Can’t Find a Movie You Want to Watch? That’s a Creative Opportunity.

Creation Begins with Imitation, Then Blossoms into Originality

Occasionally, someone says, “I don’t read much, but I want to try writing a novel.” The same goes for film.

It’s not always the case that someone becomes a filmmaker because they’ve watched over 100 movies a year and turned into a fanatic. Sometimes, the act of storytelling itself is irresistibly appealing to those with creative instincts.

Even within the realm of fiction, the feeling of “creating a world of your own” can be deeply satisfying. And when others engage with your work, it fulfills a need for recognition that few other experiences can match.

The Stages of Wanting to Create Stories

The first stage is pure imitation.

“I want to make something just like that!”—this is a common motivation. Spielberg and Lucas famously recreated the serial adventure films they loved as kids when they made the Indiana Jones series.

When I was in university, there were plenty of student filmmakers making parody after parody of transformation heroes. My own first film was a direct homage to the TV show I adored as a child: Kawaguchi Hiroshi’s Expedition Team, reimagined as an adventure movie.

Some creators remain in the imitation stage, but most eventually move on to the next phase: the pursuit of originality.

They begin to crave works that don’t yet exist—stories built from their own ideal combinations of genre and motif.

Making the Movie You Want to See

This desire often first appears in how we consume media.

We start searching for works that combine elements in ways we personally find compelling. But in my case, I rarely find movies or novels that match my tastes.

For example, I’ve only come across one novel that realistically combines historical drama set in Japan with dinosaurs (or monsters): Ōedo Kyōryūden. I feel like “Sengoku Era + Aliens” could make for a fascinating story, but such B-movie-style concepts are rare in Japanese cinema.

As a viewer, this is disappointing. But as a creator, it’s a golden opportunity.

If I make the movie I want to see, it’s likely to be highly original.

Why are there so few works that match my tastes? The answer is simple: there aren’t enough people who want them.

It’s not that no one has thought of these combinations. I’m sure many others have had similar ideas. Unless you’re a genius, human ideas tend to overlap.

In truth, originality in ideas is rare.

Commercial vs. DIY Creation

When the audience for a concept is small, commercial projects won’t get greenlit. That’s because commercial production requires massive investment, and without a large enough audience to recoup costs, it’s not viable.

Take novels, for instance. Publishing commercially involves editors, proofreaders, printing, distribution, and marketing—all of which cost money. To recover those costs, publishers lean toward popular genres like police procedurals.

But now, self-publishing via e-books is on the rise.

Sure, these books may have typos or lack polish. But since the only cost is the writer’s time, they’re free to explore niche themes and motifs you’d never see in a bookstore.

Even if the demand is just 1% of the mainstream, with no competition, such works might still be profitable.

The same applies to film.

Even low-budget commercial films cost tens of thousands of yen per day during shooting. With professionals working full days, proper compensation is expected. To recover those costs, it’s natural to cast popular actors or follow trending genres.

Many criticize this commercialism, but if you want to make a living from creative work, the bare minimum requirement is financial sustainability. I don’t believe artistic merit should override that reality.

On the other hand, DIY filmmakers like us use special effects and clever techniques to complete projects on ultra-low budgets. Since it’s often a passion project, we may not pay wages—but we must ensure the process itself is rewarding for everyone involved.

Once completed, these low-budget films require only modest returns. Even if the content isn’t mainstream, strong support from a niche audience could make them viable—just like self-published novels.

Niche Tastes Can Reach Core Fans

If you feel like “there’s nothing I want to watch or read,” you’re probably not alone. It’s a result of how commercial works are structured.

So if you find yourself thinking, “What I’m looking for doesn’t exist,” that might be your chance.

By focusing entirely on what you want to see or read, you might attract core fans who’ve been waiting for exactly that.

Even if those fans don’t appear right away, unlike commercial works made to sell, your first fan is yourself. That alone brings immense joy.

And since creative works are assets that accumulate, with the right presentation, they may one day be discovered and appreciated.

So if you feel like your ideal work doesn’t exist, take a moment to define it clearly—and then create it.

It’s far more fulfilling than lamenting the current state or criticizing others’ work.

What kind of story do you wish existed? Why not bring it to life?

I hope this inspires you.