The 4 Best Online Filmmaking Courses in 2023

This is a compilation of the best filmmaking courses available online.

There are so many online courses centered around filmmaking that it’s difficult to know which ones are worth buying. In this article, I want to highlight the best 4 paid courses you should take in 2022 to level up your filmmaking that I have personally taken and recommend.

As someone who has graduated from college with a degree in Video Production, I’m very impressed with what is offered online and how they can in many ways surpass what is offered now in person.

In short, I hope with my combined years in learning about video and taking 50+ filmmaking courses that I am able to help you cut through the clutter and get right to the best content available on the web.

I have also compiled other articles that focus on specific types of filmmaking and video production – you can find those below.

Best Courses to Become a Full-Time YouTuber

Best Free Online Filmmaking Classes of 2022

Best Cinematography Courses of 2022

Best Real Estate Videography Courses of 2022

Best Wedding Videography Courses of 2022

Filmmaking Tips from YouTubers

I’ve included a Table of Contents for this article for convenience if you want to jump around to different points. Let’s get started!

1. Full Time Filmmaker – The Ultimate Online Filmmaking Class

Their tagline is The Ultimate Online Film School and, frankly, that pretty much nails it.

• Do you want to make a living making videos or films?
• Do you want talented and entertaining instructors to take you from absolute beginner to six-figure videographer?
• Are you someone who is willing to pay for quality?

If you said yes to any or all of the above, Full Time FIlmmaker is the choice for you.

Parker Walbeck and his team at Full Time Filmmaker have managed to take all the different aspects of filmmaking, including equipment, camera basics, creative, lighting, etc., and package it into easily digestible pieces that will truly turn you from a complete beginner to full time filmmaker.

Prepare to Go Full Time

You will learn all the technical and creative skills you need to go full time as a videographer with Full Time Filmmaker. The best part? The videos in the course are insanely entertaining. They are the types of videos you binge-watch on YouTube for fun and don’t feel guilty about because you actually learn something valuable from them.

You’ll binge-watch your way to becoming a wedding videographer, music video filmmaker, real estate pro, and many more.

The Ultimate Value

Is anyone here a fan of lifetime deals? I’m always on the hunt for great products I can buy once and see the return on for years to come.

Full Time Filmmaker is the single best lifetime deal investment I have ever made.

Since I first enrolled years ago, they have added an entire course on becoming a YouTuber, a course on shooting better photos, a smartphone video pro course, and even re-shot all their early tutorials to keep the quality high.

And, they have many more exciting courses on their roadmap. (I heard through the grapevine they are working on an advanced lighting section).

Huge Discounts on Necessary Software

To make things even sweeter, enrolling in Full Time Filmmaker gives you exclusive access to big discounts, like being eligible for the student membership of Creative Cloud. This is hundreds of dollars in savings per year and essentially pays for the price of the course itself and is something I personally have used and enjoy as an FTF student.

The Verdict for Full Time Filmmaker – Is it Worth it?

For those that are absolute beginners learning filmmaking for the first time, anyone that wants to elevate all aspects of filmmaking, and/or want to make money with filmmaking, this is the ultimate course.

Full Time Filmmaker covers everything you need, is constantly improving and releasing new content, and has no true weak points. I recommend this to every aspiring filmmaker/videographer.

And, they have a money-back guarantee.

So, there’s truly no reason not to give them a try and, if it’s not a good fit, you can request a refund. But, like many others (including myself), I think you’ll find it to be well worth the investment.

If you would like to read my full review of this course, click here.

Click here to get access to his free filmmaking masterclass on how to achieve cinematic shots. It’s amazing and well worth your time!

2. Best Cinematography Courses – Philip Bloom’s Cinematic Masterclass with MZed Pro

I’ve been watching Philip Bloom on YouTube for what seems like years now. I learned a lot from him in my early days of video production from when he did some training videos with Vimeo.

He’s now gone all-in on a masterclass on making cinematic images and it’s just as epic as his YouTube videos are.

