“Since 2023, we’ve partnered with Charleston Wine + Food to elevate the festival’s visual storytelling and showcase its place among the world’s premier culinary events. Working closely with their creative team, we’re trusted to capture the energy, flavor, and soul of the festival. It’s a massive production each year, and one of the most rewarding weeks for our crew. From sunrise prep to late-night bites, we’re there to film the moments that make this festival unforgettable.”
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.
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.
The College of Charleston wanted a bold, different approach—a commercial that didn’t just showcase the school, but truly captured its energy, culture, and connection to the city. From the start, we focused on a fresh, dynamic concept, leading the process from pitching ideas to scriptwriting and casting over 30 real students to ensure authenticity.
Visually, we embraced a cinematic style, using anamorphic lenses to craft immersive, wide-screen compositions that showcased both student life and the vibrant backdrop of Charleston. Every shot was designed to feel real, unscripted, and full of movement—bringing the College’s story to life in a visually striking way.
The final deliverables included a 30-second broadcast spot, a 15-second streaming cut, and a 45-second Director’s Cut for YouTube and social media—each designed to make a lasting impact and set the College apart.
In partnership with The South Carolina Aquarium and Explore Charleston, we created a compelling short film that takes viewers inside the Sea Turtle Care Center, where injured and sick sea turtles get a second chance at life.
Over the course of several months, we followed the dedicated aquarium team as they rescued, rehabilitated, and released these incredible creatures back into the wild along South Carolina’s coast. From the tense moments of an admission to the triumphant return to the ocean, we captured the real, emotional journey of sea turtle conservation.
Narrated by Melissa Ranly, the program’s leader, this film is more than just a behind-the-scenes look—it’s a testament to the passion and perseverance required to protect these ancient mariners and the vital ecosystems they call home.
Wow! You nailed it. I wasn’t sure how this project would take shape when we first pitched the idea. We only knew the Kiawah team was interested in something more nature and preservation focused, and we were open to trying something different. You delivered in a big way. You weren't kidding when you said the footage was incredible. The trifecta—sea turtle nesting, strand feeding, and shorebirds—was beyond what we envisioned. The script came together beautifully, and Jim’s narration adds the perfect touch of authenticity. The final product far exceeded our expectations. Thank you for bringing the vision to life!
The first step in bringing this project to life was embedding ourselves with the Town of Kiawah Island’s team of biologists—experts who know the island’s rhythms better than anyone. Their deep understanding of seasonal wildlife patterns, from dolphin strand-feeding to turtle nesting and key migratory events, guided our approach. With their insight, we developed a rough script, allowing nature itself to shape the narrative as we followed the story over the coming months. But wildlife filmmaking is unpredictable—you can’t schedule mother nature. Our strategy? Dedicate as many hours as needed to capture the moments this film deserved, ensuring we did justice to Kiawah’s extraordinary ecosystem
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.
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Wow! You nailed it. I wasn’t sure how this project would take shape when we first pitched the idea. We only knew the Kiawah team was interested in something more nature and preservation focused, and we were open to trying something different. You delivered in a big way. You weren't kidding when you said the footage was incredible. The trifecta—sea turtle nesting, strand feeding, and shorebirds—was beyond what we envisioned. The script came together beautifully, and Jim’s narration adds the perfect touch of authenticity. The final product far exceeded our expectations. Thank you for bringing the vision to life!
Vive is a turn-key solution for Key West Boat’s video needs. For these lifestyle shoots, our team handles casting all of the talent, planning locations, shotlists,scheduling, and all the other fine details that go into making a successful shoot simple and stress free for the client.
We’ve created a lifestyle video for every boat in the Key West fleet. These videos live on their website and in dealerships across the world.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
Wow! You nailed it. I wasn’t sure how this project would take shape when we first pitched the idea. We only knew the Kiawah team was interested in something more nature and preservation focused, and we were open to trying something different. You delivered in a big way. You weren't kidding when you said the footage was incredible. The trifecta—sea turtle nesting, strand feeding, and shorebirds—was beyond what we envisioned. The script came together beautifully, and Jim’s narration adds the perfect touch of authenticity. The final product far exceeded our expectations. Thank you for bringing the vision to life!
Vive is a turn-key solution for Key West Boat’s video needs. For these lifestyle shoots, our team handles casting all of the talent, planning locations, shotlists,scheduling, and all the other fine details that go into making a successful shoot simple and stress free for the client.
We’ve created a lifestyle video for every boat in the Key West fleet. These videos live on their website and in dealerships across the world.
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.
“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.”
Bringing this film to life required thoughtful storytelling from the start. Our producer, Brittani, 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.
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.
-Brittani Wagner, Lead Producer
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.
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Once our team won the RFP for this project, we hit the ground running. We pitched five bold concepts, and after collaborative discussions, the College of Charleston selected their favorite. With the clock ticking, we had just three weeks before our filming dates, in order to stay on track with the client's aggressive timeline.
During this fast-paced period, we refined the script to ensure it captured the essence of the College’s dynamic atmosphere. At the same time, we were coordinating with 30+ real student cast members, each selected to authentically represent the College community.
Scheduling became a puzzle as we worked with multiple departments across campus to secure locations, permissions, and availability. Every detail—down to the smallest logistic—had to be carefully managed to ensure a smooth shoot. The pressure was high, but the result was a seamless pre-production process that set the stage for a successful shoot.
