The 3D film Cold Blood: a frosty world enhanced by a striking aesthetic

A reinterpretation of Victorian London with a bewitching atmosphere

In an icy setting where the snow falls relentlessly, Cold Blood plunges the spectator into a city inspired by Victorian London. In the heart of this dark and pitiless metropolis, Oliver, a young boy left to fend for himself, struggles against poverty and the cold. Just as he finally sees a way out, he finds himself caught up in the mysteries that haunt the city… but his path to survival could well confront him with new dangers.

Imagining this setting was not just about visually recreating an era, but about designing an autonomous universe with its own laws. For the team of students, the challenge was to invent a world where every detail made sense: how do the inhabitants adapt to an eternal winter? What routines emerge in such an unforgiving climate? These reflections guided the entire creative process, giving rise to an immersive and coherent environment.

Diving into a world governed by its own laws

Bringing this universe to life was not just a matter of creating a simple setting, but of imagining a world governed by its own logic. One of the most captivating challenges of the project was to establish the rules that shape the city of Cold Blood and influence the way its inhabitants adapt and interact. The team therefore thought carefully about the smallest details of this frozen territory: how do the citizens survive? What are their habits in such a ruthless climate?

This in-depth approach has infused Oliver’s story with a striking realism, amplifying its emotional impact. Each alley, building and object has been designed not only to enrich the narrative, but also to give the story real depth.

A pictorial aesthetic between ambition and technicality

More than just a construction of a universe, this 3D animated film stood out for its bold artistic direction. The team opted for a visual rendering inspired by painting, a demanding aesthetic choice that required particular care in the treatment of textures, the management of lighting and the work of compositing.

One of the major challenges was to reconcile this pictorial effect with optimal scene legibility. How can an aesthetic close to painting be maintained without compromising the clarity of the action and the intensity of the characters’ emotions? Through constant experimentation and adjustments, each shot was refined with precision to achieve a perfect balance between narration and artistic expression.

Through experimentation and tireless artistic commitment, the students brought their vision to life. The result? A film in which each shot evokes a painting in motion, captivating the viewer with the richness of its visual aesthetics.

A project accomplished by a passionate team

Thanks to the commitment and talent of the entire team of students who developed this wonderful project, Cold Blood is a real success. Elisa Belmonte, Léna Boëdec, Grégoire Casella, Estelle Do Huu Tin, Capucine Fortunier, Mariachiara Palumbo, Iris Rozsnyo and Axel Vachetta have met every challenge with brio, giving rise to a world that is as captivating as it is ambitious.

With this film, these ESMA students have not only distinguished themselves through their artistic and technical mastery: they have also succeeded in constructing an immersive and striking narrative, proving their ability to bring exceptional stories to life.

Watch the film Cold Blood on our YouTube channel :