7 Best Filmmaking Courses Online

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Are you looking for the best filmmaking courses online? If yes, we’ve put together a list of the best ones on the web. We’ve included both free and paid courses to give you a variety of options.

But first, let’s answers an important question – what is filmmaking and when would you use it?

In short, filmmaking is the direction or production of films, typically for the cinema or television (however, it can also be used for social media, businesses, art exhibitions and much more). In many ways, its the modern-day version of storytelling (along with writing, of course). Filmmaking typically involves a number of complex and discrete stages, including an initial story, idea, casting, shooting, sound recording and editing.

To learn to master filmmaking, you don’t need to spend hours at a college or university. There are still plenty of online classes and courses that cover everything you need to know. Suitable for those of all levels, I have spent the time researching the best filmmaking online tutorials out there. If you’re looking to progress your filmmaking skills, either for a career in filmmaking, or to just to enhance your skill set, there will be an online course for you.

 

1. Complete Filmmaker Guide: Become an Incredible Video Creator (Udemy)

  • Level: Beginner to intermediate
  • Completion time: 5h 17m
  • Cost: $79.99
  • Certification: No
  • Number of people who have completed the course: 47,720
  • Course rating: 4.4/5 (out of 3,970 ratings)

In just five hours, you will get 7 years of filmmaking experience, including everything from pre-production to the final editing stage… in just 5 hours!

Julian Melanson is a full-time film director and a best selling instructor, who teaches aspiring video creators how to make phenomenal videos. In this course, Julian will cover all of the creative aspects of planning, shooting and editing an incredible video.

To begin with, you will cover how to develop your creative and personal skills, which includes learning about daily routine, life maps, progress tracking and much more! You will then take a look at pre-production and will get to grips with research, shot lists and creating characters. Next, you will look at the secrets of production before finally looking at how to master post-production.

 

2. DSLR Filmmaking for Beginners: Learn the Basics of Videography (DSLR, Smartphone, GoPro, etc) (Skillshare)

  • Level: Beginner
  • Completion time: 1h 3m
  • Cost: 14 day free-trial
  • Certification: No
  • Number of people who have completed the course: 4,244
  • Course rating: N/A

Taught by Dennis Schrader, who owns a one-man video production company based in Hamburg, this Skillshare course will teach you the basics of filmmaking so that you have the skills to work in videography, video production, orr just the skills to use your camera to the best of your abilities!

You will learn how to use your shutter speed, aperture and ISO the easy way. You will also learn how to have the perfect white balance, how to use basic and simple lighting techniques, how to record good audio without spending a lot of money and how to frame a shot. By the end of this course, you should be able to create beautiful courses in a cost effective manner.

 

3. Hollywood Film School: Filmmaking & TV Directing Masterclass (Udemy)

  • Level: Beginner
  • Completion time: 5h 1m
  • Cost: $115.00
  • Certification: No
  • Number of people who have completed the course: 9,872
  • Course rating: 4.5/5 (out of 1,537 ratings)

Suitable for those who have a genuine love and passion for filmmaking and directing the camera, this class will teach you how to direct a short film, feature film or any narrative content.

After this course, you will have the in-depth understanding and insight to be able to shoot with a moving camera, as you will learn how to move the camera to master the best shot. You be able to use the three key components to shooting action, shoot a chase and shoot a fight!

 

4. Making a Short Film: Start to Finish (LinkedIn Learning)

  • Level: Beginner
  • Completion time: Approx 4.5h
  • Cost: 1 month free trial
  • Certification: Yes
  • Number of people who have completed the course: 9,931
  • Course rating: N/A

Created by CreatorUp, a company that produces top-tier digital content, you will learn how to make your own short film in this course. Suitable for anyone who has a good idea of what they would like to share with the world, in this course you will explore the basic elements of screenwriting, production and directing.

Through expert instruction, you will learn how to write scripts, manage cameras, alter lighting and work with actors! Plus, you get the added bonus of learning how to plan your production and keep your set running smoothly!

 

5. DSLR Filmmaking for Beginners (Skillshare)

  • Level: Beginner
  • Completion time: 1h 30m
  • Cost: 14 day free-trial
  • Certification: No
  • Number of people who have completed the course: 22,295
  • Course rating: N/A

Jordy Vandeput hosts one of the biggest YouTube channels surrounding filmmaking and video editing. This class is unique, and designed for those who have a DSLR camera and a passion for visual storytelling!

Once you have completed this course, you will know all the professional techniques that filmmakers use to craft their videos. You will learn how to use a DSLR in full manual mode. You’ll then cover the essentials of visual storytelling with composition and motion and lighting. On top of this, you will solidify your learning through a number of class quizzes.

 

6. Introduction to Documentary Video Storytelling (LinkedIn Learning)

  • Level: Beginner
  • Completion time: 1h 40m
  • Cost: 1 month free trial
  • Certification: Yes
  • Number of people who have completed the course: 24,810
  • Course rating: N/A

Ashley Kennedy creates courses for the LinkedIn learning library on the subjects of video editing, filmmaking and various other business topics. In this introductory course, she will specifically break down all the narrative elements of documentary films. Ashley will cover structure and grammar, as well as discussing how history and technology have impacted how today’s documentary filmmakers shoot and edit their projects.

To make this course extra special, you will also take a look at several dozen clips from well-known and award-winning documentaries to how what Ashley is talking about makes sense!

 

7. Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking (CreativeLive)

  • Level: Beginner
  • Completion time: 13h 58m
  • Cost: $149
  • Certification: Yes
  • Number of people who have completed the course: 45,900
  • Course rating: 94% recommend this course

Through 39 video lessons and nearly 14 hours of exclusive class content, you will learn how to use your DSLR camera to create powerful tools. Through hands-on demos, you will be guided through the core techniques of DSLR filming. Firstly, you will learn how to apply the compositional skills of still photography to taking videos. You will also learn about how to navigate the video-capturing features of your DSLR, choose the right gear for your filmmaking needs, and incorporate audio into your shoots.

Once you’ve completed this course, you’ll have the skills and inspiration to create high-quality, engaging film projects!

 

Conclusion

So, there you have it… the 7 best filmmaking tutorials online that are suited to anyone who is wanting to become a master at filmmaking!

There are lots of online options available for you to advance your filmmaking skills! There are free courses that take less than an hour, and there are more expensive courses that take longer to complete! Some courses are suitable for those who have never even picked up a camera before. Whereas other courses are best suited for those with excellent filmmaking skills, but are looking to take their learning one step further.

The online classes on this list are the best of the best. Each is taught by an experienced and dedicated teacher and they all have lots of satisfied and happy customers.

So, which course you decide take depends on your experience, funds and spare time. Are you a complete filmmaking newbie? Or have you already got a pretty good eye for videography and just want to further develop your skills? Do you have a huge amount of money to spend on your skill development? Do you have a lot of spare time, or are you just looking for a quick, but effective, skill top up?

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