Learn How To Make A Film With 2024‘s Top 13 Best Free Online Filmmaking Courses & Classes
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to create your own short or feature-length film, you’ve come to the right place to learn the art of filmmaking!
In this article, I have gathered some of the best online filmmaking courses that will get you to produce films like a Hollywood pro in no time. You will learn all about lenses, lighting, positioning, sound recording, cinematography, editing, and much more.
Get ready to learn from some of the top Oscar-winning names in the world, such as Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog. So, let’s dive right in!
Top 13 Best Free Online Filmmaking Courses & Classes 2024
1. Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking (MasterClass)
First to feature on my list is a phenomenal filmmaking course from MasterClass that will take you through the mind of an Oscar-winning filmmaker, showing you how he approaches the art of filmmaking and teaching you elite techniques used by master filmmakers.
Your instructor for this course will be none other than Oscar-winning veteran filmmaker, Martin Scorsese, who just so happens to be one of the most highly-regarded filmmaking minds in the industry! No doubt you’ve watched some of his films, so you know this course offers an incredible opportunity to learn from the best.
Spanning 4 ½ hours, students will go through 30 video lessons on topics including how to develop a good process, channel their own unique influences into their work, what technology to use, develop your style, how to work with the script, cast and direct actors, location scouting, costume design, cinematography, low-budget filmmaking and so much more!
Hosted on MasterClass, a subscription comes with a 30-day money-back refund policy if you change your mind. Overall, a great filmmaking course taught by a true legend!
- Intermediate level
- 4 ½ hours long
- Taught by Oscar-winning filmmaker
- 30-day full refund policy
- Available for offline viewing
2. DSLR Filmmaking: From Beginner to PRO! (Skillshare)
Keen to unlock the secrets of the DSLR camera to take your filmmaking from beginner to pro-level? Then this online filmmaking course from Skillshare is a great choice!
For this course, you will be taught by Jordy Vandeput, a filmmaker with over 10 years of professional experience. Jordy is also the founder of Cinecom, an education company that is focused on training creative individuals in the media industry.
In this beginner level, 1 ½ hours long filmmaking class, Jordy will teach students filmmaking basics such as shutter speed, exposure, reading a histogram, ISO, lighting, composition, the rule of thirds, and much more!
Hosted on Skillshare, this course is a great introduction to the filmmaking skills you’re looking for! Skillshare also has over 27,000 other courses available, plus you get a 2-week free trial and can cancel anytime!
- Beginner level
- 1 ½ hours long
- Taught by filmmaker with 10+ years of experience
- Free 2-month trial of Skillshare Premium
- Share your projects and get feedback
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3. Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking (MasterClass)
If you are looking to learn the techniques and insider knowledge from one of the most iconic and influential documentary makers in history, look no further!
Werner Herzog started making films when he was just 19 years old, and today has directed 70 films, winning close to 50 awards for his incredible work, so you are in excellent hands!
Through 26 on-demand video lessons spanning 6 hours in total, students will follow Werner as he teaches the art of making films that never compromise on quality, covering topics such as cinematography, scouting, self-financing, interview techniques, storytelling, and negotiation skills to name a few.
There’s more than just video lessons on offer – once you’re subscribed to MasterClass, you’ll get PDF workbooks, offline access, audio-only lessons, and a number of other benefits! All in all, a great filmmaking course to keep honing your skills!
- Intermediate level
- 6 hours long
- Taught by legendary filmmaker with 50 awards
- 30-day full refund policy
- PDF workbooks and offline viewing available
4. Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking (CreativeLive)
If you’ve got the right skill level, you don’t need anything other than a DSLR to shoot professional-level video and film. So, if you’re looking to add these skills to your arsenal, this filmmaking course is a fantastic choice for you.
As for your instructor, Victor Ha, an ex-professional photographer and now a filmmaker, will be teaching you in this course. Over 43,000 students have taken Victor’s beginner-level online course on CreativeLive.
Across 14 hours of on-demand video lessons in this online filmmaking class, Victor will teach students all the right skills for using a DSLR to shoot quality films, with topics including how to use compositional skills while taking video, what features to tweak on the camera, selecting the right equipment, and much more.
