THE CHALLENGE
Ideating, selling through, preparing for, capturing, and editing the keystone of DCSA's video brand identity was no small feat. With no prior foundation to build upon, the challenge was immense. At just five years old, DCSA is a young agency striving to establish brand equity and awareness among the American public and its own staff. Getting this video right was critical—this project would set the standard for all future productions. It was up to the Aptive video team to lay this video legacy on a foundation of bedrock rather than sand.
During the development process for the DCSA Agency video, the team demonstrated remarkable agility. A change in directorship midway through the concept development phase required a significant shift in direction to align with the new Director’s vision for the agency. Multiple in-person meetings, countless phone calls, and hours of internal ideation, preparation, and versioning culminated in an in-person presentation of the Agency Video concept to DCSA Director Cattler. The pitch earned a resounding thumbs-up from the Director. While the team momentarily breathed a sigh of relief, the real work was just beginning.
The next phase was an intricate dance of logistics: identifying points of contact, holding pre-production calls with industry leaders to define the scope and approach for each shoot, and navigating the complexities of gaining approval to film and photograph in highly secure federal locations. These locations are protected by an entire organization dedicated to safeguarding America’s most vital secrets, making every step of this process a Herculean effort.
But that wasn’t the end of the challenge.
To meet DCSA’s deadline for celebrating their 5th anniversary, the post-production timeline was compressed from the standard eight weeks to just four. Once the shoot wrapped, it was a sprint to deliver the final edited piece on time. Despite the condensed timeline, the video team not only met the deadline but delivered a product that exceeded expectations. Juli, Chief of the Office of Communications and Congressional Affairs at DCSA, shared how impressed the Director, the front office, and the entire OCCA staff were with the finished video.
Just as video laid the foundation for DCSA’s brand identity, photography played a crucial role in visually
defining the agency’s story. From the earliest ideation phases to the final edits, the Aptive team ensured still imagery complemented and enhanced the video’s impact. Every frame was carefully planned, capturing
powerful moments that reinforced DCSA’s mission and culture. The challenges of securing access to highly protected locations applied equally to photography, requiring meticulous coordination and approvals.
Yet, despite these hurdles, the team delivered a compelling suite of images that now serve as a cornerstone of DCSA’s visual identity
defining the agency’s story. From the earliest ideation phases to the final edits, the Aptive team ensured still imagery complemented and enhanced the video’s impact. Every frame was carefully planned, capturing
powerful moments that reinforced DCSA’s mission and culture. The challenges of securing access to highly protected locations applied equally to photography, requiring meticulous coordination and approvals.
Yet, despite these hurdles, the team delivered a compelling suite of images that now serve as a cornerstone of DCSA’s visual identity
