Laen Sanches & Tony Stearns from Return to Earth Studio

Laen Sanches and Tony Stearns didn’t wait for the creative industry to catch up with the times, they stepped ahead of it. With decades of experience in storytelling and production, they saw an inflection point approaching: the rise of generative AI. Rather than resist the shift, they embraced it. The result? Return to Earth Studio: a hybrid creative house where human artistry, AI, and traditional filmmaking combine to tell stories that resonate in entirely new ways

The idea came from two simple but powerful observations: 

1. There was unprecedented potential of AI generative processes to produce entirely new, unexpected, and previously unimaginable results—and that this power could be harnessed for good.
2. High-end content was often overcomplicated. Massive shoots. Expensive post. Bloated teams. “We saw there could be a smarter way,” says Tony.

AI wasn’t the answer alone but it paired with their creative vision, it became a catalyst. Not to replace human input, but to enhance it and to take creativity to the next level.

Building a studio on their own terms

Entrepreneurship wasn’t always the plan, but the urge to create something meaningful pushed it to the surface. Instead of waiting for permission or funding, they invested in their own creative ideas and let the work speak first. “We didn’t wait for clients, but rather we  launched by creating our own pieces which we believed in, which also showcased our capabilities as a studio.”  It meant working for free at first, but it paid off by attracting the attention of clients and partners.

Since then their projects include an immersive film for the Netherlands Pavilion at World Expo 2025 and a co-development deal with an Oscar-winning factual studio, strong signals that they are onto something.

Standing out in a sea of tools? Let the results speak.

AI tools are everywhere. What makes Return to Earth Studio different isn’t which tools they use but how they use them, and more importantly, why. “Tech is a means. Our focus is on what moves people, not what dazzles them for a second,” explains Laen.

The studio doesn’t aim to be the loudest. It aims to be the most impactful. Whether crafting a brand campaign, an immersive experience, or a digital short, they treat each frame as part of a bigger story: one that sticks.

Purpose-driven growth, not hype-fueled scaling

The vision isn’t to grow fast, it’s to grow right. Laen and Tony want to build deep creative partnerships with brands and collaborators who care about storytelling, sustainability, and doing things differently. Other ventures may follow one day, but for now, the full focus is on what Return to Earth Studio can become.

Their long-term goal? To create work that doesn’t just look good, but leaves a mark. Work that inspires, elevates, and shifts perspective.

Their advice for new founders: just start

The best advice they ever received? “Give yourself the space to go further.” You don’t need a perfect plan, just the courage to begin. From there, it's about being curious, staying adaptable, and choosing purpose over perfection.

Return to Earth Studio is proof that when you blend creativity, technology, and intention, you don’t just build a business. You build a new way of making meaning.

Lastly

Starting and growing a business is a unique journey. The same goes for Jiabin Liu and Xavier Chang from JR International BV. Curious about their experiences and insights? Read their story.