The well-crafted course Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking is another course by MasterClass. However, the term discussion is much more appropriate here as this MasterClass is about the philosophy of moviemaking. It’ll make you a thinker, not a filmmaker. Read our review.

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Filmmaking as a passion for images and sounds

As filmmakers, we’re aware of the unexplained passion for moving images combined with sounds on the big canvas that we love so much. Thus, listening and learning from a legend like Martin Scorsese is truly a privilege we should not miss. Martin is one of the most acclaimed storytellers, with career spans more than 50 years. Furthermore, Martin is widely regarded as one of the most significant and influential directors in film history. Martin has created a vast amount of masterpieces like Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Irishman (which we covered here the technical aspects behind it) and the list goes on and on. Watch the trailer of the course below:

If you’re intrigued by moviemaking as a career, this isn’t the class for you. But if you NEED to make movies…THEN I could be speaking to you Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking

Although this masterclass is not new, we’ve decided to review it and tell you what we think of it. First, it’s a masterclass. Don’t expect to get a filmmaking course about cameras, lenses and directing methodologies. This is a philosophical course, or we should define it as theoretical discussions about moviemaking. Moreover, Martin tries to describe this course accurately by saying: “If you’re intrigued by moviemaking as a career, this isn’t the class for you. But if you NEED to make movies…if you fill like you can’t rest until you told that this particular story that you’re burning to tell in moving images and sounds, THEN I could be speaking to you.” So there you go. This masterclass devoted to those who are eager to hear about moviemaking, rather than learn how to do it technically. Continue to read more below.

The process behind filmmaking

According to this masterclass’s structure, the viewer will be hearing most of the filmmaking techniques and methodologies. However, it’s a bit tricky. After the introduction sessions, the masterclass makes an effort to circulate around the most relevant topics regarding filmmaking. Let’s overview of the major parts of the class:

Discovering the process of moviemaking: Martin offers you a glimpse of what his process looks like. Developing your style: Pre-visualization with storyboards, the use of voice-over and using documentaries as references. Technology: Read about this section below. Per-production and production: Story, script, casting, directing actors, locations, production design, and costumes. Cinematography: Explore our inputs below. Post-production: Editing, colors, sounds, music, and promotion. Scene discussion and analysis.

Philosophical approach

From reading the topics above, there is an impression that this masterclass will teach you everything you need for dominating the filmmaking process. Well, it’s not true. You will not learn cinematography nor editing. However, you’ll be educated regarding the importance of those disciplines regarding the process as a whole. Martin touches the Philosophical approach as he sees it. It’s not precise but foggy. But hey, moviemaking it’s art. As Martin mentions: There is no process behind filmmaking. It’s art! There is no right or wrong”. For instance, Scorsese prefers to work with the editors after the principal photography is ended. However, he adds that it’s also normal to edit while you still in production. Many of those parameters depend on the budget. Sometimes the budget dictates the process. “Just make things done! Pursue to discover something surprising and mysterious. Not all images are there to be eaten and consumed like fast food and forgotten. That’s important to remember. We’re not mass manufacturers, but trying to be filmmakers” Martin says by emphasizing the pureness and the importance of filmmaking as a high-level art-form.

Pursue to discover something surprising and mysterious. Not all images are there to be eaten and consumed like fast food and forgotten. That’s important to remember. We’re not mass manufacturers, but trying to be filmmakers Martin Scorsese

Cinematography & Technology

Back in the sixties, the only way to make movies was by using extremely heavy and bulky equipment operated by a large crew. When the 16 mm camera came out, it made things way easier. Martin compares the “mobile” 16mm film camera to today’s iPhone, which means there are no excuses. “The only things needed is spark and passion”. However, don’t get the wrong impression that Martin is conservative regarding using high-technology in his films. We recently wrote about the making of Scorsese’s recent movie, The Irishman, which was one of the most challenging set ever, from a technology point of view. To meet Scorsese’s requirements, ILM (Industrial Light And Magic) has developed a dedicated three-camera rig to capture the actors’ performances on set, using the director’s camera (RED Helium) flanked by two infrared cameras (ARRI Mini) to record 3D geometry and textures, to deliver accurately de-aging process. Technically speaking, we can say that Martin has invented the most sophisticated camera rig to be used on-set. Read more about it in the article: RED Helium Surrounded by Two ARRI Minis: The Irishman’s De-Aging Camera Rig”. Unfortunately, this masterclass doesn’t elaborate much on technology solutions that are most important to modern filmmaking.

The only things needed is spark and passion Martin Scorsese

Prices

The course costs $90. However, MasterClass offers 2 passes (with access to all courses) for $180 for a limited time. So you get two annual memberships for the price of one. Click here for more details.

Final thoughts

Our verdict is very much similar to the review of Ron Howard Teaches Directing masterclass. In our opinion, MasterClass has to adopt a much more practical approach to these classes. For that case, students would like to explore Martin in actual productions, directing, speaking to cinematographers and actors, and not just lecturing. That approach is based on the hands-on nature of filmmaking. Let’s summarize by quoting one of the students: “ This class didn’t quite live up to my expectations. While Marty is one of my all-time favorite directors, I wanted more practical in-depth teaching, what kind of pacing, cadence works in a certain scene to evoke a certain feeling or mood, how does the way a certain lens is used help with that, what works best in given scenes, an oner or lots of coverage, etc, etc. This was very anecdotal/overview based. Not to say I didn’t enjoy it, I was expecting more of the nuts and bolts details as it were, from the man himself”. We couldn’t agree more!