ADA Charleston

explore Charleston

synopsis

As part of Explore Charleston’s commitment to accessibility, we created a short film highlighting the region’s inclusive spaces and the locals who cherish them. From Park Circle Playground, one of the nation’s largest inclusive play areas, to Central Creek Park, designed for children of all abilities, we captured places where everyone can belong. At a Charleston RiverDogs game, we showcased sensory-friendly accommodations, and on Isle of Palms, we filmed how free beach wheelchairs ensure the coast is accessible to all. This film is more than a showcase—it’s a celebration of Charleston’s dedication to inclusion, inviting everyone to experience the city without limits.

Testimonial

We completely trust Vive Media to run with our initial vision and tie in their own creativity and talent to produce unique, high-quality content that highlights the Charleston area in an amazing light.

Hannah Shaffer
Social + Digital Content Manager

Pre-Production

Bringing this film to life required thoughtful storytelling from the start. Our producer spent significant time developing the narrative, identifying families who genuinely benefit from Charleston’s growing accessibility efforts. Finding those willing to share their experiences on camera wasn’t easy—but after extensive outreach, we connected with four families, each By focusing on real experiences, our pre-production process ensured that this film wasn’t just about accessibility—it was about the people whose lives are changed by it.

The Relationship

“Our partnership with Key West Boats began in 2020 with an ambitious project—capturing their entire 14-boat fleet over five action-packed days of filming and photography. One standout moment? A breathtaking aerial shot of all fourteen boats cutting through the Ashley River in perfect formation—one of our all-time favorite drone captures. Since then, our collaboration has only grown. Year after year, we continue to produce high-quality video and photography, keeping their content fresh for both new and existing models. Our work is featured prominently on the Key West Boats website, in dealerships across the country, and throughout their social media platforms—helping them make a lasting impression in a competitive market.”

Lifestyle

“Our team handles casting all of the talent, planning locations, shotlists, schedules, and all the other details that go into making a successful shoot simple for the client. We’ve created a lifestyle video for every boat in the Key West fleet.”

Festival Rewind

“Every year, we embed ourselves in the rhythm of Charleston Wine + Food, capturing the energy, flavor, and soul of the five-day festival. Our team splits up to cover 25+ events across the city and film over 10 interviews with chefs and talent from around the world. This isn’t just a recap—it’s the official hype reel that sets the tone for the next year. By now, attendees are excited to see our cameras; they know the magic we’ve created in past videos and want to be part of it. Our focus is on diversity, celebration, and storytelling—always aiming to craft something even more unforgettable than the year before.

Social Shorts

“Beyond the main recaps, we produce a steady stream of punchy social shorts for Charleston Wine + Food—built to drop fast during the festival and keep the momentum going after. Some are mapped out ahead of time, others come together on the fly from something we captured spontaneously. We tailor every piece for platform-specific impact, delivering in all the right formats—vertical, square, horizontal—so it’s ready to hit feeds wherever the audience is scrolling.”

ADS & Commercials

“As part of our ongoing partnership with Charleston Wine + Food, we create a range of ad spots and commercials designed to drive ticket sales for the upcoming year. From ticket launch announcement videos to airport ads and sponsored social content, these pieces carry the same vibrant energy as our recaps—layered with punchy on-screen text and clear calls to action. Whether it’s on a phone screen or a terminal monitor, the goal is the same: grab attention and get people excited to be part of the next festival.”

Testimonial

We completely trust Vive Media to run with our initial vision and tie in their own creativity and talent to produce unique, high-quality content that highlights the Charleston area in an amazing light.

Hannah Shaffer
Social + Digital Content Manager

Lowcountry Lifestyle

“Our videos for Kiawah River create a sensory experience. We want you to feel the water rippling, smell the pluff mud, taste the salt. Being at home outdoors is what the lowcountry is all about, and we love getting our feet dirty (and wet) in the process of each year’s production. In close collaboration with the Kiawah River marketing team, we’ve continuously pushed to differentiate their visual identity—setting a standard that others in the space have since tried to follow.

Walkthroughs

“We create in depth video walkthroughs and detailed photography of every boat so potential buyers can learn everything they need to know about each model before even visiting a dealership. These videos also allow Key West Boats to control the narrative on how the features of their boats are introduced to customers and dealerships. Our team handles all filming, photography, voiceover casting/recording, and script supervising.”

Photography

“We capture video and photography in tandem on every shoot, maximizing the content created for Key West Boats while ensuring seamless visual continuity across their campaigns. From high-energy action shots on the water to detailed stills that highlight craftsmanship, our photography helps their boats jump off the page.”

Behind the Scenes

Lowcountry Luxury

“Our work with Kiawah River captures the distinct blend of upscale living and untamed Lowcountry beauty. As the community has grown—especially with the addition of The Dunlin, a luxury boutique hotel—our content has evolved to reflect that elevated aesthetic while staying rooted in the raw, authentic spirit of the Sea Islands.

Stories

“From the women behind Kiawah River Farms to local fishing guides and the community’s own Chief Environmental Officer, we focus on the people who bring Kiawah River to life. Their stories reflect the spirit of the Lowcountry—deeply connected to the land, the water, and each other. Showcasing these voices adds depth and authenticity to the brand, reminding viewers that Kiawah River is more than a destination—it’s a community.”

Behind the Scenes

Filming

Capturing these stories required a carefully coordinated four-day shoot across multiple locations. With tight schedules and real families at the heart of each scene, flexibility was key. Due to scheduling, the same director couldn’t be present at every shoot, but thanks to Vive Media’s in-house team, the film maintained a cohesive look and feel throughout. From the energy of Park Circle Playground to the quiet joy of an accessible day at Isle of Palms, our crew worked seamlessly to highlight each family’s experience. It was a true team effort—one that ensured every moment felt authentic, visually compelling, and true to Charleston’s commitment to inclusion.

Post-Production

In the edit, we focused on blending multiple voices into a powerful, cohesive narrative. Each family’s experience stood on its own, yet together, they told a bigger story of inclusion in Charleston. The final deliverables included a five-minute short film that captured the full scope of the project, along with four one-minute cut-downs, each highlighting a specific location. These shorter edits were perfect for social media, allowing the story to reach a wider audience through multiple posts. We couldn’t be prouder of the work we created. Seeing these stories come together was deeply moving—and even after countless hours in the edit, it was hard to watch without shedding a tear or two.

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