The Misconception That ‘You Can’t Start Without Casting Actors’

Where Do You Begin When Planning a Film?

When you start planning a film, what’s the first thing you consider? If you have a rough story idea, do you immediately move on to securing actors?

Rushing to cast actors without thorough preparation can actually backfire.

It often leads to neglecting the refinement of your story, resulting in a rushed, “fun” shoot that proceeds despite unresolved narrative inconsistencies. As a consequence, these flaws persist until the final cut. Unfortunately, many films fall into this trap.

While such films are fine in their own way, a story-driven film with compelling content stands out remarkably. And contrary to what you might think, creating an engaging film doesn’t require extraordinary talent or a hefty budget.

The Power of Preparation

The first step to improving your film’s content is to eliminate plot inconsistencies—those moments that confuse or bore your audience. Additionally, leveraging storytelling “templates” that humans naturally find engaging can be extremely effective.

If you’re interested in exploring narrative templates, I recommend the resource “どんでん返し大全１” (The Plot Twist Compendium Vol. 1).

There’s a saying: “Eighty percent preparation, twenty percent execution.” This applies to filmmaking as well. Thorough pre-production—comprising about half of the total workload—ensures smoother filming later on.

For example:

• Developing the story,
• Writing the script,
• Planning the shoot.

All of this can and should be handled independently before you begin casting.

Securing Actors After Preparation

When you approach actors with fully prepared materials, they’re more likely to commit to your project, motivated by your seriousness and clear vision.

In traditional filmmaking, progress typically halts if actors haven’t been cast. However, by using the “Masuda-Style Super Previsualization Method” I practice, you can advance to:

• Filming background scenes,
• Using figurines as stand-ins for actors,
• Pre-editing with composites,
• Adding sound effects,
• Selecting background music.

This method allows you to complete up to 80% of the project without having your cast confirmed.

The 80% Complete Film: A Practical Example

An “80% complete film” involves:

• Using figurines as placeholders for all characters,
• Recording all dialogue with your own voice temporarily.

This version lets you refine edits, test scene additions, and identify areas for improvement—all before involving actors. Editing often reveals issues that can only be addressed during this stage.

In the final phase, once your cast is set, you can shoot their performances against a green screen and replace the figurine footage one by one.

Advantages of This Method

Actors don’t need to gather all at once. You can film them individually, as their schedules permit.

This eliminates the need for transporting large crews or equipment between locations, enabling you to conduct small-scale shoots with just two people: the actor and yourself as director-cinematographer.

Even with a large cast, you can film each actor separately.

A Method Perfected for Modern Needs

Originally developed to overcome logistical constraints like limited filming locations and tight schedules, this approach turned out to be particularly suited for pandemic-era filmmaking, where small-scale shoots were safer.

While unconventional by traditional filmmaking standards, the Masuda-Style Super Previsualization Method has inadvertently become a safe and versatile way to produce diverse films in challenging circumstances.

For a deeper dive, check out this brief explanation of the method.

I hope this inspires your filmmaking process!