We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenil Mehta. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenil below.

Alright, Jenil thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Making a full-time living from my creative work wasn’t something that happened overnight—it’s been a journey built on persistence, passion, and a deep love for storytelling. I’m currently studying filmmaking at the New York Film Academy, and over the years, I’ve worn many hats—filmmaker, aerial cinematographer, sound mixer, and marketing strategist. Each role taught me something new, and together, they shaped the multidisciplinary artist I am today.

My journey began in India, where I was deeply involved in marketing and cinematography for drone-based companies like Dronacharya Aviation and ThinkAerial. I used every opportunity to blend my creative instincts with strategic thinking. Moving to the U.S. expanded my horizons. I worked on short films, live shows, and eventually founded Mehta Productions, allowing me to take full control of my creative vision.

Early on, I balanced marketing gigs and freelance sound mixing to support my dream. I didn’t always know the road ahead, but I stayed curious and kept learning—from the craft itself and from every person I collaborated with. One thing I’ve realized is that nothing accelerates the journey like surrounding yourself with the right community and staying true to your voice. If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to trust the process more and start building a network sooner.

Today, I’m proud to say that my creative work not only sustains me but inspires me every day. Whether I’m mixing sound, capturing a bird’s eye view through a drone, or bringing a story to life on screen, I’m always chasing the next opportunity to create something meaningful.

Jenil, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Jenil Mehta — a filmmaker, aerial cinematographer, and sound mixer currently based in New York and originally from Mumbai, India. I’m also the founder of Mehta Productions and a digital marketing professional with several years of experience under my belt. My work lives at the intersection of visual storytelling, sound design, and strategic branding.

My journey into this industry wasn’t conventional, but it was always driven by passion. Growing up, I was fascinated by the way stories came alive on screen — not just visually, but through sound, movement, and emotion. I started out studying mechanical engineering, but my heart was elsewhere. I soon pivoted into digital marketing and audiovisual production, where I began helping drone companies and creative brands craft narratives that connected with people. That led me to aerial cinematography and eventually to the New York Film Academy, where I’ve been refining my craft in filmmaking.

Today, I offer a range of creative services including:

Narrative filmmaking (short films, concept visuals)

Aerial cinematography (for commercials, films, events, and real estate)

Live and post-production sound mixing

Brand consulting and digital marketing strategy

At the core of all my work is a desire to tell meaningful, visually rich stories — whether that’s for a brand trying to connect with an audience or an artist expressing a personal truth. I help clients elevate their vision by offering both a creative and strategic lens. From behind the camera to behind the sound desk, I focus on delivering a complete sensory experience.

What sets me apart is the blend of storytelling and strategy. I don’t just make things look or sound good — I make sure they mean something and achieve real impact. Because I’ve worked in both creative and business domains, I understand how to strike the right balance between artistic expression and commercial intent.

One of the proudest moments in my journey was founding Mehta Productions, a platform that allows me to produce passion projects while collaborating with brands, musicians, and other creatives globally. I’m especially proud of the live stage projects and drone cinematography work that’s been used across industries from entertainment to tech.

What I want potential clients and followers to know is this: I’m deeply committed to every project I take on. Whether you’re looking to craft a cinematic brand campaign, capture breathtaking aerial visuals, or design immersive sound for your next project — I bring both heart and precision to the table. I believe in building relationships, not just projects, and in creating work that leaves a lasting impression.

If you’re looking for someone who gets both the art and the hustle — someone who sees your vision and helps amplify it — let’s connect.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivot moments in my life was choosing to leave a traditional engineering path and step fully into the creative world. I had completed a diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Thakur College in Mumbai and, like many others, was expected to pursue a stable, technical career. But deep down, I knew my calling was different. I had always been drawn to film, music, visuals, and the way emotions could be shaped through creative mediums.

At the time, I was already doing digital marketing work and working as a cinematographer on the side. It was a hustle — late nights, freelancing gigs, and trying to convince people to take a young creative seriously. But those side projects brought me to life in a way engineering never did.

The true pivot happened when I decided to apply to the New York Film Academy and take that leap across the world. It meant starting over, investing in my craft, and betting on myself in a big way. Leaving behind the certainty of a technical career and moving to New York as an international student with a creative dream was one of the hardest and most rewarding decisions I’ve made.

That shift changed everything. It gave me the chance to work on real sets, collaborate with diverse storytellers, and build my own production company. It also gave me the freedom to merge all my skills — from sound design to aerial cinematography to marketing — into a cohesive creative identity.

Looking back, that pivot taught me that taking risks isn’t about recklessness — it’s about aligning your path with your passion. And while it wasn’t easy, it was necessary. I wouldn’t be the filmmaker or creative entrepreneur I am today without it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Absolutely — I think one of the biggest things non-creatives often struggle to understand is that the creative path isn’t linear, and it’s rarely secure in the traditional sense. There’s this idea that success comes in neat steps — study, graduate, get a job, climb the ladder — but in the creative world, it’s more like jumping between islands while you build the bridge underneath you.

People often assume that creativity is just about talent or passion, but what they don’t see is the immense amount of discipline, rejection, reinvention, and resilience it takes to keep going. Behind every short film I’ve worked on or project I’ve directed, there are countless hours of unpaid labor, pitching ideas that don’t land, fixing things last minute on set, and teaching myself new skills because the budget didn’t allow for a full team.

Another thing is that progress as a creative often looks invisible from the outside. You might not have a 9-to-5, or a clear title, but you’re constantly growing — building your voice, refining your vision, learning how to lead a team, tell better stories, or deliver a stronger emotional impact.

When I was doing aerial cinematography and Digital marketing back in India, I had people ask, “But what do you really do?” And even now, some folks don’t realize how much goes into crafting a single 60-second visual or balancing audio to make a live show feel immersive. Creativity isn’t just art — it’s engineering, psychology, storytelling, leadership, and hustle all wrapped into one.

My insight for anyone outside the industry — or even those just starting — is this: creativity is work. It’s not a side hobby, it’s not fluff, and it’s not about waiting for inspiration. It’s about showing up consistently, investing in yourself, and choosing purpose over comfort. If you’re willing to do that, it can be the most rewarding journey imaginable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jenilmehtaproductions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenil.mehta.98/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenil-mehta-b7463b208/