Werner Herzog MasterClass [Top 5 Things We Learned]

Werner Herzog MasterClass, that’s right.
Solidifying your skills is crucial if you wish to succeed in your career path.

We just finished the course and it has been a truly enjoyable experience: Werner is not just an amazing director, but also a great teacher and knows how to guide you through the process to reach your goals.

To be upfront, this blog post contains affiliate links.
So, while clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, we’ll get a commission from MasterClass which we then use to keep this site up and running.

That’s ok, but who is Werner Herzog?

Born in Munich on September 5, 1942, Werner Herzog is one of the most prolific, provocative, and famously independent filmmakers in the history of cinema. He has never created a single film that is compromised, shameful, made for pragmatic reasons, or uninteresting,” Roger Ebert once observed. “Even his failures are spectacular.”

When Werner was 19, he stole a camera and made his first movie. 70 films and 50 awards later, Herzog is teaching documentary and feature filmmaking. You’ll learn storytelling, cinematography, locations, self-financing, documentary interview techniques, and how to bring your ideas to life.

By the end, you’ll make uncompromising films.

Top 5 Lessons From Werner Herzog MasterClass

1. Read. Read. Read.

There is so much to understand, so much to learn. Reading exposes filmmakers to a wide range of perspectives and viewpoints, which can help them to develop their own voice and vision as artists. “If you don’t read, you will never be a filmmaker.” Herzog says.
In particular, he suggests reading an obscure book published in 1967 :

THE PEREGRINE
• Paperback
• J.A. Baker (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 208 Pages – NYRB Classics (Publisher)

The Peregrine is not simply a book about observing a bird, but rather a transformative experience that allows the reader to fully embody the essence of being a bird. It provides a rare chance to fully engage with its subject, and experience the world from a bird’s perspective through its captivating prose. J.A. Baker’s immersive approach and passionate writing style make it a must-read for anyone in the film industry.

2. Working With Actors On Set

Sometimes it’s good to leave your character alone so no one can predict what is going to happen next. These moments are often very telling and moving. At the same time, he teaches how to keep actors on their marks, favoring simple directions over extensive directions, knowing how to control your actors, hypnotizing actors (Heart of Glass case study), and letting your actors loose.

3. Leading The Platoon

Inspire your crew, maintain formality and strict working relationships, do the doable, be the guinea pig for your crew, make catastrophes part of your story, and deal with the unexpected. As a filmmaker, it is important to lead your crew in order to create a positive and productive working environment. This may involve setting clear goals and expectations, offering constructive feedback, and showing appreciation for the hard work of your team.

4. You Are the Most Important Thing in Filming. Not the Gear.

According to Werner Herzog, it is important for aspiring filmmakers to learn the principles of photography before seeking out more advanced equipment. To that end, he suggests creating a $10 pinhole camera and using it to take one landscape and one portrait photo. As Herzog says, “Before you ask for a state-of-the-art camera, show me a photo you have done with a pinhole camera”. This approach helps filmmakers learn to work with what they have and develop their skills before seeking out more advanced equipment. Leibovitz gave similar advice in her Annie Leibovitz MasterClass (which we HIGHLY recommend if you are interested in a great photography course).

5. Get Paid.

Herzog says: “Never use your own money unless you really really have to”. Using your own funds to finance a film can be a risky proposition, especially if you are an independent filmmaker with limited resources. Making a film is a time-consuming process, and using your own capital to finance it means that you may need to take time away from other work or commitments. It may also put pressure on you to make creative decisions that are more financially viable, rather than staying true to your artistic vision. This could result in a film that is less authentic or memorable.

BONUS: DO IT.

Just go ahead and DO IT. It is crucial to be proactive and take the initiative in order to make your film a reality.

Don’t let bureaucrats or gatekeepers stop you. Take what you have, take the next step whatever it may be, and MAKE YOUR MOVIE.

Should You Take This Course?

If you’re a filmmaker, film-lover, screenwriter, or storyteller and you’re looking for a solid investment that is highly educational, motivating, and entertaining, give the Werner Herzog MasterClass a try. You’ve got nothing to lose (MasterClass has a 30-day money-back guarantee) and a ton to gain.

Enrollment now is officially available for this MasterClass.

This Class Is A Treasure House To Explore For Those Who Wish To Learn About Filmmaking.

What does the Werner Herzog MasterClass include?
Once you purchase the class, you have access to the following:

• Unlimited, lifetime access to every chapter in your course
• A downloadable workbook with chapter recaps, important takeaways, and exercises
• Membership to our active community of engaged students (upload your own work, or provide feedback on a peer’s!)
• Access to any answers your instructor provides to any students’ work
• Class-specific tools to help you practice your craft

Interested in joining this MasterClass?

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