Japanese actor Takayuki Yamada recently appeared on NewsPicks for an interview with Yoichi Ochiai, where he spoke about how film and television could change under the rise of new distribution platforms and AI technology. The discussion covered traditional TV, online streaming services, and the possible use of artificial intelligence in content creation, with Yamada outlining what he sees as current industry bottlenecks and where he thinks new creative openings may emerge.
Yamada is open to building an “AI Takayuki Yamada”
Asked about the spread of AI across the screen industry, Yamada took an open stance and said he is interested in the idea of developing an “AI Takayuki Yamada.” He described AI as a support tool that can push the limits of what a creator is able to do.
He compared it to “growing an extra pair of hands,” saying it could help handle workloads that one person cannot realistically manage alone, while also opening room for forms of performance or expression that would otherwise be difficult to deliver. In that sense, he sees AI as a way to widen the creative range of film and TV work rather than replace the human side of it.
Yamada also said conventional acting methods can place a heavy burden on an actor’s memory and mental state. He suggested that digital technology may be able to absorb part of that strain, leaving creators with more room to focus on higher-level artistic work.
From late-night dramas to streaming platforms
Looking back on his career, Yamada said he had already realized by age 25 that prime-time television could fall into a formulaic pattern. Even though late-night dramas came with fewer resources, he chose to work in that space because it gave him more creative freedom and allowed him to experiment with different kinds of screen projects.
That approach later led to works such as “Yusha Yoshihiko.” As streaming services grew, Yamada said he became involved early when Netflix entered the Japanese market, and went on to star in boundary-pushing material including “The Naked Director” under its Japanese title “AV Teioku (Zenra Kantoku).”
His view, as presented in the interview, is that streaming platforms are not bound by the same content limits as traditional media channels. He said that shift can broaden an actor’s career options while also bringing more variety into the industry’s production pipeline.
“THE OPEN CALL” drew about 14,000 applicants
Yamada also focused on how talent is discovered and developed in the entertainment business. He said he wants to challenge a situation in which screen opportunities are often concentrated among a relatively small group of well-known actors.
As a principal business partner, he is involved in the actor audition documentary “THE OPEN CALL” on streaming platform Lemino. The project drew about 14,000 applicants and is aimed at selecting emerging actors with distinct personalities for a new original film.
He said he hopes this kind of open recruitment model can give capable but undiscovered newcomers a real stage, while changing the way talent is identified at a more structural level inside the film and TV industry.
Key points raised in the interview
- Yamada supports the idea of “AI Takayuki Yamada” and sees AI as a tool that can extend an actor’s creative output and expressive range.
- His career path moved from late-night television work to collaborations with streaming services including Netflix and Lemino, reflecting a preference for formats with more creative flexibility than traditional commercial TV.
- “THE OPEN CALL” attracted about 14,000 applicants and was designed to bring new talent into an original film project through a public audition process.
- He also said that taking on demanding roles such as “AI Teioku” or “Yamikin Ushijima-kun” can require full immersion or highly specific forms of performance, placing a large psychological burden on actors. In that context, he said he hopes AI can take on part of the workload and create new opportunities.