MaxFoo Studios' Suzie Q: A Vertical Animation Series Tackling Art School Struggles
MaxFoo Studios, located in Perth, has obtained funding from Screen Australia and Screenwest for its animated project, Suzie Q. This series centers on a dolphin art student grappling with familial pressures that undermine the value of art. Dung Nguyen, the writer and director, refers to it as a tribute to pursuing art in a state that prioritizes mining. The series will feature 31 one-minute episodes designed for social video platforms, aimed at busy teens and young adults. Producer Michael John Long highlighted the difficulties of adapting animation for a vertical format. Suzie Q aligns with Screen Australia's initiative to attract younger viewers, as indicated in its Screen Currency 2026 report. Currently, Suzie Q is still under development.
Key facts
- MaxFoo Studios received production funding from Screen Australia and Screenwest for Suzie Q.
- Suzie Q is a vertical video-first animated series with 31 one-minute episodes.
- The series follows a young art student, depicted as a dolphin, facing family expectations that devalue art.
- Writer, animator, and director Dung Nguyen drew from personal experience.
- The show is set to be released on social video platforms.
- Producer Michael John Long noted the challenge of making each episode stand alone.
- The team plans to use audience engagement data for marketing and future projects.
- Screen Australia's Screen Currency 2026 report found young audiences prefer social media over traditional media.
Entities
Artists
- Dung Nguyen
- Michael John Long
- Olan Rogers
Institutions
- MaxFoo Studios
- Screen Australia
- Screenwest
- Grouse House
- ScreenHub
- ArtsHub
Locations
- Perth
- Western Australia
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Australia