Jodie Foster Masterclass Review 2022: Is It Worth It?

This article “Jodie Foster Masterclass Review” will provide you with the opportunity to read an in-depth evaluation of Jodie Foster’s Masterclass, including information on how the lessons are presented, who the course is best suited for, and the cost, what I enjoyed about it, etc.

Jodie Foster is a well-known and critically appreciated American actress who has received widespread acclaim for her work throughout her acting career during the 1980s and 1990s. She is considered to be one of the most established and well-recognized actresses of the modern era.

Foster has reached the pinnacle of her acting career, having received her first Oscar nomination at the age of 12 for her role in Martin Scorsese’s film Taxi Driver (1976).

She went on to win her first Oscar and Golden Globe award (best actress) for The Accused (1988) and The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

In addition, Jodie Foster now established herself as an excellent film director and producer, and she is willing to share her knowledge and career experiences with the rest of the world by teaching them the

Who Is Jodie Foster?

Alicia Christian “Jodie” Foster is an American actress, director, and producer. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, three British Academy Film Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and the honorary Cecil B. DeMille Award.

If you’re reading this review of Jodie Foster’s MasterClass, it’s likely that you already have some familiarity with Foster and the things for which she is famous.

I won’t bore you with the details of my life story, but I will highlight some highlights from my professional career:

• Foster began his career as an actor at the age of three and has since appeared in over 40 major motion pictures, the most notable of which are probably Taxi Driver and The Silence of the Lambs.
• She established her own production company, Egg Pictures, in 1992, and to this day she has helmed four movies that are full-length features.
• She was given her first Oscar for her performance in the film The Accused, and she has since gone on to win nearly 60 other awards.

How tall is Jodie Foster?
Ans: 5′ 3″

You might also find it interesting to discuss Jodie Foster on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter.

What Exactly Is Masterclass?

MasterClass is an online education provider that was launched in 2015 and offers classes that are taught by renowned celebrities in their fields.

At the time this article was written, there are more than 90 video courses available, each of which is led by a prominent figure in the relevant field.

You might, for instance, be able to learn filmmaking from James Cameron, comedy from Steve Martin, writing from Dan Brown, and even cooking from Gordon Ramsay.

Over the course of the past few years, MasterClass has steadily climbed to the top of the online learning industry. This should not come as a surprise considering the high production values and instructional standards that it upholds.

Having participated in a significant number of MasterClasses myself, I can say with certainty that the online learning environment is not appropriate for everyone.

In this Jodie Foster Masterclass Review, I will discuss the pros and cons of the course in order to assist you in determining whether or not you should enroll.

Course Overview – Jodie Foster Masterclass Review

The duration of Jodie Foster’s MasterClass is four hours, and it consists of eighteen video lessons. You will also receive the following in addition to the video content:

A 66-page Workbook Access to the Community Hub 7 PDF resources including Script drafts, Shot lists, Scene studies, and Sample schedules.

The Workbook is an excellent supplement to the video content that was provided. It comes in handy for not only reviewing each chapter but also finding assignments and resources to build upon what you’ve already learned.

1. Finding Your Personal Story

Throughout this lesson, you will learn how to:

• Discover the source of your motivation and work from there.
• Look for recurring themes in the books and movies that interest you.
• Bring your own experience and perspective to bear on the material.
• Make a pitch to a producer about your story.

Foster discusses her own areas of interest as a director in the course that you are taking from her. She discusses the subject of her films as well as the themes that she works through while walking you through some examples.

In addition to this, she offers suggestions for how you can conduct an analysis of your own experiences in order to determine what motivates you. She believes that this is the most important factor for your success as a filmmaker.

You will also gain an understanding of the requirements that producers have for a potential film, as well as how to present an idea to a producer.

This section stood out to me as one of the most helpful ones; Foster is genuinely interested in assisting you in improving your presentations and selling your ideas.

2. Exploring The Big Idea In Film

Foster will now explain to you what he refers to as the “big idea” in this chapter. She explains what she means by this, and she also provides an exercise that will assist you in recognizing it in other movies.

