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ApplyInternship at Fortiche: a look back at Narcisse's unique experience
The two images illustrating this article are from the graduation film "Et Après?" made by Narcisse and his classmates.
At MoPA, students take both theoretical and practical courses. In the 3D Animation program, courses are spread over five years following a preparatory year.
The first cycle, from the first to the third year, focuses on acquiring fundamental artistic skills and the production process of an animated film. The second cycle allows for further development and professionalization.
The 3D Animation Film program at MoPA
In this context, MoPA students complete an internship within various types of organizations. This is the case for Narcisse, who completed his internship at Fortiche Production.
Interview
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
Narcisse: I am Narcisse Petit and I finished my studies at MoPA in June 2025. My passion is compositing.
Can you tell us about the company where you did your internship?
Narcisse : I was lucky enough to do my two-month internship in Paris, in one of the studios of Fortiche, the creators of Arcane.
FORTICHE FOCUS
Fortiche Production is a French animation studio founded in June 2009 by Pascal Charrue, Jérôme Combe, and Arnaud Delord. Since its inception, the studio has distinguished itself with a distinctive graphic style blending 2D and 3D, a style that combines art and technology, which they sometimes call the "Fortiche Touch."
While Fortiche began by creating commercials for brands like Coca-Cola and channels like MTV, the company gradually shifted towards large-scale productions, combining high-quality animation, adult/young adult storytelling, and pop culture references.
It was thanks to the series Arcane, produced for Riot Games, inspired by the world of the video game League of Legends and broadcast on Netflix, that Fortiche gained widespread international recognition.
Although Fortiche has offices in Montpellier and Las Palmas (Spain), its main headquarters are in Paris, where Narcisse completed his internship.
Why did you choose this company for your internship?
Narcisse : I'm a huge fan of Arcane, and Fortiche is one of the most influential studios around right now, especially in terms of artistic style. They innovate and push the boundaries of the entire animation industry. I was very curious to learn the secret behind Fortiche's style, especially in compositing: I knew I was going to learn a lot.
What was your position and your main responsibilities?
Narcisse : I was a compositing intern. The goal of this internship was to develop my artistic eye and technique.
What has struck you most about this world and the daily life of this profession?
Narcisse : What struck me most was the people and the ideas; everyone was kind and passionate. I learned a tremendous amount in a very short time, and above all, I learned from many different people. It wasn't just an internship; it was truly a training program where everyone took the time to get to know the interns and help them. I wasn't there to work, but rather to develop my skills in the field I'm passionate about.
In your opinion, what are the essential qualities for success in this position?
Narcisse : The essential qualities for compositing are, above all, curiosity, passion, and communication. Compositing is a complex field, so don't be afraid to ask for help to avoid any misunderstandings. As the final link in the 3D animation chain, it's important to be as efficient as possible and therefore avoid any communication issues.
FOCUS ON COMPOSITING
In 3D animation, compositing involves assembling and harmonizing all the images produced by the various departments (animation, lighting, special effects, matte painting, etc.) to create the final image.
The compositor adjusts colors, lighting, shadows, and depth, and adds effects (blurring, grain, glow, atmosphere) to ensure the visual consistency of each shot.
This is the stage where raw images are transformed into a final, aesthetically pleasing, and narratively clear shot, ready to be integrated into the film.
What types of projects have you had the opportunity to lead?
Narcisse : My internship took place in three stages: first, training on about twenty shots from season 1 of Arcane to learn their pipeline and master the Fortiche style and their tools. I then had the opportunity to practice creating a tool before working on three shots from the "Twilight's End" cinematic.
What tools or software did you learn to use during this internship?
Narcisse : We mainly worked on Nuke, which I already knew but which I really rediscovered during this internship.
Did your internship allow you to acquire new skills?
Narcisse : Yes, this internship opened up possibilities for me in terms of ideas and doing things I would never have imagined possible in competition, such as creating fully procedurally generated 2D FX in Nuke.
Did this internship confirm your career choice or did it make you want to explore other fields?
Narcisse : I was already convinced that compositing was my path before this internship. Fortiche mainly allowed me to confirm it 100% and to get a foot in the door.
What advice would you give to future MoPA students looking for an internship?
Narcisse : It's obviously important to be knowledgeable in your chosen field, but that's not enough; you need to meet people, talk to them: it's possible to get an internship without contacts, but it helps!
Finally, what are your plans or aspirations for the next stage of your career after MoPA?
Narcisse : I want to keep learning and discovering other styles and studios. I've already had the opportunity to work at a studio in Avignon (Les Astronautes) on After Effects, and I hope to return to Fortiche soon (especially for some swag; they gave me a Fortiche mug, but the logo washed off in the dishwasher!).
We warmly thank Narcisse for sharing his experience and wish him every success and fulfillment in his future endeavors.
FAQ: The 3D Animation Film program at MoPA
The flagship training program of the MoPA animation film school to learn and master all the stages of production of a 3D animated film.
1. What diploma does the 3D animation film program at MoPA award?
The MoPA school and its 3D Animation Cinema program delivers a recognized diploma of Expert in 3D design, production and animation (BAC+5, RNCP Level 7), recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
2. How does the 3D animation film program work?
The program is organized into two cycles: three years of artistic and cinematic fundamentals, followed by two years of specialization with two options: animation or cinematography. The fifth and final year is dedicated to the production of a short film as a team.
3. What are the career opportunities after graduating from MoPA?
70% of graduates find employment within 6 months of graduation, 30% of them abroad. The jobs are numerous and fall into 3 categories: pre-production (director, screenwriter, etc.), production (modeler, animator, etc.) and post-production (special effects, composer, sound designer, etc.).
4. Does the course allow for an internship or a semester abroad?
Yes: the course is Erasmus+ certified, and allows students to complete a semester or internship abroad thanks to MoPA's exclusive partners around the world.
5. What are the admission criteria for the 3D animation film program?
Admission to the preparatory class is open to high school graduates and is based on an entrance exam that includes: a portfolio of personal work, additional exercises to be completed at home, and a motivation interview.
Admission to the first year is via Parcoursup or by competitive entrance exam (preparatory class). The entrance exam includes:
- A creative portfolio, a portfolio of personal work
- A motivation interview (online or in person)
The criteria assessed: creativity, motivation, and commitment, rather than technical drawing skills.
6. What is the amount of the tuition fees?
Tuition fees change every year. To calculate tuition fees, please visit our dedicated page.
If you want to do an internship like Narcisse in a company of your dreams, don't hesitate to register now with MoPA!
