This is the case today with Cursed, a short film made by nine ESMA students, recently presented by the RenderMan teams in an article devoted to the visual and technical research behind the film.
An aesthetic inspired by traditional illustration
With Cursed, the students sought to develop a strong graphic identity, halfway between 2D animation and contemporary 3D rendering.
Directed by Margaux Deculty, Ashe Daniel, Alisson Pigerol, Marion Boitelle, Leila Bouguerch, Myriam Brandao Serseri, Andrea Mamessier Degrange, Nicolas Paoli and Marie Seve, the film freely revisits the myth of Hades and Persephone through a narrative imbued with fantasy and emotion.
To achieve this highly illustrative rendering, the team deliberately deviated from some of the classic uses of the 3D pipeline: specific management of shadows, very advanced compositing, separation of image layers and extensive work on textures and lighting.
When technique becomes a veritable artistic language
The article published by RenderMan looks in particular at the way in which the students used the rendering tools not to achieve photorealism, but instead to construct a stylised image, akin to a painted illustration.
This approach reflects a truly global artistic approach, where each stage of production, from the creation of the visual style to the final assembly of the images, contributes to building the image and reinforcing the narrative.
New visibility for ESMA graduation films
This recognition by RenderMan underlines the quality of the productions produced at ESMA and the ability of the students to develop ambitious projects, combining creativity, artistic direction and technical mastery.
ESMA warmly thanks the RenderMan teams for their interest in the film Cursed and the work of its students.
Read the full analysis of the film and its behind-the-scenes making on the official RenderManwebsite.