GODZILLA MINUS ONE Director Takashi Yamazaki Gives VFX Lecture at TCA

GODZILLA MINUS ONE director Takashi Yamazaki talks to VFX students at Tokyo Communication Arts College. Photo courtesy of Jikei Gakuen. ©Jikei Gakuen

A leading VFX expert talks to students about the essence of filmmaking

Source: Jikei Gakuen
Official Site: https://chofucinemafestival.com/ (Japan)

Tokyo Communication Arts College (TCA) in Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, invited Oscar-winning director Takashi Yamazaki, who received worldwide acclaim for GODZILLA MINUS ONE (ゴジラ-1.0/ゴジラマイナスワン, Gojira Mainasu Wan, 2023), to hold a special lecture on Sunday, April 13, 2025. The lecture by Director Yamazaki, a leading expert in filmmaking and VFX, was a valuable learning opportunity for students aspiring to work in the movie industry.

Photo courtesy of Jikei Gakuen. ©Jikei Gakuen

The theme of the lecture was "What is expression in film?" Using his own work as an example, Director Yamazaki spoke intensely about the power of film and the messages he wants to convey to the audience through it. The tlk was packed with real-life stories of making movies, such as the thoughts he put into GODZILLA MINUS ONE, the attention to detail he put into each shot, and the difficulties he faced in combining live-action and VFX. Students asked specific questions such as "Why did you choose this direction?" and "What is the relationship between VFX and emotional expression?" Director Yamazaki answered each one carefully.

The students listened to the director's words with serious expressions, nodding vigorously, and it was a valuable opportunity to learn practical knowledge and ways of thinking that are not usually available in classes. Director Yamazaki himself commented, "The students' questions were very sharp, and made me think," and the lecture unfolded as a two-way dialogue. The students were greatly inspired by the director's enthusiastic attitude, and increasing their motivation to continue creating works and their ambition for the future.

Photo courtesy of Jikei Gakuen. ©Jikei Gakuen

Furthermore, after the lecture, the director was given the opportunity to watch each student's work and give them advice if they wished. He checked each student's portfolio and video work, and provided specific feedback from a professional perspective. Some students were taking notes, and some were even seen with tears in their eyes, showing how deeply the lecture had moved them.

At the end of the event, all the participants took a group photo. After experiencing Director Yamazaki's personality, many of the students commented, "I felt like I got a glimpse of my future after meeting a real creator," and "I want to get more serious about creating works." It was a day that truly encouraged the future film and video creators.

TCA will continue to actively hold special lectures by professionals active in the film, video, animation, game, design, illustration, and other industries, as well as projects in collaboration with companies. Through practical learning, they are working to create an environment where each student can turn their dreams into reality.

About Tokyo Communication Arts College

Tokyo Communication Arts College (TCA) is a vocational school where you can acquire practical skills in fields such as illustration, design, games, CG, and animation. We offer four-year and three-year departments to provide a learning style that suits each student's future. Through corporate projects in collaboration with industry and a curriculum that teaches with the industry, students can learn in an environment close to the field while they are still in school, and many of our graduates have become front-line creators.