Gobelins, l’école de l’image

“The best guinea pig is yourself.” That’s what they say at Gobelins, l’école de l’image, right here in Paris. Don’t worry, you won’t be experimented on, but you might find yourself making faces in the mirror. Why? Because Gobelins, l’école de l’image is one of the most prestigious animation schools in the world, and observation is at the heart of their teaching. Imagine young animators studying their own reflections, trying to understand the way muscles move, how light and shadow play on the face. Gobelins, l’école de l’image has been a launchpad for some of the biggest names in animation, from the creators of Despicable Me to animators at DreamWorks and Pixar. You see, this school, nestled in the heart of the Latin Quarter, has a history as rich and vibrant as the city itself. Founded in 1964 by the Parisian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gobelins, l’école de l’image actually owes its animation department to the creators of Asterix! They needed skilled animators for their films and helped establish the very program that flourishes here today. But Gobelins, l’école de l’image isn’t stuck in the past. While they ground their students in the fundamentals of 2D animation, a technique thriving in France, they also embrace new technologies and encourage a global outlook. Many graduates go on to work on international projects, bringing their unique French touch to animation giants like Disney and Warner Bros. So, the next time you see a character come to life on screen, think of Gobelins, l’école de l’image, where observation and imagination collide to create magic.