Martin Scorsese masterclass review – The Expert’s Filmmaking Course

Director Martin Scorsese is a renowned award-winning film director. Some of his most remarkable films are Taxi Driver (1976), Goodfellas (1990), The Wolf of the Wall Street (2013), and Frank Sheeran (2019).

His skills and expertise in filmmaking earned him over 59 awards at the time of writing. It’s absolutely safe to say that he’s a legend in the film industry.

With so much knowledge and experience behind his back, it’s no wonder that Martin Scorsese is in a Masterclass, teaching young filmmakers the art of appreciating every shot. 

So what is filmmaking and is Martin Scorsese masterclass review really helpful for you? Let’s find out!

The following article will talk in detail about his Masterclass, the pros and cons of taking it, and who is it for. We’ll also look at some online feedback from people who’ve already taken the class. Let’s see what the fuss is all about!

Who is Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese is an Italian American Director who is a household name in the entertainment industry. His love for movies from a very young age led him to New York University, where he obtained a Master’s Degree in film directing.

Scorsese began creating full-length films in 1968 with Who’s Knocking At My Door. This film not only featured his career but set the stage for several long-running collaborative bonds. After such, he directed movies that earned him numerous awards, such as Goodfellas, The Wolf on the Wall Street, Raging Bull, and many more. 

Martin Scorsese is also an Oscar-winning director famous for his Italian crime dramas. His movies are known for depicting redemption, crime, violence, and the liberal use of profanity. With a career spanning over five decades, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and influential filmmakers in history.

Overview of the Class

This Martin Scorsese Masterclass on Filmmaking is all about becoming a great filmmaker, honing your skills with practical tips on directing and editing, and encouraging you to start making short films.

Martin Scorsese’s Masterclass also talks about the fundamentals of filmmaking, such as working with actors, set design, location scouting, video editing, and many more. 

The course comprises 30 video lessons that run for 4 hours and 35 minutes. The topics discussed are:

1. Introduction
2. Beginnings
3. Martin’s Education
4. Discovering Your Process
5. Channeling Your Influences
6. Developing Your Style
7. Directing & Technology
8. Finding the Story
9. Working With The Script
10. Casting Actors
11. Directing Actors
12. Locations
13. Production Design
14. Costume Design
15. Understanding Cinematography
16. Shooting Low-Budget Films
17. Working With Crew
18. Editing: Part 1
19. Editing: Part 2
20. Color
21. Choosing Black and White
22. The Importance of Sound Design
23. The Power of Music
24. Promoting Your Film
25. Scene Discussion: Barry Lyndon
26. Scene Discussion: Out of the Past
27. Scene Discussion: Jules and Jim
28. Scene Discussion: Vertigo
29. Scene Discussion: 8 1/2
30. Finding Your Way

On top of the video lessons, you can also access a 76-page PDF workbook. This supplementary resource contains a chapter review for every video lesson, movie recommendations, website links, and some interview videos to check out as it has something to do with the topic discussed.

At the end of the workbook is where you find your assignments. Just like in school, learning theories is essential, but at the end of the day, you need to be able to take theoretical learning and use them in a practical sense. This is where the workbook comes in handy.

Aside from the workbook, you are also given access to the community hub. It’s basically a discussion booth where users who took the same course as you could share thoughts and ask questions about the topics. 

Pros and Cons

Pros

Here are some major pros of taking Martin’s Masterclass on filmmaking.

1. Theory and Demonstration are Well-Balanced

In this course, Martin shares various studies and sites, giving you more practical knowledge than just theoretical teaching. Such makes a huge difference when you are in the filmmaking industry.

2. Helps You Put The Theories Into Practical Use

Martin unwraps movie scenes, takes you through the director’s thought process behind the movie, and teaches you how to apply that principle on your own. He imparts his experiences, teaching you principles from the stories he shares. 

3. Inspires Aspirant Directors To Make Use of Disadvantages That Comes Their Way

Martin shares his experience in directing low-budget films and teaches how to make a good movie without a huge budget. Even though he has done numerous big projects, he always gives examples that will benefit aspirants and rookies in the industry. He also emphasizes how one could turn a disadvantage into something actually beneficial.

Cons

Here are some cons to consider before taking Martin Scorsese’s class.

1. Term-Heavy Course

Though this course is open to all students of any level, Martin’s discussion is sometimes hard to grasp due to the heavy use of jargon. Filmmakers with some experience won’t have any issues with terminology, however newbies might get lost every now and then while listening to him.

2. Discussions Are Sometimes Condensed

Some points in the lessons seem very condensed. He often stops talking mid-sentence and continues talking about a completely different topic, leaving his students hanging. 

Who is This Class for

• A filmmaking beginner, who wants to learn as much as possible about the industry. If you’re a newbie, we highly recommend learning filmmaking jargon as a preparation for this class.
• People with some experience in filmmaking who want to know more about the industry and are ready to expand their skills and knowledge. 
• Fans of Martin Scorsese. In his class, he talks a lot about his career, movies, choices he made (such as choosing to film Raging Bull in black and white) and why, etc. So, for a die-hard fan of his work, the class will certainly be appealing.

How Much Does the Class Cost

MasterClass offers three subscription options. Those include:

• The Individual Plan

This plan costs $15 per month, billed annually. It allows one device to access the website. You will receive all the benefits the other two plans have except you won’t be able to download all the videos for offline viewing and won’t be able to get the PDF workbooks that come with the courses. 

• The Duo Plan

This plan enables two devices to access the website for $20 per month, again billed annually. On top of that, you will also be able to download the videos and PDF workbooks. 

• The Family Plan

The family plan might be the best option if you’re considering sharing the subscription with your friends or family. For only $23, six devices can access the website simultaneously, not to mention you download the videos for offline viewing and get the PDF workbooks. However, note that MasterClass only allows one profile under one account. Therefore, your activity log and interaction will be visible to every person you’ve shared the account with.

Regardless of which subscription plan you go for, you’ll have access to all the courses on MasterClass. At the time of writing, there are over 150 courses taught by A-listers in various industries.

Users’ Experience 

Here’s what people have been sharing online about Martin’s Masterclass:

“All in all, I have a really great first impression of this masterclass and I’m really looking forward to checking out some of the other classes offered on the website.”

-Swiss Texan (Comment from Youtube)

“Watched the masterclass with Martin Scorsese and now working on my script.”

-Don Hughes (Twitter Post)

“Seriously, this Masterclass year-long pass is SO worth it! I’m really enjoying the Martin Scorsese class!”

–Twitter Post

Conclusion

So, is Martin Scorsese’s Masterclass worth taking? We believe it is. It’s an excellent source of information for people who’re making their first steps in the filmmaking industry.

Moreover, if you’re a fan of his work, you’ll absolutely enjoy the class and hearing him talk about his career. Still, the class is not 100% beginner-friendly. You need to have some knowledge to be able to follow his thoughts, ideas, tips, and tricks. 

If Martin Scorsese’s Masterclass is not what you’ve been looking for, remember that there are over 150 classes on MasterClass. Happy learning!