Direct 2 Brain
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 1996
- Employees
- 1-10
- Offices
- 2
About Direct 2 Brain
Direct 2 Brain is an Italian visual effects, animation and digital post-production studio serving feature films, television, advertising and music videos. Its founding roots date to 1996, with studio documentation describing visual effects operations beginning in 1997. Based in Lazio, the company combines creative development, computer-generated imagery and finishing across its Rome and Latina facilities.
The studio works across the production lifecycle, from concept design and storyboarding through previsualization, on-set supervision and final delivery. Its pre-production work includes artistic and technical consulting, previs and layout. On set, its services encompass visual effects supervision, set measurement and camera-tracking data capture, connecting production photography with subsequent digital work.
Visual effects and finishing
Direct 2 Brain’s capabilities include character design, modelling, rigging, creature effects and 2D and 3D animation. Its simulation work covers fluids, particles, destruction and rigid-body dynamics. Environment reconstruction, digital matte painting, set extensions and green-screen integration support projects requiring digitally created or extended settings.
Post-production services include compositing, editorial conforming, color grading and high-resolution mastering. This combination allows the studio to contribute individual effects sequences as well as broader digital post-production work, depending on the production’s requirements.
Its reported film credits include Ben-Hur, Neverlake, In fondo al bosco, Fairytale / The Haunting of Helena, Cruel Peter and Daitona. Its music-video work spans artists including Tiromancino, Jovanotti, Subsonica, Planet Funk, Mina and Fedez. Commercial projects include campaigns for Coca-Cola, Ferrari, Bulgari, Fiat and Vodafone.
Immersive and architectural work
Alongside screen-based effects, Direct 2 Brain develops immersive experiences, stereoscopic virtual reality and architectural projection mapping. Its work on Revenge Room included visual effects and narrative mapping on Turin’s Mole Antonelliana. Other reported projects include immersive cruise-ship configurators for MSC Cruises and interactive attraction visuals for Cinecittà World. These projects extend its animation and digital production capabilities into cultural settings, branded experiences and location-based entertainment.
More about Direct 2 Brain
Founders and principals
- The studio was established under the artistic direction of founder Ascanio Malgarini, a director and visual effects supervisor.
- Producer Manuela Cacciamani joined as a partner in 2006. Her appointment as CEO of Cinecittà in 2024 is a separate role; the report does not identify her as Direct 2 Brain’s CEO.
Production infrastructure and operating model
- The reported finishing pipeline uses Assimilate Scratch and Adobe workflows, supporting 2K, 4K and 5K delivery and camera material from ARRI Alexa, RED and Phantom systems.
- Production scales through a multidisciplinary network shared with One More Pictures, bringing together artists, software developers and production managers. This collaborative network is distinct from the studio’s permanent internal team.
- The company is affiliated with ANICA’s Digital Publishers and Creators Union.
Recognition and collaboration
- The report attributes two Clio Awards in 2019 to Direct 2 Brain, alongside Promax and Animago recognition. It does not specify the categories or projects for the Clio awards.
- Its collaboration with One More Pictures connects digital effects and post-production with live-action production. Rai Cinema is also identified as a partner in immersive and transmedia work.
Notable credits
25 creditsOffices
Where Direct 2 Brain is based
- Rome, Lazio, Italy
Rome offices
HeadquartersAbout this office
**Office** Status: active Headquarters Address: Via Fulcieri Paulucci de Calboli, 1, 00195 Roma RM, Italy Phone: +39 06 94443017 Overall headquarters and principal VFX and post-production facility, with editorial suites, render infrastructure and a color-grading theater. --- **Office** Status: inactive / historical Address: Cinecittà Studios – Building 59, Via Tuscolana, 1055, 00173 Rome, Italy Phone: +39 06 722 936 09 Former Rome studio premises before relocation to Via Fulcieri Paulucci de Calboli.
- Via Pontinia, 19, 04100 Latina LT, ItalyLatina, Lazio, Italy
Latina office
Technical production branch handling 3D modelling, asset creation and software development in coordination with Rome.
Open roles
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