After the massive April 2015 Nepal earthquake (also known as Gorkha earthquake) that killed nearly 9,000 people and left over 3.5 million people homeless, the digital studio Endemol Shine Beyond USA – which contributes with impressive storytelling and excellent world-class content to multiple platforms in the U.S. and worldwide — used the first opportunity to climb the Earth’s highest mountain. Together with Time Inc.’s Sports Illustrated they decided to produce a virtual reality documentary series that presents a group of climbers embarking on a unique journey towards the top of the world, during the 2016 summit of Mount Everest.

The idea of this project started when Lauren Selig, a producer that usually works with the president of Endemol Shine Beyond USA, Bonnie Pan, informed her that Garrett Madison, an American mountaineer who guided 44 climbers to the summit in the last 10 years, is ready to start a new expedition towards the highest peak of the world.

Starting March 2016, when Bonnie Pan became Endemol Shine Beyond USA’s president, the studio launched video hits like “Keys of Christmas” featuring well-known singer Mariah Carey and DJ Khaled for YouTube Red, started a production partnership with Mashable, and in collaboration with social media star Michelle Phan the division has become home to the ICON Network.

“Capturing Everest” is another successful program that Pan worked on, and it presents the observers with a chance to enjoy a mountain climb using virtual-reality. The viewers’ experience begins in Kathmandu, Nepal, as a team of interesting climbers led by Garrett Madison, a seven-time Everest summiteer, including Brent Bishop, Jeff Glasbrenner, Lisa White and Nick Perks, makes their way to the Base Camp and towards the mountain’s peak, facing a plenty of rough environmental elements. Using cameras placed on the body harnesses of above mentioned climbers and also on zip lines, the video was shot over the span of two months and captures impressive landscapes of Mount Everest, which over time claimed the lives of more than 280 climbers.

The film is the first chance for viewers to experience a safe ascent, using virtual-reality tech. Editorial Director of Time Inc.’s Sports Illustrated Group, Chris Stone said: “Capturing an ascent in VR makes the unattainable seem attainable while at the same time reinforcing the mythology of Everest. This production is both extraordinarily real and unreal all at once.”

Being the first complete climb of Everest in VR, the series will be available on LIFE VR, Time Inc.’s new platform which is an extension of the LIFE brand. Also, viewers can experience the VR climb at SI.com in a 360-degree video – where they can have a look at the trailer, before its official debut. Mia Tramz, Managing Editor of LIFE VR said in a press release that: “Attacking the world’s highest summit seemed like the perfect place to go with our new VR initiative, and by partnering with Endemol Shine and adding in the world-class storytellers from Sports Illustrated, I think we have something truly special and unique to offer our audience.”

Credits:

Agency: Endemol Shine Beyond USA

President of Endemol Shine Beyond USA: Bonnie Pan

Producer: Lauren Selig