MasterClass is one of the best eLearning platforms available. The instructors on MasterClass are not technically “teachers.” They’re successful people sharing their experience. We’re talking Gordon Ramsay, Timbaland, Neil Gaiman, and Natalie Portman here. Thanks to the All-Access Pass, I can take whatever MasterClass I want without paying extra. And clearly, I’ve got my $180 worth. In this blog post, I’m going to show you ten of the best MasterClasses I’ve taken.
Best Film & TV MasterClass:
Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking
Making movies is hard. Making documentaries is ten times harder. Imagine having to watch a 2-hour documentary on a war you don’t even know of.
But, with the right touch, a documentary can be both informative and captivating. Ken Burns is one of a few people who can turn a boring documentary into something worth watching.
His widely known documentary series include The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The War, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Prohibition, The Roosevelts, and The Vietnam War.
Overview
The course kicks off with an inspiring discussion about what it takes to be a filmmaker then moves on to how to choose your story. Ken will then tell you how to turn a true story to a cinematic documentary.
| 26 lessons These video lessons cover Ken’s unique creative process through case studies of his films, original treatments, voice-over scripts, and achival documents. | |
| A downloadable workbook This 156-page workbook is crammed with exercises, homework, and assignments. It has been keeping me busy for months. |
What I Like
The first thing that struck me entering Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking is that it IS fast. I’m not saying the course is short. It’s FAST. 15 minutes into the first lesson and I already felt my heart pounding in my chest. The class is one of the most energetic MasterClasses I’ve experienced.
Ken Burns is not only a born storyteller a skilled teacher and educator brimming with passion. He has a talent for making things that are already dead feel so alive and exhilarating. His techniques are so desirable that they are named after him, the Ken Burns effect.
The case study of The Vietnam War episode boards (as opposed to storyboards) was a real eye-opener and an educational treat.
What Got on My Nerves
Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking is not a class where you can slack off and watch mindlessly. Ken Burns give so much valuable advice in each of his lessons that you need to put your mind 100% into the course.
But that’s tiring, especially when you’re already hooked and want to complete the course in one sitting. I remember wanting to keep watching and taking notes until I realized that my mind was numb and my hands were cramped.
No matter how tempting it is want to learn everything, it’s not possible. My advice is to break down the course, savor it gradually, and make use of the workbook.
Best Music & Entertainment MasterClass:
deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production
EDM (or Electronic Dance Music) is on a roll this year. If you’re an EDM fan or an aspiring DJ, you probably have heard of Joel Zimmerman.
In case you don’t know, Joel Zimmerman is a Canadian electronic music producer and DJ. He’s also known as deadmau5, whose signature look is the over-sized mouse helmet.
Aside from jam-packed live shows and top-charting hits, deadmau5 also owns an awe-inspiring career. So, when he announced his deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production MasterClass, the whole music industry was stirred, which leads to this review.
Overview
My first impression of the course was awe.
I was intimidated by all the machines and the computers. I remember telling myself to breathe and take a step back.
So, I turned back and went through the lesson plan one more time. Seeing that we’d start with the theory first, then move on to which gear and software to use, I felt a little relieved. More advanced stuff like shaping sounds with effects and processing will come later.
| 23 lessons Watch, listen, and learn as deadmau5 shows you how to mix, master, and market your music. | |
| A downloadable workbook This course workbook will accompany your class with lesson recaps and supplement materials. |
What I Like
First and foremost, this course is not for complete beginners. You will feel lost, and scared, and confused. As a result, if you have no idea what a DAW is, you probably shouldn’t take this course.
On the other hand, if you’re already familiar with the DJ industry and want to get serious with EDM, this class is a goldmine. deadmau5’s approach of finding melodies, one-shots, and fx on an experimental base will really help you become aware of new workflows.
Above everything, deadmau5 is a music producer. You’ll not only get insights from a DJ’s perspective, but you’ll also see the lens from a master producer’s side. Like he says:
It’s about your ideas, not your gear.
What Got on My Nerves
Right at the beginning of the class, deadmau5 admits that he is “socially inept.”
What it means is that he’s very impatient. He usually jumps from topic to topic. And when he fails to explain something, he just resorts to saying “Whatever.”
It’s not that big a problem for me. I actually think it’s funny. However, for a lot of people, deadmau5’s attitude seems feverish. They might even doubt his capability as a teacher.
Best Writing MasterClass:
Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers
Normally, I would take a MasterClass where I didn’t even know the teacher nor care about the subject at all. It would then turn out to be one of the best classes I’ve enrolled in.
