In 1908, Makino was commissioned by the Yokota Shokai film studio, run by Einosuke YOKOTA, to direct his first film, the (silent) "Honnoji Kassen" (The Battle at Honnoji Temple).
1908年（明治41年）に牧野が横田永之助の横田商会に依頼され、サイレント映画『本能寺合戦』を初めて監督。