Shooting Is Something We Create Together

〜Walking Alongside the People We Film〜

In my previous post, I talked about building structure.

How do we naturally convey the feelings that can’t be put into words? Structure, to me, is the design of empathy—a way to shape the message into video form so it truly reaches the viewer.

But no matter how thoughtfully we structure a story, whether it resonates or not depends heavily on how we shoot it on set.

Of course, the hearing stage is important. Structure is important. But so is filming. Every part works together to shape a single story.

This time, I want to focus on that part of the process—“shooting”—and share what I value most during filming.

▼What This Article Covers:

1. Filming Is the Time to Capture “Raw Material” That Can’t Be Added in Editing

   Filming is like gathering ingredients—capturing not just visuals, but the atmosphere too.

2. Two Things I Value Most on Set

   I create a relaxed space so people can enjoy the shoot as a memory, not just a task.

3. What I Learned from a 1-on-1 Basketball Shoot: The Power of Creating Together

   Even without technical expertise, I believe in building scenes together.

4. Filming Isn’t One-Way Communication—It’s a Dialogue

   With both instinct and skill, I aim to co-create each film with my clients.

5. For Those Who Feel Anxious About Being Filmed

   For those nervous in front of a camera, I shape a space where they can say:

   “I actually want to be filmed.”

   
   
   
   

1. Filming Is the Time to Capture “Raw Material” That Can’t Be Added in Editing

In the filmmaking process, “filming” is like gathering ingredients before cooking.

No matter how well we edit or “season” the footage, we can’t bring out its true potential without good material.

That’s why I pay close attention to the atmosphere on set—the mood that can’t be recreated in editing.

Filming is about capturing that fleeting energy and presence that only exists in that moment.

By “raw material,” I don’t just mean technical quality. It includes things like the subject’s energy, the quality of silence, a shift in someone’s gaze, or the breath between their words.

2. Two Things I Value Most on Set

There are two things I’m especially conscious of when filming.

First, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

For many people, being natural in front of a camera isn’t easy. When people feel nervous, their expressions or movements often become stiff.

That’s why I try to make the space as soft and safe as possible, so they can ease into being themselves.

Not by “directing,” but by “staying close” and taking the time to let their personality naturally come out.

Second, I try to make filming feel like a “fun memory” for the person being filmed.

It might even be the last video they take, so I want them to walk away thinking,

“That was a good time.”Even if the session was brief, I want it to feel like something meaningful.

To me, that sense of care—the effort to make each moment feel valuable—is part of what gives my filming style its worth.

3. What I Learned from a 1-on-1 Basketball Shoot: The Power of Creating Together

I once filmed a one-on-one basketball scene.

We were capturing both offensive and defensive POVs—but I’d never played basketball myself.

So I kept asking the athlete:

“Does this movement look real?”

“Does this shake feel natural?”

I couldn’t make those judgments alone.

So I constantly showed the footage to the player and got their feedback.

We kept checking together, getting lost together, and slowly shaped the video into something real.

That moment of saying, “Yeah, this feels right,” and co-creating the video together—that's exactly the feeling I mean when I say:

Filming is something we create together.

And from that day, I stopped thinking of filming as something I do to someone.

Filming is not a one-way process.

4. Filming Isn’t One-Way Communication—It’s a Dialogue

Just because I’m the one holding the camera doesn’t mean I should be the one “delivering the message.”

I always remind myself: filming is about co-creating a space, not just capturing moments.

Even if the videographer takes the lead in setting up gear and directing shots, whether the video “speaks” to the viewer depends on the relationship between the person filming and the one being filmed.

For example, someone might say:

“This angle feels a little off to me.”

“I’d rather say it this way.”

These small comments often lead us closer to capturing their true self.

So during the shoot, I often ask:

“Do you usually speak like that?”

“Would you naturally say it more slowly?”

When I hear their responses, I’m often inspired to rework the shot or the flow.

I believe filming is a shared rhythm between the person filming and the person being filmed.

It’s not just about capturing “raw footage.” It’s about creating a space where both people gently draw something out of each other.

In other words:

a dialogue, and a truly collaborative act.

And through that mutual exchange, I believe the result naturally reaches the hearts of those who watch it.

5. For Those Who Feel Anxious About Being Filmed

It’s totally normal to feel nervous in front of a camera.

“Will I speak well?”

“Will I look like myself?”

But that’s why I want to create something together with you.

Because drawing out your unique “energy” and “timing” in a natural way—that’s my job.

It’s also my role to create a space through video where you can feel at ease and express your true self.

So if you’ve ever thought:

“I’d like to leave a record of myself in a natural, authentic way.”

“I want something more than just a video—I want to remember this moment.”

Then let’s talk. Even just a casual chat is more than welcome.

▶︎Lets talk