10 Best Filmmaking Courses Online on Udemy
The art of filmmaking is not easy to learn. Some people have inborn talents and perspectives that make them great filmmakers without attending film school. On the contrary, some enthusiastic people learn filmmaking and contribute to this vast universe of films.
However, one must think that it’s essential to enroll in an expensive filmmaking course in order to become a filmmaker. I am here to guide you with the other option, namely, “best online filmmaking courses.
Best Online Filmmaking Courses
Filmmaking is an art that comes from within. Successful filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, David Lynch, Wes Anderson, Stanley Kubrick, and Quentin Tarantino never attended film school. Their immense passion for films was alone the magic potion for their success.
However, one can also enhance their technical and psychological skills by taking up an online filmmaking course on Coursera and MasterClass.
The contemporary digital world has created doors to ample chances for enthusiastic learners who grab their part of learning from the comfort of their homes. These inexpensive courses are offered by various online education platforms such as Udemy.
Based on the quality content and master’s, I have selected the eight best online filmmaking courses on Udemy. Here’s the list:
- Complete Filmmaker Guide: Become an Incredible Video Creator
- Documentary Filmmaking Step by Step
- Hollywood Film School: Filmmaking and TV Directing Masterclass
- Documentary Filmmaking Masterclass
- Filmmaking: Write, Direct and Distribute your feature film
- iPhone Filmmaking For Beginners
- Beginners Course In Filmmaking and Video Production
- Documentary Filmmaking: Production Masterclass
- Filmmaking Bootcamp: Budget & Schedule Like a Pro
- DSLR Filmmaking Masterclass: Learn to Shoot & Tell a Story
Let’s assess the courses individually:
1. Complete Filmmaker Guide: Become an Incredible Video Creator
This course is created by Julian Melanson, who is a film director and a film teacher. Interestingly, Julian never attended any film school. He is the founder and creative director of the creative agency Visual MVMT.
You can check out his YouTube series based on “help creative minded turn their passion into a career.” Film festivals and websites such as No Film School have featured this series.
Course details:
- Course Rating: 4.4 (3,610 ratings)
- 45,636 students enrolled
- 5.5 hours of on-demand video
- 1 article
- 9 downloadable resources
What you’ll learn:
- Principles of lighting, cinematography, sound recording, lenses, and editing.
- Understanding timeless video principles
- Producing video content without using expensive equipment.
- Create new videos from scratch with a brand-new understanding of filmmaking.
- Filmmaking theories, principles, and ideas.
- Taking video ideas and turning them into a unique style of video.
This is one of the most practical courses on video making and filmmaking on Udemy, making it the first one on my list.
2. Documentary Filmmaking Step by Step
This fantastic course is created by Adam Bhala Lough, a documentary filmmaker. He is a three times Sundance Film Festival alumni and a Spirit Award-nominated writer/director/producer. Four of Adam’s documentaries are streamed on Netflix.
Course details:
- Course ratings: 4.6 (510 ratings)
- Students Enrolled: 10,116
- 5 hours of on-demand video
- 17 downloadable resources
What you’ll learn:
- Principles of filming a feature-length documentary with less experience
- Tricks and hacks by the personal experience of the creator.
- The income expectancy of the crew positions for a low/mid/big-budget film.
- Examples of the filmmaking process of award-winning documentaries.
- Free templates available for download
This course focuses mainly on the skill of filming documentaries on a low budget. This is a perfect course to get an insight into the technicalities of filmmaking, especially documentary shooting.
3. Hollywood Film School: Filmmaking and TV Directing Masterclass
This course is powered by IFH Courses and Gil Betman. IFH is known as the ultimate online film school. IFH is also the founder of Indie Film Hustle TV, the pioneer platform dedicated to filmmakers, screenwriters, directors, and producers.
Gil Betman is an internationally acclaimed film Director and film instructor. He has been a film professor for more than 20 years and has contributed his filmmaking knowledge to top film schools in Asia, Europe, and the UK.
Course details:
- Course ratings: 4.5 (1,350 ratings)
- 9,096 students enrolled
- 5 hours of on-demand video
- 1 article
What you’ll learn:
- Different types of camera movements and angles
- Tasks of a good moving master
- How to establish a master shot
- The art of directing films
- How to use camera lenses in an effective way
- How to prepare storyboards for a film sequence
- The creator’s ultimate thoughts on directing
- Bonus Indie Hustle TV Podcasts
This is one of the best courses for learning the art of filmmaking if you are equipped with basic knowledge and understanding of films and camera movement.
