Filmmakers Academy vs MasterClass Review: Which is Best for Filmmakers?
More filmmakers than ever before are turning to online resources to learn from the masters. But what platform delivers the most comprehensive experience with real-world techniques and knowledge?
Both platforms include instructors that are leaders in the film industry. MasterClass, for example, furnishes celebrity creatives who explore theory and why they do what they do. By comparison, Filmmakers Academy lessons are taught by industry leaders who dig into the minutia of a certain discipline, providing crucial on-the-job knowledge.
In this article, we stack up the Filmmakers Academy with MasterClass to review platforms, features, lessons, and the professionals who supply professional filmmaking knowledge.
Filmmakers Academy |
MasterClass |
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Advantages |
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THE VALUE OF FILMMAKERS ACADEMY COMPARED TO MASTERCLASS
Before we compare the cost of MasterClass to Filmmakers Academy, we must consider the value. So, what constitutes value, you ask? Good question. Value, for filmmakers who are serious about growing in their fields, means that they can glean real-world knowledge that they can directly apply to their discipline.
While a celebrity director may wax passionately on MasterClass about their visionary approach to cinema, a budding director watching won’t necessarily learn how to land that commercial job that could elevate their career. However, Filmmakers Academy’s Jordan Brady clues you in on just that.
According to OnlineFilmmakingCourses.com, Filmmakers Academy is the best option for filmmakers who want to learn advanced techniques from the comfort of their homes. What you can expect is real-world knowledge that isn’t available from any other online film school.
And so we return to value. Everyone is different with their own needs. Which of the above applies to you? Are you looking for motivation? Or, do you want to learn how to land the big job and learn practical skills and techniques?
Listen to what Filmmakers Academy members have to say about their experience.
PRICE: HOW MUCH DOES FILMMAKERS ACADEMY COST COMPARED TO MASTERCLASS
With all of the above in mind, Filmmakers Academy costs $396 per year compared to MasterClass and its $180-a-year price tag.
Filmmakers Academy | MasterClass | |
Annual Price |
$396 |
$180 |
Monthly Price | $79 |
N/A |
Filmmakers Academy also offers a monthly membership where you can access all of its content for $79/mo. If you want to see if Filmmakers Academy is right for you, or simply prefer a monthly payment method, this is a great option.
Filmmakers Academy offers a student discount of 50% off for its annual membership, whereas MasterClass does not. So, students can get Filmmakers Academy for just $198/yr.
COURSE AND LESSON FILMMAKING CONTENT
As noted above, Filmmakers Academy provides a virtual hands-on approach to its courses and lessons. Filmmakers Academy instructors take you through the process of specific techniques like How To Light Night Exteriors and Music Licensing and Selection.
Meanwhile, MasterClass has a broader focus on courses that far exceed filmmaking. You can learn, say, songwriting, or more ambiguous skills like leading with purpose or relational intelligence. But if you are purely interested in filmmaking disciplines, then such classes may not pique your interest.
Both Filmmakers Academy and MasterClass provide filmmaking classes that span multiple hours. In fact, Filmmakers Academy has a feature known as career pathways for disciplines like cinematography that lump in every lesson you need to know to make it as a successful director of photography.
Filmmakers Academy includes lessons for disciplines like cinematography, directing, producing, color grading, editing, lighting, and grip & electric. On the flip side, MasterClass offers lots of classes with A-list directors that focus more on storytelling and their methodology and approach. Also included are assignments for you to complete to cement your learning experience.
Overall, Filmmakers Academy offers many more filmmaking courses and lessons than MasterClass. In fact, Filmmakers Academy wields upward of 900 hours of filmmaking content across various disciplines!
Take a look at the Top 5 Filmmakers Academy courses and lessons.
MASTERCLASS VS FILMMAKERS ACADEMY MENTORS
MasterClass is known for its celebrity instructors like Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog. If you are interested in gaining in-depth insights into what drives their creativity and their approach to storytelling, then MasterClass may have what you are looking for. Other MasterClass filmmaking instructors consist of the likes of David Lynch, Jodi Foster, Mira Nair, Ken Burns, and Spike Lee.
Where MasterClass has a lot of above-the-line celebrity filmmakers, Filmmakers Academy is made up of both above-the-line and below-the-line filmmakers. This means you will learn cinematography from Shane Hurlbut, ASC, producing from Jamee Ranta, editing from Joaquin Elizondo, camera operating from Sherri Kauk, color grading from David Cole, cameras and lenses with Derek Edwards, and filmmaking health and lifestyle with Lydia Hurlbut.
FILMMAKERS ACADEMY VS MASTERCLASS APP
While both Filmmakers Academy and MasterClass provide sleek platforms to navigate and access content, they also offer apps. This means that you can easily pull up lessons on set or on the job in order to glean some knowledge on the fly.
MasterClass has a very simple app that is minimalist but incorporates an easy user interface. That way, you can browse its filmmakers and specific lessons. Filmmakers Academy, on the other hand, provides an app that’s both easy on the eyes and is reminiscent of a streaming service with sideways scrollable playlists.
In addition to its content which you can browse and explore, the Filmmakers Academy app also includes a Community feature where you can interact with other members as well as Filmmakers Academy mentors and staff.
Here’s a deep dive into the Filmmakers Academy app and its features.
INTERACT WITH THE MASTERS
When watching MasterClass ads, you may think you will have the opportunity to interact with the masters like Ron Howard and Martin Scorcese. That unfortunately isn’t so.
However, Filmmakers Academy offers 1-on-1 coaching sessions with its filmmaking mentors. Just note that this is a separate cost from membership. That means you can schedule a 1:1 Zoom call with David Cole, the colorist who graded The Lord of the Rings and Dune. This is the case with all of Filmmakers Academy’s mentors.
BECOME AN ALL ACCESS MEMBER!
When you join Filmmakers Academy and become an All Access member, you receive our entire library of content and filmmaking resources. That’s over hundreds of hours of instructional videos, playlists, and podcasts in categories ranging from cinematography to color grading.
But don’t take our word for it, see what the experts say about Filmmakers Academy!
Take a look at our full range of categories and disciplines. Plus, as a member, you gain entrance to our exclusive filmmaking community on the FA app, and our private Facebook Group is perfect for networking and getting your questions answered!
Join Filmmakers Academy today and we will help you master your craft!