Story First or Visual Effects First? Exploring Fun Approaches to Filmmaking

The Powerful Motivation to “Imitate”

Creators can often be categorized into two types:

1. Those who strive to produce entirely original works—artists driven by self-expression.
2. Those inspired to replicate the essence of something they admire—imitators fueled by passion.

It’s well-known that there’s no such thing as a purely original idea; every “new concept” is simply a novel combination of existing elements. Fan creations such as derivative works (like fanfiction) serve as a prime example of imitation-driven creativity. These works combine existing characters with original stories. While often existing in a gray area of copyright law, this form of creation is widely viewed as beneficial for nurturing creative talent in general.

For many creators, the love of a particular work provides the strongest incentive to emulate it. Writers and illustrators who encounter stories or manga they adore frequently feel a subconscious urge to recreate the atmosphere and mood of those works. While mirroring a plot or setting could lead to plagiarism issues, adopting an ambiance or style is less likely to face such criticism.

Additionally, most entertaining narratives tend to follow similar structures or outlines. Orthodoxy in storytelling offers limited variation, making identical summaries across unrelated works commonplace. Hence, creators shouldn’t obsess over being overly original. Instead, they should view their desire to emulate as a powerful energy source for creation.

Visual Effects for Scene Recreation

Recently, I’ve been drawn to scenes featuring traditional Japanese houses or Western mansions in films. Works based on Seishi Yokomizo’s novels, for instance, display the ominous depth of ancient architecture, capturing an almost otherworldly charm. Such settings prompt thoughts like: “I’d love to make something using these spaces.”

Yet, low-budget filmmaking can’t reasonably accommodate these inspirations. Despite the existence of old mansions, the cost of renting them for production outweighs the feasibility of recreating the desired ambiance.

Thankfully, today’s digital editing tools enable creators to employ special effects to replicate similar settings. For example, combining meticulously crafted miniature interiors with green-screen footage can generate the illusion of characters interacting in eerie, old spaces.

Embracing Visual Effects in Filmmaking

The goal isn’t to physically replicate “spooky mansion interiors”; instead, it’s about capturing the essence of a scene onscreen. Accepting this distinction often separates aspiring creators who only critique others from those who actively enjoy crafting their films.

Even those disinterested in special effects may discover new creative possibilities through its application. With sufficient skills and imagination, visuals aligned with your vision are achievable with relative freedom.

Leveraging Special Effects for Stories

Visual effects traditionally address scenarios that cannot be filmed practically—an almost necessary evil in filmmaking. Yet once creators discover the fun in experimenting with effects, they may begin creating simply for the joy of recreating scenes.

In high school, I adored Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion sequences. My first attempts involved crafting dinosaur models for stop-motion filming with an 8mm camera—an experience that thrilled me. Nowadays, smartphones provide the convenience to replicate such special effects much more easily.

Often, this exploration of effects leads to adding stories around those visuals, evolving one-off scenes into cohesive narrative-driven works. It compels creators to design plots that seamlessly integrate their imaginative sequences, enriching the experience.

I fall entirely into this category—my projects typically start with “scenes I want to recreate” and expand into stories that connect those moments organically. While purists who lead with themes may find this approach unconventional, I believe passion-driven projects exude a magnetic force.

Films are meant to be enjoyable—there’s no need for strict adherence to rigid rules. Watching major productions and wondering, “How could I recreate that scene using practical effects?” provides boundless fun. Pair that with a compelling story, and the filmmaking journey becomes even more rewarding.