Ask the Artist Vol. 2: Studio Heartbreak – The Potential of Supernote for Indie Animation Ideation

October 3, 2025

We're incredibly excited to welcome A. Siopao, the Director behind Studio Heartbreak, for our second "Ask the Artist" feature. As an independent animation studio, Studio Heartbreak has captured the industry's attention with its stunning debut short film, "The Lovers." The trailer alone has amassed over 2.5 million views and cultivated a passionate community of more than 200,000 followers across social media.

Originally, A. Siopao reached out to us, genuinely struck by the Supernote's craftsmanship and its potential as a creative tool that supports ideation in the animation pipeline. We've been thrilled to see the Supernote Manta integrate into their process. This interview delves into their unique creative process, the challenges of the indie animation world, and their vision for the future.

Let's dive into our conversation!

The indie animation world can feel like a lonely island, but you've built a community of over 200K followers. How do you, as a creative director, balance the needs of your story with the expectations of your community? Does the audience's voice ever influence the art, and what's the secret to not just making art, but making people truly care about your art?

I think a lot of conventional advice is to ignore fans and critics alike and focus on what you want to make, but in our case, it was pretty cool to be able to build the project out in the open. Of course, it’s very important to protect the emotional center of the story and not let that stray off course, but with everyone online, it’s almost like the audience is an entity that I can bounce ideas off of, ask questions of, collaborate with. It’s a pretty awe-inspiring thing when you see people move for or against something, en masse.

You've mentioned the importance of the 'rawness of paper' and the tactile touch and friction. Walk us through how you go from a raw, messy idea to a refined storyboard on the Supernote. In your view, how does that physical act of drawing influence the final emotional impact of an animated frame, and how does the Supernote capture the spontaneity of that moment?

I totally think it influences the final product! For the longest time, I was old fashioned and boarded mainly on paper. I had created my own template and printed out hundreds of sheets and stuffed them in a black binder that I carried around school. The Supernote tablet in my opinion, is the best of both worlds– the iPad can feel a little too slick and glassy, while obviously on paper boards, there are certain functions you just can’t do. I’m very excited to get into storyboarding and concepting out my next project on this tablet, and taking it out for field research and sketches.

The InkFlow app turns the Supernote into a pro graphics tablet. How has this changed your creative process both on the go and at your desk?

It’s been fun! I also have a graphics tablet, but I rarely used the buttons on the side since I mostly use keyboard shortcuts. The size and feel is perfect for the workflow. I’ve been really enjoying this feature :)

Beyond drawing and storyboarding, how do you use the Supernote's features to manage a complex project like 'The Lovers'? Are you using its features to track deadlines, sketch out shot lists, or for something entirely different?

One really useful thing is the calendar notation. I use it to sketch out, roughly, how much time should be allocated to each stage, and write down individual deadlines. I used to use a figma board for this, but it’s much nicer having it all together.

If you could peer into the future, what's one piece of tech you wish existed to make the creative process more fluid and human? How close is the Supernote to that ideal, and what's the next step?

Hmm this is a hard question. In many ways, the coolest technology that I’ve seen in the art space has been referencing the past in new ways. I actually really like technology that leaves its own imprint on the work, sort of like how the material quality of paintings have always influenced the genre and final results of what fills galleries. If you can’t tell, I really liked the E Ink screen and the way the pixels can be as visible or as invisible as you’d like.

You mentioned founding Studio Heartbreak on a 'random Discord call as young internship rejects.' That’s a powerful origin story. What advice would you give to other artists with 'OC-filled sketchbooks' who are facing similar setbacks?

Don’t let the first no you hear get you down! Think very carefully about exactly what you want to be doing, and why you are here. Consider the story you want to tell, and who may want to listen, and use the power of the internet to reach them.

Even the most complex story has a core—an emotional entry point. If you can communicate that clearly and sincerely, the right audience will find you. People gather around stories that make them feel seen. Focus on that, and the rest will follow :)

Studio Heartbreak's upcoming film, "The Lovers", is a dark fantasy animated thriller set in the Philippines, telling a captivating queer love story between a seafood chef and a siren. The project's successful crowdfunding campaign that raised over $400,000, have made them a beacon of hope for a new generation of creators. They've proven that authentic storytelling, free from the constraints of traditional studios, can resonate globally.

You can explore more at studioheartbreak.com, or follow on Instagram or X.