Introduction

Pitch Dev Studios, led by renowned concept artist and creative director David Levy, is no stranger to the demands of high-profile entertainment. With decades of combined experience across the film and gaming industries—including projects like Tron: Legacy and Finch—the team set out to chart new territory: building their own original IP, “Moon Kontrol,” a sarcastic sci-fi animated series. The catch? Their entire production process would be remote, global, and powered by Magma.

This case study explores how Pitch Dev Studios used Magma to transform their workflow, unlock seamless creative collaboration, and bring their unique vision to life.

The Challenge: Building a World, Remotely

Creating “Moon Kontrol” posed a distinct set of challenges:

• Distributed Team: Team members were spread across Israel, France, Italy, the US, and beyond, working in different time zones and disciplines.

• Need for Real-Time Feedback: As with any original IP, rapid iteration and tight creative feedback loops were critical.

• Complex Asset Management: From concept sketches to 3D models, characters to vehicles, the project required keeping a vast array of evolving assets organized and accessible.

• Fostering Creative Flow: Artists needed to focus on creation—not juggling a patchwork of tools and convoluted communications.

As David Levy notes, “We have artists living in different parts of the world working under the same umbrella thanks to Magma. Before, we’d send screenshots or renders via Slack or email, annotate, and send them back—a slow, fragmented process that stifled momentum and creativity.”

The Solution: Magma as the Living, Breathing Canvas

Seamless Real-Time Collaboration

By setting up a shared digital Magma “Artspace” for the project, Pitch Dev Studios united their distributed “All-Star team” on a single collaborative canvas. Artists could work, give feedback, and iterate—together and asynchronously—no matter where they were.

• Live Comments & Paintovers: Art directors could drop feedback directly on the canvas, enabling clear, actionable direction—whether the team was awake or asleep.

• Instant Revisions: Artists like Marcelo Villabona (environment) and Antonio De Luca (character design) could immediately respond, revise, and push the work forward overnight.

• Project Management Built-In: Magma’s centralized workspace, version control, and role-based access replaced the need for external project management and file sharing tools.

Creative Tools Designed for Artists

Magma wasn’t just a communication platform; it empowered Pitch Dev’s artists to work how they wanted:

• Custom Shape Brushes: Inspired by techniques from legends like Sparth, artists quickly blocked out compositions, environments, and reflective lunar surfaces.

• Direct PDF & Photoshop Import: Scripts, references, and 3D base renders were all imported straight into the canvas, ready for markup or paintover.

• Voice & Video Calls: Integrated chat and calls kept meetings, brainstorming, and critiques in the same creative space.

As David Levy puts it: “We don’t want to go through pages of communication just to say, ‘Please add another spaceship.’ With Magma, it’s obvious and direct. It removes friction and lets us focus on the art.”

A Workflow Built for Remote Creativity

The “Moon Kontrol” process became a case study in remote, iterative collaboration:

1. Blue Sky Ideation: Artists used custom brushes and shapes to quickly experiment with lunar environments, compositions, and architectural forms—establishing visual depth and mood.

2. Asset Handoff & Iteration: Rough sketches became 3D models, which were then painted over in Magma to refine design and context. Feedback was layered directly onto the assets.

3. 24/7 Global Workflow: Artists in different time zones contributed in their “day,” then handed off with notes for others to pick up—enabling constant project momentum.

4. Character & Vehicle Design: Silhouettes and 3D base sculpts were iteratively refined. Even superstar designer Scott Robertson joined the Magma canvas, providing rapid vehicle design overpaints.

“The ability to browse through all project assets, comment, and even call collaborators—all without ever leaving the creative canvas—is a total game-changer. Magma feels like it was truly built for artists, by artists.”

— David Levy, CEO & Art Director

Outcomes & Impact

• Accelerated Creative Process: The team could iterate, review, and revise in real-time or asynchronously, eliminating bottlenecks.

• Creative Freedom: Custom tools and seamless workflows let artists focus on ideas and artistry—not process overhead.

• Unified Remote Team: Pitch Dev Studios operated like a true studio, not a collection of freelancers—despite being continents apart.

• Direct Influence on Magma: Feedback from Pitch Dev led directly to new Magma features—such as enhanced custom shape support—proving the value of collaboration between artists and toolmakers.

Reflections: The Future of Remote Creative Work

For David Levy, Magma isn’t just a tool—it’s the foundation of a new way to create.

“We are living in a generation where, if we don’t destroy each other, we can make some truly cool, better stuff. Magma lets us connect, create, and grow as artists—no matter where we are.”

As “Moon Kontrol” heads into production (with Unreal Engine), Pitch Dev Studios stands as proof that global creative teams can do their best work—together, in Magma.

Key Magma Features Used

• Real-time collaboration with up to 50 users per canvas

• Layer-based commenting and version control

• PDF, Photoshop, and 3D screenshot import

• Custom brushes and shapes

• Integrated chat and calls

• Secure, centralized asset repository

Conclusion

Pitch Dev Studios’ journey with “Moon Kontrol” is a testament to the power of collaborative digital canvases. By embracing Magma, they didn’t just adapt to remote work—they elevated it, transforming creative challenges into opportunities for innovation and artistry.