When asked what separates Michael Brown from other adventure filmmakers, Erik Weihenmayer (the first blind person to summit Mount Everest) remarks that the award-winning director has an incomparable level of focus, skill and commitment. “There are only a handful of candidates with the athletic ability and tireless drive to pull off what Michael accomplishes routinely,” says Weihenmayer. “The pool of candidates narrows even further when you consider Michael's eye for assembling the subtle pieces of a story.”

Brown’s tenacity and upbeat attitude have brought him to the summit of Mount Everest four times—once while shooting and directing Farther Than the Eye Can See which documented Weihenmayer’s historic ascent. The acclaimed film marked the first time a high-definition (HD) video camera was brought to the mountain’s peak. On Brown’s most recent summit in 2007 he co-directed MacGillivray Freeman Films' Return to Everest in 3D IMAX. Outside the Himalaya, he’s made first kayak descents of wild rivers in places like Bhutan and Chile and summited remote peaks on all seven continents, all with the camera rolling.

Brown, a pioneer of adventure filmmaking, founded Serac Adventure Films in 1992 both to make original documentaries and to lend his production and adventuring skills to filmmakers like MacGillivray Freeman Films, for whom he was Director of Mountain Photography on the award-winning IMAX film Alps: Giants of Nature. Brown was also a specialty cameraman on the critically-acclaimed film BLINDSIGHT; on A&E’s show “Touch the Top;” and on a number of feature films.

Since starting Serac, Brown has received over 40 international film festival and industry awards, including three national Emmys from five nominations. But making films is about more than winning awards and exploring uncharted territories. Serac is committed to “giving back” to their subjects in some profound way while capturing the intense emotion that make their films so powerful. Few who have seen them forget the poignant moment in Light of the Himalaya after the bandages are removed from the eyes of a Nepalese woman once blind with cataracts; or the elated exhaustion of 10 women in 3 Peaks 3 Weeks as they push beyond pain to achieve their goal.

While Brown has always loved telling stories (he grew up in family of adventure filmmakers), he also has a passion for science–especially climate, weather and geography, all of which he studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder while working at the National Snow and Ice Data Center. He’s put that knowledge into practice during productions for National Geographic Television, NBC, CBS, ABC, ESPN, OLN, the BBC, Rush HD, and the Discovery Channel.

With camera in hand, Brown goes into some of the world’s most hostile environments—where there’s little room for error—and comes away with stunning visual footage and stirring stories that remind us of our shared humanity. He believes that if you can imagine a goal, you can achieve it, and he brings that spirit, intensity, and invaluable expertise, to every project that Serac takes on.

“He's the only guy I know who can tell a funny joke at 26,000 feet, beat all of his teammates in chess, carry a 25-pound camera to the summit of Mount Everest, create an award-winning documentary, and through it all, remain just one of the guys, pouring every bit of his heart and soul into getting his team to the top,” says Weihenmayer. “[He] is the most accomplished filmmaker with whom I've ever worked.”

Clients, Awards, Credits, Education

Honorary Positions:

• 2008 Banff Mountain Film Festival Fimmakers Seminar Leader
• 2007 Banff Mountain Film Festival Fimmakers Seminar Leader
• 2006 Shoot Out Boulder Festival Jury
• 2006 Telluride Mountainfilm Board of Advisors
• 2005 Banff Mountain Film Festival Jury
• 2005 Kendal Mountain Film Festival Jury
• 2005 Sports Emmy Awards Blue Ribbon Judging Panel
• 2005 Executive Board of Population Blue

Clients and Positions:

• 1992-Present Serac Adventure Films, Boulder, President
  
• 2009 BBC Wales, Human Planet, segment Director of Photography
• 2008 NOVA/National Geographic, Boston/Washington DC, Director of Photography
• 2006 Indus Films, Whales, Director/Cinematographer
  
• 2006 BBC/Discovery Channel, London/Washington DC, Health and Safety and
  Director of Photography
  
• 2005-Now MacGillivray Freeman Films, Laguna; Director of IMAX Photography, Co-Director
  
• 2004-Now Voom/Rush HD, New York City, Producer Director
  
• 2004 Big Rabbit Productions, London, Cameraman
  
• 2004 ESPN, X-Games, Huntington Beach, Cameraman
  
• 2004 Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Cameraman/Photographer
  
