Making Waves: Behind the Scenes of TinyOcean's 'Sea of Difference' with Rise and Vigics

In a world where marketing transcends product selling to forge meaningful connections, 'Sea of Difference,' the brand film for TinyOcean, stands out. This innovative campaign, crafted in partnership with Rise, a Creative Impact Agency, and Vigics, a dynamic production company, showcases a regenerative approach to aquaculture. Rise spoke with Patrick van Haperen, associate creative director from Rise and director Océane Combeau from Vigics to get a behind-the-scenes look at this impactful project. 

Q> What drives Rise's collaboration with innovative brands like TinyOcean? 

Patrick> At Rise, we challenge the status quo by leveraging new talents and insights to address modern-day challenges. Our partnership with TinyOcean is built on a shared vision to revolutionise the aquaculture sector through sustainable, impactful strategies. They asked us to help build their brand. We co-created a strong brand foundation, translated it into a unique brand identity and, to top it all of, made the 'Sea of Difference' brand film to showcase their innovative process and the human stories behind it 

Q> Could you share a bit about Vigics and your role there? 

Océan> Vigics, short for Visual Gymnastics, embodies our playful approach to visual storytelling. We believe in creating dynamic and emotional visuals. At Vigics, I direct commercials that aim to create genuine characters and scenes that resonate with people on a deep level. My ultimate ambition is to craft compelling features that reach broad audiences. 

Q> Your background is quite diverse. How does that influence your work? 

Océane> Coming from a creative background and having worked with brands like Adidas, I understand the importance of meeting clients' needs while maintaining authenticity. My storytelling often focuses on the small, seemingly mundane moments that reveal deeper truths. This approach helps me create relatable and emotionally engaging content.

Océane> "Reaching the powerful, hidden within the mundane by keeping the focus on what feels derisory at first is what I persistently strive towards in my work." 

Q> How did the idea for 'Sea of Difference' originate? 

Patrick> We wanted to create a film that not only highlighted their innovative techniques but also told the human stories behind the company and a powerful and visual translation of the brand manifesto we made for them. 

Océane> 'TinyOcean' represents a shift in the aquaculture industry, challenging traditional methods. This rebellious spirit needed to be visually translated in the film. We used surprising elements and dynamic camera movements to capture this essence. At the same time, we wanted to convey hope and inspiration through deeply human and relatable details, focusing on the character of Michaël, the founder, and the subtle presence of future generations, symbolising those who will benefit from TinyOcean's efforts. 

Q> And it’s quite amusing to mention the name coincidence - Oceane working on TinyOcean.

Oceane> It was serendipitous! I couldn’t help but feel that it was meant to be. Bringing an ocean of creativity to TinyOcean’s story just felt right. The alignment of names added a fun, personal touch to the whole project. 

Patrick> "It was crucial for us to show the personal commitment and passion driving TinyOcean's mission." 

Q> What were some of the key challenges during the production of the film? 

Océane> We had to find the right tone to convey the hope and aspiration associated with TinyOcean's mission. It was a delicate balance, but through close collaboration and creative brainstorming, we managed to achieve it.

Q> How has the film been received by the audience and TinyOcean? 

Patrick> The response has been positive, particularly from our target audience of impact investors. The film effectively raises awareness about TinyOcean's innovative approach and resonates on a personal level. It showcases the company's commitment and vision, which has impressed impact investors significantly. This narrative approach allows us to convey TinyOcean's impact story distinct from the typical financial metrics, making it easier for investors to see the broader potential and mission of the company. As a result, I believe it helps strengthen the TinyOcean's brand foundation and reinforce their challenger position as a changemaker in the industry. 

Océane> It's been incredibly rewarding to see how the film has touched people. The emotional connection we aimed for really came through. 

Q> What are the next steps for TinyOcean, Rise, and Vigics? 

Patrick> For TinyOcean, the focus is on scaling their impact and continuing to innovate. At Rise, we are always looking for new collaborations with brands that share our vision for positive change. We have several exciting projects in the pipeline that we can't wait to share. 

Océane> At Vigics, we're constantly exploring new ways to push the boundaries of visual storytelling. I’m personally excited about upcoming projects that continue to blend dynamic visuals with deeply human stories.