The risk-taker behind Dandelion Studios: Fabian Tan’s journey in post-production

Top Singapore production company Dandelion Studios recently signed up with m25, the global representation network of premium creative companies. In a continuing series of interviews that share the stories of individual founders behind the creative companies, m25 sat down with Fabian Tan to discuss the rapid rise of Dandelion Studios in Singapore.

Fabian Tan’s passion for moving images began in childhood and led him to study Screen Production at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. His hands-on experience at Singapore’s VHQ Post helped him focus his talent on visual storytelling, ultimately driving him, along with partners Joni Raso and Billy Fong, to establish Dandelion Studios in Singapore in 2023, a venture recently honored as Production Company of the Year at ADFEST 2025.

Today, Tan nurtures local talent and crafts compelling visuals for regional agencies, production companies and brands, his journey shows that with genuine passion, success is built one step at a time as Dandelion goes from strength to strength.

Tan’s career started after graduation, when he got his first job as a freelance production assistant at Two Oceans Film Company, under the guidance of Desmond Tan and Geok.

“I spent six unforgettable months learning the ropes. I learned fast, worked hard, and fell even deeper in love with the process of crafting visual stories,” said Tan.

After spending four years in production, Tan transitioned fully into post, starting at Iceberg Design and later moving to iconic leading regional post production studio VHQ.

“I have to thank Francis Kitaro Tan for thrusting me into the deep end at Iceberg, where I had to be responsible for the sales and business. Those years were invaluable. I gained experience in building my clientele, knowledge in running a post business, and deepened my understanding of the creative and technical aspects of post-production,” said Tan.

“I worked on a wide variety of projects, collaborated with incredible teams and talents, and steadily moved into leadership roles. But what always mattered most to me was the people, their growth, their creativity, their craft.”

Tan has always been seen as a bit of a risk taker by his friends, but he says setting up Dandelion Studios was, without a doubt, the biggest leap he has ever taken.

“Assembling the team, pulling the funds together, and trying to survive in a fiercely competitive market was a huge challenge, especially when post-production was seen as a sunset industry,” he explained.

“The post-production landscape was shifting fast. Entry barriers were lower. Agencies and production companies were setting up their own in-house post. Freelance colourists, editors, CG artists and compositors were everywhere. Budgets were tightening. But I still believed there was space for something different: a studio where the craft and the people both mattered deeply along with understanding and working the latest technology and AI. At the end of the day, this is a relationship business to me where trust and credibility are the backbone of this industry.

Building Dandelion Studios was more than survival. It was about creating a space where creativity and technical excellence could not only exist, but flourish. It was about believing in the long game; investing in people, fostering a culture, and delivering work that speaks for itself.”

A major milestone came when Dandelion Studios was awarded Production Company of the Year earlier this year at ADFEST 2025.

“It was a career highlight for me, and a huge moment for the team,” says Tan.

“The work, created for the Republic of Singapore Navy, also brought home Gold for Editing, Gold for Animation, and Silver for Visual Effects. It was the result of an incredible collaboration with MullenLowe Singapore, atypical films, and the talented Toby Morris, Tim Eddy, and Matt Campbell.”

As the company moves forward in 2025 and beyond, Tan believes that embracing AI is essential.

“AI tools will only become more powerful and sophisticated, and they’re poised to become an integral part of the post-production pipeline. If we are to succeed in this space, we should harness it, as when done right, AI can help increase our throughput, efficiency, and elevate our creative potential maximising value to our clients.

“The human touch will always be vital, but the tools we use will evolve, and we need to evolve with them. This is inevitable.”

Tan leads with the belief that a team is only as strong as its weakest member.

“I’ve built my career on collaboration, mentorship, and a deep respect for the creative process. Whether it’s nurturing young talent, pushing creative boundaries, or navigating the next wave of innovation. I’m here for the long game.

“The real magic in this industry isn’t just in the tools we use or the visuals we create, but in the people we grow with, and the risks we’re willing to take together,” concludes Tan.