keithcarlsen – Hence Creative

Keith Carlsen

Film Photography

I’m a creative producer and leader with a unique background, having worked extensively as a photographer, cinematographer, writer, and editor. I believe that great producing sets the stage for exceptional work to be made. I produce complex, high-impact brand, commercial, documentary, and new media content.

I seek adventure and fun in my personal life and try to weave that into my work whenever possible. I started my career as an editor at Powder and Bike Magazines, following my passion for exploring mountain culture on skis and bikes while connecting with those communities. The desire to be outside as much as possible, spending time with friends in nature remains a core value for me.

In my current role as owner/operator of Gold Pants Productions, I effectively manage and lead large production teams, creatives, talent, and clients, overseeing the successful execution of brand campaigns, often in challenging environments. Most recently, I produced Danner’s 2024 flagship GO THERE campaign. This photo and video shoot spanned six days, eight locations, and included hiking peaks and kayaking waterfalls. This work just rolled out mid-Sept 2024.

I’m well-versed in creating and managing six-figure budgets, optimizing production schedules, and keeping complex shoots on track and within scope. Building upon years of high-level communication, I’m able to thoughtfully support creative teams to have the freedom they need to thrive.

Over the course of my career, I also worked in-house at award-winning production companies in Los Angeles, producing content for clients such as United Airlines, ASICS, Verizon, Samsung, & HP, while interfacing with large ad agencies such as McGarry Bowen, adam&eveDDB, and Edelman.

I can grind with the best of ‘em, but my goal is to inspire my teams so that everyone can enjoy the process. The importance of camaraderie, equality and teamwork between the creatives, crew, talent, and clients is a cornerstone of my approach.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
• Extensive experience producing complex brand, commercial, experiential, new media and documentary content
• Expert communicator and negotiator with clients and creators to bring concepts to life
• Proficient at keeping productions on time and budget, while creating a positive working
environment for teams to thrive
• Deep network of freelance crew & creatives
• Enthusiastic, performance-driven leader and collaborator
• Responsible for creating and managing budgets up to $500k
• Professional editorial and commercial photographer

Home Base: Portland, OR, USA

Top Clients:

DANNER BOOTS, RED BULL, UNITED AIRLINES, SOLARCORE, VIBRAM, HOKA, POWDER MAGAZINE, THE NORTH FACE, BIKE MAGAZINE, WINTER X GAMES, WINTER DEW TOUR, MOUNTAIN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL, MYSTERY RANCH, SUBARU, TOYOTA, MEN'S JOURNAL, OUTSIDE, SAMSUNG, ROLLING STONE, VERIZON, ROLLING STONE, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP, SMARTWOOL

DANNER "GO THERE" CAMPAIGN 2024 - Produced by Keith Carlsen / Photography by Corey Arnold

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DANNER "GO THERE" CAMPAIGN 2024 - Produced by Keith Carlsen / Photography by Corey Arnold

"DREAM MOUNTAIN" FILM - Produced by Keith Carlsen

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"DREAM MOUNTAIN" FILM - Produced by Keith Carlsen

KEITH CARLSEN PHOTOGRAPHY - ACTION SPORTS

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KEITH CARLSEN PHOTOGRAPHY - ACTION SPORTS

Career Storyline

“I’ve taken film crews across Russia in the heart of winter and ushered shoots seamlessly through the congested streets of major U.S. cities. My experience is vast, but my goal remains consistent: bring home the content my clients desire. And have some fun along the way!”

Years working in the outdoor industry

Number of times I've taken film crews across Russia in heart of winter

Age when I was the youngest-ever editor of POWDER Magazine

Danner "Go There" Campaign - Shot deep in the Pacific Northwest

Shoot produced by Keith Carlsen – Photography by Corey Arnold

I had the pleasure of working with Keith several times while heading up brand marketing at Danner Boots. Keith is one of the most thorough, detail-oriented producers I’ve encountered. He takes pride in work and is always anticipating the next move on a shoot. Also a skilled photographer, he can easily shift gears and evaluate a project through a creative lens. Furthermore, Keith has a high proficiency in outdoor sports, making him the perfect fit for Danner or any other outdoor brand.

Will Pennartz

VP of Marketing, Vibram

Experience

GOLD PANTS PRODUCTIONS, LLC - Owner / Lead Producer

Established a global, full-service production company, creating video, photo, new media, and editorial content for notable brands, corporations, and editorial titles in outdoor, lifestyle, action sports, future tech, climate solutions, travel, fashion, and music. Produce advertising campaigns for major brands, immersive experiential shoots, events. Lead client, stakeholder management.

AdventureAdvertisingBackcountry SkiingBikeCelebrity PotraitCommercialDocumentaryEditorial Potrait

2012 - Present
Inlightworks Productions - Director of Integrated Production

Led the production and post-production of award-winning documentary film, Dream Mountain, filmed on location in Nepal. Created and launched a production company for the EP, including producing events, global film festival tour, gallery shows, website, and social channels.

AdventureAlpine Mountaineering

2020 - 2022
HELO - Ad Agency Production Company

Produced complex commercial and immersive ad shoots for United Airlines, ASICS, Verizon, Samsung, HP, DiGiorno, and Minute Maid. Worked extensively with agency producers at large- scale firms such as 180 Amsterdam, McGarry Bowen, Facebook/Creative Shop, Edelman, adam&eveDDB London. Liaison between director, EP, agency producer, and crew at this award- winning production company. Successfully handled complex, demanding shoots.

Advertising

2015 - 2019
WINTER DEW TOUR - Branded Content Producer

Freestyle SnowboardingFreestyle Skiing

2016
MOUNTAIN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL – Director of Marketing, Communications, & Visual Media

Produced/directed remote, live, on-mountain webcasts and video/photo shoots for ski and snowboards events/competitions: The North Face Masters, Subaru Freeskiing World Tour, and Honda Ski Tour. Department head for marketing, communications, & visual media. Staff photog.

Freeride SkiingFreeride Snowboarding

2005 - 2011
POWDER MAGAZINE – Editor-At-Large / Producer

Launched and produced Powder Magazine Video Awards (the “Academy Awards” of ski films), a live event, video shoot, and webcast that became a 20-year institution of the Powder Magazine brand. Produced, edited, and wrote feature stories on assignment globally.

Freeride SkiingFreestyle SkiingBackcountry Skiing

2002 - 2005
POWDER MAGAZINE - Editor-in-Chief

Led repositioning of Powder Magazine, managed editorial staff, conceived magazine’s direction, edited and wrote copy. Produced photo and video shoots. Launched, implemented and led development of Powder Video Awards, Powder Week, and Powder Superpark—all of which remained institutions for two decades.

Freeride SkiingBackcountry SkiingFreestyle Skiing

1999 - 2002

Keith Carlsen

Career Storyline

Endorse