You will learn how to:

• How to decipher the hidden messages in movies and TV shows
• When it comes to making a movie, the things you should and should not be aware of
• How to locate your “signature” and implement it into your filmmaking
• Activities to help you reconsider and apply your “point of view” to a variety of films

The exercises that Foster provided were, in my opinion, the most valuable part of this section. Even though they are included in the Workbook, it is a completely different experience when the instructor walks you through them and provides her own personal examples.

In this chapter, Foster will demonstrate how you can take an existing movie and adapt it to fit your own personal aesthetic. She does this by making a reference to the movie “The Martian,” and she even walks you through the “big idea” in her very own movie, “Money Monster.”

3. Jodie’s Short Film: Building Your Story Into a Screenplay

This chapter focuses on a conversation about a screenplay that took place between Jodie Foster and Scott Frank, a screenwriter who has won multiple awards. You will have the opportunity to listen in as Foster discusses the initial draught of her script in this section.

You will have gained valuable insight into the process of working with a writer by the time this lesson is over and you have completed it. You can also observe how Ms. Foster draws from her own life to inspire the stories that she writes.

Foster uses an event that occurred with her son as the impetus for writing this screenplay, and she allows you to “sit in” on a conversation that she has with Frank about the direction that this story ought to go in.

You are also given helpful instructions to follow along with the script so that you can gain a better understanding of the collaborative decisions that are being made.

4. Creating the Vision for Your Film

In this section, Foster discusses how to convey the story you want to tell using the visual language of film. She draws on her own experiences to teach you what to focus on once you are given the go-ahead signal, as well as how you can use this focal point to make progress toward your desired end result.

According to her, there is one central idea that permeates all of her work, and she believes that this idea is the key to producing films that are sincere. Throughout the entirety of the training, she will also prompt you with helpful questions so that you can better ask yourself what it is you hope to accomplish with your film.

Foster will also teach you how to:

• How to put together your sports team.
• Which vacancies should be filled first, and why?
• How to communicate with those who work in technology
• What actions should you take once you have been given the go-ahead?

In this section, Foster takes you on a tour of her personal beat list that she created for Little Man Tate. Considering that this was her first feature-length film, it seemed like a good example to use when thinking about her audience. Foster describes the challenges she faced and the lessons she picked up along the way as she explored this uncharted territory.

5. Deconstructing Visual Choices: The Beaver

In this part of the chapter, Foster will walk you through a scene from her film, The Beaver, breaking it down shot by shot. This includes a comprehensive breakdown of Jodie foster storyboard in addition to commentary on the various shot types, transitions, and camera movements.

Foster centers her discussion on the reasons behind why she made certain decisions in relation to her vision and the type of movie being made. She also emphasizes, which is important to note, the differences between the storyboard and the location, with particular attention paid to the alterations that might be required when it comes to shooting.

She recreates her storyboard for this scene in real-time, allowing you to see how her mind works during this stage of the process and how she puts her ideas down on paper. After this, there will be a screening of the scene in its final cut, which will be followed by some in-depth analysis.

You will have a better understanding of how storyboards work to create sequences, how to communicate your desired shots, and what to consider when bringing your storyboard to life on set by the time you have completed this lesson.

6. Short Film: Building Your Story Into a Screenplay, Part 2

In this chapter, Foster circles back around to the conversation that she had with Scott Frank about the script for her short film. This includes a number of imaginative suggestions and changes that can be made to the screenplay.

Here are the most important things I’ve learned:

• How to reduce the cost of producing your movie right from the start
• What questions to ask yourself (and your writer) as you go through the various draughts of your document
• How you can work together with the other members of your team on the script
• The challenges of striking a healthy balance between one’s needs and wants

In general, this course offers students a behind-the-scenes look at how screenwriters and directors discuss the potential of a film as well as the licenses and restrictions that come along with it. It was to my satisfaction that Foster made it a point to concentrate on smaller budget films rather than larger productions.

7. Jodie’s Short Film: The Screenwriter-Director Collaboration

During this final conversation between Foster and Frank, the two examine the ways in which a screenwriter and director can work together to create a productive and successful working relationship.