However, when it comes to taking a class from someone I’ve been looking up to since I was a kid, on a topic I work with daily, it can be scary. I was worried that the course was going to disappoint me.
Luckily, it didn’t. Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers MasterClass exceeds my expectations and ends up being one of my personal favorite class of all time.
Overview
The author of The Da Vinci Code kicks off the class by saying:
At the end of this MasterClass, I’m going to admit something to you that I have never admitted to anyone on Earth. I’m also going to show you an artifact that nobody except me has ever seen. And that is your first lesson in suspense.
Dan Brown
Dan’s aim is not to give us specific ideas but to give us a roadmap to turn ideas we come up with into a story. He hopes that this class provides some truly practical tools to help writers create stories while having a little fun along the way.
| 19 lessons Watch as Dan Brown teaches his process for researching and writing novels infused with tension, urgency, and burning questions. | |
| A downloadable workbook This workbook will accompany your class with lesson recaps and supplemental materials. |
What I Like
Throughout the course, you get to see Dan’s formula for writing a thriller – the three C’s:
- Make a contract. “The idea of writing any kind of novel is that you are making promises to your reader and you can’t break the promises,” Brown said. “If you hang a shotgun on the wall in Chapter One, somebody had better use it by the end of the book.”
- The clock should be ticking. For instance, within 24 hours, Robert Langdon, the protagonist in Angels and Demons, has to save the world from a nuclear weapon. Time pressure like this intensifies the urgency of a thriller and helps it keep pace.
- The “crucible” is essential. For Brown, the “crucible” refers to the concept of putting characters through a difficult ordeal.
Dan’s course is a lot like his books. Initially, you may not be able to fully understand everything. But, bear with him and everything will be revealed.
Give the reader what they want in a way that they don’t see coming.
Dan Brown
What makes me extremely excited is that after the class, I got a bursting of ideas and my itch to write just couldn’t subside. Hopefully, a year from today, I’ll be finishing my first-ever novel.
What Got on My Nerves
Throughout the course, Dan takes four different characters from The Da Vinci Code, using footage from the Ron Howard and Tom Hanks film, and breaks them apart to show you how different types can be used to create suspense and drive the narrative forward.
This is great for people who are familiar with the titles. However, suppose you haven’t read The Da Vinci Code, or any of Dan Brown’s book for that matter, you’ll have a hard time keeping up with this course.
But then again, if you didn’t know Dan Brown, you wouldn’t have participated in his class to begin with.
Second-Best Writing MasterClass:
James Patterson Teaches Writing
In my other MasterClass review, I mentioned that the Office Hours feature could get you closer to your hero.
That’s the case for Kecia Bal, a journalist in Pennsylvania. After taking James Patterson’s class, she went on to win the first MasterClass Co-Author Competition. Together, she and James Patterson wrote and published The Dolls, a compelling entry in his BookShots series.
It may sound desperate but I’m dying to get the same opportunity. As a result, I decided to take and review his renowned James Patterson Teaches Writing MasterClass.
Overview
Every good story begins with raw ideas. But, you gotta know how to separate the good ones from the less compelling ones. Then comes the plot. With the right plot, your reader won’t be able to stop turning the pages. Unfortunately, even when you get the plot right, the outline right, some days all you can see are just blank pages.
James Patterson Teaches Writing contains 22 video lessons and a class workbook to help you conduct a book from start to finish.
Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to conquer writer’s blocks and even how to write a marketable title, how to market your book, and how to work with publishers.
What I Like
First of all, James Patterson is such a fun person to be around. He starts out the class with a funny joke, setting a fun classroom environment. Take the below screenshot for example.
This lesson was shot in a café with James Patterson, his cup of coffee on one hand and a glass of vodka on the other. This makes you feel like your instructor is just someone older and wiser but has very valuable things to say.
Another thing I like is that this is quite a well-rounded course. It will lead you from findings ideas you’re passionate about, improving your writing, and pushing yourself through the challenges.
The 15 invaluable lessons I’ve taken out from James Patterson Teaches Writing MasterClass are proving super useful for my writing career.
What Got on My Nerves
James Patterson has a tendency to share his personal stories as an example. Though I love that, sometimes he got off topics and just stuck there.
There were certain times I wished he would go straight to the point. Some other times, I wanted him to be a little more specific. It’s frustrating that he’s willing to give out random puzzles but insists on keeping the whole picture to himself.
One other thing, although the course is marketed as one to teach you how to write a bestselling novel, James mostly focuses on the thriller genre. Given that he’s a thriller author, that is to be expected. However, it can get annoying and confusing for writers who are not into the genre.
