Hayao Miyazaki | What it means to be an artist

Summary

The documentary on Hayao Miyazaki unveils the creative process of the legendary animator, from finding inspiration in everyday life to overcoming doubt and anxiety. Despite his success, Miyazaki's journey is relatable, filled with struggles and victories that resonate with any artist. The documentary highlights his relentless pursuit of excellence, his battle with self-doubt, and his unwavering purpose to spread joy through his art, even in the face of personal and national adversity.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Hayao Miyazaki is renowned for his influence in both anime and western pop culture, with an unmatched record of creating masterpieces throughout his career.
• 🎨 Miyazaki's creative process starts with a single image or idea, which he allows to evolve organically into a rich, detailed world.
• 👀 He actively seeks inspiration from everyday life, capturing moments and experiences that could fuel his creative work.
• 📓 Miyazaki carries a notebook to jot down ideas, emphasizing the importance of the act of writing as part of the creative process.
• 🌌 Despite long periods of no visible progress, Miyazaki remains patient, knowing that inspiration will come as long as he continues to search for it.
• 🎵 He looks for inspiration outside of animation, such as in music tours and museums, which can trigger breakthroughs in his work.
• 🤔 Miyazaki experiences significant doubt and anxiety throughout his creative journey, highlighting that even masters of their craft face self-doubt.
• 🚫 He is not afraid to abandon work that doesn't meet his standards, avoiding the sunk cost fallacy and focusing on quality over quantity.
• 💪 Miyazaki's early career was filled with rejection, but his belief in his own ideas and persistence eventually led to iconic creations.
• 🔄 The pressure of topping past successes is a constant challenge for Miyazaki, who must continually innovate to satisfy both himself and his audience.
• 🎭 His purpose in creating art is to spread joy, especially in times of hardship, showing his commitment to his craft even in the face of personal struggle.

Q & A

Who is Hayao Miyazaki and why is he considered influential?

Hayao Miyazaki is a renowned Japanese animator, director, and manga artist, known for his influential work in the anime industry. He is considered influential because he has carved a unique place in Western pop culture and has an unmatched track record of releasing high-quality masterpieces throughout his four-decade-long career.

How many feature films has Hayao Miyazaki directed?

Hayao Miyazaki has directed 11 feature films, with another one in the works.

What does the documentary by NHK reveal about Miyazaki's creative process?

The documentary by NHK provides an in-depth look at Miyazaki's creative process, showing everything from the inception of 'Ponyo' to the release of 'The Wind Rises'. It reveals his struggles and victories, and how he approaches finding inspiration and developing his ideas.

How does Miyazaki find inspiration for his work?

Miyazaki finds inspiration by living his life with his eyes wide open, finding beauty in the mundane. He carries a notebook to jot down ideas and concepts, and he actively seeks inspiration from various sources such as music, tours, and museums.

What does Miyazaki believe about the importance of actively searching for inspiration?

Miyazaki believes that inspiration will come as long as one is actively searching for it. He suggests that rather than looking towards other works of animation, one should explore different forms of art and experiences to find inspiration.

How does Miyazaki handle the pressure and responsibility of his work?

Despite the immense pressure and responsibility, Miyazaki handles it by maintaining a relentless work ethic, often isolating himself to work on his stories and using changes in scenery to gain perspective and overcome preconceived notions.

What is the most unexpected part of Miyazaki's creative process?

The most unexpected part of Miyazaki's creative process is the amount of doubt and anxiety he experiences throughout every step of the journey, which contrasts with the assumption that masters of their craft have unwavering confidence.

How does Miyazaki deal with the reality that not all ideas can be realized as initially envisioned?

Miyazaki deals with the reality of not being able to realize all ideas by not falling victim to the sunk cost fallacy. He is willing to work for days on a single image and then scrap it if it doesn't meet his standards.

What is the hardest question Miyazaki asks himself after achieving success?

The hardest question Miyazaki asks himself after achieving success is 'what's next', as he grapples with the challenge of continuing to grow and evolve as an artist while still pleasing his dedicated fanbase.

What is Miyazaki's purpose for creating art?

Miyazaki's purpose for creating art is the same as his purpose for living: to spread joy to those who need it. This clear purpose drives him to continue creating despite the challenges and hardships he faces.

How does Miyazaki view the process of animation, and does he find it draining?

Miyazaki views the process of animation as a tremendous challenge and often finds it draining, especially in his old age. Despite this, he continues to dive into new projects, driven by the belief that the challenge is what makes it worth doing.