1986 Studios, the in-house production engine of acclaimed creative agency Highdive, is leveling up its capabilities in a major way. With the addition of three heavyweight hires in editorial and visual effects, the studio is signaling a bold commitment to delivering world-class, end-to-end production at scale.
The new hires—Randy McEntee (VFX Supervisor), Mike Trivisonno (Executive Producer of Post Production), and Carlos Lowenstein (Creative Director, Editorial)—bring decades of elite experience to the growing shop and will report directly to Managing Director Larissa Berringer, who joined last year to streamline operations and elevate production standards across the board.
“At Highdive, we set an exceptionally high bar for creative excellence, and 1986 Studios must uphold that standard in everything we do,” said Jen Passaniti, President of 1986 Studios. “Bringing in talent like Randy, Mike, and Carlos is a crucial step in ensuring our production expertise matches our creative ambition. Their deep experience enables us to anticipate and solve challenges earlier in the process, ensuring seamless execution across every stage.”
Meet the New Talent Driving the Next Era of 1986 Studios
Randy McEntee, VFX Supervisor
A 20-year veteran of the visual effects industry, McEntee has worked with world-renowned studios including The Mill, Framestore, and MPC, on campaigns for brands like Apple and Nike. His on-set supervision skills and high-end VFX craftsmanship will allow 1986 Studios to bring more sophisticated visual effects in-house—bridging production and post with precision.
Mike Trivisonno, Executive Producer of Post Production
With experience spanning live-action, animation, and VFX, Trivisonno joins from recent stints at Goodbit/Indigo Studios, The Mill, and Quriosity Productions. Known for managing complex post workflows and high-profile campaigns, he adds operational leadership that ensures 1986 delivers premium output with efficiency and creative fidelity.
Carlos Lowenstein, Creative Director, Editorial
An award-winning editor specializing in comedy and dialogue-driven storytelling, Lowenstein spent 18 years at Whitehouse Post cutting iconic work for Skittles, Xfinity, and BP. He has collaborated with some of the industry’s most influential directors, including Harold Einstein and Stacy Wall, and brings a nuanced sense of timing and performance that elevates 1986’s editorial voice.
“Highdive is the most exciting thing that has happened in Chicago advertising in a while,” said Lowenstein. “Being invited to help build an editorial department that can stand with that caliber of creative talent is an incredibly exciting challenge.”
Built to Match Creative Ambition with Production Power
Founded in 2020, 1986 Studios was created to reimagine modern content production—investing in top-tier talent, adopting a flexible production model, and embracing technology to bring ideas to life faster and smarter. The studio has partnered with Highdive on everything from award-winning Super Bowl commercials to rapid-fire social content.
Recent highlights include:
- The State Farm x Severance campaign directed by Ben Stiller
- Multiple Jersey Mike’s campaigns starring Danny DeVito
- Bold, integrated campaigns for KFC and other major national brands
“Having 1986 as an in-house production partner is a superpower for Highdive,” said Chad Broude, Co-Founder of Highdive. “The seamless connection allows for deeper collaboration earlier in the process, making the work sharper, the production smoother, and the results that much better.”
With this strategic expansion, 1986 Studios is poised to be more than just a production arm—it’s shaping up to be one of the industry’s premier creative production powerhouses.
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