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Gleb Mikhalev

(he/him/his)
cinematographer, worked for Vice
New York, New York US
Available for Freelance
Emmy award winning documentary Director of Photography. Familiar with a variety of cameras from the Canon C500 to the Sony FX series. Able to run my own sound, work elaborate lighting set ups, and am FAA 107 drone certified.

About

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.