• 2004 Radar Communications, Cameraman/Editor
  
• 2003-2004 National Geographic Television, Washington DC, Director, Producer
  
• 2004 NBC Sports, Cameraman
  
• 2002-2004 Outside Television, Los Angeles, Filmmaker
  
• 2003 Octagon, Stamford, Cameraman
  
• 2003 Blueprint Creative, Seattle, Cameraman
  
• 1993-2003 American Adventure Productions, Aspen; Field Producer, Writer, Editor, Cinematographer
  
• 2000 Quokka Sports, San Francisco, Web Correspondent, Photographer
  
• 1998 MacGillivray Freeman Films, Laguna; Vertical Work Assistant Camera
  
• 1993 National Geographic Television, Washington DC, Field Producer, Cinematographer
  
• 1992-1998 Summit Films, Gypsum; Producer, Cinematographer, Editor
  
• 1993-1996 Z Productions, Sausalito; Producer, Cinematographer, Editor
  
• 1991-1992 Summit Films, Gypsum; Production Manager, Location Sound, Assistant Camera
  
• 1988-1990 CIRES/NCAR/NOAA: Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder; Research Assistant

Industry Awards:

• 2007 Giant Screen Cinema Association (IMAX), Best Cinematography,
  Director of Mountain Photography
  
• 1997 National Sports Emmy, Electronic Cameraperson
  
• 1996 National Sports Emmy, Electronic Cameraperson
  
• 1993 National Sports Emmy, Film Cinematographers
  
  
• 2007 Telly Award ( Mountains Without Barriers)
  
• 2007 Aurora Awards, Platinum Best of Show
  
• 2007 Aurora Awards, Gold Award
  
• 2007 Telly Award (Light of the Himalaya)
  
• 2006 Summit Marketing Effectiveness Award Finalist
  
• 2004 National Sports Emmy Nomination, Outstanding Documentary (Director, Editor, Writer)
  
• 2004 National Sports Emmy Nomination, Outstanding Camera Work
  
• 2003 Michigan Outdoor Writers Association, Teddy Award
  
• 2001 Michigan Outdoor Writers Association, Teddy Award
  
• 1999 International Cinema in Industry Competition Gold Award (CINDY),
  Visual Communicators
  
• 1993 Cine Golden Eagle, Producer
  
• 1995 Regional Telly, Director of Photography & Editor
  
• 1995 Regional Joey, Director of Photography
  
• 1995 Regional Addy, Director of Photography

Film Festival Awards
(principle filmmaker unless noted):

• 2007 International Alliance for Mountain Film, Grand Prize
  
• 2007 My Hero Film Festival, 'Grand Prize' and 'First Place in Category'
  
• 2007 Explorer's Festival, 'Ascent Award' (First Place)
  
• 2007 Taos Mountain Film Festival, 'Best Film of Mountain Culture,'
  (second win for this award in two years) Taos, New Mexico
  
• 2007 International Mountaineering Film Festival Teplice Nad Metuji, 'Best Documentary'- Czech Republic
  
• 2007 Columbus International Film and Video Festival, 'The Chris Awards,
  Honerable Mention' Ohio
  
• 2007 Festival International De L'Aventure Sportive, 'La Jarre d'Or,' Vallauris, France
  
• 2007 HeSCA Media Festival, 'Silver Award'
  
• 2007 International Wildlife Film Festival, 'Best of Festival,' Missoula, Montana
  
• 2007 Boulder Adventure Film Festival, 'Funniest Adventure Film,' Boulder, Colorado
  
• 2006 Explorer's Festival, 'Ascent Award' (First Place)
  
• 2006 Houston International Film Festival, Bronze REMI Award
  
• 2006 Chicago Film Festival (Intercom), 'Certificate of Merit,' Chicago, Illinois
  
• 2006 Taos Mountain Film Festival, 'Best Film of Mountain Culture,' Taos, New Mesico
  
• 2006 Breckenridge Festival of Film, 'Best of Festival: Documentary'
  
• 2006 Wanaka Mountain Film Festival, 'Best Film on Culture and Environment'
  
• 2006 Boulder Adventure Film Festival, 'Most Inspiring Film'
  
• 2006 Boulder International Film Festival, 'Best Colorado Film'
  
• 2005 Boulder Adventure Film Festival, 'Best Adventure Biography'
  
• 2005 Wanaka Mountain Film Festival, 'Best film on Climbing'
  
• 2005 Boulder International Film Festival, 'Best Adventure Film'
  
• 2004 Explorer's Festival, 'Camera Extreme', Lodz Poland
  
• 2004 Graz International Mountain and Adventure Film Festival, Austria:
  Kamera Alpin in Gold
  
• 2004 International Environmental Film Festival in Barcelona Spain:
  'Special Prize Documentary'
  