• Do you want to learn how to make your videos more cinematic?
• Are you interested in taking the best wedding masterclass from someone who films celebrity weddings?
• Do you enjoy learning from a variety of top-tier instructors that are masters in their field?

If you said yes to any of the above, an MZed Pro subscription is a great fit for you.

A Cinematic Masterpiece that You Could Watch For Fun

Philip Bloom did something really special by essentially creating a super engaging, interesting, and informative 9-episode series. Seriously, if you put this on Netflix, it would 100% blend in. It’s well thought out, extremely useful, and entertaining.

While you are enjoying the awesome visuals and picking up tricks of the trade from a veteran of the industry, you are also arming yourselves with the knowledge to properly set your exposure for time-lapses and drone shots.

One of my favorite aspects of this masterclass is how much Philip talks through his thought process as he explains why he did/does certain things on a shoot.

The Verdict for Philip Bloom’s Cinematic Masterclass – Is it Worth it?

If you are looking to make your videos look more cinematic, look no further. Or, if you are a fan of Philip Bloom, this is a no-brainer. This is a great expansion on what is covered in Full Time Filmmaker and can help provide an additional angle to your filmmaking toolkit.

MZED is a Great Resource for Filmmakers at One Affordable Price (Includes Philip Bloom’s Cinematic Masterclass)

MZED, the platform that hosts Philip Bloom’s masterclass, has an all-access membership that gives you access to TONS of other courses that are related to filmmaking. MZed hosts the best wedding masterclass I’ve ever taken by Ray Roman and the most entertaining writing classes by Seth Worley.

MZed also offers a money-back guarantee so you can always give them a try and get a refund if it’s not a good fit.

MZED has a fantastic free webinar where they cover 5 Hollywood secrets you can use in your films. Click here to watch it.

3. Best Budget Filmmaking Course – Tomorrow’s Filmmakers

• Have a limited budget but still want access to a great education?
• Want to learn the core aspects of filmmaking, even if you are a complete beginner?
• Want to invest in filmmaking but aren’t quite ready to spend more than $100?

Tomorrow’s Filmmakers has a seriously robust library of great filmmaking content that continues to keep growing.

With a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee, there’s no risk in seeing if this course is right for you.

In this course, you will master the following topics:

• Cameras
• Lenses
• Lighting
• Audio
• Gear
• Editing
• Business

You’ll also gain access to an impressive library of cinema courses, that cover topics like:

• Weddings
• Real Estate
• Music Video
• Travel
• Product Video

And more. Click here to view the full list.

Great Value for Money

Do you love lifetime deals? The team at Tomorrow’s Filmmakers is constantly adding new content. You will get immediate access to over 1,000+ video lessons and they are only adding more and more.

Exclusive Discounts and Bonuses

You can earn your money back from this purchase by just taking advantage of their amazing student discounts. If you aren’t already a student or enrolled in a course that gives a Creative Cloud membership (or any of the other discounts listed in their bonuses), then you are in for a treat. It is a great feeling to redeem the 60% off the Creative Cloud membership and will save you hundreds.

The Verdict for Tomorrow’s Filmmakers – Is it Worth it?

Tomorrow’s Filmmakers is an easy recommendation. For an incredibly low price, you get access to an ever-growing library of videos.

For those just starting their filmmaking journey, you’ll learn everything you need to film videos you are proud of. For those a little further down the line, you’ll love the cinema courses to dial in your niche skills.

If you are wondering if you should buy this or another program on this list, the best advice I have is to check out their free training on their website or on YouTube – and then choose the one you enjoy the most!

Read my full review of Tomorrow’s Filmmakers here.

4. Best Video Marketing Course – The Real Deal Video Strategist Club

• Want to learn the right way to do video marketing?
• Interested in selling ongoing retainers to clients?
• Want to land higher paying clients with a systematic approach to selling, customized for video professionals?

The Real Deal Video Strategist Club (TRDVSC) is the best course to learn video marketing, sell ongoing video retainers, land higher paying clients, and ultimately make more money for your video business.

The best part?

You will be better at helping your clients because of the new marketing tactics you learn from this course.

Use coupon code “ONLINEFILMMAKINGCOURSES” at checkout to receive an exclusive discount.

