Raphaël Gesqua
Raphaël Gesqua (born February 11, 1972, in Paris) is a French composer, arranger and sound designer.
Biography
Raphaël Gesqua's professional career began in the video games industry, in the early 1990s, under his real name Raphaël Gesqua, after he was previously known in the middle of the 16-bit demoscene, under the Audiomonster pseudonym adopted in 1989.
The composer worked with game designers, such as Paul Cuisset, for whom he arranged the soundtrack of the video game Flashback, for the Commodore Amiga, in 1992. The game has remained the world's best selling French video game.
He also worked twice with Pierre Adane, creator, among other things, of the Top Spin video games series, and for which he composed the soundtracks of Snow Bros video game, for Commodore Amiga, in 1991 (that production was cancelled for at the last minute for legal reasons), and in 1993, for Mr. Nutz,a side-scrolling platformer released for Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis and Game Boy, which was a great success and went out of stock, just days after its release.
Collaboration with Paul Cuisset also continues immediately, and the composer entirely composed and arranged the music for Shaq-Fu (featuring the famous basketball player Shaquille O'Neal), Fade to Black (direct sequel to Flashback), and Moto Racer, as a sound director of company Delphine Software International. Fade to Black and Moto Racer also got, in addition to their music, their sound effects entirely made by Gesqua. Again, Moto Racer has remained best world selling French videogame ever for several years.
After the Delphine Software period, Gesqua resumed its status as an independent composer, and created the original music, sound effects, and voices for various titles, like Marvel Super Heroes 3D, Code Lyoko, Horse Life, the DodoGo! series, Pop Island, the Cocoto series, and many other titles.
Pop Island soundtrack (Odenis Studio) earned him a nomination for Milthon 2009 awards, for Best Soundtrack.
He also composed the music for Glory Days and Glory Days 2, for which he won two nominations on the IGN site, in 2007, for best soundtrack, facing The Legend of Zelda - Phantom Hourglass, the Nintendo game.
From 2003, Gesqua began his career in movies, and met then worked with several directors, such as Fabrice Blin, Thomas Lesourd, Christophe Monier, and Julien Maury, from the directors duo Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, with whom he worked twice on his shorts. He then composed the soundtrack for the first film of the duo, Inside (2007 film) / A l'intérieur), the horror film presented at Cannes Film Festival in 2007, starring Beatrice Dalle, Alysson Paradis, and Nicolas Duvauchelle, among others.
This first experience resulted in a failure, producers rejected the composer's work.
The second collaboration was a better one, and in 2010/2011, Gesqua signs his first soundtrack for a feature film, with the Livid (Livide) film, produced by La Fabrique 2, and released in theaters in France, on December 7, 2011.
In 2013, the composer worked again with director Fabrice Blin, for his film documentary Super 8 Madness, about the genesis of Super 8 horror films in France.
The composer also signed, at the beginning of 2013, the soundtrack of a new English video game license, Nimnims from Mickim Games.
In 2014, he worked again, also, with directors Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, on their film Among the Living / Aux Yeux des Vivants. The critical reception for the film's music was excellent, in the United States first, through the SXSW Austin, Texas, where the film was rated in the top 10 of the event by the famous Fangoria, and frequently praised by music critics who attended the screening. Parallel to the film's release, a digital and CD version of the soundtrack has been released by publishers MovieScore Media and "Kronos Records".
Also in 2014, Raphaël Gesqua composed the soundtrack for US films anthology The ABCs of Death 2 ("X is for Xylophone" segment), directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo.
