Emmy award-winning cinematographer Keith Partridge takes us behind the scenes of adventure filmmaking, revealing the extraordinary skills and mindset required to capture footage where few dare to venture.From dangling 3,000 feet off Angel Falls in Venezuela to filming on the summit of Everest, Keith has made a career of putting cameras in places that seem impossibly dangerous. What's remarkable is how his journey began – not scaling mountains from childhood, but working in a factory making pressure switches for electric showers after failing his A-levels. His path changed forever when he spotted a BBC job advertisement at 18, beginning a journey that would eventually lead him to resign without another job lined up, simply because he felt called to adventure.The heart of our conversation explores a particularly harrowing moment during the filming of the BAFTA award-winning documentary "Touching the Void." Keith recounts finding himself on a hanging sheet of ice just an inch thick in the Peruvian Andes, where his guide could only mouth the words "don't fall." This story perfectly illustrates Keith's approach to extreme filming – it's not about recklessness or being "gung-ho," but rather about preparation, situational awareness, and team trust.What comes through clearly is how Keith views fear as a positive force – a natural pause button that makes you assess situations carefully. For anyone fascinated by adventure, filmmaking, or how people perform under pressure, this conversation offers rare insights into a truly extraordinary career. Keith's journey proves that sometimes the most remarkable lives begin with simply being open to opportunity and saying "yes" when adventure calls.Keith's website - https://adventurecamera.co.uk/Follow Keith on Instagram @partridge_keith - https://www.instagram.com/partridge_keith/?hl=enCheck out Keith's book "The Adventure Game" - https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Game-Keith-Partridge/dp/1910124311Keith's work on "Touching the Void" - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379557/Check out the "Adventure Film Makers Workshop" at Banff - https://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/adventure-filmmakers-workshop-2024More of Keith's work - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1524531/Send us a textIf you enjoyed this episode, please give us a five-star rating and review, and tell a friend about the show. WANT TO BE A GUEST? You can submit your own career story through our website at noordinarymonday.com, email us at [email protected], or send a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/176029491486798797fb4df61

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related