Keeping this in mind, the following topics will be discussed in class:

• The potential disagreement may occur between the scriptwriter and the film’s director.
• The options available to screenwriters (and limitations)
• The importance of communication in determining the intention
• Advice to help ensure that you and your partner are on the same page
• How to Establish a Balanced Relationship with Giving and Receiving

Foster also draws on her experiences as an actress and how those experiences helped (and hindered) her approach to directing. She compares this relationship to a struggle between freedom and structure, and she discusses how those experiences helped her.

After that, the two of them discuss some helpful tips for maintaining a healthy relationship between a director and a writer. You and your collaborator will be able to work toward a shared vision if you learn how to communicate with one another using the skills that Foster teaches you.

8. Jodie’s Short Film: Constructing a Scene

When it comes to sharing how she likes to work, Foster’s MasterClass has been the most concrete of all the film-based MasterClasses I’ve taken up until this point in my education.

For example, she is more than happy to discuss the thought processes that go into her work as an actor and director, right down to the devices and angles that she favors using.

You will pick up the following information by the end of this chapter:

• The role that different camera angles play in the composition of a scene
• The tasks that each individual on set is responsible for
• The process that Foster uses to design her shot lists
• The benefits and drawbacks of using various types of cameras
• How to make more shots with less money.

This chapter is especially enlightening for those of you who have an interest in the more technical aspects of filmmaking. When it comes to the different camera styles and framing options, Foster teaches you how to think creatively.

In point of fact, she goes so far as to reassemble a shot list for you to follow. Foster provides you with a step-by-step guide of how she works, as well as what she includes in her shot lists, in this over-the-shoulder style of instruction, which can be of great assistance to you if you are a visual learner.

By the time you reach the end of this chapter, you will have a more in-depth understanding of the factors that should be taken into account when creating a shot list, the responsibilities that are assigned to each technician, and how you can use your documents to communicate with your team.

9. Prepping And Scheduling

When it comes to sharing how she likes to work, Foster’s MasterClass has been the most concrete of all the film-based MasterClasses I’ve taken up until this point in my education. For example, she is more than happy to discuss the thought processes that go into her work as an actor and director, right down to the devices and angles that she favors using.

You will pick up the following information by the end of this chapter:

• The role that different camera angles play in the composition of a scene
• The tasks that each individual on set is responsible for
• The process that Foster uses to design her shot lists
• The benefits and drawbacks of using various types of cameras
• How to make more shots with less money.

This chapter is especially enlightening for those of you who have an interest in the more technical aspects of filmmaking. When it comes to the different camera styles and framing options, Foster teaches you how to think creatively.

In point of fact, she goes so far as to reassemble a shot list for you to follow. Foster provides you with a step-by-step guide of how she works, as well as what she includes in her shot lists, in this over-the-shoulder style of instruction, which can be of great assistance to you if you are a visual learner.

By the time you reach the end of this chapter, you will have a more in-depth understanding of the factors that should be taken into account when creating a shot list, the responsibilities that are assigned to each technician, and how you can use your documents to communicate with your team.

10. Casting

This chapter centers on the topic that Foster considers to be the most important aspect of your movie: the casting of your actors. In this section, she walks you through the possibilities and limitations that can be caused by your casting decisions. She also explains how casting can completely change the trajectory of your story.

Foster provides you with some insight into the processes she employs whenever she is casting for a role. This includes how to evaluate an actor’s potential and what to watch out for during auditions.

In the second part of this lesson, Foster explains how to get the most out of a casting session so that you can improve your chances of getting cast. Due to the fact that she considers both sides of the table as well as what an actor ought to prepare for, this piece of advice is valuable for both actors and directors.

She instructs you on how to coax the best performance out of your actors by providing them with pertinent notes and making them feel at ease in their roles. She concludes by providing a few pointers on what directors are looking for and how actors can deliver on all fronts.

11. Case Study: Jennifer Lawrence in The Beaver

In this lesson, Foster discusses how Jennifer Lawrence influenced The Beaver, which delves into more specific territory than previous lessons. According to her, Lawrence Foster captivated her, and as a result, she ended up having to make some unexpected adjustments to her performance as Norah.