Discography
- 2014 : Among the Living / Aux Yeux des Vivants original film soundtrack (MovieScore Media / "Kronos Records")
- 1996 : Fade to Black original video game soundtrack (Sony Music - Delphine Records)
- 1996 : Mega Video Game Music (videogames CD music compilation featuring Fade to Black and Mr.Nutz)
Films
Feature films
- 2015 : That Blood Which Will Flow / Ce Sang Qui Va Couler, directed by Christophe Monier, produced by Les Sentinelles Eternelles
- 2014 : The ABCs of Death 2 - ("X is for Xylophone" segment), directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, produced by Metaluna Productions
- 2014 : Among the Living (Aux Yeux des Vivants), directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, produced by Metaluna Productions
- 2013 : Super 8 Madness, directed by Fabrice Blin & Vincent Leyour, produced by Metaluna Productions
- 2011 : Livid (Livide), directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, produced by La Fabrique 2
- 2006 : Inside (A l'intérieur), directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, produced by La Fabrique de Films (rejected by producers)
Short films
- 2010 : Mandragore, directed by Fabrice Blin, produced by Metaluna Productions
- 2009 : The Blue Fighters / Les Combattants Bleus, directed by Christophe Monier, produced by Les Sentinelles Eternelles
- 2008 : When Mommy is Gone / Quand Maman sera partie, directed by Christophe Monier, produced by Takami Productions/Arte
- 2008 : Fake Leader Price TV spot / Fausse Publicité Leader Price, directed by Kevin Lecomte
- 2007 : Mister Evil / Monsieur Méchant, directed by Fabrice Blin, produced by CWL Group
- 2007 : AEDEA, directed by Manuel Garcia Pou
- 2005 : Forbidden Territory / Territoire Interdit, directed by Christophe Monier, produced by Les Films du Coq
- 2005 : Lifeline / Ligne de Vie, directed by Bruno Marion, produced by Codicentre
- 2005 : Pedro, directed by Julien Maury, produced by Julien & François Maury
- 2003 : Pizza Hunt / Pizza à l'oeil, directed by Julien Maury, produced by M Corporation
Series
- 2008 : Howard - Tome 2, created by Thomas Lesourd, produced by Les Films du Cartel & Thomas Lesourd
- 2007 : Howard - Tome 1, created by Thomas Lesourd, produced by Les Films du Cartel & Thomas Lesourd
Video games
- 2015 : NimNims (iOS, Android, OSX, Windows)
- 2014 : Fish & Sharks (iOS)
- 2013 : Hidden Path of Faery (iPad)
- 2012 : Rising Board 3D (Nintendo 3DS)
- 2012 : Horses 3D (Nintendo 3DS)
- 2011 : DodoGo! Robo (Nintendo DSi)
- 2011 : Glory Days - Tactical Defense (Nintendo DSi)
- 2011 : Gunslingers (Wii)
- 2011 : Rising Board (iPhone)
- 2011 : Hidden Path of Faery (PC)
- 2010 : Marvel Super Heroes 3D - Grandmaster Challenge (Wii)
- 2010 : Pop Island - Paperfield (Nintendo DSi)
- 2010 : Western Heroes (Wii)
- 2010 : Cocoto Magic Circus HD Online (iPad)
- 2010 : DodoGo! Challenge (Nintendo DSi)
- 2010 : Cocoto Magic Circus (iPhone)
- 2010 : DodoGo! (Nintendo DSi)
- 2010 : Cocoto Kart HD Online! (iPad)
- 2010 : Horse Life Adventures (Wii)
- 2009 : Cocoto Kart Online (iPhone)
- 2009 : Heracles Chariot Racing (PlayStation Portable)
- 2009 : Heracles Chariot Racing (Wii)
- 2009 : Cocoto Surprise (Wii)
- 2009 : Kick Party (Wii)
- 2009 : Cocoto Festival (Wii)
- 2009 : Pop Island (Wii)
- 2009 : Cocoto Platform Jumper" (Wii)
- 2009 : Faceez (Nintendo DSi)
- 2008 : Cocoto Fishing Master (Wii)
- 2008 : "Horse Life - Amis pour la vie (Wii)
- 2008 : Code Lyoko - Quest for Infinity (PlayStation Portable)
- 2008 : Glory Days - Attack Hero (Nintendo DSi)
- 2008 : Code Lyoko - Quest for Infinity (PlayStation 2)
- 2008 : Horse Life - Amis pour la vie (PC CD-ROM)
- 2008 : Cocoto Kart Racer (Wii)
- 2008 : Touch Mechanic (Nintendo DS)
- 2008 : Ellen Whitaker's Horse Life (PC CD-ROM)
- 2008 : Bratz ponyz 2 (Nintendo DS)
- 2008 : Code Lyoko - Fall of Xana (Nintendo DS)
- 2008 : Ellen Whitaker's Horse Life (Wii)
- 2008 : Rebel Raiders - Operation Nighthawk (Wii)
- 2008 : Fade to Black (PlayStation 3)
- 2007 : Glory Days 2 (Nintendo DS)
- 2007 : Cocoto Kart Racer (PC CD-ROM)
- 2007 : Bratz Ponyz (Nintendo DS)
- 2007 : Cocoto Magic Circus (Wii)
- 2007 : Cocoto Racers (Nintendo DS)
- 2007 : Heracles Chariot racing (PlayStation 2)
