Peer Review: Blair Getz Mezibov

Who are three contemporaries that you admire?

Jack Davison - photographer/director. I think Davison’s work has a uniquely sophisticated aesthetic. In today’s world, there are a lot of visuals and a lot of voices. I have great respect for an artist whose voice is clear and present. You know it when you see it. 

In the same but different kind of way, Tyler Sheridan’s skill for crafting human stories in a hugely entertaining way is highly admirable. He had me at Wind River and I look forward to visiting all of the worlds he creates.  

Edward Zwick is another favourite. Though it’s been a minute, many of Zwick’s films have been big, weighty productions that somehow feel hugely intimate and special. The visuals and characters from Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai, Defiance, and even About Last Night are some of my all-time favourites and favourite performances.  

Above: Trailer for Tyler Sheridan's Wind River 

Please share 3-4 pieces of work that exemplify great direction and explain why? 

Past Lives, written and directed by Celine Song. 

CODA, written and directed by Sian Heder. 

Hell or Highwater directed by David Mackenzie. 

 I was very fortunate to have identified my passion for photography and directing as a freshman in High School.

Three somewhat recent but very different films that have stayed with me for many of the same reasons. Each was beautifully written and crafted. Each was incredibly human and somewhat simplistic in visual style. And from each, the characters and the performances left a huge impression on me. I think that speaks to great direction.  

Above: Trailer for Celine Song's Past Lives.

What do you like most about the work that you do? 

Getting to create and tell a story. And getting to meet and share in the experience of creating with so many talented and interesting and inspiring people, often in inspiring places. 

 Whether the frame is still or in motion, all of the ingredients need to flourish together: composition, lighting and performance.

What has your career journey been like so far? 

In some ways, I think my career journey has been relatively unique, because it’s been a very straightforward path. I was very fortunate to have identified my passion for photography and directing as a freshman in High School and have been working to build this career every day since. Not to say it’s always been an easy one, but it has been unwavering. 

Above: CODA official trailer, written and directed by Sian Heder. 

How has your previous work as a photographer been beneficial to your directing skills? 

I view my role as a photographer very similarly to my role as a director; namely, wanting to put something that I find interesting in front of the lens – and then working to showcase the subject in the best possible way. Whether the frame is still or in motion, all of the ingredients need to flourish together: composition, lighting and performance. And in order to get the performance, it’s so much about communicating a clear vision and creating a space that’s comfortable. The hope is that once that is established, good work follows.  

I wrote Walter Chin a letter, put together my high school portfolio, sent it to my sister’s roommate and she dropped it in Walter’s mailbox.

Did you have a mentor? Who was it? 

Fashion photographer Walter Chin was the closest I’ve come to having a mentor. He was actually the only photographer I ever assisted. My older sister was in college at the time and her roommate happened to know where Walter lived. I wrote Walter a letter, put together my high school portfolio, sent it to my sister’s roommate and she dropped it in Walter’s mailbox. A few days later, he called and offered me an internship. It was incredible of him. I assisted each summer during college. His words that I’ll never forget were: “30% of this business is about your talent, the other 70% is about how you are with people.” 

Above: Official trailer for Hell or High Water, directed by David Mackenzie.