Meet Levi Linton

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Levi Linton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Levi, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

Never be afraid to tackle a challenge head-on or accept an opportunity—even if you don’t feel fully qualified. Let’s face it: nobody is perfect in their role. We’re all learning and growing, and each opportunity is a chance to improve or discover if a field is truly for you.

My background in multiple creative disciplines since high school led me to explore work in photography and graphic design, even though my primary focus was audio production. Overcoming imposter syndrome starts with changing your mindset—accepting that it’s okay to make mistakes if it leads to personal growth and self-care.

A defining moment for me was during my internship at Cityline, a high-profile live broadcast talk show in Toronto. I was assigned to photograph the live show, edit the images, and post them on social media—despite having minimal technical camera experience. Saying yes to that challenge was daunting, but it paid off. Not only was I praised by my supervisor, but an external events company also noticed my work and offered me a job capturing live events.

Taking a leap is always worth it. It’s a powerful step toward overcoming imposter syndrome and discovering your true potential.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m an award-winning, Toronto-based African-Scottish Canadian Sound Editor, Recordist, Mixer, Music Producer, Singer/Songwriter, Performer, and Digital Content Creator.

My career in location sound has taken me across Canada, working on shows such as Race Against the Tide, All-Round Champion, and Canada’s Got Talent. I’ve also had the opportunity to work in Europe on How I Got Here: Season 2. I’ve sound-edited branded content for the Toronto Raptors, Argos, Maple Leafs, and TFC, and contributed to numerous narrative short films. I’ve also collaborated with The Farmhouse Creative Labs on various broadcast TV shows, both on location and in post-production.

In 2023, I won my first Canadian Screen Award for Best Sound in a Lifestyle, Reality, or Entertainment program for Canada’s Drag Race: Season 3, and repeated the win in 2024 for Canada’s Drag Race: Canada Vs. The World. I’m particularly proud of these achievements, thanks in large part to the incredible teams I worked with. My co-created, sound-supervised, and composed project VISIBLE (2020) is an award-winning narrative short film that received the Audience Choice Award at the Regent Park Film Festival (2020) and Best Canadian Student Film & Series at the Montreal Independent Film Festival (2021). VISIBLE was also featured at several other prestigious film festivals, including the Toronto Black Film Festival, Toronto Short Film Festival, and New York Shorts International Film Festival.

Other notable sound department credits include LIDO TV, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (2022), The Revenge of the Black Best Friend, which made its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival (2022), Alex, which debuted at the HollyShorts Film Festival (2022) in Los Angeles, and The Stranger’s Case, which premiered at the Clones Film Festival (2021) in Ireland. All of these projects are available on CBC Gem.

I’m also a passionate musical artist better known by my stage name “LE-VI” (Lee-vai). Producing for various artists from around the city since 2016, LE-VI has built his brand over the years through his collaborative releases massing over 50,000+ streams globally and his do-it-yourself approach to his art; from writing, producing and mixing his own work. As a solo artist, LE-VI released his first single Fouronesix in 2020, and since then has been building a catalog for his debut project. Many describe LE-VI’s artistic sound as a hybrid of alternative and old school R&B – blending elements of both rhyming aesthetics inspired by Bryson Tiller and River Tiber.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The entertainment industry is deeply rooted in connections and collaboration, which can make it challenging for newcomers to break in. While it can be daunting to put yourself out there, especially as an introvert, it’s essential to build meaningful relationships that can lead to creative opportunities. Graduating in 2020 was particularly tough, given the impact of the global pandemic, but I’ve learned that persistence and a drive to create are key. Despite the challenges, I’ve embraced the reality that networking is crucial to advancing in this field, and I’ve committed to making the effort to connect with those who can help push my career forward.

Demonstrating a strong work ethic is crucial, especially when starting out in film and TV crews. This foundational trait is often the deciding factor in being invited back for future jobs. I’ve seen many newcomers struggle to move past the initial stages of their careers simply because of how they presented themselves to supervisors during critical moments on set.

When I worked on my first broadcast TV show, my work ethic stood out. It likely outweighed my technical knowledge or how I measured up to my colleagues’ expertise. On a large-scale production with countless moving parts, adaptability and forward-thinking were essential. Recognizing this early on played a significant role in securing more opportunities with the same company.

Equally important is maintaining composure, both in professional and creative settings. As an Audio Recordist, I’m frequently placed in high-pressure situations. Staying calm, collaborating effectively with other departments, and considering their unique challenges isn’t just an act of professionalism—it’s a necessity for ensuring the entire production runs smoothly.

This mindset extends beyond set life. Whether working behind the scenes or performing on stage, keeping a cool head under pressure is challenging but invaluable. Like anything else, it gets easier with time and experience.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had numerous mentors and supporters throughout my journey in audio production. My passion for music has been the driving force behind my development as an audio editor, and one of the pivotal figures in helping me realize my potential was Marc Sands. While still in high school, I joined a music group where I was one of three producers working with a single vocalist. As we sought out a professional studio to bring our debut project to life, our vocalist connected with Sands, who invited us for a session at Harris Institute.

Sands had a reputation as one of the top students in his graduating class, and it was easy to see why—his skills were impressive. He introduced me to the world of audio engineering and made me aware of the educational opportunities available in Toronto. Sands was generous with his time and expertise, and his willingness to mentor us in the studio had a profound impact. I looked up to him as a role model and valued his guidance immensely.

It was also Sands who introduced me to an emerging rapper, an opportunity that allowed me to establish my name in the local Toronto music scene. Together, we went on to release a nine-track EP, marking my first collaborative release as a music producer.

During my time at university, I had the opportunity to connect with Damian Kearns, who was an audio engineer at CBC Studios. He invited me to shadow him on multiple occasions, where I observed his workflow and learned editing techniques that were entirely new to me at the time. The hours I spent in the studio were invaluable, as they gave me firsthand insight into the life of an audio engineer at a national company. These experiences helped me identify the areas I needed to improve on to envision myself in that role in the future. Today, Kearns runs his own studio, 217 Audio in Toronto, providing top-tier audio post-production services.

I can also credit Kearns with introducing me to John Diemer of The Farmhouse Creative Labs. Both Kearns and Diemer are distinguished alumni of OIART in London, Ontario. When I applied for a job on an upcoming show that Diemer was working on, I became his first choice, marking the beginning of my career as a Sound Recordist. Over time, I had the privilege of working on many of Diemer’s projects in reality and documentary television, progressing from a sound assistant to a sound operator. Today, I regard Diemer not only as one of my closest colleagues but also as a mentor and friend whom I hold in the highest esteem. His drive and work ethic have continually pushed me to excel in the field, not just for my own growth but for the benefit of the team he has built.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Carri Chen, Juozas Cernius, Alex Spence, Kyle Jarencio, Elliott Raben, Jerry Gain, Scott Brachmayer, Kizko

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