Andoni & Arantxa   Milan

Welcome to the latest issue of Showcase Italy, brought to you by Production Paradise. We highlight the very best of the Italian visual media industry and, as usual, more information can be found in our dedicated Photo and Film directories for Milan, Rome and other important production cities around Italy.

Be sure to check out our featured events:

• Milan Men's Fashion Week, 22nd - 25th June
• World Press Photo, in Galleria Carla Sozzani, until 2nd June
• Andy Warhol's Stardust, at Museo Del Novecento, until 8th September
• Taormina Film Fest, 15th - 22nd June, Italy's oldest film festival

Our cover image was shot by Andoni & Arantxa for Horse Magazine.

Allucinazione   Rome commercials production

Allucinazione is where photography, commercials and studio shoots happen in central Rome. The company provides complete production services, including equipment rental, assistants and digitec, location scouting and casting services for clients from Italy or abroad. Allucinazione is an international all English and Italian speaking staff.

THE BIGMAMA   Milan commercials production

"Welcome to BigMama's multimedia kitchen! We are a production company and creative lab that takes inspiration from the culinary world, believing that creating excellent multimedia material is just like preparing a great meal: you need the best ingredients, aptly put together by a good chef.

"Thanks to our worldwide 'cooking' experience, we can satisfy any multimedia appetite without presenting the client with a hefty bill, while always baking top-of-the-range audiovisual material, the product of our extensive knowledge of new technology and production techniques. We also represent some and coming directors, our “special ingredients”.

Our kitchen is in Milan but we can 'cook' anywhere. Enough with the talking - have a seat and take a look at our menu!"

Stefano Cattelan   Milan advertising photographers

Stefano Cattelan's powerful photography demonstrates great attention to detail. Applying his personal experience, knowledge and skills he creates intense images, and his ability to think conceptually and offer visual solutions is an asset for every client.

Based in Turin, Stefano is involved in every step of the photo production process, from concept to casting through to digital post production. His award-winning work has included images of the Official Programme Opening Ceremony of the XX Olympic Winter Games in Turin in 2006, which received the ‘Best Events Award’ won by K-Events and Filmaster Group. He also shot images of the Official Programme Opening Ceremony of the European Taekwondo Championship in Rome in 2008.

His work has been published in newspapers and magazines including The New York Times, Style Montecarlo, Elle, Marie Claire, JM, Men's Health and Sportweek. He has also contributed to a number of charitable causes, including the LILA Night for Aids in Montecarlo and the TV and press campaign for S.O.S. Italia.

Clients include Red Bull, Lotus Cars, Barilla, Arena, Boombogie, Asics, Dainese, Reebok, Fila, Le Coq Sportive, Mares, Biesse, Ferrero, Alfredo Pria, Love & Pride Jewellery, Nikon, Liberti, Maison de la France, Corsica Tourism Office, and many others.

Silvia Gerzeli   Florence hair and make up artists

Silvia Gerzeli is a freelance make-up artist and hair stylist. Based in Florence, she works throughout Italy for commercial and editorial photography jobs and also contributes to music and fashion videos.

Silvia has taught at the MKC Beauty Academy in Rome for a number of years and collaborates with CreaFx to create special effects. Every summer she takes part in the World Body Painting Festival in Austria to improve her bodypainting skills.

Extremely careful and precise, Silvia absolutely loves her job and has a passion for all the different facets and genres it involves.

SARDINIA PRODUCTION SERVICE   Olbia, Sardinia location service and scouts

Sardinia Production Service is based in northern Sardinia from where it provides a full range of solutions for companies looking to shoot on the island, including location scouting, casting and permits.

The company is made up of a team of experienced and professional locals whose depth of knowledge and direct contact with authorities guarantees rapid permits and overall production success.

Working in both the north and south, Sardinia Production Service can offer unique, exclusive locations including modern villas, amazing landscapes, old mining areas, hidden roads, dunes, beaches, and lots more.

Recent work includes advertising campaigns for Audi, Twin Set and The Discovery Channel, among others.

Exit   Milan camera/ accessories photography

Based in Milan since 1983, Exit is a leading equipment rental company providing complete support for professional photographers and their productions in Italy and abroad.

Exit carries well maintained gear covering all major brands, such as Profoto, Broncolor, Arri, Kino, Briese, Phase One, Hasselblad, Canon, Nikon, Apple and Eizo. The company can supply complete production services such as vans, power generators, special effects, location heaters, easy up, magliner, folding tables, director's chairs, digital techs and experienced photo assistants.

Recent acquisitions include Briese Focus 180 adapted to work with Profoto, Kino Celeb Led 200 Kit, Phase One IQ 180 for Phase One Camera 645 DF with Schneider lenses, Phase One IQ 160 for Hasselblad H4X, Canon 1DX and 5D Mark III, Nikon D4 and D800E and Smart Slider Pro 1300.

Visit the website for a complete equipment list or send an email asking for a quote. Exit speaks Italian, French and English.

Tor des Géants - SIMEphoto   Milan photo library stock

A photographic story by Stefano Torrione: A race run along the two Alte Vie routes in Valle d’Aosta, embracing the whole region, at the foot of the giants of the Alps: Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Gran Paradiso and the Matterhorn. "This is a route OF giants and FOR giants," Stefano points out, because anyone intending to embark upon an enterprise such as this requires more than just training: this is an adventure that takes great inner strength and staying power. Hence the name, Tor des Géants: neither French nor Italian, but patois, symbolising the strong local identity of this project, which the Region welcomed with open arms.

Tor des Géants in figures: 330 kilometers; positive altitude difference of 24,000 meters; 79 hours the fastest man and 91 hours the fastest woman.

Photos, project and graphic design by SIMEphoto. Contact the agency for more details.

PH CREW   Venice photo agents

"Imagine working side-by-side with a team of image professionals capable of offering state-of-the-art communication. Imagine being able to positively devise a synergy that fits your budget, your requirements and your expectations with the flexibility of a project shaped to your every need."

The PH Crew team specialises in the Venice area, offering services including location scouting, shooting permits, model casting, art direction, styling, hair and make-up styling, translation, transport, rental assistance, catering and hotel booking.

With headquarters in Padua, the company has also opened a new office in Hong Kong offering a reference and a bridge to the Asian market.

1806 & Livello6 Creative Representation   Milan photo agents

1806 and Livello6 are the two units of a representation agency operating in the advertising industry, born from a group of professionals with over 20 years of experience in the field. The agency manages the finest talents in the areas of photography, retouching, post production and 3D-CGI.

1806 is the first agency in the world to manage digital artists specialised in 3D-CGI. The roster includes leading artists Illusion Studio, Carioca Studio, Salamagica, Serial Cut, Artout Lab and Alessandro Bavari.

Livello6 manages photographers specialised in advertising, food, still life and lifestyle photography, including Jason Hindley, Tony D’Orio, Gary Salter, Andrea Melcangi, Paolo Cecchin, Giacomo Biagi, Luisa Valieri, Stefan Kirchner and Cora Buttenbender.