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- Beginner level
- 14 hours long
- Taught by professional filmmaker
- 50% discount on Creator Pass
5. DSLR Filmmaking for Beginners (Skillshare)
Whether you’re shooting a film using your smartphone, DSLR, or GoPro, you’ll need to understand the basics of filmmaking to achieve great results, and this online filmmaking course will teach you the skills you need!
Dennis Schrader, a freelance videographer based in Germany, will be teaching you in this filmmaking class. You will also be joining 20,000 other students who have benefited from Dennis’ many creative classes.
During this dense 1-hour course, students will learn the basic technical knowledge needed to get good at bringing ideas to life through film, including topics such as the impact of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO on video quality, how to balance the composition, use lighting techniques to get a ‘cinematic’ look, and much more!
Currently, students can find this course hosted on Skillshare which has 27,000+ classes and a 2-week free trial!
- Beginner level
- 1 hour long
- Taught by Germany-based videographer
- Free 2-month trial of Skillshare Premium
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6. Jodie Foster Teaches Filmmaking (MasterClass)
Next on my list is an excellent course that will teach you filmmaking from the perspective of an award-winning artist who has been on both sides of the camera. After completing this online class, you will be able to bring your ideas to life in your own films!
Your instructor for this filmmaking masterclass will be Jodie Foster, a filmmaker, and actress who has won 2 Oscars for her work. Jodie is known for her roles in Silence of the Lambs and Little Man Tate, so you are being taught by a real industry veteran!
Across 4 hours of on-demand video lessons, you will learn the filmmaking process from the perspective of Jodie, who will teach you topics such as finding a personal story, exploring big ideas, prepping and scheduling, casting, directing actors, shooting the film, editing, and much more.
You can find this filmmaking course over on the MasterClass education platform, where you’ll be able to take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee when you subscribe. You won’t want to miss this unique chance to go behind the scenes and have one of the world’s best filmmakers teach you their craft!
- Intermediate level
- 4 hours long
- Taught by 2-time Oscar-winning filmmaker
- 30-day full refund policy
- Loads of value-added features like PDF workbooks
7. Filmmaking on a Budget: Tips for Achieving a Cinematic Look (Skillshare)
If you’ve ever wanted to make a film but thought it would be too expensive, this course is here to show you how to get big-budget results on a low budget!
As for your instructor, you will be taught by Simon Cade, a self-taught filmmaker, and producer who is best known for his YouTube channel, DSLRguide. Simon’s portfolio of work includes various advertisements, mini-documentaries, and music videos.
In just half an hour of jam-packed video content, students will learn how to do filmmaking on a budget by going over equipment, frame rates, shutter speeds, ISO, aperture, shooting on an iPhone, depth of field, cinematography tips, and many more!
Again, this course can be found on Skillshare, which currently offers a 2-week free trial that gives access to their massive catalog of creative online lessons.
- Beginner level
- ½ an hour long
- Taught by self-taught filmmaker
- Free 2-month trial of Skillshare Premium
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8. Making a Short Film: Start to Finish (LinkedIn Learning)
If you’re brimming with ideas for captivating stories that you want to put out into the world but need to improve your technical ability, this beginner-level online filmmaking course is for you!
Instructors for this filmmaking course will be provided to you by CreatorUp, a network of over 250 creative professionals who are specialists in the fields of filmmaking, photography, and digital content creation.
Once students have completed the 5 hours of on-demand lessons, they will be capable of screenwriting, analyzing and editing their own film script, composing the series of shots needed, budget and schedule a project, work with actors, and much more!
You won’t want to miss this online filmmaking course to learn all the conceptual and technical tips and tricks you need to get started!
- Beginner level
- 5 hours long
- Taught by instructor from CreatorUp
- Certificate of completion
- Free access for new LinkedIn users
9. Cinematography Basics: Understanding Filmmaking Style (Skillshare)
Cinematography is a word that gets thrown around a lot in filmmaking circles, and for good reason. Getting the cinematography of your film on-point can take it from amateur to pro. So if this is something you want to master, look no further!
Zak Mulligan, a cinematographer with renowned work in the film and TV industry, will be teaching you in this online course. Zak is best recognized for his work in popular shows like House of Cards and The Outsider, so you’ll be receiving fantastic industry insight.
