Q: We've shared such an incredible journey as sisters, especially how my health experiences opened both our eyes to holistic living. How did our parallel paths influence your vision for creating an eco-conscious animation studio?
We really have! If I hadn’t come along for your healing journey I would have never connected the dots on what exactly led me to leave the stop-motion animation industry in my 20’s. All I knew at the time was that I was no longer happy in that environment and that was enough to step away, luckily. But to learn over the next five years how integral human and environmental health are is what ultimately sparked my vision for an animation studio that prioritized the health of both people and planet.
Q: As your sister and design collaborator, I loved watching this space come to life. What are some of your favorite conscious and non-toxic elements we incorporated, and how do they reflect your values in action?
My absolute favorite is the marbled white cork. I love cork boards, but know they can be a bit of an eye sore. So to have an aesthetically pleasing cork tackboard that could not only act as our Big Board for scheduling, but also as acoustic control in the sound room was my dream come true. We were able to staple it to the walls instead of gluing, which made it even more non-toxic.
There are so many other elements I love, like the Fireclay tiles in the bathroom and the FSC certified doors and trim. We took the same approach in sourcing all the elements of the studio renovation as I do for our animation productions so it really was a direct reflection of our values and it makes it such a special space to work in everyday.
Q: You specifically choose to use 'eco-conscious' rather than 'sustainability' in describing your work and studio. Can you share why this distinction matters and what it means for your approach?
When I was first starting out in 2020 I actually did say we were a “sustainable stop-motion animation studio,” but it was within that first year that I realized the word has lost its original meaning and has adopted many connotations and motives having nothing to do with protecting and honoring the environment.
Our society has reached a point where sustaining things where they are means continuing down a path of toxicity for both people and planet. Whereas to be eco-conscious is to be aware of our impact and role in the larger ecosystem. To recognize we are not in a sustainable place, that systems across industries and governments are failing, and that we have been lied to about why this is actually happening.
To be eco-conscious is to live consciously, every day, and make deliberate choices that align with the kind of future we would actually like to head toward. To be an eco-conscious studio is to endorse the materials and practices that allow us to harmonize with Nature.
Q: How does bringing mind-body-spirit awareness into your studio's culture shape the creative process and team dynamics?
My apprentices tell me often that they feel the studio is a safe container to hold their creativity and it makes my heart so happy. Our kitchen is stocked with only organic, healthy snacks and drinks. We light beeswax candles and the only scents allowed are natural essential oils. We pull oracle cards as little reminders to look inward and see what parts of ourselves need some attention that day or week. We make sure to use as much natural light from our steel casement windows as possible. And our little crew is very tapped in to if someone is having an off day.
Part of my healing journey has been to stop the cycle of burn out I was so apt to repeat in my early career, which has actually made me more aware of if someone needs the day off or some extra support so they don’t crash. I love that this studio is able to be flexible and fluid and I intend to keep it in alignment with our values as we grow.
Q: What unexpected challenges or discoveries emerged when merging stop-motion animation with eco-conscious principles?
When I started the studio I created somewhat of a manifesto to establish our values and one sentence that I continue to come back to is: “art and entertainment should not harm humans or the environment.” It’s funny to read that and think, “well, of course not,” but crazy that almost all of it does nowadays!
The biggest discovery I’ve made is that there is a balance of embracing the technological advancements that even allow an art form like stop-motion to exist and returning to old artistic ways that worked perfectly well before the petroleum industry began to dominate so many industries.
There are a lot of challenges in the trial and error of testing natural materials and DIY recipes. But it is that balance that allows us to keep making progress, even if we aren’t getting perfect results right away.
Q: Your podcast 'Return to Nature' has become such an integral part of the studio. What inspired you to weave these two creative outlets together?
For several years I talked about starting a podcast “one day,” so when I finally decided to do it, it only made sense to do so in the context of the studio. Return to Nature started as a way for me to connect to people who shared my vision in their own industries so I could stay inspired and encouraged that I was on the right track. The name came from one of our core values of aligning with Nature, remembering we are a part of it, and exploring how we can live in our modern world, but still honor Nature.
Q: Having worked in major productions like Robot Chicken and American Hustle, how do you see the industry's attitude toward eco-consciousness evolving?
I think on an individual level that people are on board, but that it’s translating it into a business model that makes progress slow. For instance, when I shared with some of my old bosses what I was doing, they were very supportive. But that doesn’t mean they are implementing any of these practices in their own businesses. Because where does one start? How does one do it while still keeping on time and budget? That’s what I’ve set out to discover so that it can be easily integrated into other studios someday.
I’ve also heard of things like reusable water bottles on set, but the sad truth is that the industry on the whole is so incredibly wasteful from catering to set fabrication and to really affect change will take giving a lot more talented professionals the resources and freedom to problem solve better solutions while on the job.
I know firsthand that it’s not the most intuitive and lucrative business model to do so, but I believe it is necessary at this point in time.
Q: What's your vision for the future of eco-conscious creativity in animation? Are there any innovations you're excited to explore?
It’s so funny because this is always the question I end on in my Return to Nature interviews and it never gets old. It’s so rewarding to think forward and see a clear vision of what your dreams can become. I can see so clearly how successful this studio could be and how it could impact the larger industry.
So many start ups exist that are innovating in alignment with Nature and the biggest hurdle I’ve found is that they aren’t in a position to work with a little guy like us. They’re looking for the big hitters in the market of consumerism like fashion and packaging. So one part of my future vision is that these Nature innovators begin to work with us on utilizing their technologies in our productions. That, through that, we are able to find viable replacements for every single toxic and wasteful facet of the industry and create stop-motion animations that are completely eco-conscious and on par with the quality of conventional animations.
I envision other studios and artists adopting the materials, methods, and practices we pioneer so that eventually being eco-conscious becomes the industry standard. And that it not only transforms the stop-motion industry, but also the larger art industry.
Q: For other creatives wanting to build more conscious spaces and practices, what's one piece of wisdom you'd share from your experience?
The best advice I have ever gotten is to start where you are. Oftentimes when we get a big vision in our heads we want to go big or go home. I am definitely guilty of that off and on! What I’ve found is that I have to honor each phase I’m in. Take it one step at a time and be patient both with yourself and the process. Implement what you’re able to within your budget and current knowledge. And hold your vision so you can continue to work toward it little by little.
Q: Where can people learn more about your work, connect with the studio, and follow your journey?
The main place is our website: thesistersbloom.com , which has all the information about the studio, our work, and the Return to Nature podcast. Secondly, we are most active on Instagram @sistersbloomstudios where we share a lot of insight into our process and practices. You can also sign up for our seasonal newsletter at the bottom of our website.
