Jobs in Singapore: “How I played a part in bringing Jurassic World: The Experience to life in Singapore”

Hendrick Ou is the Assistant Vice President of Project Management at NEON, a global leader in creating and producing immersive experiences. He’s one of the brains behind Jurassic World: The Experience in Singapore at Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest, which brings to life the film franchise through life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and interactive exhibits.
 

1) Tell us more about the vision behind Jurassic World: The Experience in Singapore.

Jurassic World: The Experience is an international exhibition that has made its rounds globally, and with its arrival here, we were given the task of localising the experience for the Singapore audience. It felt daunting to have to give life to such a beloved franchise, and I worked closely with my team to ensure that anyone who walked through the exhibition’s doors would be filled with awe, curiosity, and nostalgia.

We took into consideration the franchise’s appeal across generations and how guests of different ages interact with spaces. For instance, while kids love movement and surprises, adults may appreciate richer layers of storytelling and immersive tech. We wanted to create an experience that would allow different types of visitors to enjoy the exhibition in their own way, whether it’s marvelling at an animatronic or reading the science behind each dinosaur species.

2) What were some of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

To have the exhibition at Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay was no easy feat. Unlike our travelling sets, which rely heavily on artificial foliage and controlled lighting to recreate the setting in Jurassic World, the Cloud Forest provided us with a truly immersive and authentic environment to play with. It’s about finding that sweet spot where creativity can coexist with nature, and to do that, we collaborated extensively with our creative, technical, and horticultural teams to plan installations which respected and complemented the natural environment. The presence of natural sunlight shifting throughout the day also added an organic layer to the experience.

Beyond the physical and logistical aspects, there was the creative challenge of how to weave the IP (intellectual property) meaningfully into the real-life environs of the attraction. We decided to do away with a fixed linear storyline which formed the core of the global exhibitions. Instead, we took a different approach that saw the strategic placement of iconic dinosaurs throughout the Cloud Forest. This allowed guests to encounter the dinosaurs organically, creating unexpected, magical moments.

We also had to choose the right mix of dinosaurs for the exhibition since each model comes with its own set of logistical needs. This included considerations on how big it is, how much it moves, where it can be positioned safely, and how it interacts with the existing environment. We started with a long list and gradually narrowed it down based on impact, recognisability, and how well they fit within the physical terrain of the Cloud Forest. There were certainly some that didn’t make the cut but that’s all part of the creative process.

3) What is your favourite part of the exhibition?

My favourite part of the exhibition is the T-Rex animatronic – it’s a real showstopper. No matter how many times I see it, there’s always this moment of awe and pride I feel when it comes to life. From the scale and the movement to the timing of the lighting and sound, it’s so well-choreographed that it almost feels like it’s alive!

4) What do you find most meaningful about your work?

Despite how physically and mentally demanding the work is, the challenges I faced remind me of how rewarding it is to be part of a team that is building something memorable for thousands to enjoy. All the long nights we braved just melted away when we saw the first batch of visitors interact with the exhibits, or hear kids gasp and shout out the names of the dinosaurs.

I hope guests will leave the exhibition feeling a sense of wonder, and that this experience will bring joy, spark curiosity and allow them to have lasting memories with their loved ones. There’s a real sense of purpose in seeing how my role at NEON isn’t just about creating an exhibition – we are creating lasting memories for visitors.

This piece was first published by NYLON Singapore on 28 June 2025.