Surfers Against
Sewage
Surfers Against Sewage Ocean School Campaign
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is an environmental charity dedicated to the protection of oceans, beaches, and marine life. Their initiatives focuses on raising awareness about plastic pollution and promoting sustainability, with a commitment to engaging communities and inspiring change. The Ocean School campaign is part of their overarching Plastic Free Schools project, aimed at educating young people about the sea and fostering a sense of responsibility toward ocean conservation.
Creative Decision Making
Art Direction & Concept
The project aimed to encapsulate the essence of Cornish coastal life through a blend of lifestyle photography and video. The goal was to create imagery that felt genuine and unpolished, championing the relaxed, adventurous spirit of southwest England. Korev wanted content that resonated with their audience, who live for the outdoors, beach culture, and a laid-back way of life.
Location selection
We chose a variety of coastal settings, focusing on beach life, campervan culture, and sunsets, along with beach fires, to bring the Cornish lifestyle to life. Each location was carefully selected to reflect different aspects of the coastal experience, providing Korev with a range of visuals that align with their brand identity.
Styling & Techniques
To provide a broad range of imagery, we varied the way we shot and edited the content by using different lens filters and lighting techniques. This allowed for distinct styles—from sun-soaked, warm-toned images to moodier, coastal evenings—giving Korev a diverse collection of photos and videos that they could use consistently across different campaigns.
Commissioned to create a summer-long project, our objective was to produce a series of six social videos and accompanying images that would showcase the impact of the Ocean School campaign. This initiative typically engages children from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with fun, educational activities centred on ocean conservation.
The goal was to craft content that would be both informational and entertaining, appealing to both children and adults. By focusing on various locations from Cornwall to Scotland, we aimed to highlight the diversity of the program while working with different charities and social groups to maximize community engagement.
To ensure the content resonated with the target audience, we emphasized an engaging narrative that would inform and inspire. The videos needed to showcase the educational activities while also highlighting the fun and adventurous aspects of the Ocean School experience.
Implementation
Pre-Production
We worked closely with Korev to develop a shot list and concept that would bring their vision to life. Location scouting ensured we captured the most iconic aspects of Cornish coastal life, while planning for different weather conditions helped ensure the diversity of content.
Shoot Execution
The shoot took place across multiple days, capturing a range of activities, including campervan living, beach fires, sunset gatherings, and the general beach lifestyle that Korev’s audience loves. We shot at different times of day, from golden hour to late evenings, allowing us to capture the changing moods of coastal life. The mix of still photography and dynamic video ensured Korev could use the content across both short-form and long-form media.
Post-Production
After the shoot, we used varied editing techniques to create distinct styles, reflecting different aspects of the coastal lifestyle. These ranged from sun-drenched, warm filters for beach days to cooler, atmospheric tones for the evening campfire shots. This approach provided Korev with an adaptable portfolio of images and videos.
Our process began with planning and scripting the voiceovers for each video, ensuring that the messaging was clear and engaging. We integrated graphics and animations to illustrate key points and enhance the educational content, making it visually appealing for younger viewers.
We travelled across multiple locations, from Cornwall to Scotland, capturing the Ocean School activities in various settings. Working alongside different charities and social groups, we filmed children engaging in hands-on activities like beach clean-ups, marine life exploration and educational workshops. This diverse footage allowed us to showcase the breadth of the Ocean School initiative and its impact on participants.
In post-production, we edited the videos to incorporate the voiceover and graphics seamlessly. The aim was to create a cohesive, polished final product that effectively conveyed the educational mission of Ocean School while maintaining a fun and engaging tone.
Results
Social Media, Print, & Advertising
The diverse range of content allowed Korev to use the photos and videos across multiple platforms, including social media, print campaigns, and both organic and paid advertising. The visuals effectively captured the laid-back, adventurous spirit of the Cornish coast, engaging their audience and reinforcing the brand’s connection to southwest coastal culture.
Engagement & Brand Growth
The campaign’s authentic, lifestyle-driven visuals resonated with Korev’s audience, driving strong engagement on social platforms. The mix of imagery styles also gave Korev flexibility, allowing them to cater to various segments of their audience, from those seeking adventure to those enjoying relaxed beach evenings.
The completed videos and images were distributed across Surfers Against Sewage's social media platforms and website, driving engagement and raising awareness for the Ocean School campaign. The content served not only as a promotional tool but also as a resource for funding applications, showcasing the positive impact of the program on communities and the environment.
The Surfers Against Sewage Ocean School campaign project successfully blended education and entertainment, creating impactful content that resonated with both children and adults. Through the use of engaging visuals and well-crafted storytelling, we highlighted the importance of ocean conservation and the positive impact of the Ocean School initiative. This project not only enhanced Surfers Against Sewage's outreach efforts but also strengthened community connections and raised awareness about protecting our oceans for future generations.