We’ve put together some of the best free filmmaking classes online that will get you to make movies instantly like Hollywood professionals. You will learn everything about lenses, lighting, positioning, sound recording, cinematography, editing and much more.
This collection of free online film courses is designed for those who want to work in the film industry, improve their filmmaking skills or just love cinema and want to know more about it.
Who needs free filmmaking classes online?
Regardless of your current status, recognized director or newcomer to the field, education in this imaginary and exciting business never ends. It is well known that film schools are extremely specific in the selection of students, and withdrawal from the selection can make you stop dreaming. The good news is that many extraordinary online film courses are available to everyone. Your location doesn’t matter because the skill knows no bounds, and more importantly, some online movie courses are completely free.
Do I need to go to film school to learn to learn filmmaking?
You really don’t need to go to film school to learn video, you can learn these skills online. And you will learn from leading directors, directors and producers. In fact, it is easier for these producers and directors to teach their profession online than to go from school to school.
That’s why there are many online film courses from the industry’s leading filmmakers. These professionals offer the in-depth understanding, knowledge, skills and techniques you need to start your own career in the industry and be successful. So with a computer or tablet, a stable Internet connection, and enthusiasm, you can learn to make movies online.
How can I learn filmmaking without money?
There are so many online courses that can help you achieve your goals in filmmaking without any financial investment. Thanks to more charitable star directors and industry professionals, many of these sessions can be attended absolutely free of charge. However, if your pockets are a little deeper or you have saved money on a job you hate, feel free to check out some of the more prestigious courses that can cost you a few dollars. We promise that they are worth it.
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Best free filmmaking classes online in 2022
· DSLR Filmmaking: From Beginner to PRO! (Skillshare)
In this course you will be taught by Jordi Vandeput, a director with more than 10 years of professional experience. Jordi is also the founder of Cinecom, an educational company that focuses on educating creative people in the media industry.
At this entry-level level, lasting 1.5 hours, Jordi will teach students the basics of filming, such as shutter speed, exposure, histogram reading, ISO, lighting, composition, rule of thirds and more! This course, hosted on Skillshare, is a great introduction to the filmmaking skills you are looking for! Skillshare also has over 27,000 other courses available, and you get a 2-week free trial and can cancel at any time!
· Introduction to Production Design for Film and Screen by Future Learn
This best free three-week video course is offered by the Australian School of Television and Radio (AFTRS), which is the main program in the country for everything related to screen art. The course requires about 2 hours of work per week and covers the history and basics of production design for the screen. This videographer’s certification course is one of the best free online courses at the moment, as it covers the area of video and filming that is often neglected: production design.
By the end of the best free video course, you will be able to analyze and evaluate the screen history in terms of design and be able to apply the basic design concepts to your own video. You will also be able to apply the basic principles of production design to the screen story, enriching your work and allowing you to convey your opinion more effectively. The course is taught mainly by Michael Phillips, Igor Nye and Christa Jordan. They all teach at AFTRS and have decades of shared experience in the film and television industry.
· Learning Video Production and Editing by LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is a great platform for new career skills, but this video production and editing course is definitely high on our books. Although LinkedIn Learning is a paid platform, a free monthly trial gives you free access to all site content. This video production and editing course, which was attended by more than 40,000 people on the site, is concise and can be viewed in one go.
The free online course will briefly introduce you to the main genres of cinema, including documentaries and short stories. The three main stages of video production and technical elements, such as lighting, shooting and editing, will also be discussed. Finally, Rob discusses completing your video with techniques such as color correction and sound editing.
· Sundance Collab Community by Sundance Institute
This free offer from the Sundance Institute is a less cohesive online course and more of an ever-growing and evolving online learning community. This community is collaborative and seeks to provide its members with unique ways to gain insight into the filmmaking process, especially in these difficult times. When you join as a free member, you immediately have access to a huge library of educational videos made by Sundance, as well as recordings of past events and workshops.
A new three-hour master class is also offered monthly to watch and participate live. These workshops are attended by industry leaders who have extensive experience in the field of cinema and provide their knowledge to members. There are also frequent hourly online events and monthly competitions in which community members can collaborate and compete.
Although it is not a completely structured online course, it allows users to easily choose when they want to participate, as you can immerse yourself in the program and exit it as needed. There are no penalties for missing events, as well as “deadlines” for tasks.
