Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Denys Shapoval. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Denys thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

From Local Sailing School to Global E-Learning Brand: How One Creative Visionary Helped Chart a New Course
When Check in Sea, a boutique sailing school based in Ukraine, set out to expand its presence internationally, they knew they needed more than just good instructors and beautiful yachts. They needed a brand that inspired trust, emotion, and a sense of adventure. That’s where Denys Shapoval came in.

From 2019 to 2022, Denys served as Director of Content, but his impact reached far beyond the title. Through a mix of creative storytelling, strategic digital development, and an uncompromising vision for quality, he helped transform Check in Sea from a regional sailing school into a globally recognized leader in maritime education—with active markets in the U.S., Europe, and beyond.

Storytelling That Sells the Experience, Not Just the Service
Instead of just producing “how-to” sailing tutorials, Denys reimagined the way nautical training could be presented. He developed immersive, emotionally engaging video content that combined adventure, lifestyle, and education in one package. Picture cinematic drone footage over the Balearic Islands, POV 360 sailing journeys off the coast of Spain, and real-life testimonials captured mid-voyage.

Over three years, Denys created over 10 terabytes of original video material, including full-length course series, short-form promotional content, and behind-the-scenes brand films. These videos didn’t just teach—they inspired.

Virtual Reality, Global Access
Denys pushed the company to go further by pioneering VR and 360° video integration, allowing students from any part of the world to virtually step onto a yacht and experience hands-on learning. He also developed interactive online courses, blending rich visuals with intuitive UX design—making sailing more accessible than ever before.

During the pandemic, this became a game-changer. While other sailing schools paused, Check in Sea scaled—thanks to its remote-first infrastructure and engaging content library.

Building a Brand That Connects Emotionally
Beyond the camera, Denys shaped the brand identity from the inside out. He appeared as the face of the company in dozens of videos, helped design branded uniforms and manuals, and built a recognizable style that extended across social media, online platforms, and printed materials.

What made the difference? Authenticity.

“The mission wasn’t just to show people how to sail,” Denys explains. “It was to make them want to sail—to feel the wind, the freedom, the possibility. That’s what drives real engagement.”

Measurable Growth, Long-Term Impact
By the end of Denys’s tenure, Check in Sea had evolved from a regional training outfit into a tech-enabled, lifestyle-driven sailing brand with international reach. Student enrollment rose significantly. Global visibility on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn increased exponentially. And the company earned its place as one of the most modern and innovative ISSA-certified schools in the world.

Today, the content Denys built continues to serve as the cornerstone of Check in Sea’s brand identity—and a model for how creative strategy can drive meaningful business transformation.

Denys, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Denys Shapoval, a filmmaker, content director, and founder of DEN8VISION, a creative production company based in Los Angeles. Originally from Ukraine, I’ve spent over 12 years in visual storytelling-starting with grassroots documentary work and eventually leading high-profile commercial campaigns across the U.S. and Europe.

My journey into filmmaking was driven by emotion and curiosity. I was never just interested in “cool visuals”- I wanted to capture what people feel, what drives them, and what connects us. That instinct led me from passion projects to working with some of the biggest names in music, tech, and lifestyle.

Today, my work spans branded content, music videos, product campaigns, short documentaries, luxury event coverage, and commercial storytelling. Some of the clients and collaborators I’ve had the privilege to work with include:

Akon (on his U.S. tour)

Rich the Kid

TikTok Shop

Spago Beverly Hills and CUT by Wolfgang Puck

Check in Sea Yachting Company

A number of international startups, fashion brands, and global content platforms

Through DEN8VISION, I help clients not just “make a video”- but tell stories that create identity, evoke emotion, and actually move audiences. My team and I work from concept to execution: creative development, scripting, production, and post.

The biggest problem I help clients solve is the disconnect between their brand and their audience. So many businesses have a great product or mission but can’t quite communicate it visually. My job is to translate that vision into powerful visual content that feels premium, human, and unforgettable.

What sets me apart?

Cinematic storytelling rooted in real emotion- always polished, never soulless

Experience across cultures and markets- blending global aesthetics with local insight

Creative partnership mindset- I don’t just “shoot” your idea, I help evolve and amplify it

One of my proudest achievements was leading the full content transformation for Check in Sea, helping them grow from a small sailing school into an international e-learning brand using immersive video and storytelling.

But whether I’m filming a Grammy-nominated artist, a Michelin-starred restaurant, or a first-time founder- I treat each story with intention and care.

If you’re building a brand, launching a product, or trying to stand out in an overwhelming digital space, I’m here to help you create content that actually resonates and builds trust.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think the biggest thing that helped me build my reputation is a combination of showing up online with intention and delivering results that speak for themselves.

In today’s world, you can’t just be good at what you do- people need to see it. That’s why I treat my personal brand with the same level of care I give my client work. I use social media not to chase trends, but to communicate my values, process, and aesthetic. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes from a shoot, a finished product, or a story about a client win- I make sure what I post is honest and intentional. That consistency helped me attract collaborators and clients who align with my vision.

But at the end of the day, content alone isn’t enough. What truly built trust in my market is the work itself- the quality, the creativity, and the reliability. I always aim to overdeliver. I treat every project, big or small, with the same level of focus and care. That’s how you get real referrals- when people are not just satisfied, but impressed.

A strong personal brand gets you noticed, but high-quality results build your reputation. I believe the two have to go hand in hand.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

As you grow in your career or business, there comes a point where you simply can’t do everything yourself and that’s a good thing. Learning to delegate and build a team is essential if you want to scale your vision.

In the beginning, it can be challenging. Letting go of full creative control or trusting others to maintain your standards takes time. But once you find the right people and learn how to communicate your expectations clearly, the entire system starts to run smoothly and the results become much greater than what you could ever achieve alone.

My advice:

Lead by example if you’re calm, focused, and professional, the team follows that energy.

Involve your crew early when people feel ownership in the creative process, morale goes way up.

Give credit- recognizing each person’s contribution builds loyalty and trust.

Balance structure and freedom creatives need direction, but also room to bring their own magic.

Ultimately, people do their best work when they feel respected, inspired, and part of something meaningful. Managing a team isn’t just about oversight- it’s about building a culture where everyone feels like the work matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://den8vision.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisshapoval/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shapovaldenn
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denis-shapoval-51a14b195/

Image Credits

https://www.instagram.com/denisshapoval/