Join StudentFilmmakers
Learn filmmaking from working filmmakers
Taught by Emmy-winning cinematographers and directors whose work includes American Horror Story, Law & Order, The Fly and Avengers: Endgame.
- 33 recorded courses
- Certificates when you finish
- Cancel anytime
- Since 2003Our Forums opened in December 2003
- 11 pro teachersASC, CSC and Emmy-winning filmmakers
- 80 magazine issues2006 to 2020, to read online
- 19,000+ memberson our Forums and Network
Free Membership
Join free and read our Interstellar issue: the Nolan brothers on making the film.
Free forever
- Free magazine issue: the on-location Interstellar interview
- Free webinars with award-winning filmmakers
- Filmmaker community and spaces
- Your author profile and portfolio links
- Submit news to the magazine website
- Private messaging with members
Academy Monthly
Full Academy access with monthly flexibility.
Cancel anytime
- Everything in Free Membership
- All 33 recorded filmmaking courses
- Quizzes, notes, progress tracking and certificates
- All articles and the digital magazine
7-day money-back guarantee. Details
Academy Annual
Full Academy access at the best yearly price.
Billed $150 yearly. Save $30.
- Everything in Free Membership
- All 33 recorded filmmaking courses
- Quizzes, notes, progress tracking and certificates
- All articles and the digital magazine
7-day money-back guarantee. Details
Already a member? Log in
Students: the full Academy for less than the cost of a cup of coffee: $2.95/month with your school email
Your teachers
Working cinematographers and directors who share how they really do it.
Some of the courses you get
Recorded with the cinematographers and directors who teach them. Watch at your own pace.
What members say
“Wow, this was an amazing look at what goes through the heads of DP’s and camera operators. Well presented, thank you Christopher.”
“I had the pleasure to work with Paul on the set of Clifford the Big Red Dog… I love this seminar because I got to learn a bit more about his experience working on other films and how to communicate with the producers and other filmmakers on set.”
How we compare
Every one of these is a good place to learn. Here are the plain facts, so you can choose what fits you.
Swipe the table to see all four →
| Compare | StudentFilmmakers Academy | MZed Pro | MasterClass | Filmmakers Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan | $15 a month | $49 a month | No monthly plan | $39.99 a month |
| Yearly plan | $150 a year ($12.50 a month) | $349 the first year, then $199 a year | $10 to $20 a month, billed yearly | $349.99 a year ($29.16 a month) |
| Money-back window | 7 days | 7 days | 30 days | None (terms say no refunds) |
| Teachers | ASC and CSC cinematographers and Emmy-winning filmmakers | Filmmaking educators from around the world | Experts in many fields, film is one topic | Shane Hurlbut, ASC and other educators |
| Library | 33 filmmaking courses | 937 lessons | 200+ classes on all subjects | 40+ courses |
| Community | Forums since 2003 + Filmmakers Network | — | — | Private member community |
| Magazine archive | 80 issues, 2006 to 2020 | — | — | — |
| Free membership | Yes, with a free magazine issue and free webinars | — | — | — |
Prices and terms are taken from each company’s own website on November 12, 2026, in US dollars, and may change. “—” means we did not find it listed on their site. MZed, MasterClass and Filmmakers Academy are trademarks of their owners; we are not connected with them.
Or start monthly for $15. Cancel anytime. 7-day money-back guarantee.