Ohio Proud. We Are Cultivators First.

Kogent Studios | Brand Film | Corporate Video | Cleveland, Ohio

Project Snapshot

Client: Buckeye Relief
Location: Eastlake, Ohio
Project Type: Brand Film + Social Content Package
Project Value: $10,000
Timeline: April 2025 – October 2025
Deliverables: 2-minute brand film + 10 dispensary/social clips
Distribution: In-store dispensary displays, website, social media
Client Since: 2021

The Relationship

Kogent Studios and Buckeye Relief go back to 2021 — when Buckeye Relief was opening Amplify Dispensary in Coventry Village, their very first location. It was one of the first video projects Michael Kent ever shot professionally, and Buckeye Relief trusted him to capture that milestone. That early collaboration planted the seeds of a working relationship built on mutual respect and a shared belief in doing things the right way.

From those early days of medical marijuana legalization in Ohio, Kogent has followed Buckeye Relief's growth at every stage. Now, as Ohio transitions to recreational cannabis and Buckeye Relief repositions their brand for a broader audience, it was a natural fit to bring Kogent back in to help tell that next chapter.

The Challenge

Buckeye Relief was born as a medical cannabis brand. Their founder's personal story — finding real relief through cannabis during medical treatment — shaped a brand that was intentionally clinical, trustworthy, and serious. That positioning was a strategic asset in the early days of legalization, helping establish Buckeye Relief as one of Ohio's most credible operators.

But the market shifted. Recreational legalization changed who was walking through dispensary doors. The brand needed to evolve — more fun, more approachable, more celebratory of Ohio identity — while holding on to the craft and quality that made them who they are.

There was also a content problem. Ohio's strict cannabis advertising regulations had historically limited Buckeye Relief's ability to promote externally. Most of their visual content had been shot in-house, inconsistently, and without professional production value. As they modernized their brand across their website, displays, and marketing materials, they needed video that finally matched the quality of their product.

They had never done professional video production before. This project was their first.

The Creative Approach

The goal wasn't to make a cannabis commercial. It was to tell the true story of who Buckeye Relief is — a team of people who genuinely love what they do, who care deeply about craft and community, and who happen to grow exceptional cannabis.

Michael Kent brought a distinct creative philosophy to this project: shoot the whole process, in order, with real people. That meant going back to the Eastlake facility again and again — across different days, different strains, different stages of cultivation — to capture the full lifecycle from seed to shelf. At least six shoots, plus a dedicated drone shoot, over the course of an entire summer.

The facility required full protective gear for every visit to maintain health and safety compliance. Production was coordinated carefully around the natural rotation of grow cycles, meaning the schedule had to flex around the plants — not the other way around. Buckeye Relief was an exceptional partner throughout, giving ample advance notice and making sure access was seamless every time.

The film covers the entire process:

The growing process — clean, sustainable practices in a high-tech facility
Daily individual care for each plant and strain
Whole-plant hang dry, hand trim, and 30-day minimum cure
Processing and manufacturing across a full product range — flower, cartridges, gummies, oils, chocolates, and more
Packaging and distribution — serving Northeast Ohio, Lake County, Greater Cleveland, and into Central Ohio
The culture — the real people who make it all happen, the relationships they've built, and the energy that runs through the whole operation

Michael's long-standing relationship with the Buckeye Relief team was a creative asset on set. Having prior access to the facility, familiarity with their process, and a history with the founder meant he could move quickly, build trust with on-camera subjects, and focus on capturing authentic moments rather than managing logistics.

Deliverables

Brand Film — 2-minute hero film for website and in-store display
10 Social Clips — 15–60 second cuts themed by product, people, and process
Educational Content — Cannabis 101 informational video for customer education
Raw Footage — Full color-corrected footage archive delivered to client
Resolution — 4K throughout
Production — Drone coverage, custom motion graphics, professional color grade, licensed music and sound design
Compliance — All content produced to dual-compliance standard and state-approved

Following delivery, all content went through a formal Ohio state approval process. Every piece came back approved.

Production Notes

This project presented unique logistical challenges that shaped the entire production approach. Cannabis cultivation happens on a living schedule — different strains, different growth stages, different facility conditions on different days. A single shoot day would have captured only a fraction of the story.

Instead, Kogent structured the project as a rolling multi-shoot production across six-plus visits over the summer, allowing the film to authentically represent the full cultivation lifecycle. This required significant coordination, flexibility, and a client who was genuinely committed to the process. Buckeye Relief delivered on that front at every step.

The regulatory environment also demanded a thoughtful dual-compliance approach — creating content that met current Ohio medical cannabis advertising standards while being positioned for the evolving recreational landscape. Every creative decision was made with compliance in mind from the start, which contributed to a clean approval process at the end.

In Their Words

"Working with Buckeye Relief has been one of the most rewarding ongoing relationships in Kogent's story. Getting to grow alongside them, from their very first dispensary opening in 2021 to this full brand film, is exactly the kind of work this studio was built for. They are the real deal: great people, exceptional product, and a genuine commitment to their craft and their community. I couldn't be prouder of what we made together." — Michael Kent, Founder, Kogent Studios

Ready to Tell Your Brand's Story?

If you're a manufacturer or company with a culture worth showing the world — let's talk.

Book a Discovery Call | KogentStudios.com | info@kogentstudios.com

Case Study | Brand Film: Buckeye Relief’s Rebrand for the Recreational Era