Cold Blood : an icy world and a bold pictorial aesthetic

A fascinating setting: a reimagining of Victorian London

The story of Cold Blood takes place in a city reminiscent of Victorian London, a dark and icy place where the snow never stops falling. In the heart of this unforgiving city, a child named Oliver tries to survive the rigours of cold and misery. When he finally discovers a way out, he finds himself drawn into the mysteries of the city… but his quest for survival may well lead him to new perils.

Creating such a setting was more than just a visual reproduction of an era. For the team of students, it meant inventing an entire world with its own rules. How do the inhabitants survive in this hostile climate? What are their daily routines in this city plunged into an eternal winter? These questions guided the team throughout the creative process, enabling them to imagine a coherent, living environment.

A world that follows its own rules

One of the most exciting aspects of the project was the development of this unique world. More than just a setting, the town of Cold Blood had to have its own internal logic, influencing the way its inhabitants interact and evolve. The team therefore devoted a great deal of time to designing the details of this world frozen in ice: the citizens’ means of subsistence, their habits, their adaptation to extreme climatic conditions.

This in-depth reflection has made it possible to achieve an impressive level of realism and immersion, reinforcing the emotional impact of Oliver’s story. Each building, each alley and each object has been designed to enrich the narrative and give additional depth to the story.

A technical and artistic challenge: the painting effect

Beyond the construction of this universe, Cold Blood distinguished itself through its artistic ambition. The team chose to adopt a visual rendering inspired by painting, a bold aesthetic choice that required meticulous work on the appearance of textures, lighting and compositing.

One of the major challenges was to find the right balance between this pictorial effect and the legibility of the scenes. How can we preserve a painting aesthetic while ensuring a good understanding of the characters’ actions and emotions? The team had to experiment, adjust and refine each shot relentlessly to achieve a rendering that was both artistic and narrative.

Through hard work and genuine aesthetic research, the students succeeded in achieving their vision, delivering a visually captivating film in which every image seems to be a living canvas.

A talented team and a successful project

The success of Cold Blood lies above all in the talent and determination of its creators. Congratulations to Elisa Belmonte, Léna Boëdec, Grégoire Casella, Estelle Do Huu Tin, Capucine Fortunier, Mariachiara Palumbo, Iris Rozsnyo and Axel Vachetta, who have risen to these challenges with brio and brought a fascinating universe to life.

Through this film, these ESMA students have not only demonstrated their technical and artistic mastery, but also their ability to tell a powerful and immersive story.

Watch the film on our YouTube channel: