Industry vet Doug Kent has joined sound design and audio postproduction facility Westwind Media as partner and president. Westwind also welcomes re-recording mixers Joe Earle, CAS, and Gabriel J. Serrano, CAS, to its talent roster, which includes recent addition Christian P. Minkler, CAS.
“This is a remarkable opportunity to shape a lasting legacy in the industry,” said 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.”
Kent’s experience includes a 15-year stint at Technicolor where he last held the title of sr. VP. Kent most recently served as SVP of Formosa Group.
On his move to Westwind, Kent noted, “This facility is a home for creatives. Westwind is a boutique studio, which enhances our ability to connect with our clients and support our talent.”
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, he has amassed credits which 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 A-O/Glenn. Earle is a graduate of the USC Film School and serves as a Governor of the TV Academy Sound Peer Group Committee.
“This is a very exciting time for Westwind, and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Earle said. “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. He has a vision, a group of incredibly talented people around him, and a desire to make an impact.”
Serrano joins the Westwind team following a stint at the Formosa Group. After receiving an MFA in film production from the University of Southern California, 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,” noted 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.”
After working on several projects at Westwind, Minkler formally joined the team under the leadership of founding partner John Bidasio. Recent projects have included Bridgerton, Big Sky and The White Lotus.
“Westwind has been a great place to work, and the vision for the road forward is very exciting,” Minkler said. “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.”
Minkler is the fourth generation in his family to work in motion picture sound. He began his career with Skywalker Sound, Los Angeles, working on The Crow and shortly thereafter, Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers. Minkler 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 films. Minkler is an active member of the AMPAS, CAS and ATAS.
In addition to the expanding talent roster, Westwind’s executive team has grown with the appointment of Nicole Zabala as VP of strategy and business development. Zabala 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.
