I’ve enjoyed taking a number of the Masterclass classes at masterclass.com, but my favorite is Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking. I was only peripherally aware of him going into the class. Not only did I learn that he is an extremely prolific filmmaker, but I found his philosophies and approach extremely refreshing and something I could really identify with. I can’t say I’ll take all his teachings to heart (like never using storyboards or shot lists—he claims they are “for the weak”), but the man knows how to commit to a vision and he doesn’t over complicate things with his approach: works with minimal crews, no mobile phones allowed on set, always gets the first shot of the day by 9AM, doesn’t shoot unnecessary coverage, etc. In a profession where you’re always up against the clock and can face expected and unexpected challenges from any direction, he’s a true inspiration of how to get stuff done…like portaging a giant steamship over a mountain in a remote South American jungle…for real…who needs special effects?:
