The cinematic arts are a passion for Edgar Wright. The British writer-director behind such films as Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The World’s End, and Baby Driver is clearly a movie buff who loves the medium and talks about it frequently. He watches movies at an almost frightening rate and is never shy about sharing his opinions. The renowned filmmaker will soon be partnering with BBC Maestro to teach filmmaking to a new generation of aspiring storytellers.
Moreover, there is no waiting list to attend his lecture. BBC Maestro, like MasterClass, gives individuals all over the world a chance to learn from the world’s best in their field by listening to those who have already made significant contributions to their field talk about their work and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Wright provides the definitive director’s comments in this situation. The acclaimed British director is going within with his camera to share insights into his dynamic production process, talking about “anything from his distinctive stylistic cuts and music choices to how he tackles his first day on set.”
Wright’s movies are the sort that makes you scratch your head (or say aloud), “How the heck did he even accomplish that?” thus it seems to reason that a new generation of aspiring filmmakers would benefit greatly from Wright’s online workshops. Wright’s Maestro will be divided into five bite-sized courses, including “The Craft of Writing,” “Storyboards & Animatics,” “Casting & Directing Actors,” “Shooting Action Sequences,” and, most importantly, “Getting Your Film Seen.” On September 8th, you’ll have access to each class.
Wright, having directed both independent genre films and Hollywood blockbusters, is in a unique position to expound upon the benefits and challenges of the filmmaking industry, and his experiences as a filmmaker are sure to be valuable to anybody trying to hone their art. The senior filmmaker is frequently candid and likeable, as well as educated and talkative, even if you don’t like his movies. This is because he knows what it takes to produce a movie that garners a large audience, or at least a cult following. Wright wants you to feel confident in your ability to call the shots no matter what obstacles may arise on set. Wright’s four-hour Maestro will be comprehensive and vast, though not cheap.
Courses may be purchased individually for $90 each, or a yearly membership can be purchased for $120. That’s hardly pocket change, but if these film classes are what it takes to get you where you want to go, then maybe it’s money well spent. When Wright’s online classes debut next month, you’ll have to make that choice for yourself. But one thing is certain: a man who understands a lot about movies can teach you a lot about the movie business. Wright directed two important 2021 films: The Sparks Brothers (a documentary on the director’s favourite band) and Last Night in Soho (his first foray into the horror genre). His next film may be a remake of The Running Man or something completely different, but it’s still unclear. But you can gain some of Wright’s talents and ideas with just a click of a mouse, and you can be sure that anything he chose to lead in the future will be of great interest.