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
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.
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.
“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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“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.”
“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.”
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.
“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.
“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 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.
“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.”
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.
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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