· Cinematography Course | Shoot Expert Video on Any CameraOffered by SkillShare
SkillShare is an online learning community full of a variety of courses on just about any topic you can imagine. The platform typically costs $ 15 per month or $ 99 per year and is subscription-based, offering users a fixed fee for using any content on the site. However, SkillShare offers a two-month free trial for new users, and you can often find a three-month free trial online with coupon codes.
More than 17,000 students have taken the free online course, and it will teach users the basics of video recording with any camera, including your phone’s camera. Lessons include composition, optimization of camera settings, creation of professional lighting, storytelling and travel documentation. No matter what genre you shoot video in, this course is ideal for improving the quality of your video or even the quality of your social media posts.
· Werner Herzog masterclass
If you want to learn tricks and insider knowledge from one of the most famous and influential documentarians in history, look no further! Werner Herzog started making films when he was only 19 years old, and today he made 70 films, receiving almost 50 awards for his incredible work, so you are in great hands!
Over 26 custom 6-hour video lessons, students will teach Werner the art of making films that never compromise on quality, covering topics such as cinema, intelligence, self-financing, interviews, storytelling and negotiation skills to name a few. Not only video tutorials are offered – by subscribing to MasterClass, you will receive workbooks in PDF format, offline access, audio lessons only and a number of other benefits! All in all, a great movie course to keep honing your skills!
· Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking (CreativeLive)
If you need a skill level, you don’t need anything but a DSLR to shoot professional-grade videos and movies. So, if you want to add these skills to your arsenal, this film directing course is a great choice for you. As for your teacher, Victor Ha, a former professional photographer and now a director, will teach you this course. More than 43,000 students have taken Victor’s online beginner course at CreativeLive.
For 14 hours of on-demand video lessons in this online filmmaking lesson, Victor will teach students all the skills needed to use DSLR to shoot quality movies, including how to use composition skills when shooting video, what features to set on camera, choosing the right equipment, and much more.
· Jodie Foster Teaches Filmmaking (MasterClass)
After completing this online class, you will be able to put your ideas into action in your own movies! Your filmmaking master class will be taught by Jodie Foster, a director and actress who has won two Oscars for her work. Jody is known for her roles in the films “Silence of the Lambs” and “Little Man Tate”, so you are taught by a true veteran of the industry!
During 4 hours of custom video lessons, you will learn the process of making a film from Jody’s point of view, which will teach you topics such as finding personal history, learning great ideas, preparing and planning, casting, directing actors, filming, editing and more. You can find this film directing course on the MasterClass educational platform, where you can take advantage of a 30-day money back guarantee after subscribing. You will not want to miss this unique chance to get behind the scenes and ask one of the best directors in the world to teach you their craft!
· Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking (MasterClass)
Your teacher of this course will be none other than veteran film director, Oscar winner Martin Scorsese, who is one of the most respected filmmakers in the industry! You’ve definitely seen some of his films, so you know that this course gives you an incredible opportunity to learn from the best.
For 4 and a half hours, students will have 30 video lessons on topics such as how to develop a quality process, direct their own unique influence on their work, what technology to use, develop their style, how to work with script, actors and director actors, location, design costumes, cinematography, low-budget movies and much more! A MasterClass subscription has a 30-day refund policy if you change your mind. All in all, a great filming course led by a real legend!
Free filmmaking classes online Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What does a free filmmaking classes online teach you?
While the free course will teach you the basics of filmmaking and only make the surface, it will rather acquire a fundamental knowledge of cinema. Paid courses will teach tutorials provided by popular professional directors, and these courses go much deeper into what filmmaking is.
Offering both theoretical and practical aspects of this, it will teach you tricks and techniques that will help you build a career in film. If you can afford paid courses perfectly, and if you can’t, then you should take free courses.
What career opportunities await me after a filmmaking classes?
After completing a film directing course, you have various career opportunities. You can work as a screenwriter, editor, cameraman, director, producer, production designer, set designer and much more.
What is the job of a filmmaker or director?
Many directors are actively involved in the process of creating a final film, TV show or other project. The director usually works closely with the film’s editor, as well as the dubbing mixer, sound engineer, colorist, and composer, to control the appearance and sound of the project.
What is the job of a cinematographer?
In the case of huge sets of large films, a cinematographer coordinate their work with a large group of cameramen, light operators and others involved in the shooting. They work closely with directors and share their artistic and creative vision – often behind the camera, making real shots. Also known as camera specialists, photographers or DP.
