Jan Belletti, co-founder of Sixtine Groupe and a former ESRA student (Class of 2003), shares how the program has benefited him: market insight, a professional network, and concrete projects. Learn more about his journey.
From Passion to Profession: Jan Belletti’s Story, ESRA 2003
With a camera in his hands since his teenage years, Jan Belletti knew he wanted to work in the audiovisual industry. What he didn’t yet know was how to turn that passion into a career. That is precisely what ESRA, the École Supérieure de Réalisation Audiovisuelle, taught him.
Twenty years after graduating, Jan Belletti is now a co-founder of Sixtine Groupe, an independent studio specializing in Content for Brands & Entertainment. He reflects on what his education has given him in an article published on Diplomeo.
[Read the full article on Diplomeo]
Understanding the Market: The First Lesson from ESRA
Before enrolling at ESRA, Jan had already mastered the technical side of filmmaking. He was shooting, editing, and experimenting. But he lacked a comprehensive understanding of the audiovisual industry: how a production works, how a budget is structured, and how to put together a project from start to finish.
"The first thing I learned at ESRA was to gain a real understanding of the market. I was passionate about it, but I was far from understanding how it really works."
ESRA provided him with this big-picture view: funding channels, production processes, the importance of cost estimates, and project management. These are fundamentals that you can’t learn on your own, and they make all the difference when you enter the professional world.
Fieldwork: At the Heart of Education
What sets ESRA apart from other Programs is the central role it gives to hands-on experience. Film shoots, role-playing exercises, and supervised productions: students don’t just step onto the set for the first time when they graduate—they work on set throughout their studies.
"Practical experience is very much a focus these days. Students are increasingly ready to enter the workforce."
For Jan, the people who get the most out of their education are those who take full advantage of it: “The most successful students at ESRA were the ones who worked on side projects. They used the school’s resources and network to bring those projects to life.”
Networking: An Asset for Your Entire Career
In the audiovisual industry, projects are carried out as a team. ESRA understands this well and places collaborative work at the heart of its educational approach. In fact, it was at the school that Jan met the people who would become his partners and co-founders of Sixtine Groupe.
"If I had to pick just one thing, it would definitely be the people I met during my time at ESRA."
Alongside the students, practicing professionals share their experience and practical insights into the market, opening doors for them even during their years of training.
After ESRA, all paths are open
Director, producer, sound engineer, editor, 3D animator, screenwriter, production manager: ESRA graduates work in all sectors of the audiovisual industry. And for those who, like Jan, choose to start their own business, the program provides the foundation needed to build an independent company.
AI is opening up new creative horizons today. Jan sees this as an opportunity: “From a creative standpoint, the impact is enormous—we can do incredible things.”
85% of ESRA graduates are employed one year after graduation.
You, too, can turn your passion into a career
ESRA offers Programs Film, Sound, and Animation in Paris, Nice, Cannes, Rennes, and Brussels, as well as master’s-level programs in Screenwriting, Production, and the MFA in Filmmaking.
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