Director Zev York joins host Mia LePage on Call Sheet Confessions to talk about his journey from dancer to director, how he turns a song’s rhythm and feeling into visuals, and what it takes to make a creative career happen.

Zev shares advice for aspiring directors and editors: start creating with what you have, be specific when you reach out to people, and don’t let perfectionism stop you from making your first project. Plus, hear about set life, finding great collaborators, the value of behind-the-scenes storytelling and one especially wild call sheet confession.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Zev York
00:36 Dance videos and the power of rhythm
04:33 Growing up in Vermont
07:26 Training in dance
09:01 Moving to L.A.
12:40 Building community before and after COVID
17:17 Authenticity and behind-the-scenes content
21:00 Early dance projects and a surprising commercial
23:34 From dancer to director
27:21 Early music videos and making connections
33:35 How to reach out and put yourself out there
35:33 A day in the life of a director
38:32 Finding inspiration in the song
42:02 What makes a great collaborator?
44:11 Staying creative by living life
46:33 Hot takes in Hollywood
47:34 Why the edit can make or break a video
49:20 Set essentials and an editor’s industry ick
51:00 Zev’s call sheet confession
52:27 Staying calm and solving problems on set
54:55 Directing athletes and artists
57:26 What makes a set run smoothly
1:00:08 Advice for aspiring directors
1:03:34 Editing software and creative tools
1:04:04 Zev’s idea of a dream life
1:08:03 Dream projects and closing

CSC Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/callsheetconfesspod/

Mia Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mialepage/

Follow Zev on Instagram: @zevxyork
https://instagram.com/zevxyork?cplk=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2PZkkg10gXNJTd5Y5JHb9a?si=632ca9d243e047e1

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/call-sheet-confessions/id1884911125

Website:
www.callsheetconfessions.com

VOTE FOR MIA:

https://tophost.org/2026/mia-lepage?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAU27Q5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAmZkaWQWUQAXbkpRvtejYg-fAqwMpctXPIrmunNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp8YGB3Ai06MgtwNd0HSAPIufr4D--iDvYY-PhWzHA8sHEqi3UI54Df5pU3kM_aem_4M_YDPH8HPpy1twoEeRFeA

Sound is one of the most important—and often least understood—parts of a production. On this episode of Call Sheet Confessions, host Mia LePage talks with sound mixer and business owner Pablo Mena about finding his way into the sound department, building a career in Los Angeles, and what it takes to capture great audio on set.

Pablo shares practical insights on boom versus lav mics, tricky wardrobe and mic placements, preparing gear, solving sound problems, and why “fix it in post” isn’t always the answer. He also reflects on working across commercials, reality TV, music videos, and major productions—and on the importance of looking out for your crew and building a strong community.

Follow Pablo: Instagram — @PabloMena
Mia’s and the podcast’s social media handles weren’t provided in the episode transcript, so I haven’t guessed them.

Chapters
00:00 Meet sound mixer Pablo Mena
01:18 Growing up in Mexico and becoming a TV host
04:42 Moving to Los Angeles to study film
08:20 Finding his way into sound
11:09 Mic placement tricks and a challenging wardrobe
14:16 A sound mixer’s setup and day on set
19:17 Why sound can be overlooked on set
23:34 Connecting with talent and building trust
29:26 Sound mixer, A1, A2, and boom operator roles
34:13 Pablo’s first production job and career beginnings
38:04 The technical, creative, and problem-solving sides of sound
39:17 Working on Dance Moms: The Reunion
44:34 Favorite projects and capturing behind-the-scenes moments
54:04 Hot takes: reality TV, boom versus lav, and set life
01:02:13 Crew loyalty and building Still Speeding LLC
01:12:24 Advice for aspiring sound mixers
01:15:40 Pride, happiness, and what’s next
01:21:05 Where to find Pablo and closing remarks

Follow Pablo: Instagram — @PabloMena

CALL SHEET CONFESSIONS
CSC Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/callsheetconfesspod/

Mia Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mialepage/

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2PZkkg10gXNJTd5Y5JHb9a?si=632ca9d243e047e1

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/call-sheet-confessions/id1884911125
Website:
www.callsheetconfessions.com

In this episode of Call Sheet Confessions, host Mia LePage sits down with filmmaker, director, and creative director Nayip Anthony Garcia for an honest conversation about building a career behind the camera.

Nayip reflects on how early music videos helped shape his career, the lessons he learned working as an extra and production assistant, and why he believes in giving every project his full effort. He also discusses directing Almost Popular, creating safer and more inclusive sets, navigating the ups and downs of freelance work, and staying grounded through routine and personal growth.

Plus, hear his advice for aspiring filmmakers: start making things with the tools you have, prepare thoroughly, and stay adaptable when a shoot doesn’t go according to plan.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Nayip’s early music-video work
05:00 How “Banji” changed his career
13:00 Starting out as an extra and PA
23:00 Personal struggles, recovery, and routine
31:00 Female perspectives and Almost Popular
38:00 Freelance life, rejection, and staying motivated
46:00 A director’s process and adapting on set
55:00 Hot takes in Hollywood
1:05:00 AI, creative collaboration, and filmmaking
1:12:00 Call Sheet Confession and on-set stories
1:19:00 Advice for aspiring filmmakers
1:26:00 Future projects and creative goals
Follow the host and guest:

CALL SHEET CONFESSIONS

CSC Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/callsheetconfesspod/

Mia Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mialepage/

Nayip Anthony Garcia: @nayipanthonygarcia

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2PZkkg10gXNJTd5Y5JHb9a?si=632ca9d243e047e1

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/call-sheet-confessions/id1884911125

Website:
www.callsheetconfessions.com