The Joy of Filmmaking Lies in Fulfillment and Recognition — Why Your Film’s Theme Can Come Later

Human Behavior Is Driven by Emotion

“Why are you making a film?”
Back in my student days, when I was obsessed with storyboarding and shooting, I was often asked this question.
“Do you think you’ll make money from it?”
“Do you think you’ll become a professional filmmaker?”
I don’t think these were hostile questions. People were simply puzzled by how I could pour so much energy into something so demanding.
Why do we devote ourselves to creative pursuits like filmmaking, which are often time-consuming and complex?
The answer lies in emotion.
There’s the sense of accomplishment as each step brings the project closer to completion.
There’s the satisfaction of showing your finished work to others and feeling seen.
These emotional rewards are powerful. Even now, in my mid-50s, my creative drive hasn’t faded. In fact, I left my corporate job in my late 40s to become a freelance video creator.
(For the record, most of my paid work involves business-oriented videos, like online courses.)

Creative Drive and Artistic Expression Are Not the Same

Filmmaking is a form of narrative creation, much like writing novels or manga.
But if you don’t understand the emotional reasons behind creative work, you can run into strange problems—especially in story-driven mediums.
Imagine a writing workshop led by a novelist whose work challenges societal norms. During Q&A, a student asks, “What do you want readers to take away from your writing?”
That question might feel off-base.
The student’s motivation is simply to experience the joy of creating something. Their reason for writing is entirely different from the instructor’s.
They might say, “I don’t have anything specific I want to say.”
Or even ask, “So… what should I write?”
It may sound silly, but it’s actually a logical question.

The Paradox of Creative Freedom

One of the first hurdles in any creative hobby is the confusion that comes with “freedom.”
Give a child a blank sheet of paper and say, “Draw whatever you want,” and they’ll dive right in. I used to draw small animals and dinosaurs. Others would draw princesses without hesitation.
But adults often freeze.
“Can you give me a prompt?” they ask.
It’s a sign that our ability to make creative decisions has weakened.
Yet we still want to create—because we crave that sense of accomplishment.
That’s why setting a theme or constraint can be helpful.
Freedom is too broad; a theme narrows the options.
If the creator doesn’t care what the theme is, choosing one that appeals to the audience can be a smart move.
So when someone says, “You’re not a professional—just write what you want,” that advice misses the point.
Sometimes, you want to write—but don’t know what you want to say.

Start Simple: You Don’t Need a Deep Theme to Make a Film

The same applies to filmmaking.
Designing shots, filming, and editing fragmented scenes into a coherent drama is deeply satisfying.
Whether or not you have a message to convey is a separate issue.
Even if you’re working from a prewritten script, you’ll still feel a strong sense of accomplishment.
Before aiming to create a fully original film from scratch, try making a parody or a remake.
It’s a great way to build confidence and momentum.

A Practical Starting Point: Game-Like Visuals

Filmmaking takes time.
Many people aim too high and end up with unfinished projects.
Here’s a recommendation: create a film that looks like an old computer game.
Each scene has a static background, characters appear and talk, then the scene changes—like a visual novel or slideshow.
You won’t experience every aspect of cinematic storytelling, but you’ll fulfill the core desire: turning a story into visuals and sharing it with others.
And if you embrace the “game-like” aesthetic, you can shoot backgrounds separately and film actors against a green screen indoors.
This drastically shortens the production timeline.
For a simple short film, you could finish all character shots in a single day.

Build Momentum Through Completion

Watch your finished film with friends. Enjoy it together.
Then raise the bar with your next project.
This step-by-step approach might be the most practical way to enjoy filmmaking as a creative hobby.
At my DIY Filmmaking Club, I’m considering adopting this method for beginner directors.
Hope this was helpful.