4. Documentary Filmmaking Masterclass
This advanced course on documentary filmmaking is created by the award-winning Netflix director Johnny Von Wallstrom. The experienced instructor has produced films for platforms such as Netflix, Al Jazeera, MTV, etc. He has also been awarded the prestigious Cannes Lion and Guldagget (The Golden Egg Award).
Course details:
- Course rating: 4.0 (608 ratings)
- 3,038 Students enrolled
- 5 hours of on-demand video
- 13 downloadable resources
What you’ll learn:
- The advanced concepts of documentary-making and video production
- The ideals of pre-productions, such as writing a synopsis and script,
- An effective way to film a documentary
- How to record sound
- The principles of post-production such as editing, coloring, sound mixing, and making a trailer.
- How to distribute your ultimate production into media channels through various means.
This course can give you in-depth knowledge of the process of making a documentary. Learning the basics of filmmaking is highly recommended before enrolling in this course.
5. Filmmaking: Write, Direct and Distribute your feature film
The initial and final process of making a film is as crucial as making a film. This course by Paul Bright focuses on the minute tasks that lead to the making of a successful film. Paul has been a writer, director, producer, and editor who has immense industry experience.
Course details:
- Course ratings: 4.5 (574 ratings)
- 3,116 students enrolled
- 7 hours of on-demand video
- 19 downloadable resources
What you’ll learn:
- Telling stories on film and targeting the primary audience
- How to write the script and screenplay
- How to raise funds for the making of the film
- Filming the movie using various lighting and camera angles
- The way to correct distribution channels
- Scheduling and organizing the film production
- Finalize cast, costumes, locations, and props
- Basics of film editing
I recommend this course to anybody who is interested in learning the detailed process of advanced filmmaking.
6. iPhone Filmmaking For Beginners
Phone photography and filmmaking are the growing genres of technical video production. This course by the best iPhoneographer, Jason Van Genderen, is for all those enthusiasts who can’t afford expensive camera equipment.
Jason is regarded as the pioneer in mobile filmmaking. He has been awarded for his projects in various film festivals, such as Sundance.
Course details:
- Course ratings: 4.3 (235 ratings)
- 1,157 students enrolled
- 7 hours of on-demand videos
- 10 downloadable resources
What you’ll learn:
- Mastering your iPhone’s camera features
- Hacks and tricks to create magnificent videos from your iPhone.
- How to successfully use the different camera modes on iPhone
- Essential equipment that can make your iPhone a good camera
The course is for beginners who own an iPhone. No basic knowledge is required to get enrolled in this course.
7. Beginners Course In Filmmaking and Video Production
This beginner course is created by one of the best motion picture producers Erick Von Schulz. Eric has more than 20 years of experience in filmmaking. He has worked on 90 films and several commercials in the industry.
This incredible course holds excellent reviews and is strongly recommended for entry-level filmmaking.
Course details:
- Course ratings: 4.4 (218 ratings)
- 1,336 students enrolled
- 5.5 hours of on-demand video
What you’ll learn:
- How to begin short films and movies
- How to tell stories using cinematic techniques
- How to finance films
- Techniques of sound recording
- A better understanding of screenplay and story structure
- How to film scenes
- Shooting and direction of films
This course demands no previous knowledge of filmmaking. However, it’ll be for good if you have a basic understanding of a DSLR Camera.
8. Documentary Filmmaking: Production Masterclass
The industry-experienced course instructor, Hein Ungerer has worked in television media, journalism, and radio. He is a documentary teacher in a film school in Cape Town.
This course gives insight into how to build up a simple story into a film using technical abilities.
Course details:
- Course ratings: 4.4 (10 ratings)
- 30 students enrolled
- 1-hour on-demand video
- 9 downloadable resources
What you’ll learn:
- Write and develop a good story
- Focus on the main story
- Use of narration for storytelling
- How to write a shooting script
- Develop a shot list
- How to write an edit script
- How to proceed with editing
This elementary course lets you understand how a documentary is made and puts insights into the fundamentals of screenwriting.