Become a Confident Video Strategist and Earn More

You know how to make great videos. But, do you know how to make videos that build trust, solve a business problem, or drive sales?

You’ll learn how to facilitate a strategy session, how to price out a video marketing package, and confidently make videos that actually deliver results for the client. They will happily pay you more for your services because of the incredible value you will be able to bring.

The Missing Business Education for Videographers

I learned how to make videos from other courses on this list. But, I didn’t know all the business stuff.

• How do I write a winning proposal?
• How do I actually structure an ongoing video retainer?
• How can I find higher-paying clients?
• What types of videos can I sell to clients that will actually be useful to them?
• How can I confidently lead a sales meeting?

Maybe it’s just me, but I can lack confidence or suffer from imposter syndrome when it comes to video. And, TRDVSC has helped immensely by providing a proven-to-work blueprint for me to follow that will deliver results.

The Verdict for The Real Deal Video Strategist Club – Is it Worth It?

If you make great videos but are struggling to land higher-paying clients or need to sharpen up the business side of your video business, this is the best course available.

And, with their 15-day money-back guarantee, there’s no risk in seeing if it’s the right choice for you.

Use coupon code “ONLINEFILMMAKINGCOURSES” at checkout to receive an exclusive discount.

Mastering YouTube Course – Honorable Mention As Best For Aspiring Full-Time YouTubers

For those that want to become a full-time YouTuber, this is the best course available, hands-down. This course contains everything you need to go from 0 subscribers to making a full-time income and is even better than the pricier Video Ranking Academy by Sean Cannell & Think Media and the Mastering YouTube offering from Matt D’Avella.

If you want to learn more about this course, read my full review here.

Erika has also created a free YouTube guide that shows how she went from $0 to making over $100,000 on YouTube in less than a year. If you want to download that guide, you can click here.

Honorable Mention: 90 Day Filmmaker for Going Full Time as a Filmmaker

• I want to go full time as a filmmaker, what should I do?
• How do I form a business?
• What types of videos should I focus on first?
• How do I price out projects?
• I’m lost on what I need to do to grow my video business. Please help!

If you have asked any of these questions or felt lost in what to do to go full time as a filmmaker, 90 Day Filmmaker is perfect for you.

The best part about 90 Day Filmmaker is the step-by-step blueprint they provide to show you exactly what to do in your video business.

My Favorite Features of 90 Day Filmmaker?

• You get step-by-step clarity on what you need to do.
• You learn how to generate leads.
• You get a full website design.

If you have felt lost or want to gain clarity in making filmmaking your full-time job, check out 90 Day Filmmaker and their amazing free masterclass. The free training itself is a goldmine.

Read my full review on 90 Day Filmmaker

So, Which of These Should I Take?

In some ways, you can search for videos that each of those have made and go with the pathway that best represents the style that you initially would like to build towards. I’ve taken all four and can honestly say that they all are worth taking.

If I had to make specific recommendations, though, I’d say:

• Full Time Filmmaker is the best all-around course for someone who wants to learn filmmaking and make money with it. It truly does give you everything you need to become a full time filmmaker.
• Philip Bloom’s Cinematic Masterclass with MZed Pro is a great fit for someone who knows the basics and wants to shadow a professional and pick up some different techniques and ways to get cinematic shots.
• Tomorrow’s Filmmakers is perfect for the new filmmaker on a budget or seasoned veteran wanting to learn a particular skill.
• TRDVSC is the best course for the filmmaker that wants to master video marketing.

Final Thoughts

There are so many online filmmaking courses out and there seems to be more popping up every day.

So far, of the many I’ve taken, these four have my highest recommendation. Whether you are a beginner, know your way around a camera, or a veteran, you are going to pick up some cool tips and tricks to elevate your filmmaking.

If you have some courses you think I should look into or review, send them my way – I’m always looking for new resources to elevate my filmmaking.

If you want to learn what I think it takes to make a great filmmaking course, click here to read my article on the subject.

Thank you for your time in reading and I hope that this was helpful to you! Happy learning!