The most important things that I have learned from this lesson are how to:

• When it comes to casting, you should go with (and double-check) your gut instincts.
• Maintain a flexible mindset in the face of casting and character conundrums.
• During the audition process, you will need to make some tough choices.
• Strive to strike a balance between your needs and your available funds.

Foster asserts that casting is “the most important decision the studio will make,” and he does so in unequivocal terms. Jennifer Lawrence contributed something original and brilliant to the movie The Beaver, but she did so at the expense of other aspects of her life.

Foster struggles to balance the desires of the director with the requirements and priorities of the production company. She also discusses the pressure that comes with casting someone who you don’t believe is the right fit for the role, as well as the ways in which you can handle this conundrum.

12. The Acting Process

Foster is the first to admit that not all directors have a solid grasp of acting. This may make it more difficult for the actor and director to work together.

In order to help you better understand how to collaborate with an actor on set, Foster is going to walk you through the “three layers” of acting in this lesson.

Foster takes an open and honest approach as she discusses the aspects of working with directors that she enjoys and dislikes. She also offers the guidance and instruction that she has received from other directors.

In general, this section focuses on how to establish a positive atmosphere in which your actors are able to give their best performances.

Nell, one of Foster’s films, is one of the examples she uses to illustrate this point. She even mimics some of Nell’s physical gestures and characteristics so that you can get an idea of how much preparation goes into portraying an emotionally taxing role.

13. Directing Actors

To start off this new section, Foster circles back around to the tug-of-war dynamic that exists between freedom and structure. She compares the dynamic between an actor and director to the bond that exists between a parent and a child.

As she describes it, filming a director’s vision is fraught with a variety of challenges, and as a director, it is your responsibility to maintain control over the scenes while still allowing the actor to have creative freedom.

Although I found this piece of advice to be rather hazy, I did appreciate how she broke down the distinct roles of an actor and a director. It was helpful to have a distinct separation of responsibilities, as well as a better understanding of the line that directors and actors shouldn’t cross.

At the end of this lesson, you will have learned the following:

• The nuances that come into play when directing adults as opposed to children
• How to provide actors with notes that are both specific and helpful
• Actors’ and directors’ unique responsibilities
• How to establish and maintain mutual trust between the actor and the director
• Methods for establishing communication with performers

14. Shooting Your Film

In this chapter, Foster will instruct you on how to make important coverage choices for your film so that you can obtain the highest quality footage possible given the amount of time you have available.

She starts off by providing some helpful “dos and don’ts” that can end up saving you both time and money in the long run.

Foster also emphasizes the significance of being flexible and receptive to improvisation, and he offers suggestions for how you can find a middle ground between the improvised lines of your actors and the shot list you have prepared.

Seeing Foster’s set notes was the aspect of this chapter that I found to be the most helpful. The answers to the question “How are you going to remember which take is good?” can be found in these notes that Foster has compiled.

Foster instructs you on how to do the following with this information as the primary focus of the lesson:

• Obtain the best shots you can for the post-production process.
• Maintain a record of the results despite the limitations of time.
• Determine if there are times when multiple takes are required.
• Collaborate with the person in charge of the script.

15. Selecting a Performance Case Study: Jack O’Connell in Money Monster

Foster instructs you on how to do the following with reference to the film that she directed in 2016, Money Monster:

• Take advantage of all of your available options.
• Encourage the performances of your actors.
• Maintain a healthy balance between planning and improvising.
• Maintain clear lines of communication with your actors.

The performance of Jack O’Connell as Kyle Budwell is the primary focus of this chapter written by Foster. After showing you the concluding scene of the movie, she walks you through the process that she went through with O’Connell in order to communicate her vision.

By the time you reach the end of the chapter, you will have gained the knowledge necessary to accomplish your goals as a director by developing a rapport with your actors and locating a language that both of you can use to discuss your ideas.

16. Editing

In this lesson, Ms. Foster will provide you with some insight into the editing process and how she approaches it. She does so with a particular emphasis on editing as a form of rewriting your film, which she does for you.

You will learn how to:

• What can (and should be) be accomplished through editing
• How to modify your dialogue so that it works better with the editing stages
• The processes that take place in the editing room
• How to work in tandem with your assigned editor
• Definitions of key terms used in the cutting room
• Memory, both emotional and technical, and their respective differences

In this section, you will be guided through the editing process, beginning with the creation of an assembly and ending with cutting on film. Foster will give you advice on how to best establish an ongoing dialogue with your collaborators, paying special attention to the relationship you have with the editor you are working with.

17. Music

This chapter focuses on the part of the filmmaking process that Foster enjoys the most, which is selecting the music.

The first thing that she does is explain the significance of music when it comes to the process of adding to (or removing from) your movie. Every choice you make, much like the way you edit the film, has a meaning and will cause the audience to perceive the movie in a different way.

Foster then prompts you to consider the effect that different types of music can have on a scene, much in the same way that she did earlier when she had you apply your signature to films.

Foster, in contrast to other directors I’d spoken to, was relatively open about the decisions she’s made as a director, as well as what her tastes are like when it comes to different kinds of music.

In point of fact, she discusses the process that she uses to choose music, paying particular attention to the atmosphere that she intends to evoke and the way that she employs music to convey both character and topic.

Foster demonstrates how she chose music to “form the edges” of her film by using Little Man Tate as a case study. Little Man Tate is about a man named Tate. Even further, she demonstrates how the score was reworked throughout the course of the film to reflect pivotal conflicts in the narrative.

Conclusion

Foster’s MasterClass is coming to a close, and as it does, the instructor reflects on her lengthy career in the film industry. She discusses her own experiences working in Hollywood as well as the gradual diversification of the industry over the course of her career in light of the fact that there is a growing demand for more female filmmakers.

Although there wasn’t much of a takeaway from this, it was a fun activity to do at the end of the class. In the end, Foster imparts some final advice on what the filmmaking process is all about and what it is capable of accomplishing. “Just do it,” is what she advises in a straightforward manner.

Course Prices – Jodie Foster Masterclass Review

For the newest MasterClass price, click here. MasterClass costs $180 per year ($15 per month)

The subscription includes 90+ MasterClass courses. The more classes you take, the cheaper each one gets.

If you want 4-6 classes, you’re paying $30-$45 per course. ($180/6=$30). The value of these world-class classes is incomparable. It hacks learning.

MasterClass offers a 30-day refund if you’re not satisfied.

There’s a complex way to buy the course individually. You can give yourself a MasterClass as a present for $90.00

Who Should Take This Course?

The finest candidate for the Jodie Foster MasterClass, in my opinion, is:

• I’m interested in making my own movies.
• Aiming to learn from an award-winning actress is my goal.
• Inquisitive about the logistics of filming
• On set, they are eager to increase their ability to communicate.

If you are interested in making independent films rather than big-budget ones, this workshop is for you! Learn how to make the most of your documents, collaborate with others, and be more efficient in your use of resources.

In my opinion, this course is less relevant to your interests if you’re more into blockbuster movies or the more technical aspects of filmmaking. Consider Ron Howard’s MasterClass as an option.

Conclusion: Jodie Foster Masterclass Review

This course is well worth watching if you’re a fan of Jodie Foster or want to learn more about making independent films.

From storyboards, to shot lists, and even how to get the most out of collaborative sessions, this course teaches you a lot. In contrast, if you’re looking for more technical education, this is probably not the class for you.

Overall:

Your expectations for this class should be high based on the quality of the trailer you’ve seen so far. Film as a storytelling medium is the centerpiece of the course’s logical structure.

MasterClass has a wide variety of courses, so whether or not this one interests you, I always recommend taking a look at the rest of the offerings.

To get the most bang for your buck, the all-access pass gives you access to all MasterClasses for the duration of your membership.

Thank you for reading this article “Jodie Foster Masterclass Review.” If you have any concerns, questions, or suggestions regarding this article, please write them in the comment section below. And don’t be hesitant about passing on this piece of knowledge to others.

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