Best Culinary Arts MasterClass:
Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking I
Before I say anything else, I just want to be clear: I love Gordon Ramsay.
I do. But, I still remember him being a blunt, ruthless, and boisterous chef on MasterChef and Hell’s Kitchen. So, when I took his MasterClass, I expected nothing more than some original recipes and a whole lot of curses. Then, I ran across this quote from the man himself:
You’ll see a side to me across this class that I don’t think has never been shown before. […] Everything that I’ve learned, understood, stolen, perfected is laid bare across this MasterClass.
Gordon Ramsay
Anyways, let’s see what the class has to offer.
This is a review for Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking I on MasterClass. Due to popular demands, he’s just published a second MasterClass under the name Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking II. Don’t get those two confused.
Overview
This Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking I MasterClass comes with:
- 20 videos lessons filmed from his own kitchen
- and a downloadable cookbook with lesson recaps, recipes, and supplemental materials.
After the class, I’ve learned how to:
- make Poached eggs, elevated scrambled eggs, and Beef Wellington
- handle my knife more efficiently
- make use of everything from a chicken or fish
- master some basic Italian dishes
- and so much more.
What I Like
One thing really stands out about MasterClass is their video quality. As a matter of fact, they aim to bring the quality of Netflix to the $100 billion e-learning industry.
And, they’re nailing it.
All videos are well-scripted and shot professionally. In short, the video quality is not what you’d usually expect from an online learning platform. What’s more?
Watching a professional chef cooking in HD shots. It IS mouth-watering. Sometimes, I forgot that I was supposed to be learning.
During the lessons, there will be additional tips like this on the screen:
Though being professionally produced, the class feels personal. It’s more than just cooking. It’s almost like you’re having coffee with the man and hearing about his life journey and struggles. In the end, he’s just another boy whose football dream was shattered due to injury. But he made it out and turned to cooking instead.
It’s these little details that make Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass all the more captivating.
Let’s not forget about those office hours as well.
It’s funny how only a few of the questions are actually about cooking. Instead, the students seem more curious about his life and his passion. I guess like me, they all look to him as a mentor rather than an instructor.
What Got on My Nerves
First of all, you won’t learn a lot of new and original recipes. What this class aims to cover is to improve your knife skills, your kitchen finesse, and your mastery of ingredients.
If you’re an aspiring chef, I’m afraid you won’t be learning anything too ground-breaking.
On the other hand, if you’re a newbie like me, you can feel a bit overwhelming. Watching him cut the fish, slide the onions, and do other magic seems so easy. But, when you’re actually doing it, you won’t even know where to put your hands.
Also, not everyone can afford a Ramsay-standard kitchen. You won’t own those expensive Japanese knives either. I think it could have been more valuable for the chef to work with what other folks already have at home.
Best Photography MasterClass:
Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography
Taking Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography MasterClass was actually a coincidence. I was just sorting through Youtube looking for a new song to inspire me when an ad popped up on the screen.
At first, I was going to skip the ad as fast as I could because, 17 minutes long? No, thanks.
But then, Jimmy Chin’s attitude and confidence captured me. The music, the stunning photography, and the story Jimmy was telling sucked me right in. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. And, that’s how I ended up taking this class against my wills.
Overview
This MasterClass is all about Jimmy’s world of photography. We’re invited into his process along with the technical aspects of photography.
According to Jimmy, we’re about to learn about photography as a way of life and a vehicle for you to explore the world, a process of internal and external self-discovery, bigger than images, and bigger than a career.
| 20 lessons From selecting the right gear to telling stories through images, Jimmy Chin teaches you how to plan shoots, capture the best shots, and edit in the studio. | |
| A downloadable workbook This course workbook will accompany your class with photography and supplemental learning material. |
What I Like
What captivates me most about the course is that it’s not all theory. Right off the start, Jimmy kicks things off with an on-location climbing photoshoot. If you think climbing is hard, imagine having to take pictures (not to mention the images need to be artistic) while you’re twenty feet off the ground.
Jimmy Chin sheds light on the basics of depth, photographic compositions, and his go-to lenses. Everything from preparation the workflow is made clear right from the beginning.
From there, you’ll transition into how to capture your passions. In fact, it’s a great structure. After getting the hands-on, the theory, and a glimpse behind the scenes of a master photographer, you can move back a little to become more introspective.
Aside from the perfect syllabus setup, Jimmy Chin is an extremely engaging teacher. He’s both methodical and entertaining. Another thing I love about this MasterClass is the variability in how the lessons are presented.
