Arcane 2: Our alumni’s contribution to the success of Netflix’s cult series
News . 19 Dec. 2024
The Franco-American animated series based on the League of Legends universe is continuing its global ascent, captivating viewers in every corner of the globe. Several ESMA alumni have contributed their expertise to this ambitious production, breathing life and depth into this fascinating universe. Antoine Tomasi and Sacha Duru, two talents who trained at our school, share their stories and their immersion in the prestigious Fortiche studio.
Arcane: an extraordinary work of animation
Launched in 2021, Arcane made its mark right from its first season, revolutionising animation with its artistic and narrative ambition. Drawn from the world of the famous League of Legends game, the series plunges into a fresco where political intrigue and personal drama intertwine, tracing the journey of Vi and Jinx, two sisters torn apart by opposing destinies.
Acclaimed for its stunning aesthetics and mature writing, Arcane tackles universal themes of sisterhood, betrayal and power, while redefining the traditional codes of the genre. Winner of several awards, including the Emmy Award for Best Animated Series, it has become a benchmark.
With season 2 eagerly awaited, the series promises to continue its legacy while exploring new visual and narrative heights.
A monumental project marked by ESMA
Bringing together more than 500 talents from all over the world, Arcane is a feat of international stature. A number of ESMA graduates, who now work for the prestigious Fortiche studio, played a crucial role in the creation of this revolutionary series. Experts in animation, layout and compositing, these former students put their expertise to work at every stage of production.
Antoine Tomasi, a 3D animator who graduated from ESMA and is a member of the Fortiche team in Montpellier, explains:
“Arcane is what you might call an “alien” in the industry.A budget like this for an animated series is quite rare.It testifies to the enormous ambition of its creators and encourages a job well done.Working in a studio that maintains such high standards, and following in the footsteps of so many wonderful artists, is a gift.Add to that a fast-paced script with such complex plot development, and you understand the alien that is Arcane.
Antoine contributed to several key scenes in the series, where every movement of the characters was designed with extreme precision to convey all the emotional depth of the story.
Technical precision at the service of emotion
The work on Arcane is not just about an impressive technical performance. For Sacha Duru, an ESMA graduate and the series’ technical director, the adventure was as much a human one as an artistic one:
“Arcane is based on a licence that I’m very fond of.It’s a series aimed at adults with a complex and profound storyline, which I hope will contribute to the evolution of animated cinema and allow projects to emerge with storylines aimed at an older audience, questioning social issues’.
Sacha played a key role in supporting the graphic designers and ensuring the technical coherence of the most complex scenes. He adds:
‘This series also features new, predominantly female heroes and brings LGBTQIA+ characters to the fore; there’s a real desire to move away from classic Hollywood representations.’
A unique identity: the Fortiche studio
Working at Fortiche means immersing yourself in a creative and collaborative environment that leaves a lasting impression. This human-scale studio stands out for its team spirit and innovative boldness, essential qualities that have had a profound impact on Antoine and Sacha’s professional careers.
Antoine shares his experience:
“Working at Fortiche was done in an exceptional atmosphere, with a great and very welcoming team.I was lucky enough to have a lot of freedom and room to come up with new ideas.The teams were quick to put their trust in me, which was very rewarding.
Sacha, for his part, stresses the importance of mutual support and collective synergy:
“Each member of the team is encouraged to contribute his or her own ideas.This creates a unique dynamic where you feel invested and involved in the overall vision of the project.
ESMA: a passport to excellence in animation
ESMA trains the talents of tomorrow by preparing them for the high demands of the sector, paving the way for flourishing careers in the world’s most prestigious studios.
Fortiche is just one example: every year, our graduates join animation giants such as DreamWorks, Pixar and Illumination, participating in emblematic works that redefine the standards of the profession.
A revolution for the future of animation
With its innovative aesthetic, bold storytelling and inclusive diversity, Arcane redefines the boundaries of animated cinema. The genre is proving that it can rival major Hollywood productions in terms of both narrative depth and visual quality.
For ESMA alumni like Antoine and Sacha, taking part in Arcane is a unique human and professional experience that has established them as major talents in international animation.
Find Sacha Duru and Antoine Tomasi on Linkedin!
