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.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 The Creative Process of Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki, a renowned anime creator, is celebrated for his unique and influential art in Western pop culture. Despite his success, he faces the same creative struggles as any artist. A documentary by NHK provides insight into his ten-year career, showing his meticulous approach to filmmaking. Miyazaki starts with a single image or idea, which he meticulously develops into a rich, detailed world. He actively seeks inspiration from everyday life, carrying a notebook to jot down ideas. Even after committing to an idea, he continues his search for inspiration, visiting museums and music tours. He believes in the importance of living life with open eyes to find beauty in the mundane. Miyazaki's process is slow and methodical, often taking nearly a year to complete a single frame, reflecting his dedication to quality and detail.

05:03

🤔 Doubt and Anxiety in Artistic Creation

Contrary to the perception of masters being confident, Miyazaki's journey is filled with doubt and anxiety. Despite his extensive experience and success, he faces rejection and failure, which fuels his drive for success. His early career was marked by pitches that were initially dismissed, but his belief in his vision led to the creation of iconic anime. Even with a record of high-grossing films, Miyazaki experiences anxiety with each new premiere, fearing audience disinterest. His words emphasize the reality that having an idea is just the beginning, and even brilliant concepts may not materialize as planned. He is known to work tirelessly on a single image, only to discard it if it doesn't meet his standards, illustrating the importance of not falling into the sunken cost fallacy.

10:06

🌟 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Purpose

Miyazaki's words offer profound insights into the creative process, emphasizing that ideas must be translated into reality, which can be a daunting task. He acknowledges the difficulty of creating something special, often requiring multiple attempts and learning from each. The process of animation is described as labor-intensive, with a team of animators taking a week to produce just five seconds of final animation. Miyazaki also grapples with the pressure of living up to his past successes, seeing them as a challenge to overcome rather than a legacy to maintain. His purpose in creating art is to spread joy, which he considers a lifelong mission. This was evident during the 2011 earthquake in Japan, where he insisted on continuing to work to bring joy to the people. Despite the stress and challenges, Miyazaki is driven by the belief that challenges are what make life worth living, and he continues to push his boundaries in art.

Keywords

💡Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki is a renowned Japanese filmmaker, animator, and co-founder of Studio Ghibli. He is celebrated for his influential role in the world of animation, particularly for his unique storytelling and detailed animation style. In the video, Miyazaki's creative process and personal struggles are explored, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to quality and his ability to inspire and influence audiences globally.

💡Anime

Anime refers to a style of animation that originated in Japan and is characterized by vibrant characters and fantastical themes. In the context of the video, Miyazaki is highlighted as a pioneer in the Western acceptance of anime, transcending cultural boundaries and establishing a significant presence in global pop culture.

💡Masterpiece

A masterpiece is a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship. The script frequently refers to Miyazaki's films as masterpieces, indicating the high level of artistic achievement and the enduring impact of his work within the animation industry.

💡Creative Process

The creative process involves the stages an artist goes through to create a work of art. The video delves into Miyazaki's approach to developing his films, starting from a single image or idea and expanding it into a fully-fledged narrative, illustrating the iterative and exploratory nature of artistic creation.

💡Inspiration

Inspiration is the influence or idea that causes someone to create something. The script describes how Miyazaki actively seeks out inspiration from his surroundings and daily life, emphasizing the importance of being receptive to ideas and experiences that can fuel the creative process.

💡Ponyo

Ponyo is a reference to one of Miyazaki's animated films, 'Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea,' which is mentioned in the script as an example of his work. It serves as a specific instance of the creative journey that Miyazaki embarks upon to bring his stories to life.

💡The Wind Rises

The Wind Rises is another of Miyazaki's films that is mentioned in the script. It represents the culmination of his creative efforts and the documentary provides an in-depth look at the development of this particular film, showcasing the dedication and passion that Miyazaki invests in his projects.

💡Sunk Cost Fallacy

The sunk cost fallacy is the tendency to continue a behavior or project because of the resources already invested, rather than evaluating the current and future value of the project. The video discusses how Miyazaki is not bound by this fallacy, willing to discard work that does not meet his standards, demonstrating a commitment to quality over quantity.

💡Totoro

Totoro refers to the character from Miyazaki's film 'My Neighbor Totoro,' which has become an iconic symbol of his work. The script uses Totoro as an example of the pressure Miyazaki feels to continually create works that can surpass or equal the success and impact of his earlier creations.

