter, Meet Joe Black and Reservation Dogs. Before joining Westwind, Earle worked at Formosa Group, Technicolor, Soundelux Vine Street and Todd-AO/Glenn. Earle is a graduate of the USC Film School and serves as a governor of the TV Academy Sound Peer Group.
“Doug and I started out in the business together, we’ve worked with each other on and off over the years, and I’m glad we get to do it again,” says Earle. “Westwind puts the clients first and gets things done. And that’s always a good thing.”
Serrano joins the Westwind team following a stint at the Formosa Group. After receiving an MFA in Film Production from USC, Serrano began working as a sound engineer and mix technician, then advanced his career to become a re-recording mixer. His credits include John Wick: Chapter 2, Fire Country, Reservation Dogs, Snowfall and Expendables 1, 2 and 3.
“Joe and I became a team in 2021 during the pandemic,” notes Serrano. “I was honored to work with him, and we’ve been on this ride together ever since. It’s great to be working with Doug again and to really dig in on some exciting projects. Westwind feels like a fresh facility run by a senior team, which is a great mix.”
After working on several projects at Westwind, Minkler has formally joined the team. His projects at Westwind have included Bridgerton, Big Sky and The White Lotus. “I look at Westwind as an opportunity to be a part of something, to help build something, and I think there is a lot of success ahead. Doug first introduced me to Westwind when he brought me over to work on Mrs. America several years ago, and I’m happy we’re working together again.”
Minkler is the fourth generation in his family to work in motion picture sound. He began his career with Skywalker Sound working on The Crow and, shortly thereafter, Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers. He received an Oscar nomination for his work on Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, BAFTA nominations for Babel and Greyhound, and CAS nominations for all three of those films. Minkler is an active member of the AMPAS, CAS and ATAS.
Westwind’s executive team has also grown with the appointment of Zabala. She brings extensive experience to the company, including tenures with both Technicolor and Formosa Group. Her career includes an Emmy nomination for her work in VFX.