Whether you accept it or not, most filmmakers fail not because they lack talent but because they never truly understand what it takes to create an unforgettable story that truly connects with the people.
And, if you are also one of them, then let me tell you, you are not alone.
As per the research more than 90% of the aspiring filmmakers struggle to finish their first film – and my friend was also one of them and I have been through this frustration many times, I have watched the various tutorials on youtube, read books and even attended seminars.
But nothing worked for him, that’s when he came to know about Werner Herzog’s MasterClass and decided to give it a try too as well.
Werner Herzog MasterClass Review
In this post, I have shared everything that you need to know about Werner Herzog MasterClass in order to give you an honest review and help you decide whether it’s worth your money or not.
So let’s dive deeper into this and explore everything about Werner Herzog’s MasterClass Review.
Quick Summary of Werner Herzog Masterclass
What You Will Learn: How to tell write unforgettable scripts, how to tell powerful and original stories for both documentary and fiction films, how to shoot with confidence, working with actors, personal tips on how to find film ideas and get the mindset to become a successful film maker.
Runtime : 26 video lessons (5 hours 50 minutes)
Who Is the Course For: Aspiring Filmmakers, Documentary creators, storytellers, and anyone who wants to become a successful filmmaker and make a name for yourself in name in industry.
Best to pair with: James Cameron Teaches Filmmaking & Ava DuVernay Masterclass!
Recommendation: 8.5/10 – Highly recommended for anyone who want to learn the art of filmaking and dicovers the secrets of Werner Herzog and get the access of his mindset.
What is the Werner Herzog Masterclass?
Werner Herzog Masterclass is a in-depth and comprehensive filmmaking course hosted on the masterclass platform (Check: Is Masterclass Worth it?) that teaches you the every essential component that you need to become a successful filmmaker.
This course mostly focuses on teaching you Herzog’s distinctive storytelling methods, documentary techniques & narrative filmmaking and the tone of this conversation and information feeling like you are learning from your friend.

Although what I noticed is that most of the lessons are not very actionable, you will absorb the wealth of knowledge of Werner and how he approaches things in filmmaking.
Overall,as an aspiring filmmaker you will learn and discover various new things & processes of Werner Herzog.
About the Instructor: Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog is a famous German film director, writer and actor who is known for his unique way of telling stories in the movies.
Most of his films explore big ideas like the meaning of life, human dreams and the struggle between people and nature. What is unique about Herzog is his unconventional and different approach towards filmmaking.

Source : The Hollywood Reporter
What is interesting about Herzog : he was just 19 years old when he stole the camera and made his first film but, as of now he has made over 70 films and won more than 50 awards for his work.
In this course, he taught you everything he knows about filmmaking from telling powerful stories, shooting great scenes, finding the right location and mostly how to get most of your current resources and facilities.
What Does the Werner Herzog MasterClass Course Cover?
Werner Herzog Masterclass covers everything that you need to become filmmaker, it consists of the 26 lesson with the total duration of 5 hours 50 min where each lesson will teach you the diffrent the concepts, here I have breakdown the each lesson in detail.
Part 1: Getting Started with Storytelling
The course begins with a very strong line and deep belief of Herzog : You don’t need film school to become a filmmaker – all you need is curiosity and a willingness to learn.
In the beginning section, he teaches You about how to train your eyes and ears to understand good storytelling. He also helps you to develop the mindset of a filmmaker who finds meaning in everyday life.
Beyond this he also shares his own journey filled with risk, passion and fear and how he took the smallest tape and created a big name for himself in the filmmaking industry. This part is really inspiring for me.

Source : Masterclass
Part 2: Writing, Funding & Leading
The most common thing where most of the filmmakers are stuck is turning their ideas into a powerful script without getting lost in perfection.
To help you to get rid of this he shares the practical tips on writing screenplays that work. You will also learn how to raise money for your first project Even when you have zero experience.
Moreover he also dives deeper into the negotiation scale, setting boundaries and building the loyalty that will help you to make a successful film. This part is important for every aspiring filmmaker.

Source : Masterclass
Part 3: Working with Cameras
Knowing how to operate a camera is important for any filmmaker but here her joke does not explain the step by step process but he mentioned that you don’t need the latest camera to make a great film.
He also mentioned that what matters is how you use the camera to tell the story. He also covers some of his personal shooting strategies, thinking visually and most importantly why it is important to plan rather than chasing the fancy equipment.
Lastly, he also teaches you the basics of cinematography technique that he uses for both fiction and documentary films. This lesson will give you the confidence to make your first film.