Spanning 1-hour of video lessons, students will learn about important considerations that will help them vary the mood, feel, and tone of their film, techniques for making a shot list, composition, visual language, and much more!
Once you’re done with this short filmmaking course, you’ll feel ready to experiment with new ideas and techniques, and you’ll be one step closer to being a professional filmmaker!
- Beginner level
- ½ an hour long
- Taught by accomplished cinematographer
- Free 2-month trial of Skillshare Premium
- Thriving student community of 20,000+ members
Activate FREE Skillshare Trial
10. Complete Filmmaker Guide: Become an Incredible Video Creator (Udemy)
Next on my list is a value-packed filmmaking course that will have you overflowing with creative ideas in no time! Taken by over 40,000 students, this class teaches you the planning, shooting, and editing that is involved in making a film.
Julian Melanson, a film director and teacher with over 7 years of professional experience, will be teaching you in this filmmaking course. Julian has published 4 courses on Udemy, teaching over 110,000 students and earning a rating of 4.4 stars.
Through 5 ½ hours of lessons, Julian will teach students everything he knows about the art of directing, shooting, and editing films that mesmerize audiences, including tips and tricks for pre-production, using various lenses, getting the lighting right, getting the right sound quality, and much more.
Students can find this course on the Udemy platform, which also has over 150,000 on-demand online courses available for all levels and provides a certificate of completion at the end. All in all, a great online course to choose to further hone your filmmaking skills!
- Intermediate level
- 5 ½ hours long
- Taught by experienced filmmaker
- Full lifetime access
- Certificate of completion
11. Introduction to Documentary Video Storytelling (LinkedIn Learning)
Some of the most impactful documentaries around are the ones that have the power to make you lose track of time by transporting you right into the story they’re telling. If you want to learn how to make documentaries like these, you’ll want to enroll in this online filmmaking course!
Your instructor for this online course will be Ashley Kennedy, a senior staff author at LinkedIn Learning and a video-editing and story-telling expert. Over 11,000 students have taken her online course on LinkedIn, so Ashley comes highly recommended.
In this 2-hour long online filmmaking course, students will learn about everything that goes into making a documentary to inform and engage viewers, including topics such as the history of documentaries, classic expository techniques, modes of storytelling, and much more.
Overall, an excellent introductory class to equip you with the knowledge you need to build up your filmmaking skills!
- Beginner level
- 2 hours long
- Taught by video-editing expert
- Certificate of completion
- Free access for new users
12. Wedding Filmmaking Fundamentals (Pluralsight)
Weddings are a special time, and the right videographer can help a couple treasure their special memories forever.
In this course, you will be taught by Dallin Seely, a professional videographer who covers about 20-30 weddings and other corporate projects in the span of a year. Dallin has received an average instructor rating of 5.0 stars on Pluralsight, so you are in great hands.
Through 1 ½ hours of video lessons, students will learn to make memorable wedding films for couples to treasure in years to come. Topics include planning and preparation, getting the bride and groom ready, capturing the ceremony, post-editing, and much more.
By the time you’re done with this online filmmaking course, you’ll feel ready to take the next step to become a professional videographer!
- Beginner level
- 1 ½ hours long
- Taught by professional videographer
- Certificate of completion
- Free 10-day trial
13. Hollywood Film School: Filmmaking & TV Directing Masterclass (Udemy)
Ending my list on a high note, this is a great hands-on filmmaking class that will teach you key techniques employed by Hollywood directors to make stunning films that captivate audiences. You will be joining over 8,000 students who have taken this online filmmaking course and given it an average rating of 4.3 stars.
Gil Bettman, a veteran film director, will be teaching you in this online course. Gill teaches screenwriting and directing as a professor at Chapman University, and published his debut book, First Time Director, in 2003.
In this beginner-level 5-hour long course, Gil will take students through all the techniques he uses as a successful filmmaker, including the basics of shooting with a moving camera, how to move it around, how to use different lenses to get different effects, and tons more!
Overall, a value-packed online course for learning filmmaking skills!
- Beginner level
- 5 hours long
- Taught by veteran film director
- Full lifetime access
- Certificate of completion
