Interview with Lucie Martinetto, nominated for the VES Awards 2023!

HOW DID YOU PERCEIVE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF YOUR NOMINATION FOR THE VES AWARDS?

It was a few days ago. It’s pretty crazy, I really didn’t expect it! It’s a real accomplishment for me and more globally for an artist in cinema and special effects. I am proud of myself. It’s a very big event, whatever happens I will remember it all my life.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOUR WORK ON LITTLE NEMO AND THE WORLD OF DREAMS CONSISTED OF?

I worked on this project when I was at Framestore in Montreal two years ago. It’s the biggest special effects company in the world in terms of staff. It was a project for Netflix. I was in charge of rigging on the project. And so from A to Z, I rigged all the characters including the little piggy that was nominated at the VES.

For the characters, I was in charge of putting their skeleton, to make them able to give emotions on the screen and especially on their faces. For the little pig, I worked on it for six months so that it would be perfect, so that it would correspond to our expectations, so that it would be able to do everything that the animators needed.

AND ALL THIS WITHOUT SEEING THE FEATURE FILM?

Yes, the film came out two years after my work. I was not aware of what was going on in the film. I just knew that it was a little stuffed animal that had to come to life. I had a pitch for his skills. I make sure the character is able to do what is asked of him. Then I get feedback from the animators with whom we exchange, and thus improve things?

DID YOU SEE THE FILM WHEN IT WAS RELEASED AT THE END OF 2022?

Yes, of course, and with my whole family. I thought it was great. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite films to work on and enjoy watching, which is not always the case. I’m really proud of the work, of the thousands of people who worked on the film. You work on a small part and finally everything makes sense with the rest. There are great actors who play in this film. Very proud of my little pig!

YOU WORKED WITH A SMALL TEAM?

There were four of us! Fernando Herrera, Victor Dinis, Martine Charrand and myself! Fernando and Victor were in charge of the animation, i.e. making the character move. Martine was in charge of the groom, the hair of the character. My friends are also selected for the VES Awards.

THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 15TH, DO YOU THINK YOU CAN WIN THESE VES AWARDS?

It would be incredible to win. After I say to myself that there is heavy in our category with Avatar, Disney Pinocchio: Honest John, Beast: Lion. This gives the nomination a tasty side in the middle of the greats. Being selected in this exceptional panel, it makes you dream.

A SPRINGBOARD FOR YOUR CAREER?

It’s a great moment at 26 years old! I spoke about it at the end of January in Montpellier during a conference at ESMA for the students and the open days in particular. The students applauded me, I was very happy with this warm welcome.

ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THE TRIP TO LOS ANGELES?

ESMA offered to sponsor me to go. In fact, there were no more places available. It was overbooked for the ceremony on February 15.

ARE YOU GOING TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT TO WAIT FOR THE RESULT?

Yes, definitely! A sleepless night, the result will be announced around 4 am. With a little bottle of cider next to me to celebrate… you never know!

Images credit : Framestore & Lucie Martinetto