Matt Coda, Director
Brittani Wagner, Lead Producer
Over the course of three action-packed days, our team covered a lot of ground—from the iconic sunrise at The Battery to the adrenaline of surfing at Folly Beach, astronomy under the stars, study breaks in The Cistern, and even welding in art class. Each scene was carefully crafted to fit our script and storyboard.
Flexibility and quick thinking are essential in our process, and our ability to adapt on the fly is one of our team's greatest strengths. This came into play when we had to scrap our engineering scene due to a malfunction with CofC's robot. But we didn’t miss a beat. Instead, we improvised by capturing a scene of engineering students flying an FPV drone (which in fact was being piloted by Director Matt Coda himself), keeping the energy high and the narrative flowing.
In the end, the combination of careful planning and adaptability allowed us to capture the full spirit of campus life in a way the The College of Charleston had never done before.
The pre-production phase of this project was all about following the story and building trust. Our team worked closely with the aquarium staff to establish a comfortable, collaborative environment, ensuring they felt confident letting us into their world. The aquarium’s work is sensitive, and we wanted to honor the care and attention given to each sea turtle while documenting their incredible journey.
Since sea turtle intakes could happen at any moment, our filming schedule remained fluid. We had to be on call, ready to capture a rescue whenever it occurred, which added an element of uncertainty to the production. From early morning phone calls to late-night preparations, we worked around the clock to be there for these pivotal moments.
Despite the unpredictable nature of the schedule, our team embraced the challenge, knowing that each unplanned moment would contribute to an authentic and powerful narrative.
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Matt Coda, Director
Filming for this project was spread across several days, ensuring we were there for the key moments as they happened. Whether it was a turtle being admitted for treatment, or the release back into the wild, we stayed flexible, adjusting our schedule to follow the story wherever it led.
Our crew is skilled at being flexible, filming with available light when necessary and blending into the background to let events unfold naturally. This approach allowed us to capture the raw emotion and authenticity of the process, all while maintaining a cinematic look that elevated the storytelling.
The most powerful moment of the shoot came when we filmed the turtles being released back into the ocean. Watching them return to the wild was an emotional and unforgettable experience—a true reminder of the impact of the aquarium’s work and the resilience of these incredible animals.
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.
Brittani Wagner, Lead Producer
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.
“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.”
Wow! You nailed it. I wasn’t sure how this project would take shape when we first pitched the idea. We only knew the Kiawah team was interested in something more nature and preservation focused, and we were open to trying something different. You delivered in a big way. You weren't kidding when you said the footage was incredible. The trifecta—sea turtle nesting, strand feeding, and shorebirds—was beyond what we envisioned. The script came together beautifully, and Jim’s narration adds the perfect touch of authenticity. The final product far exceeded our expectations. Thank you for bringing the vision to life!
Before the cameras rolled, connection came first. Earning the trust of our storytellers was the foundation of this project—we weren’t just asking them to share history; we were asking them to be vulnerable, to open up about deeply personal and emotional narratives. That meant taking the time to listen, to build relationships, and to ensure they felt seen and heard.
Once that trust was established, our team went into full creative mode—scouting historic locations, designing cinematic storyboards, and crafting thoughtful, intentional interview questions to draw out the raw emotion and depth these stories deserved.
With just one day to capture each film, every moment on set was purposeful. To keep the interviews intimate and authentic, we opted for audio-only recordings—removing the barriers of cameras and lights so that our storytellers could speak freely, without distraction. This approach allowed for deeply personal and conversational narratives, bringing raw emotion to the forefront.
Visually, we ensured the series felt cohesive and intentional by utilizing a consistent approach to natural lighting, camera movement, and framing across all locations. We embraced the environment of each location, using soft, available light whenever possible to create an organic, timeless feel.
More than just a production, this project was a privilege. We were lucky to have the opportunity to share these voices, honoring the past through powerful storytelling that will resonate for years to come.
The heart of storytelling truly comes together in post-production. With each interview rich in emotion and history, the greatest challenge was distilling hours of footage into under two minutes per film—ensuring every second carried weight and meaning.
We maintained a cohesive feel through pacing and tone, letting each story unfold with a natural rhythm that honored its history while keeping the audience engaged. Thoughtful transitions, the intentional use of ambient sound, and a unified visual style tied the series together, creating a seamless and immersive experience. Every cut was made with care, shaping a final product that was as impactful as it was cinematic.
Wow! You nailed it. I wasn’t sure how this project would take shape when we first pitched the idea. We only knew the Kiawah team was interested in something more nature and preservation focused, and we were open to trying something different. You delivered in a big way. You weren't kidding when you said the footage was incredible. The trifecta—sea turtle nesting, strand feeding, and shorebirds—was beyond what we envisioned. The script came together beautifully, and Jim’s narration adds the perfect touch of authenticity. The final product far exceeded our expectations. Thank you for bringing the vision to life!
“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.
“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.”
“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.”
In post-production, we took all the raw moments and carefully stitched them together to tell a story that felt real, raw, and impactful. Throughout the project, we sat down with Melissa Ranly a few different times, capturing new pieces of the puzzle with each conversation.
Pairing her interviews with the stunning footage of the turtles’ journey, we crafted a narrative that was both cinematic and authentic, giving viewers a personal look into the world of turtle rehabilitation. The final film is a reflection of the passion and dedication that fuels the Sea Turtle Care Center at the SC Aquarium.
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