• 2004 Hory a Mesto International Festival of Mountain Film and Adventure in Bratislava Slovakia: Best Film in 'Earth' Category
  
• 2004 Newport Beach Film Festival: 'Audience Award' and 'Cinematography' in the Documentary category
  
• 2004 Worldfest Houston: 'Special Jury Award'
  
• 2004 Beverly Hills Film Festival 'Audience Choice, Best Documentary'
  
• 2004 Golden Film Festival, Best Documentary Director and Best Action Documentary
  
• 2004 Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, Best Mountain Adventure Feature
  
• 2003 Whistler Film Festival, Butch Freedhoff Human Spirit Award
  
• 2003 Banff Mountain Film Festival, Special Jury Award
  
• 2003 Montreal International Adventure Film Festival, Grand Prize
  
• 2003 Taos Mountain Film Festival, Best of Festival
  
• 2002 Explorers Club Film Festival, Special Jury Award, Environmental Film
  (In the Shadow of the Condor)
  
• 2001 The New York International Mountain Film Festival Alpinfilm: Best Film on Climbing
  (Editor, Diamonds in the Rough)
  
• 2000 Banff Mountain Film Festival, Best Film on Mountain Sports
  
• 1999 New York Alpine Film Festival, Peoples Choice & Best Climbing Film
  (Vietnam into the Dragon's Teeth)
  
• 1999 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, Best Film on Mountain Culture
  
• 1998 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, Special Jury Award
  
• 1998 Teplice & Metuji, Czech Republic, Best Adventure Film (Rivers of the Underworld)
  
• 1997 Gravity Sports Film Festival, Runner Up, Best Climbing Film
  (Vietnam Into the Dragon's Teeth)
  

Film and Video Credits:

Director, Cinematographer, Writer:

• 2007 3 Peaks 3 Weeks, HDTV Documentary with Rush HD, Ten Women Climb
  Peaks for Charity
  
• 2006 The Endless Knot, HDTV Documentary with The North Face and Rush HD,
  Climbing School for Sherpas

Co-Director, Director of Mountain Photography:

• 2006 MacGillivray Freeman Films, Return to Everest IMAX in 3D

Director, Cinematographer, Writer, Editor:

• 2005 Light of the Himalaya, HDTV Documentary with The North Face, Global Giving and Rush HD about the Himalayan Cataract Project
• 2001 Everest: Farther than the Eye Can See, HDTV Documentary following blind climber
  Erik Weihenmayer's climb of Mount Everest in Nepal

Producer, Director

• 2003 National Geographic Specials, Braving Antarctica, Documentary of the new
  South Pole Station, Antarctica

Executive Producer, Filmmaker, Live Content Photojournalist:

• 2004 Newport to Bermuda Sail Race, Independent
  
• 2000 NBC/Quokka Sports/WebTV, Everest Dreams, Climb of 29,035-ft Mount Everest

Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor:

• 2002 Independent, Kosciuszko, Australia, Blind Climbers Erik Weihenmayer's
  Seventh Summit.
  
• 2002 Independent Film, Shaslikski, Ski Mountaineering on Mount Elbrus in Russia
  
• 2002 Outside Television, Outdoor Life Network, In the Shadow of the Condor,
  Exploration in Southern Chile
  
• 1999 NBC/The North Face Expeditions, Shishapangma: A Celebration of Life,
  Ski Mountaineering in the Tibetan Himalayas
  
• 1999 NBC/The North Face Expeditions, Sardinia & Madagascar: Islands in the Sky,
  Big Wall Climbing with Lynn Hill
  
• 1999 Outdoor Life Network, Chile; Traverse in the Land of Ayacara, Adventure Traverse
  
• 1998 Outdoor Life Network, Pumori: Daughter of Everest, Mountaineering First Ascent
  
• 1997 Outdoor Life Network, Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon, Kayaking &
  cultural exploration
  
• 1997 Outdoor Life Network, Tommy Moe's Alaska, Ski Mountaineering and Kayaking
  
• 1997 Outdoor Life Network, Rivers of the Underworld, Cave Kayaking
  
• 1996 Outdoor Life Network, Vietnam: Into the Dragon's Teeth, Rock Climbing
  
• 1996 Outdoor Life Network, Tien Shan: Celestial Extreme, Skiing in Central Asia
  
• 1996 Outdoor Life Network, Tsunami Rangers, Sea Kayaking

Director of Mountain Photography:

• 2006 MacGillivray Freeman Films, IMAX The Alps

Cinematographer, Editor:

