The Making of Kito Begins
There are stories that rely on action, and then there are stories that rely on what is happening beneath the surface. Kito belongs to the latter.
I'm excited to officially begin sharing the pre-production journey of my next short film, Kito, a black comedy-drama that explores routine, control, self-sabotage, and the quiet desperation of a man searching for a way out of the life he has built around himself.
For this production, I serve as the writer, director, and cinematographer, allowing the visual language and storytelling to evolve together from the very first draft.
The Story
Kito is trapped.
His marriage has become a life of obedience, where every decision is dictated by his emotionally distant and controlling wife. His days are measured by a strict timer that governs exactly how long he can be away from home.
During his daily errands, Kito secretly meets other women in search of something he has long forgotten—love, kindness, and the possibility of freedom.
Every date offers hope.
Every conversation suggests the chance of a different future.
Yet every time things begin to go well, Kito sabotages himself.
The timer is always ticking.
As the deadline approaches, his anxiety overwhelms him. Small imperfections become impossible flaws. Harmless comments become reasons to walk away. His own thoughts convince him that each potential relationship could never work.
The audience is invited inside Kito's mind, where fear and self-doubt become the film's most persistent antagonist.
What happens if the timer reaches zero?
We never fully know.
But Kito certainly does, and whatever waits for him is enough to make him abandon every opportunity for happiness.
Kito isn't simply about escaping a marriage. It's about the invisible prisons we build inside our own minds, and the ways we convince ourselves that remaining unhappy is somehow safer than embracing change.
A World Bigger Than Its Characters
Visually, I want Kito to feel intimate while simultaneously making Osaka itself feel enormous.
When we're with the characters, they occupy the center of the frame. Their emotions become unavoidable, immediate, and deeply personal.
The moment Kito steps into the city, however, everything changes.
The streets, restaurants, alleyways, neon signs, trains, and crowds begin to dwarf him. Osaka becomes more than a backdrop—it becomes another character. A city full of possibility that Kito never quite manages to embrace.
His world is alive.
He simply doesn't know how to live in it.
Visual Direction
The visual inspiration draws from filmmakers who understand how environment can mirror psychology.
I'm exploring a darker cinematic tone influenced by David Fincher's Fight Club and Martin Scorsese's After Hours, combining rich shadows, practical lighting, expressive compositions, and moments of uncomfortable intimacy.
The goal isn't simply to create beautiful imagery.
It's to place the audience inside Kito's increasingly claustrophobic mindset while surrounding him with a city that feels limitless.
The contrast between his internal confinement and the vast energy of Osaka is central to the film's visual identity.
Pre-Production Is Underway
Pre-production has officially begun.
We're currently scouting locations throughout Osaka, Japan, developing the visual language, refining shot design, and preparing for principal photography.
Over the coming weeks, I'll be sharing behind-the-scenes updates, location scouting, concept photography, production planning, and the creative decisions that shape the film before a single frame is captured.
These early stages are where the personality of a film truly begins to emerge, and I'm looking forward to documenting the entire process.
Join the Production
Kito is produced by Moera New York and Bad Hombres Films.
We're currently looking for passionate local crew members in the Osaka, Japan area.
Current openings include:
Sound / Boom Operator
Production Assistant
Lighting / Grip
Assistant Director with a strong eye for photography and visual storytelling
Equipment will be provided.
If you're interested in collaborating or would like more information, please email:
Follow the Journey
This is only the beginning.
Over the coming months I'll be sharing the creative process behind Kito from pre-production and location scouting to cinematography, production design, principal photography, and post-production.
I hope you'll follow along as we bring this story to life.
Written, Directed, and Shot by Erick Moya
Produced by Moera New York & Bad Hombres Films
