In the dynamic world of independent animation, a new studio is making a notable impact: Studio Adore. They are the creators of The Changeling Project (working title), an animated short film set to engage audiences with its WLW slice-of-life narrative and East and Southeast Asian cultural influences.
Set in a West Coast Chinatown boarding house during the 1980s, The Changeling Project follows a changeling who arrives seeking to reclaim her swapped life, leading to a compelling exploration of identity and belonging.
Studio Adore's work resonates with those who seek greater diversity in anime, and appreciate the "gaygirl failure" trope with modernized fairytales. The Changeling Project promises a fresh perspective on storytelling, blending fantastical elements with the often-overlooked realities of Asian-American history.
The studio is part of a growing movement of artists who are forging their own paths in the animation industry. As Mikey Cao, one of Studio Adore's co-founders, explains, "We’re in an industry moment where we and many others are realizing the fact that we don’t have to wait on distant corporate interests' permission to try realizing our vision."
A Unique Creative Voice
Studio Adore distinguishes itself through several key characteristics and strives to create the kind of content the artists longed to see during their formative years. They aim to bring more PG-13+ animation to the US, challenging the prevailing notion that animation is a medium solely for children. Their stories are often rooted in history, blending historical elements with fantasy. They craft narratives that resonate with authenticity and depth.
Believing that "The truth is stranger than fiction," they draw from the rich tapestry of human experiences. Studio Adore prioritizes stories from Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), queer, and other underrepresented communities. The Changeling Project focuses on Eastern and Southeast Asian cultures, aiming to shed light on other underrepresented narratives.
Studio Adore cultivates a supportive and organized environment where creativity flourishes. The co-founders are committed to minimizing stress, managing workloads effectively, and encouraging open communication. Their team thrives on a "yes, and…" mentality, fostering strong collaboration by building on each other's ideas.
Tools of Creation
Wacom devices are an integral part of Adore's workflow; their team relies on a variety of Wacom products to bring their visions to life. Elan Suder, the stylist (a.k.a. the talent behind the sleek character sheets), uses the Wacom Cintiq. Environment designer Allison Faye-Nantes has the Wacom Intuos for work on the road, and character designer Justine Alameda gets a lot of mileage out of her Wacom Cintiq Pro 22 during the school year.
"We really appreciate Wacom supporting an indie shop like us," says Angie Orbeta, one of Studio Adore's co-founders. "They've been super sweet and forthcoming in all their communications, which has added so much joy to the entire process."
Looking to the Future
Like other successful indie studios such as Glitch Productions or Lackadaisy, Studio Adore wants to build a great place for artists to work – one that's both stable and fulfilling. They're dedicated to nurturing talent and helping the independent animation community thrive.
Keep an eye on Studio Adore; they're about to make a big splash in the animation world! With their fresh take on historical fantasy, diverse stories, and sheer dedication, they're bound to capture hearts for a long time.
Want to learn more about Studio Adore? Check them out on Instagram or Bluesky, and also check out this interview they did with Toonboom. You can also see the grant proposal they made about The Changeling on Playbook.
