Marin Filmmakers Nominated for Grammy for Doechii’s “Anxiety” Video

Marin County natives, Sophia Sabella and Pablo Feldman, have received a prestigious nomination for their production work on the music video for Doechii‘s track “Anxiety.” Released on April 18, 2023, the video has since garnered over 58 million views, showcasing the rapper’s exploration of mental health themes.

The music video represents a significant achievement for the duo, who skillfully navigated complex production challenges. They built a house on a sound stage, seamlessly transitioning through various chaotic scenes, including a choreographed dance sequence featuring Doechii and 85 dancers. The project also featured pyrotechnics, all under the creative direction of James Mackel.

Reflecting on their experience, Sabella noted, “We had such specific timing; it’s amazing how much each detail needed to flow successfully. When you’re watching the video, you might not know how much was needed to make sure everything was done perfectly and timed perfectly.” Feldman echoed her sentiments, stating, “When we saw the video, we were just like, ‘This is one of the most amazing music videos we’ve ever seen.’”

The nomination for Best Music Video at the Grammy Awards on February 1, 2024, came as a surprise. “That day, we got a text from our partners and Doechii’s team at Top Dawg Entertainment, who were amazing partners. They were like, ‘Congrats, Grammy nominees,’” Sabella recalled with laughter. The duo will compete against notable works, including videos from Sabrina Carpenter and OK Go.

Growing up in Mill Valley during the height of MTV’s influence, Sabella and Feldman developed a passion for music videos early on. They attended Tamalpais High School together and later connected with producer Jolene Mendes on their debut feature film, “Edge of Everything.” Their successful collaboration inspired them to launch their own production company, More Avenue, alongside Mendes.

About their new venture, Feldman commented, “For the three of us, our mentality is, ‘Let’s have fun with it, too.’ The energy on set infuses into the work, and that’s how we create.” The company focuses on feature films, music videos, commercials, and various other projects.

The opportunity to produce “Anxiety” arose through Mendes, who has an established reputation for producing videos for major music labels. Feldman explained, “She’d worked with James before, and when he started putting together the music video for ‘Anxiety,’ he reached out to her and brought us all on to be the production company.”

The rapid nature of music video production appeals to Sabella and Feldman, who find their backgrounds in indie filmmaking advantageous. “You get to create some pretty amazing magic, which is a big reason we’re drawn to it,” Sabella stated. They emphasized the importance of supporting the director and ensuring a smooth production process, having worked extensively in the lead-up to the shoot.

As they prepare for the Grammy Awards, both filmmakers acknowledge the honor of having their contributions recognized. “We did not expect all of this. As a company, it’s the biggest music video we’ve done, and that it was so successful felt really special,” Feldman remarked.

Their journey from local filmmakers to Grammy nominees illustrates the potential for creative talent to achieve international recognition, while also highlighting the collaborative spirit that defines the entertainment industry.