SINGAPORE — For braving the elements in remote, treacherous locations like Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula (with its hordes of bloodthirsty mosquitoes) and Peru’s class five whitewater rapids, National Geographic film-maker Bryan Smith has been called “Bear Grylls with a camera”.

“Yeah, sure,” laughed Smith when the comparison to the British adventurer and television presenter was brought up.

“I think everyone makes these analogies because they think we’re doing super extreme and crazy stuff but they don’t see the incredible amount of work that goes into what’s presented,” said the Canada-based American. “It’s actually very well thought through and meticulous. We work with local fixers, come up with a plan and there’s a lot of time spent on arranging these things.”

He’ll be sharing more of these insights in Singapore next month for his talk at the Esplanade Concert Hall titled Extreme Adventure on the Edge: Vertical Feats and the Man Who Can Fly.

Q: Besides your gear, are there any personal must-haves that you bring along for your filming assignments?

A: I bring my notebooks. I don’t tend to read when I go on these trips but I write down what happens — just bits and pieces. I find that it’s effective. You might also find it weird that I have two shirts that I always bring for good luck. And so far, things have worked out really well.

Q: Have there been incidents where luck really saved your life?

A: For most of our filming, if not all, a certain amount (of luck) is always required—like good weather. You need Mother Nature to cooperate.

Q: As a film-maker working in remote countries, what have you learnt about travelling?

A: As a film-maker, I don’t experience the world as a tourist. It’s a unique experience. The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is patience — to be willing to wait for the magical moments in your travels. You can’t know and plan everything.

Q: So what do you do when you travel for leisure?

A; I’m not the type to sit in a resort and do nothing. When I travel on vacation with my wife and five-year-old son, I’d like to go somewhere where we can do things together. For example, last fall, I was in the Dominican Republic and the beach was great for exploring with kids. We also went kiteboarding.

Q: How would you encourage travellers to travel more adventurously?

A: Adventure is what you make of it. People say to me that they’ll never do what I do in a million years. You don’t have to — you can just veer a little from your list. Go somewhere that isn’t recommended and try something a little different.

Q: You’ve mentioned that what’s extreme is whatever’s scary for you. After doing so many extreme productions, what’s still scary?

A: Things which are new. It can be things like an unknown or unfamiliar environment, or being unsure if the people we’re relying on are trustworthy. It happens with every new job.

Q: So what’s the next big extreme adventure you’re going on?

A: I’ll be around your neck of the woods next year. We’re doing a big project in New Zealand, filming some rivers which have never been explored in South Island.

Extreme Adventure on the Edge: Vertical Feats and the Man Who Can Fly is on Oct 9, 7.30pm, at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Tickets from $39 to S$49 at SISTIC.