💡Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli is the Japanese animation studio co-founded by Miyazaki, known for producing critically acclaimed and commercially successful animated films. The script mentions Studio Ghibli to highlight the high standards and creative excellence that Miyazaki and his team strive for in their work.

💡Purpose

Purpose in this context refers to the underlying reason or goal that drives an individual's actions or creations. The video describes Miyazaki's purpose as spreading joy through his films, especially in times of crisis, such as the 2011 earthquake in Japan, underlining the significance of his work beyond mere entertainment.

Highlights

Hayao Miyazaki is recognized as an influential artist in both anime and western pop culture.

Miyazaki's career spans four decades with an unmatched record of releasing masterpieces without compromising on quality.

A documentary by NHK provides a ten-year insight into Miyazaki's creative process.

Miyazaki's struggles and victories in creation are relatable to many artists.

Miyazaki's wisdom permeates his work and has a profound impact on viewers.

His creative process begins with a single image or idea that expands into a rich world.

Miyazaki actively seeks inspiration from everyday life and his surroundings.

He uses a notebook to capture fleeting ideas that may influence his work.

Miyazaki's search for inspiration is patient, knowing it will come with active pursuit.

Diverting from traditional animation, he draws inspiration from music tours and museums.

Miyazaki's work on Ponyo was influenced by an unexpected museum piece.

He emphasizes the importance of personal experience and exploration for artistic growth.

Miyazaki experiences significant doubt and anxiety throughout his creative journey.

Despite his mastery, Miyazaki's confidence wavers, reflecting the nature of artistic creation.

Early in his career, Miyazaki faced constant rejection but remained self-assured.

Miyazaki's success with iconic anime films does not alleviate his premiere anxiety.

He discusses the reality of creative work, where even brilliant ideas may not be realized as imagined.

Miyazaki is not afraid to discard work that does not meet his standards, avoiding the sunk cost fallacy.

The process of creating animation is labor-intensive, with a team effort required for every second.

Miyazaki views his past success as a challenge to his future work, striving to top himself.

He believes talent is finite and must be preserved by exploring new territories.

Miyazaki's purpose in creating art is to spread joy, especially in times of national crisis.

Despite the stress and challenges, Miyazaki is driven by the joy of creation and the importance of his work.

The documentary shows Miyazaki's dedication to his craft, even in the face of personal struggle.

Transcripts

[Music]

Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most influential artists of our time not only

is he the only anime creator to ever carve out a home in western pop culture

but his track record is unmatched releasing masterpiece after masterpiece

without ever once compromising on quality across his entire four

decade-long career writing and directing 11 feature films with another in the

works he operates on a level all of his own being such a legendary and private

artist it's hard to imagine him ever struggling to create but thanks to NHK

world Japan were given a peek behind the curtains in the form of a documentary

spanning ten years of Miyazaki's career the series documents everything from the

inception of Ponyo to the release of the wind rises and gives an in-depth look at

Miyazaki's creative process to my great surprise I found myself relating to

Miyazaki's every struggle and every victory despite an unfathomable scale of

pressure and responsibility his experience is really not all that

different to my own and I imagine anyone's who's attempted to express

themselves through an art form Miyazaki is a man so full of wisdom that it leaks

out in everything he does watching him work and listening to him speak has

changed my perspective for good and taught me invaluable lessons on what it

means to be an artist

part 1 finding inspiration when approaching the

monumental task of developing a feature film

Miyazaki's creative process begins with a single image or idea the inspiration

that will then bloom into an entire world brimming with life but even the

great Miyazaki cannot pull this idea out of thin air like we all try so hard to

do when we sit down with our coffees and our laptops and stare at a blank page

no instead Miyazaki chooses to live his life with his eyes wide open finding

beauty in the benign he taped a camera to the inside of his car just to review

his daily commute because to him

and inspiration is like dropping a fishing line into your mind you aren't able to choose what is

caught but your job is to let it flow through you and out onto the paper

because of this Miyazaki carries around a notebook with him everywhere he goes

that he fills with ideas and concepts that will most likely never come to

fruition but the very act of writing them down is important in and of itself

even once Miyazaki commits to an idea his search for inspiration is just

beginning weeks will pass without any progress

being made but this doesn't worry Miyazaki

he knows that inspiration will come as long as he is actively searching for it

rather than looking towards other works of animation Miyazaki chooses to take in

music tours and museums for inspiration on one such trip Miyazaki found a piece

to be particularly interesting despite it having no apparent connection to his

work on Ponyo the thoughts and emotions it triggered in him led to a

breakthrough in his work

it often takes Miyazaki almost a year of work before even a single frame is

complete and despite drawing all day every day for work he continues to find

time to draw unrelated pieces out of no incentive but the joy it brings him it

isn't until a solid foundation has been laid that Miyazaki will then force

himself to create once the story is almost complete he'll often isolate

himself in another city to grind out the rest of the story to Miyazaki the change