Source : Masterclass
Part 4: Actors, Sound & Music
There are two elements that decide the success of your film: the story and the actor you choose and here her joke guides you on how to choose the right actor and guide them to deliver the natural performance according to your script.
Whether you are working with professional or non actors his technique will help you to bring honesty in the scene and perform in a way that connects with the audience at a deeper level.
Furthermore he also saved his focus on sound and music which are also important for the filmmaking. He will teach you how to use sound as a storytelling tool and combine it with the right music to give the feel to the audience and make them make the mistake of watching the movie till the end.

Source : Masterclass
Part 5: Editing & Visual Inspiration
This section is all about editing and visual inspiration here Harjo teaches you how to approach editing not just as a cutting scene but as discovering the emotional truth of your film he also teaches you the concept like pacing rhythm and why some footage needs to be deleted.
From my experience this section pushes you to think beyond the structure to find beauty, surprise or meaning in the visual. It is idle for the aspiring filmmaker and the creator who want to edit their story and bring emotional touch into it.
Lastly don’t expect software walkthrough or hands on editing demonstration you will get various practical examples to understand the concept.

Source : Masterclass
Part 6: Documentary Filmmaking & Career Advice
This is the final section of this master class where Warner Harjo teaches about how to conduct deep interviews, tell human stories, stay ethical with your subject and most importantly encourages you to follow the path of filmmaking with courage and persistence.
Along with this he also talks about finding stories in ordinary places and treating subjects with respect most importantly he shares his own struggle and the win offering you advice full of hurt humour and truth.

Source : Masterclass
To Sum Up : This part is essential for you to watch as you will get to know that getting success in any field is not a straight path you need to face ups and downs in order to become a successful at your craft and make a name for yourself in this industry.
How Did the Werner Herzog MasterClass Course Help Me?
It took me three days to complete this course along with making the notes, And to be honest this course has really changed my approach towards filmmaking. I gained more confidence to try and experiment with different ideas rather than being stuck in the same loop.
Beyond this, I liked his tips on low budget filmmaking. It’s really helpful – Now I managed to make short films even with a few resources.

Source : Masterclass
However, I was impressed with approach towards creating a documentary and the right people for your project and most importantly his honesty about explaining the struggle of the filmmaker has also made it clear it’s not easy to become a filmmaker you need to be prepared – it’s like war.
However, what I noticed is unlike the masterclass, this course does not contain much actibale but listening to him will give you enough clarity about filmmaking.
Lastly, one thing that I felt was missing was a detailed instruction about the camera gear and technical steps which may be important for those who focus on the technical side as well.
How Much Does Werner Herzog MasterClass Course Cost?
The cost of Werner Herzog Masterclass depends on the plan you want to subscribe to and it totally depends on your budget and the preferences currently the masterclass offers the three plans for their customer that you can choose based upon your need and requirement. Here is the complete breakdown.
- Standard Plan: $15/month (billed annually at $180), allowing access on one device.
- Plus Plan: $20/month (billed annually at $240), supporting two devices and offline downloads.
- Premium Plan: $23/month (billed annually at $276), allowing six devices.
All the above mentioned plans are billed annually which might seem costly at the first glance, But from my personal experience I can say that the amount you will pay for this platform is absolutely worth it.
Buying these subscriptions help you to unlock more than 180+ courses from the world class instructor & the best part is that it also offers you a 30 days money back guarantee so you can try and explore it yourself for free.
Conclusion
From the ever post you have seen the honest Vernor Hazrog Master class review where I have shared what this course offers that includes storytelling, low budget filming interviewing technique and the creative mindset.
Most importantly this course has helped me to improve my mindset, build confidence and experiment with different ideas without any fear. His honesty about the struggle of aspiring filmmakers has really touched my heart.
Speaking from my experience he has shared everything he knows about filmmaking from his journey to the personal mistake he made and most importantly what made his film successful and blockbuster.
However if you are looking for some camera tutorial or technical gear lesson then this course may not be the perfect fit for you but if you are serious about filmmaking and learn from a legendary filmmaker who made more than 70 films – this course is for you it’s practical, inspiring, and contains creative wisdom.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and unlock the Werner Hazrog masterclass course.