Production Memo: Pilot Pre-Production Program (4P) – April 2025 – Asians in Animation
Can you believe it? If you want proof that time really flies, here's a shocker – we've reached our very last monthly TEA update!
Much like the finale of every crew project, this month has been all about taking a deep breath, wrapping things up, celebrating with a well-deserved screening party, and handling those final cleanups. Let's dive into how we've spent our last month together!
Crew Screening
This was THE moment everyone had been looking forward to since day one! More than 70 excited crew & cast gathered virtually and in person for the celebration. Take a look at our lovely photos where we united for tears, laughter, and watching together what we've been pouring our hearts into for months!
Thank you Titmouse Burbank for hosting us!
Announcing...
Okay, now we have a confession to make... we've been deliberately holding back while sharing our artwork during these past few months. Why? For our official announcement!
Introducing to you the title of our show and the characters of the world of… Tea Leaves Last!
Introducing...
Meet the characters we’ve been crafting and living with—and how we express our love towards them every chance we get:
(Mild Spoilers Ahead...)
And the best part of lovable characters… crew fan art!
By Claire H. Chong
By Nichole Isip
Yeah… we occasionally (constantly) have fun with them as well!
Within the past 8 months, our crew of 107 members have worked a total of 15,141+ hours! This equals almost 2 years of straight working, if one person were working endlessly 24 hours a day!! Throughout this time, we’ve created 338 assets (characters, backgrounds, props and effects) across 1401 different versions, and 4334 storyboard panels that made it to the final cut!
We’ve gained other treasures: invaluable experience in animation pre-production that you simply can't get from textbooks or tutorials alone. The intensive, collaborative environment we created truly mimicked a real animation studio, complete with deadlines, feedback sessions, and the creative problem-solving that happens when talented minds come together! We did it - and we’re so proud of that!!
What's next?
While most of the crew will be moving on to new adventures, many of them will stay for roughly another month to finish the final touches of marketing materials, sound and music and help with remaining wrap-ups!
What’s more, we’re beyond thrilled to share that we have an online release of the final work scheduled on May 21st!
We’ll be taking what we’ve worked so hard behind the scenes to the public - we hope that’s as exciting for you as it is for us!!
Final Thoughts
Our program belongs to Asians in Animation (AIA), a community-powered non-profit organization dedicated to the celebr-Asian and support of the Asian animation community. We develop programs and organize events that are all about giving up-and-coming Asian animation professionals real-world experience to help them build the skills they need to succeed in the industry. If you want to receive the latest updates, make sure to follow our instagram!
Lastly, we’d like to thank YOU for accompanying us through this unforgettable journey. The animation industry we love has had its ups and downs, but that's exactly why communities like what we’ve cultivated matter more than ever – we're in this together, supporting each other, and creating opportunities even when the path gets rocky. Shows and projects will end, but we wave goodbye with smiles, and carry the memories, lessons, and connection forward…
Until we meet again (hopefully soon)!
With love and gratitude,
AIA 4P Production Program Team
By Po Kei Nicole Wong
