Learning Low-Budget Film Production and Content Utilization Strategies from Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

Film Production: Only Half the Battle is Completing the Work

When we talk about the “joy of creation,” the most exciting part is often the process of making something. Despite the challenges, the sense of accomplishment after overcoming creative struggles is truly addictive.

That said, filmmaking occupies a special place among creative activities, as completing the project isn’t the end—it’s just the halfway point.

Unlike novels, paintings, or crafts, which can exist privately, films often involve collaborative efforts. Even with a largely one-person production approach like mine, actors still participate, making it essential to honor that collaboration by presenting the finished work publicly.

Simply put, “Film production doesn’t end when the film is finished.”

Why Some Creators Fail to Utilize Their Films

Even I, writing this boldly, can’t say I’ve made the most of my films through screenings or distribution. Reasons for this include:

• The film was never completed.
• Freelance actors in the project later signed with an agency, complicating how the work could be handled.
• I was dissatisfied with the quality and shifted my focus to the next project.

Those who supported the project often expect to see it completed, but long production times commonly lead to disappointment or disinterest.

Recognizing this, I decided to prioritize shortening shooting periods. However, earlier projects created using standard lengthy methods ended up shelved, a fate I now aim to avoid.

Cultivating a Producer’s Mindset

Filmmakers, especially in commercial cinema, often focus on their roles as directors. Once a commercial film is complete, marketing teams take over, but low-budget indie creators lack such resources.

This is why we need a producer’s mindset—thinking strategically about every phase from planning to utilizing the final content.

For independent filmmakers, creating is inevitable—it’s what we do naturally. What requires deliberate focus is:

1. Making use of completed content.
2. Avoiding the shelving of works.

Lessons from Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

In the manga Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, the protagonist, Asakusa, is a typical creator: entirely consumed by content production without a clue about cost or schedule management. However, her friend Kanamori possesses no creative talent but excels in producing, ensuring that projects are completed and utilized.

To succeed, creators like us must foster our own inner “Kanamori.”

My Solutions to Avoid Shelving Works

Reflecting on my experience, I’ve found common tendencies that extend production times, such as attempting to create long masterpieces or overinvesting in opening scenes.

While I don’t want to abandon ambitious projects, my current approach includes:

• Breaking stories into shorter segments and releasing them sequentially.
• Minimizing time spent perfecting the opening.

Much like serialized novels in newspapers, segments can later be combined into a cohesive feature-length version, with adjustments or additional scenes as needed.

Publishing in parts offers many benefits:

• Early previews for collaborators, strengthening relationships.
• Engaging audiences quickly, potentially gaining new supporters.
• Achieving frequent milestones, fueling creative momentum.

In today’s saturated video content market, traditional formats hold less meaning. Even if a segment ends abruptly, simply adding “to be continued” could enhance its intrigue, akin to the flavor of Twin Peaks.

In summary, for my upcoming projects, I plan to experiment with sequential releases as a practical and strategic method. I hope these ideas prove helpful!