in scenery is a helpful tool for getting a bigger picture and overcoming any

preconceived notions of what his film needs to be like a fresh blanket of snow

covering up the etched in paths so rather than sitting at your desk with

your fingers on the keyboard get out there and experience the world even if

that means just going for a walk it will make all the difference because you

never know what small image can grow into something much greater

Part-2 confidence the most unexpected

part of Miyazaki's process is just how much doubt and anxiety he experiences

throughout every step of the journey whenever I picture a master of their

craft working i assume their years of experience provides them with an

unwavering confidence in their own ability but i failed to put in

perspective is that the more experienced one has one more times they failed

because of this expert to know what it means to fail far better than any

beginner giving them all the more reason to strive for success as another artist

once said the master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried

early in his career miyazaki went from Studio to studio pitching his ideas for

my neighbor totoro castle in the sky and Princess Mononoke but the industry would

not even give him the time of day and he was constantly rejected his inability to

convey his vision for the future of animation did not stop him from

believing in himself and his own ideas which would one day become the most

iconic anime characters in history despite being responsible for six of the

10 highest-grossing anime films of all time he is still filled with anxiety and doubt at every premiere for

a new film just like everyone trying to create

in his mind if people get bored during one of his films it's game over

Part three reality

almost every word that comes out of Miyazaki's mouth is something to

analyze and learn from but one thing he said hit especially close to home for me

even for someone as experienced as Miyazaki having the idea is only the

first step even the most brilliant concepts might not be possible to

realize the way you imagined it he's been known to work for days on a single

image and then completely scrapped it he doesn't allow himself to fall victim to

the sunken cost fallacy just because you've already put hours days or even

weeks into a project does not mean that it is in your best interest to finish it

sometimes the only way to create something special is to make attempt

after attempt until the final product becomes an amalgamation of everything

you've learned it takes a team of over a hundred animators an entire week to

create five seconds of final animation try to keep that pace in mind next time

you're struggling to translate your idea into reality

Part 4 you are your own worst enemy

after years of dedication hard work and a bit of luck something you've

created might resonate with a large enough audience that its success

snowballs and turns you into an overnight success known for that one

particular work at this point the hardest question you can ask yourself is

what's next how can you possibly continue to grow and evolve as an artist

while still pleasing you're now dedicated fanbase

the line gets blurred between making art to express yourself and just trying to

please your audience although my neighbor totoro is what turned Miyazaki

into the celebrity he is today it has become a thorn in his side a

mountain he's created that he will struggle to top for the rest of his

career Miyazaki believes that talent is a finite resource that gets worn out by

use day by day unless you continue to push yourself into unknown territories

making a film at the level studio ghibli does is like capturing lightning in a

bottle but having to continually top yourself every few years is a task

bordering on impossible despite this miyazaki continues to push his own

boundaries and test new mediums like pastels and cgi even this far into his

life his only rival that he needs to best is himself and although he might

always be known to others as the creator of Totoro he's proved to himself that he

can branch out and create films of all genres styles and themes

part five finding your purpose although it's seemingly obvious step in the

creative process I believe it can take a lifetime of experimentation to figure

out for Miyazaki his purpose for creating is the same as his purpose for

living to spread joy to those who need it and because his purpose is so clearly

defined he is literally willing to die to see it through when the 2011

earthquake changed Japan forever and its people were at an all-time low

rather than mourn for what was lost in the days following Miyazaki insisted the

studio remain working despite rolling blackouts and potential aftershocks

he knew that now more than ever people needed to feel the joy that only his

unique talent could bring them

throughout the documentary almost every time we are shown Miyazaki working he is

pulling at his hair shaking from stress and muttering under his breath about how

much of a hassle animation is despite the magical and joyful nature of his

films he feels as though he is forcing a smile in order to be socially acceptable

it's clear he finds the process to be tremendously draining especially in his

old age but after every film and even every declaration of retirement he can't

help but dive right into the next project Miyazaki and everyone he

surrounds himself with are constantly drilling home the idea that the

challenge is what makes it worth doing Miyazaki himself saying that the most

important things in life are hassles

[Music]