Martin Scorsese MasterClass Review:
Breaking into The Film Industry

Content and Structure of the Martin Scorsese’s MasterClass

Martin Scorsese’s Masterclass contains a total of 30 lessons. Course completion will take you 4 hours and 35 minutes. The average length of each video is around 9 minutes. The longest lesson is 18:05 minutes long.

Martin hasn’t worked on the assignments there himself, but there are Martin’s filmography recommendations and material like storyboards by him. I noticed each workbook recaps the lesson and allows me to compile, organize, and simplify my own process.

Learners like myself are encouraged to share the work to receive comments to enrich our filmmaking journey. So far, I have not come across any relevant comments related to shared work, but I feel it is a great way to encourage newbies. The exercises will take additional time. I took almost a week to go over them.

Discovering Your Process

Lessons 1-6

Before Martin explains the technical aspects of filmmaking, he walks you through the basic requirements of channeling your creativity. He introduces himself in the first two lessons. Martin’s work, aspirations, and educational background connect to breathe life into his talent.

You will find that the smaller things in our daily life that we ignore are the reason that makes filmmaking our true calling. Throughout film history, all great directors undergo events that shape their style and stories. It’s often reflected in the voice-over. He also sheds light on the masters of Hollywood films, like Orson Welles.

You will learn that filmmaking isn’t a usual process. In fact, there is no set process in place for it. Martin’s MasterClass teaches us to stay open to the idea of new challenges while making a film. He discusses the importance of visual literacy, voice-over, storyboards, and the experience of other directors to create your own art.

Directing and Technology

Lessons 7-15

Martin Scorsese teaches filmmaking by highlighting the importance of technological advancements. They can make or break a film. Martin explains his process of reading scripts. There is plenty of research required for accuracy and relevance.

Scorsese Masterclass discusses why interacting with actors is crucial for films. Martin discusses the casting process and all the things to consider before casting someone. You will also learn how to find the best locations for shooting, use production design to differentiate themes, and the importance of collaborating with a cinematographer for the best outcome.

Martin breaks critical details like costume design (how to let character dictate costume), way of directing different people, and adding your own touch to every script. He simplifies it in a way that is easy to understand for novices.

Shooting Low Budget

Lessons 16-21

The filmmaking industry isn’t always the most pocket-friendly. There are times when directors have to focus on low-budget filmmaking to stand out. Martin’s discussion on taking shots and collaborating with the team to cut costs is my personal favorite.

For any particular story, you must empower your team. Martin offers some great ways to work with your crew. He goes on to discuss the editing room. There are times when you must let go of your favorite scenes and trust the editor’s experience.

The video lesson becomes more interesting as color enters the discussion. Martin Scorsese goes on to explain his use of color to enhance his shots. I loved the evolution of black-and-white films and when Martin Scorsese explains how he decided to keep the Raging Bull black and white.

The Power of Music

Lessons 22-24

Once Martin is done explaining his approach to sound design, he explains how it solves many editing problems. Sound can change the intent of a scene. He explains that you don’t always have to add a sound. There are times when you will have to take it away as well.

Music is a huge part of cinema. In Martin’s case, everyone knows that his music reflects his character’s life stage, complications, and spiritual lives. Martin Scorsese masterclass also includes a discussion about directors whose music influenced Martin’s movies the most. A simple example is director Kenneth Anger’s Independents.

Young filmmakers also learn promotional techniques. Martin highlights how promotion impacts your audience through music, trailers, or promotional campaigns. It is your chance to establish a voice for your film.

Scene Discussion

Lessons 25-30

In these lessons, Martin Scorsese breaks down the use of lighting, voice-over, and images to embody the entire historical moment. He uses examples like Francois Truffaut’s films and Jacques Tourneur’s Out of the Past. Martin discusses camera tilts and how they impact a scene.

Martin further goes on to tell how voiceovers can push a story forward. The main idea is to connect the audience with the character. He also discusses Vertigo to explain the emotional power cameras and color can add to your own work.

Finally, Martin teaches film enthusiasts and fresh directors to keep their creative spark alive. One thing that doesn’t work for one filmmaker can be groundbreaking for the other. You must not lose sight of your aim and style in filmmaking.

Fast-Track Lesson Plan

Finish Martin Scorsese MasterClass in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 45 seconds.

Engagement and Retention of Martin Scorsese MasterClass

Martin Scorsese’s masterclass review is incomplete without highlighting engagement and retention. Martin does a brilliant job at walking over the filmmaking process. He is encouraging throughout the lessons. He covers everything from sound to images.

In every lesson, you will see images of what Martin is trying to explain. It breaks the monotony of the lesson. You will see Martin directly engaging with the camera, which kept me interested in what he had to say.

Whatever Martin teaches is summarized in the class review PDF on the app. You can download it and revise it after every lesson. I loved the assignments where I had to choose scenes and describe them. The previsualization and sound assignments were the most exciting for me.