Taku's Blog

  Screens are more than just delivery devices. They are portals. They influence how we perceive characters, stories, and entire worlds. From box TVs to smartphones, laptops to Dolby cinemas, each screen creates a unique experience. But do they all tell the same story in the same way? Can you feel the presence of Galactus on a smartphone the same way you would in an IMAX theater? This week, I reflect on the evolving technology of screens and how it shapes the way we experience film. The Box TV Era: Childhood and Imagination As a child, I watched Dragon Ball Z Kai religiously on a bulky box TV. The screen was small, square, and far from immersive, but it was magic. It let my imagination roam. I didn’t need perfect resolution or surround sound to feel like I was part of Goku’s world. Looking back, the screen didn’t transport me the way theaters do, but it still ignited my love for storytelling. Smartphones and Shrinking Perspective When I transitioned to a smartphone as a teenager, ...

  Algorithms are powerful. They influence what we see, who we discover, and how far our work travels. As independent filmmakers and storytellers, we live in a time where the algorithm plays the same role the box office once did: a digital gatekeeper for success. In this week’s edition, I’m sharing my reflections and real experiences with social media algorithms, and how they affect visibility, engagement, and even income. The New Age of Film Distribution Today, exposure through social media can be just as impactful as a theater release. If I post my film on YouTube and it gets thousands of views, not only can I earn income, but I also gain an audience. That’s distribution. It’s free, global, and entirely dependent on how algorithms push or withhold content. As someone building stories from scratch, this new system comes with both excitement and anxiety. Will the algorithm favor my work? Or will it bury it? Let’s walk through my observations platform by platform: TikTok TikTok rew...