The Partnership in action

My work with ACE involved three deliverables:

1. A series of interviews with six eco-volunteers. These volunteers participated in transect studies in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Over the course of an afternoon, I sat down with all of them and asked a series of questions handcrafted by ACE staff. Two of these interviews are below, and the rest will be added according to ACE’s marketing calendar.

2. An orientation video. On their first day in Botswana, eco-volunteers typically sit down with Dr. Christiaan Winterbach, a renowned wildlife ecologist in Southern Africa, to learn about the research goals and methodology in which ACE’s volunteers engage. Due to Dr. Winterbach’s schedule, ACE asked me to film one of his presentations to prepare eco-volunteers before they arrive in-country.

3. Miscellaneous b-roll. ACE can always benefit from various shots of wildlife in their natural environments. Some of this b-roll ended up in the interviews.

Before launching into production, I spoke with Director Martin Bornman and Marketing Director Becky Wheeler to identify key content needs. This planning phase was crucial in determining how best to convey the volunteers’ experiences and the technical aspects of transect studies. Filming in the Okavango Delta presented a few challenges, from the oppressive heat to managing equipment wellness, which required atypical flexibility. Despite these hurdles, the collaboration resulted in a comprehensive and engaging set of resources that supports ACE’s mission and helps prepare eco-volunteers for their conservation journey in the Okavango Delta.

On a personal level, I’m supremely grateful for the new friendships I formed with like-minded individuals, whose insights and support helped me capture critical footage for my own documentary film, An Imaginary Elephant. I do anticipate another collaboration with ACE in the future!