What Got on My Nerves
This class mostly focuses on mountain-climbing shots and career at National Geographic magazine. Though valuable and interesting to hear, not all of us can actually persuade that dream of being an adventure photographer.
So, right when I took this class, I already knew that no matter how great the class was and how hard I tried to finish the exercises included, I could never make full use of this MasterClass.
My advice is that unless you’re totally fascinated by adventure photography or you’ve already got All-Access pass, you might want to keep this class in your back pocket.
Second-Best Photography MasterClass:
Annie Leibowitz Teaches Photography
Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography MasterClass is the kind of class that receives a mixed review from students.
MasterClass offers a section called the Student Hub where students can add to the lesson and deepen the discussion. With Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography MasterClass, the comments from some students changed from enthusiastic to disappointed and a small minority were even angry.
Overview
Annie Leibovitz was the first woman to be named Chief Photographer at Rolling Stone and the last person to take a portrait of John Lennon.
In her first online photography class, Annie teaches you her philosophy: how to develop concepts, work with subjects, shoot with natural light, and bring images to life in post-production.
| 15 lessons Annie shows you her creative process and inspires you to try new and practical photography techniques. | |
| A downloadable workbook This course workbook will accompany your class with lesson recaps, assignments, and additional resources. |
What I Like
As a newbie in photography, I found the course immensely entertaining and thoroughly motivating. It’s a joy to hear Annie discuss concepts at the start of a shoot and how they change into something completely different by the end.
I also enjoy finding out about what inspired her to pick up a camera and helped keep her grounded. Annie Leibowitz is not just teaching. It’s like she’s speaking directly to us students. How often can you spot a professional photographer talk about her favorite personal photos?
The coursebook is also of value. It provides a structure to start experimenting with photographing and putting together your own portfolio.
What Got on My Nerves
Though it’s true that the course is enjoyable, I didn’t learn much about the techniques. A lot of other students seem to agree with me on this.
I guess, part of the reasons is because I came to Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography MasterClass as a wrong audience. I was expecting it to be a Photography 101 class. It turned out to be more of a documentary, or interview, with Annie Leibovitz.
But, as Annie said it herself, photography isn’t about camera, or lighting, or editing. It’s about what you see as a photographer.
You can have what you think is the “best equipment” but it doesn’t help if you can’t see.
Annie Leibovitz
Best Sports & Games MasterClass:
Garry Kasparov Teaches Chess
I haven’t played chess in years. But, back when I was a little kid, I used to play chess all the time. Since I stopped playing, I always wondered whether I would ever get back to it.
Then came the Garry Kasparov Teaches Chess MasterClass and I knew for sure I needed to take then review this class. After all, Garry Kasparov, one of the greatest chess players of all time, was there ready to teach me more in the beautiful art of chess.
Overview
Coming from the Annie Leibowitz Teaches Photography MasterClass, I stopped expecting any class to be a Something 101. Yet, this course turns out to be such a helpful tutorial. I got so much more schooling in the craft of chess than I ever did.
Through detailed lessons, including his favorite openings and advanced tactics, you will develop the instincts and philosophy to become a stronger player.
| 29 lessons Watch, listen, and learn as Garry Kasparov teaches you how to improve your chess game. | |
| A downloadable workbook This class workbook will accompany you with lesson recaps, and supplemental materials. |
What I Like
There are tons of things I like about this class.
First of all, I like how many thoughts Garry had put into this MasterClass. Not everyone who is talented at something can actually teach about that thing. And not every teacher brings their A-game to the class. Except for Garry Kasparov.
His class is 7-hour long, making it the longest MasterClass in this review. Though long, the course was thoroughly produced to the point that you feel as if you were sitting across the table from Garry.
You also have the option to view a computerized board alongside Garry’s real board. For me, this is brilliant. It helps make the principles really easy to understand.
What Got on My Nerves
Here’s my routine: I’d go through a lesson, I’d practice, I’d defeat other players.
Then, one day, I got beaten up by the very moves I learned from Garry Kasparov Teaches Chess. After discussing with my opponent, I realized that he was taking the same class.
After that, my confidence as a chess player really went downhills. I guess it takes more a great class to become a master of chess.
Best Business & Society MasterClass:
Howard Schulz: Business Leadership
As you may have noticed, there are only six Business classes on MasterClass. At first, I picked Howard Schulz: Business Leadership class because its name looked different from the rest of the pack (Other classes would follow the format: Someone Teaches Something).
Luckily, I made the right call. Howard Schulz: Business Leadership is one of the best MasterClasses I’ve ever taken and reviewed.
