ESMA talent in the credits for Vaiana 2!

Published 12.10.2024
Training 3D Animation & FX

Released in cinemas on 27 November, Vaiana 2 is already one of the cinematic events of the year. Behind the breathtaking animation and moving characters of this new opus are ESMA alumni!
Among them are Élise Carret and François Briantais. A dream come true for these passionate individuals, who embody the school's success in the world of international animation. Here's a look back at their careers and their contribution to this ambitious film.

A worldwide success for the first opus

Released in 2016, Vaiana, The Legend at the End of the World quickly won over audiences with its thrilling story and stunning visuals. The film attracted 5.6 million viewers in France and generated $643 million internationally, establishing a truly global phenomenon. The richness of the Vaiana universe, combined with the magic of Disney, has left a lasting mark on the animation industry.

So audiences were eagerly awaiting the release of Vaiana 2. The trailer for the film, recently released online, broke records with 178 million views in just 24 hours, underlining the enthusiasm generated by the return of the heroine and her vibrant universe.

vaiana 2 esma — *© The Walt Disney Company*

From Disney+ series to feature film

Originally, Vaiana 2 was to be a series for Disney+ broadcast only on the small screen. However, the project has taken on an unexpected dimension. ‘This project was originally going to be a Disney+ series distributed only on the small screen, made only at the new Disney Vancouver location. Then, one fine day, we were told that the series was going to be turned into a film and released in cinemas (something we’d never seen before)’. says Élise Carret, former ESMA student and character animator on the film.

This change of format meant that we were able to add exceptional technical and human resources. ‘Last but not least, the Los Angeles teams joined us on the project, so we were able to work with animation legends! This development has given Vaiana 2 a grand cinematic dimension, taking the story to an even higher level of quality.

ESMA alumni in the credits

This film marks a great moment for ESMA, the school that trained two of the talents featured in the film: François Briantais and Élise Carret. Both former ESMA students, they had the honour of participating in this new Disney adventure.

Élise Carret, who worked on Vaiana 2 as a character animator, describes her work as a process combining creativity and precision: ‘The aim is to breathe life into a virtual puppet, using our sense of observation as a draughtsman, a sense of acting and a sense of rhythm. All we have to do is repeat this process 24 times a second, 60 times a minute, and we’re done! Only 90 minutes to go’.

This complex role involves creating realistic and emotional animated movements for the characters, bringing each scene in the film to life.

A dream come true

For Élise, this project represents much more than a professional opportunity. It’s a long-held dream come true. “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamed of working for Disney” A dream nurtured by years of passion for animation and the Disney universe. “I was obsessed with Mickey Mouse. From the age of 3 to 5, my parents watched me draw loops of the famous mouse. We had cassettes of all the Disney films. I watched them endlessly, until one day I stumbled across the making-of of Snow White… It was the turning point of my life: here I am 25 years later, working for the same studio that had already changed my life when I was 5! What a crazy adventure!” she recounts with emotion.

She now realises just how far she’s come: “This project was very rewarding, but it was also a great opportunity. I hadn’t yet worked on a film on such a scale, with such a high level of animation, stunning image quality and an emotional impact on such a wide audience. This film will undoubtedly leave its mark on the childhoods of so many children!

A source of pride for ESMA

The credits for Vaiana 2 are a precious recognition for ESMA, which continues to train top-level talent in 3D Animation and Special Effects.

Seeing Élise and François ‘ names appear in the credits of a Disney film is a source of pride for the school. Their careers embody the excellence of the training they have received and the passion that drives all ESMA students.

‘It’s a real source of pride to see our former students succeed at this level,’ explains a representative of the school.

The talents of Élise and François are a reminder that the animation industry offers endless opportunities for the passionate.

An eagerly awaited cinematic event

Vaiana 2 is one of the major cinematic events of the year. Its breathtaking animation, captivating story and unforgettable characters have captivated audiences of all ages.

The film is set to become a new benchmark in the world of animation.

For Élise and François, 27 November 2024 will mark a unique moment: the day their names appear in the credits of a Disney film!