Get to know: Director Irv Blitz

We are excited to bring you a glimpse into the minds of some of the idea-creators who trust us to bring their visions to life. Why are we so excited? Because behind every great idea—behind every creative visionary—there is an actual human being who eats and sleeps. Yes, it’s true: Creative visionaries are people too!

Today, we are excited to share our Q&A with Director Irv Blitz!

You started out as a photographer. How did you transition into commercials?

Back when I was a photographer, agencies frequently asked to see my reel, which I did not have, so I decided to shoot test films in the same style as my print.

Does being a Director and your own DP make your job easier or harder? And why?

I visualize an idea and then transfer it into action. Directing develops an idea, cinematography transforms the idea. For me, both are essential.

Favorite Meal: 

My favorite meals come from our garden. It’s wonderful to see our kids pick and eat vegetables / fruit grown in the backyard.

Favorite place you’ve visited and why?

My favorite place is Wyoming. I love the mountain altitude / attitude.

Favorite recent project:

Diamond Nuts. Baking is in my DNA.

What do you like to do with your kids?

I adore being with our twin boys. Whatever we do, it’s always an adventure.

The internet shuts down in America. What do you do?  

If the internet shuts down, I will learn to make my own fire.

Though he started off in the studio, giving soul to inanimate objects by designing the most engaging action they could take, his current commercial work often finds him on location in a chef’s kitchen, a case study house, or on a beach in late afternoon, where he can discover products with visual spontaneity in more familiar realities. Blitz applies his imagination to exciting, photographic imagery resulting in commercial campaigns that reflect his mercurial esthetic.

Irv Blitz graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a BS in Professional Photography, moved to New York, and soon emerged as a commercial still-life photographer. Three years after opening his studio in SoHo, Blitz expanded into directing commercials. Before long, Irv was bicoastal, directing and filming projects in Los Angeles and NYC.
(Bio excerpted from www.IrvBlitz.com

View Irv’s reel.

View Irv’s archive.

Stay tuned for the next interview with Publicist Lauri Aloi!

If you’d like to be featured in an upcoming Q&A, let us know.

About Yamilca Montanez

Yamilca Montanez partners with designers and illustrators to help creative directors bring their ideas to life. With over 15 years of experience, she's worked with top directors and producers on Super Bowl commercials and ad campaigns from Hyundai to Soda Stream. Have a story to tell? Email her at yamilca@stjamesstudios.com