Kaiser Permanente
Above the Waves

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The Challenge

As the Total Health Partner of the NBA, Kaiser Permanente is committed to showing the league, players and fans the connection between maintaining their mental and physical health. When Klay Thompson tore his ACL at the height of the 2019 Finals, we saw an opportunity to turn Klay’s comeback into a relatable and inspiring story of resilience.

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We wanted to show fans the complete dedication it takes to come back stronger from an injury of this magnitude. Translation worked with Kaiser Permanente and the NBA to create a documentary short that focused on the highs and the lows on the road to recovery for one of the league’s most enigmatic personalities.

The Work

Working with acclaimed director of Zion, Floyd Russ, and creative production partner Tool of North America, we told the story of Klay’s road to the NBA through interviews, archival footage, and reenactments, before showing footage of his injury and rehab with Kaiser Permanente doctors. But Klay’s brutal honesty about the psychological hurdles, and grappling with mortality and legacy, provide an unprecedented look at an NBA superstar of his caliber. Combining other themes from Klay’s life – water, family, chess – with a rich soundscape and bespoke music helped weave together a short documentary that left rapt NBA fans wanting more.

The Impact

With the NBA season on hold amidst a turbulent year, audiences were drawn to Above the Waves as it filled a void in NBA content while encouraging fans to stay strong during challenging times.