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2D Animation | The Taku Newsletter Edition 19

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  The world of 2D animation feels like it has reached an interesting point in its life cycle. It is a medium that seems impossible to replace, yet difficult to radically reinvent. Before 3D animation became dominant, 2D animation was the foundation of the animated world. Classics like The Lion King and other early Disney films shaped generations. As time went on, 2D animation kept evolving visually. The tools improved, workflows became more efficient, and artists pushed the medium further and further. Eventually, 2D reached a point where it feels as though we have seen most of what it can do. From the intricate visual language of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to traditional frame-by-frame Disney animation, the medium feels mature. Not stagnant, but complete in its vocabulary. It raises an uncomfortable but honest question. Is there still room for a new way of exploring 2D animation? Audience behavior adds another layer to this conversation. Fewer people seem willing to pay to...
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YouTube | The Taku Newsletter Edition 18

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 This is the final edition of the Taku Newsletter for 2025, and it feels fitting to end the year with YouTube. YouTube is often spoken about as a platform, but at its core, YouTube is a business. Entire livelihoods are built on it. Creators plan, produce, distribute, analyze, and repeat. What looks effortless on the surface is usually the result of careful strategy, consistency, and an understanding of how attention works in the digital age. From a filmmaking perspective, YouTube functions as both a distribution channel and a testing ground. It allows creators to release work directly to audiences without the traditional gatekeepers of theaters, festivals, or networks. That alone changes the economics of storytelling. A film does not need to be “greenlit” in the traditional sense to exist. It needs clarity, intention, and an audience willing to engage. There are also strong marketing lessons embedded in YouTube’s ecosystem. Thumbnails, titles, watch time, and audience retention are...
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Sound | The Taku Newsletter Edition 17

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  Sound is one of the most underrated elements in filmmaking. We often praise beautiful cinematography, seamless editing, and strong performances, but rarely do we talk about the invisible layer that truly brings everything together, and that is sound. The power of sound in film goes beyond what we hear. It is what makes us feel. A simple tone, the distant sound of rain, or the faint heartbeat beneath a tense scene can completely alter how we experience a story. In fact, without sound, even the most stunning visuals can feel empty or incomplete. When I think about sound in film, I’m reminded of how music, sound effects, and silence all play unique roles. Music sets the emotional tone; it tells us how to feel before a word is even spoken. Sound effects, on the other hand, ground the story in reality. They make the world believable. And then there’s silence, often overlooked, yet it’s one of the most powerful tools a filmmaker has. Silence creates space. It gives the audience time t...
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Immersion | The Taku Newsletter Edition 16

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  On October 9th, I attended Chris Brown’s Breezy Bowl XX concert. It was an incredible experience both as a fan and as a filmmaker. Beyond the energy of the crowd and the powerful performances, what stood out to me most was the level of technological sophistication happening behind the scenes, especially in terms of videography. From the moment the show began, the screens came alive with visuals such as planets moving through space, bursts of fire, waves of energy, and abstract graphics that danced in rhythm with the music. These visuals were not just decoration. They were a part of the performance itself, carefully choreographed to enhance the mood and storytelling of each song. What fascinated me most was the seamless integration of live footage with pre-recorded visuals. Cameras captured Chris Brown from multiple angles, including close-ups, wide shots, and aerial perspectives, all edited and displayed in real-time. At times, these live shots were layered with effects that mat...
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The Power of Film Industries | The Taku Newsletter Edition 15

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  This week, I’ve been reflecting on the concept of industries such as Hollywood, Bollywood, and Nollywood in particular, and how they shape the global business of filmmaking. Each of these industries carries a distinct identity, culture, and system of operation, yet they all share one thing in common: influence. Hollywood, for instance, has long stood as the benchmark for global cinema. It built its empire through storytelling, distribution networks, and an unmatched ability to market both films and the culture surrounding them. Hollywood didn’t just create movies; it created dreams and turned those dreams into business models that continue to shape how the rest of the world makes films. Bollywood, on the other hand, thrives on scale and emotion. It produces hundreds of films every year, blending music, drama, and color into an art form that connects deeply with audiences both in India and across the diaspora. What’s fascinating is how Bollywood films are not only cultural export...
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