• 1996 CBS Sports, Rocky Mountain Adventure Games, Kayaking, Hang Gliding,
  Mountain Biking
  
• 1995 Outdoor Life Network, Desert BASE Jump, BASE Jumping
  
• 1995 MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, The Making of EFX With Michael Crawford
  
• 1994 March of Dimes, Abuse for Two, Public Service Announcement by Roger Brown

Producer, Cinematographer:

• 1993 MTV Sports, Cave Wave, Sea Kayaking
  
• 1993 National Geographic Explorer, Wave Warriors, Sea Kayaking

Director of Photography:

• 2009 BBC Wales, Human Planet, segments
• 2008 NOVA/National Geographic Television, Extreme Ice Survey
  

Cinematographer:

• 2004 BLINDSIGHT, Robson Productions
  
• 2004 X-Games, ESPN
  
• 2004 NBC Sports, Ouray Ice Festival
  
• 2003 Octagon/NBC Sports, Balance Bar 24 Hour Adventure Race New York City, New York
  
• 2003 Octagon/NBC Sports, Ford Balance Bar 24 Hour Adventure Race, Beaver Creek, Colorado
  
• 2003 Outdoor Life Network/American Adventure Productions, Global Extremes: Costa Rica
  
• 2002 Outdoor Life Network, Global Extreme, Moab and Aspen Events
  
• 2001 Kilimanjaro, Documentary following Heart Transplant recipient Kelly Perkins on
  Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. Used on ABC Nightly News with Peter Jennings
  
• 1999 NBC Dateline, Tribute to Alex Lowe with Tom Brokaw, Alex Lowe and David Bridges
  
• 1998 Outdoor Life Network, The Northwest Passage, Sea Kayaking in the Arctic Ocean
  
• 1997 Outside Magazine's Great Adventures, The Grand Teton, Climbing
  
• 1995 Discovery Channel, Worlds of Wonder, Camera Technology
  
• 1993 ESPN, Rivers of the Maya, Caving and Kayaking
  
• 1993 ESPN, Easter Island, Forbidden Surf, Surfing, Windsurfing, Sea Kayaking
  
• 1993 Commercials, Copper Mountain Ski Area
  
• 1994 Commercial, Adobe Systems, Acrobat

Producer:

• 1999 NBC/The North Face Expeditions Television Series on NBC
  
• 1994 Commercials, Morph, Perspective, Public Relations

Editor:

• 1999 Outdoor Life Network, Greenland, War & Poetry, Rock Climb
  
• 1999 Independent, The Great Alexandra, Alexandra Nechita, Artist Profile
  
• 1998 Independent, The North Face, Never Stop Exploring, Climbing
  
• 1998 Outdoor Life Network, Giant Squid, Monster of the Deep, Wildlife
  
• 1997 Outdoor Life Network, Bolivia: Andes to Amazon, Kayaking & Mountaineering
  
• 1996 Independent, Diamonds in the Rough, Rock Climbing in South Africa
  
• 1995 Outdoor Life Network, Karakorum Wild and Free, Rock Climbing
  
• 1995 Outdoor Life Network, Balloon over Mt. Sopris, Ballooning

Associate Producer, Location Sound:

• 1993 Independent, Kamchatka: Land of Fire & Ice, Skiing & Snowboarding
  
• 1991 ESPN, Mt. Cook: Summit of Extremes, Skiing, Snowboarding, Hang Gliding
  
• 1991 Fox Television, Ultimate Challenge, Indonesia's Waterfalls, Kayaking
  
• 1991 Ski the Summit, The Magic Skis, Theatrical Ski Film
  

Associate Producer, Camera Assistant:

• 1991 National Geographic Explorer, Jungle Kayakers, Mexico (Kayaking and Caving)
  
• 1993 Commercials, West Virginia, No Place Else (Tourism)
  
• 1993 Commercials, Breckenridge Ski Area

Camera Assistant:

• 1998 MacGillivray Freeman Films, IMAX Journey into Amazing Caves Ice Caving in Greenland
  
• 1989 National Geographic Explorer, White Water Wizards Kayaking

Still Photography:
(Published Still Photographs, National Publications Listed)

• 2006 Men's Journal Magazine, Morocco feature article
  
• 2004 Mac Design Magazine
  
• 2004 The Economist (Ad for Novartis)
  
• 2004 Apple.com
  
• 2003 Outside Magazine
  
• 2003 National Geographic Adventure Magazine
  
• 2003 Popular Science
  
• 2001 USA Today
  

Education

• 1990 University of Colorado, Boulder; Bachelor of Arts, major in Geography