- 2007 : Cocoto Platform Jumper (Game Boy Advance)
- 2007 : Code Lyoko - Quest for Infinity (Nintendo Wii)
- 2006 : Arthur and the Invisibles (Nintendo DS)
- 2006 : Cocoto Kart Racer (Game Boy Advance)
- 2006 : Heracles Battle with the Gods (Nintendo DS)
- 2006 : Heracles Battle with the Gods (PC CD-ROM)
- 2006 : Heracles Battle with the Gods (PlayStation 2)
- 2006 : Noddy and the Magic Book (PlayStation 2)
- 2006 : Minna de Wai Wai Kokoto Kart (Nintendo DS)
- 2006 : Legend of the Dragon (Wii)
- 2006 : Legend of the Dragon (PlayStation Portable)
- 2006 : Legend of the Dragon (PlayStation 2)
- 2006 : Postman Pat and the Greendale Rocket (Game Boy Advance)
- 2006 : Cocoto Fishing Master (PlayStation 2)
- 2006 : Crazy Frog Racer 2 (PlayStation 2, PC CD-ROM)
- 2005 : Franklin's Great Adventures (Game Boy Advance)
- 2005 : Cocoto Kart Racer (Nintendo DS)
- 2005 : Franklin's Great Adventures (Nintendo DS)
- 2005 : Super Army War (Game Boy Advance)
- 2005 : Franklin - A Birthday Surprise (Nintendo GameCube)
- 2005 : Glory Days (Game Boy Advance)
- 2005 : Franklin - A Birthday Surprise (PlayStation 2)
- 2005 : Cocoto Funfair (GameCube)
- 2005 : Crazy Frog Racer (PlayStation 2, PC CD-ROM)
- 2005 : Cocoto Funfair (PlayStation 2, PC CD-ROM)
- 2005 : Fastlane Carnage (PC CD-ROM)
- 2005 : Rebel Raiders - Operation Nighthawk (PlayStation 2)
- 2005 : Rebel Raiders - Operation Nighthawk (PC CD-ROM)
- 2004 : Cocoto Kart Racer (Nintendo GameCube)
- 2004 : Cocoto Kart Racer (PlayStation 2)
- 2004 : Cocoto Platform Jumper (Nintendo GameCube)
- 2004 : Mouse Trophy (PlayStation 2, PC CD-ROM)
- 2003 : Cocoto Platform Jumper (PlayStation 2)
- 2002 : Sharp Shooter (PC CD-ROM)
- 2002 : Taxi 3 (PC CD-ROM)
- 2002 : Planet of the Apes (PlayStation)
- 2002 : Cars’n’Girls (unreleased) (PlayStation 2, PC CD-ROM)
- 2001 : Scape (unreleased) (PC CD-ROM, Dreamcast)
- 2001 : Trackdown (unreleased) (PC CD-ROM, Xbox)
- 2001 : Dark Stone - Evil Reigns (PlayStation - Delphine logo music only)
- 2001 : H2Overdrive (unreleased) (PlayStation 2)
- 2001 : Moto Racer 3 (PC CD-ROM - Delphine logo music only)
- 2001 : Planet of the Apes (PC CD-ROM)
- 2000 : Moto Racer World Tour (PlayStation - Sound effects and Delphine logo music only)
- 1999 : Paperland Cousteau (unreleased) (PC CD-ROM)
- 1999 : Darkstone: Evil Reigns (PC CD-ROM - Delphine logo music only)
- 1999 : Mr. Nutz (Game Boy Color)
- 1998 : Moto Racer 2 (PlayStation, PC CD-ROM - Sound effects and Delphine logo music only)
- 1997 : Moto Racer (PlayStation)
- 1997 : Moto Racer (PC CD-ROM)
- 1996 : Fade to Black (Original videogame CD soundtrack)
- 1996 : Mega Video Game Music (Music compilation)
- 1996 : Fade to Black (PlayStation)
- 1995 : Shaq-Fu (Game Gear)
- 1995 : Shaq-Fu (Commodore Amiga)
- 1995 : Fade to Black (PC CD-ROM)
- 1994 : Mr. Nutz (Game Boy)
- 1994 : Mr. Nutz (Mega Drive/Genesis)
- 1994 : Shaq-Fu (Mega Drive/Genesis)
- 1994 : Shaq-Fu (Super NES)
- 1993 : Mr. Nutz (Super NES)
- 1993 : Jimmy's Fantastic Journey (Amiga)
- 1992 : Flashback (Amiga)
- 1991 : Snow Bros (unreleased) (Amiga)
- 1989-1994 : Music composer for Amiga Demoscene, as the handle of Audiomonster (aka Raphaël Gesqua)
Awards and nominations
- Raphaël Gesqua's first nomination on IGN awards (Best Original Music category)
- Raphaël Gesqua's second nomination on IGN awards (Best Use of Sound category)
- Raphaël Gesqua's nomination at Milthon 2009 awards (Best Original Soundtrack category)
- Raphaël Gesqua's nomination at Soundtrack Geek Awards 2015 (Best Horror Film Score category)
External links
- Raphaël Gesqua's official website
- Raphaël Gesqua on the Internet Movie Database
- Raphaël Gesqua on Soundcloud
- Raphaël Gesqua's 2007 english interview on Game OST
- Raphaël Gesqua's 2007 english interview on Hugi Magazine
- Raphaël Gesqua's 2014 french interview on the book L'Histoire des Jeux Vidéo en France
- Raphaël Gesqua's 2014 english interview on Movie Music International
- Raphaël Gesqua's 2014 french interview on SCI-FI Universe
- Raphaël Gesqua's 2014 french interview on Mad Movies - PIFFF 2014
- Raphaël Gesqua's 2014 french interview on Cinegenik
- Raphaël Gesqua's 2014 french interview on Gangeek Style