Overview
As a former Starbucks CEO, Howard Schulz helped revolutionize the way the world drinks coffee. However, he used to live in public housing just like the rest of us. With no formal business education, he relied on his values while growing a 13-store chain into a global brand with more than 250,000 employees.
In his 90-minute video series, Howard will share what he’s learned about business leadership and being an entrepreneur.
| 29 lessons Watch, listen, and learn as Garry Kasparov teaches you how to improve your chess game. | |
| A downloadable workbook This class workbook will accompany you with lesson recaps, and supplemental materials. |
What I Like
As an early student of the Howard Schulz: Business Leadership MasterClass, I received a free hardback copy of his new book, From the Ground Up, before it was released. The book is listed at $28.00 on Amazon. So, it’s safe to say that I’ve got my All-Access money worth.
Be sure to check with MasterClass to see if you’re also qualified for a copy
If you know about Howard, you probably have known about his childhood. As a child, he witnessed his father get tossed aside by his company. This very event formed his business values, which then led to Starbucks being one of the first American companies to offer health insurance and stock options to part-time employees.
This MasterClass starts off strong by asking you some pretty intense questions so that you can then feed those values into your own company.
Don’t pioneer. Disrupt is another of my favorite modules from Howard. Not only did he outline his business beliefs and principles in a way that is immediately applicable, but he actually gave away a business niche idea that he would go into given if he were starting his business.
What Got on My Nerves
Amazing as it is, there are still things that make a class undesirable. For one thing, most of what Howard teaches in this course can easily be found on the Internet or in his own book. The only difference is you’ll be hearing it directly from him.
For another, at 90 minutes, Howard Schulz: Business Leadership is quite short compared to other MasterClasses in this review. I definitely would love to hear more unique stories from the former Starbuck CEO.
Best Technology MasterClass:
Chris Hadfield Teaches Space Exploration
When I was little, I liked to lay back down in the garden, looking up at the sky. I would spend all day wondering what it would feel like to be hundreds of thousands of miles away from earth.
When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my solid answer was “An astronaut!”
As you guess it, I never became an astronaut. But, my love for science and my curiosity for something bigger than us never waver.
That’s why I decided to join Chris Hadfield Teaches Space Exploration, the one and only Science and Technology class on MasterClass.
Overview
At age nine, Chris Hadfield knew he wanted to go to space. He eventually went there three times, becoming a commander of the International Space Station.
In his MasterClass, Chris teaches you what it takes to explore space and what the future holds for humans in the final frontier. You will learn about the science of space travel, life as an astronaut, and how flying in space will forever change the way you think about living on Earth.
| 28 lessons Learn about the past, present, and future of space exploration with astronaut Chris Hadfield. | |
| A downloadable workbook This special workbook contains lesson recaps, assignments, and photocopies of handwritten notes that Chris took to space. |
What I Like
At 7 hours, this MasterClass is one of the longer classes. During these hours, you get to learn what it’s like being an ASCAN and how one has to quickly learn to be an expert on everything when in space.
What I worried about most entering the class were the equations on Module 5. I’ve never been good at Maths. And equations? Urgh!
Thankfully, Chris seems to have anticipated that. He appears to have made a lesson on equations for someone who doesn’t have a clue about them.
You have to understand that equation like you understand the alphabet, or speaking, or breathing, or walking.
Chris Hadfield
The thing that makes these lessons compelling is that they’re full of information along with some emotional discussions about the fragility of life.
I’m also at awe with how detailed this MasterClass is. The screenshot below is from the Spaceships: Capsule Design module. You can see Chris holding a model and its visualization on screen.
What Got on My Nerves
At first, I had a pretty narrow idea of who the target audience would be. Whether trained astronauts, would-be astronauts, or nerds who always dream of going to space like myself would benefit from this class was not stated in the description. As a result, I was hesitating to enroll in this class.
Without the All-Access pass, I would never have enrolled in the first place. I was worried that my lack of aptitude for science and maths would be a barrier to my learning.
I guess I would have liked it better if the target audience and the suitable level of education are indicated in the course information.
Which MasterClass to Take?
Obviously, I couldn’t review all the MasterClasses I’ve taken. That’d be too much. But, rest assured, these nine classes are the best of the pack. I’ll definitely add to this list later.
If you wonder how I can take that many classes, it’s thanks to the All-Access pass on MasterClass. With $180 a year, you can get through to any courses you want.
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you make use of this feature. Then, you can tell me what you think of the classes mentioned above, or what other classes you want me to review.
For now, happy MasterClassing!