Gleb Mikhalev

Hi, My name is Gleb Mikhalev, and I am an Emmy award-winning documentary Director of Photography (DP) based in New York.I wanted to introduce myself and offer my services as a DP. For the last 5 years I’ve worked primarily for Vice. I was a staff DP on Vice’s HBO show before going freelance with them in 2019. During these years I gained a wide range of experiences traveling the world and I became a skilled DP. I developed the confidence to work under high pressure situations, set up and lite countless interviews, and followed characters through historical protests and in intimate settings. I always care about the story I’m working on and work closely with the producer and or director to establish the right look and mood for the piece. I value the gear and technical accessories I work with and am proficient with many camera models (C500s to Sony FX9). I own a Mavic 3 Cine drone and am FAA 107 certified. Equally important are the personal skills I’ve developed working with the subjects and crew I am filming with. I make an effort to adapt to every unique situation that unfolds - always staying keep calm and working well under pressure. I always strive to work transparently keeping the right balance between staying present in the scene and meticulously covering all the details needed. Prior to Vice I worked in Alaska for 5 seasons in a variety of different roles. I received a national geographic young explorer grant to produce and document Russian and American archaeologists search for the wreck of a Russian ship called the Neva. I filmed a Tlingit language immersion, and I worked with environmental organizations to protect the Tongass national forest. Between film projects I deck handed several seasons commercial fishing in and around Southeast Alaska. Alaska gave me a multitude of experiences I’m grateful for. I learned the value of working hard and pursuing my passions. My Alaska experiences and my career as DP for Vice have made me the DP I am today. In Alaska I was often outside my comfort zone but I learned how to view the world and how to relate to characters from all walks of life. At Vice I went through a type of boot camp to become a competent and efficient DP. I appreciate this combination of observation and experience that cinematography offers. I get to observe the world and it’s characters and translate what I see through my lens into a common cinematic language. My partner and I had a baby boy named Aleksei in 2020. Becoming a father has instilled responsibilities I had never dreamed of. It has also made me strive to be the best version of my self as an example for Aleksei growing up. I love what I do professionally and I want to continue to grow and work on meaningful projects. He’s now of age where I’m comfortable leaving for longer projects again. Vice recently declared bankruptcy and is undergoing a major transformation. I see this as a positive development to find new opportunities and to keep growing. I’d love to find work on longer form documentaries, but I am also open and eager to work in the commercial and narrative world too. I’m confident I can learn what I need to do along the way and create beautiful work.