“Working on Arcane has really been the fulfilment of a dream.”
Interview
Since graduating, Camille Lacroix has gained a wealth of experience in animation before joining Fortiche Productions.
From her first studio internship to her participation in the Arcane series, her career illustrates the perseverance, passion and desire to progress that have always driven her.
From first professional steps to international productions
At the end of her training at ESMA, Camille went straight to work for Cyborn 3D Productions, where she had already done her end-of-studies work placement. There she took up a position as Character Animator and discovered the day-to-day workings of a professional production company.
She then went on to join Illumination MacGuff, this time in the marketing department, and then Station Animation. In July 2021, she was recruited by Fortiche Productions, which was then opening positions in Montpellier. It was there that she joined the animation team for the Arcane series. It was an incredible project,” she says. The animation was very advanced and the visual quality was exceptional. Taking part was an extraordinary experience.
A key role in the production of Arcane
On the series, adapted from the League of Legends universe, Camille is part of one of the teams responsible for character animation.
The process was very structured: “We started by presenting our intentions to the animation supervisors. Once we had validated them, we moved on to producing the shots. The teams were split up according to the complexity of the sequences and in coordination with the other Fortiche studios in Paris and Las Palmas. Each group had to take charge of all the characters in a given scene. This allowed us to really enter the world of the series and get to grips with each protagonist.”
She emphasises the extent to which the skills she acquired at ESMA helped her to integrate quickly: rigour, the ability to work in a team and a global vision of a project. “These are qualities that count for a lot in the professional world, and the school prepared me well for that.”
An apprenticeship in the early days
But the journey has not been without doubt. After graduating, Camille went through a period of soul-searching. However, her graduation film Achoo (co-directed with Elise Carret, Charlotte Perroux, Lucas Boutrot, Maoris Creantor and Pierre Hubert) was well received. She soon landed assignments on two feature films: Ploey, where she worked as a 3D generalist, and Dragon Rider in animation.
“These experiences showed me how much I still had to learn. But above all they confirmed my decision to stay in animation. With Arcane, I crossed a new threshold. I’ve made a lot of progress working on the series, and that’s what’s great about this job: each project gives you new motivation, you discover a new team, a new dynamic, and you always learn something new.”
A reassuring alumni network
On Arcane, Camille was also surprised to find a number of ESMA alumni. Among them were Guillaume Letourneur (confo supervisor), Martial André (animation supervisor) and Lucas Ancel (lead animator). “It’s very reassuring to meet former classmates or graduates of the school. Seeing their backgrounds and sharing common experiences creates a real bond.”
Looking to the future and passing on
Today, Camille is continuing her adventure with Fortiche on a project that is still confidential. However, she would also like to get involved in supporting younger students: “ESMA has just launched a tutoring platform, and I think it’s an excellent idea. I would have liked to have had this kind of support when I started out, to have benefited from the advice of former students to be reassured and move forward more serenely. If I can take part and help the new generations, I’d love to.
His advice to students
Camille stresses the importance of English, which is essential in a sector where production is international. But for her, the most important thing is self-confidence: “You have to believe in your abilities. With patience and perseverance, you can really turn your passion into a career.
Camille Lacroix’s career has been marked by tenacity and curiosity. From her first steps at Cyborn to her role on Arcane, she has turned challenges into opportunities and taken each project to a new level. Today, still a presenter at Fortiche, she embodies the spirit of a generation of passionate artists who want to both progress and pass on their skills.
