Portfolio Showcase: Immersive Wildlife VR Experience for Ellen DeGeneres’ Gorilla Conservation Fundraiser

As part of my role in this extraordinary project with Habitat XR, I had the opportunity to contribute to an immersive virtual reality experience designed to support Ellen DeGeneres’ gorilla conservation efforts. The project was created for Gorillapalooza, a fundraising gala hosted by The Ellen Fund, where celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Roberts were transported to the volcanic jungles of Rwanda to experience mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

I was responsible for stitching the 360-degree footage of the wild gorillas filmed in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. I meticulously pieced together the visuals to create a seamless and immersive experience. As the lead editor, I crafted the main edit to capture the essence of the breathtaking environment, from the lush jungle surroundings to the intimate moments with the gorillas.

In addition to the editing, I handled the top and tail of the VR piece, ensuring a smooth introduction and a powerful conclusion. I also created the motion graphics that enhanced the storytelling by guiding viewers through the virtual journey while keeping them engaged in the visual narrative. Finally, I assisted with the color grading process, working with the team to fine-tune the hues and tones to bring the virtual experience to life.

This project raised over R73 million for the gorilla conservation fund and was a thrilling opportunity to blend my technical expertise and creative skills into a project with such meaningful impact. The result was an unforgettable experience that helped further gorilla conservation in Africa.