9. Filmmaking Bootcamp: Budget & Schedule Like a Pro
Learning from the expert is a thing one must never neglect. With industry experience and a brilliant career, Tim Burton presents this course.
It is specially curated to understand the following levels of writing and conceptualizing in filmmaking.
This filmmaking course is one of the best that helps one learn the strategies to budget and schedule a film efficiently. Believe it or not, this step is the most crucial part of any filmmaking unit, and a filmmaker is also responsible for accessing and analyzing it.
Thus, if you aspire to be a filmmaker, this filmmaking course is going to come in handy.
Course details:
- Course ratings: 3,6 (48 ratings)
- 1,343 students enrolled
- 2,5 hours of on-demand video
What you’ll learn:
- Breakdown of a screenplay
- Creation of a professional film schedule and budget
- Develop a better understanding of the production of a film or series
This is an advanced-level course, and anyone confident enough to go forward with the production of the film must buy it and gain valuable insights.
10. DSLR Filmmaking Masterclass: Learn to Shoot & Tell a Story
With an excellent review from the students, this course teaches one the basics. A person with little knowledge of photography or filming can greatly benefit from this course.
The filmmaking course covers a vast list of topics: storytelling, camera set-up, lenses, lighting, cinematography, filmmaking philosophy, and film editing. Even officially, one only needs to have the desire to learn filmmaking to be eligible to enroll.
Course details:
- Course ratings: 4.4 (47 ratings)
- 1,348 students enrolled
- 5 hours of on-demand video
- 1 article
- 1 downloadable resource
- Certificate of completion
What you’ll learn:
- Learn to Operate a DSLR.
- How to Capture Quality Sound.
- How to Use lights.
- How to Edit Video.
- How to Film in Low Light.
- How to Modify Lenses.
- Learn to Film Indoors.
- Learn to Film Outdoor.
- Shoot Video in Low Light.
- Edit on Final Cut X.
- Color Grade / Correct.
- Choose a Camera and Microphone.
- Learn Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO.
- Filmmaking Philosophy.
This filmmaking course deals with DSLRs, and having a camera will benefit the student. However, it is not mandatory as the filmmaking course itself has a topic that teaches camera selection.
Benefits of Choosing the Ultimate Online Film School for a Career in the Film Industry
Many types of schools offer courses related to filmmaking skills, but one option that is becoming increasingly popular is taking online filmmaking courses.
Online film schools offer many benefits over traditional brick-and-mortar schools. They allow students to study from home, which means they don’t have to worry about traveling to class or missing out on essential assignments because they were unable to attend class due to weather or other reasons. Students can focus solely on the entire filmmaking process.
This also gives students more flexibility with their schedules since they can work at their own pace without having to follow strict deadlines set by a professor’s class schedule.
Another benefit of online filmmaking courses is that they provide students with access to resources that may not be available at traditional schools, such as computers and video editing software needed to create films, instead of merely teaching film theory.
This allows students who might not otherwise be able to afford these items on their own to take advantage of them while still pursuing higher education without incurring any additional costs beyond tuition fees associated with attending an online school.
An online school gives you the flexibility to learn about filmmaking at your own pace and schedule.
Moreover, Online schools are often much less expensive than traditional schools or other courses and offer various payment options that can fit any budget.
Online courses also provide access to career-building events and opportunities that traditional schools may not offer as readily, such as internships or networking events with industry professionals who are happy to share their knowledge and experience!
Online film schools are the most comfortable and affordable way to learn filmmaking and video editing. Anybody aspiring to become a filmmaker can take an online class and enhance their skills and knowledge. Unlike offline film schools, these online courses are less costly.
However, no rule book says that a film school is necessary to become a successful filmmaker. As I mentioned earlier, numerous filmmakers have become famous because of their sheer hard work and passion for learning the craft by whichever means possible.
Conclusion
This is the complete guide to recommended filmmaking courses on Udemy. These courses are instructed mainly by industry experts, adding value to them. The filmmaking journey might not be easy, but it is adventurous. The more steps you take, the more doors you open.
Learning the vast genre of filmmaking and contributing to its future is one thing that must draw you to make a film. These filmmaking courses are beneficial, but one must not limit themselves to theoretical accomplishments.
We live in a practical world, and theories seldom make things possible.