This article (Judd Apatow Masterclass Review) will provide you with the opportunity to read an in-depth evaluation of Judd Apatow’s Masterclass, including information on how the lessons are presented, who the course is best suited for, the cost, and what I enjoyed about it, etc.
One of the most crucial talents you can learn is how to tell a good narrative, whether or not you’re hoping to make people laugh.
If you don’t know where to begin, it’s difficult to learn how to tell a fantastic tale. As with any other art form, even seasoned storytellers can profit from further study.
If you’re looking to learn how to tell great tales, the Judd Apatow Masterclass is the answer. Access to hours of video lessons from one of the industry’s leading experts, as well as exercises and comments from Judd himself.
Judd Apatow is an American writer, actor, producer, and stand-up comic. He’s become a household name in Hollywood as a director of critically acclaimed comedies. Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin are two examples.
You learn directly from Judd Apatow in his MasterClass. He teaches you the fundamentals of comedy writing and direction, as well as stand-up performance.
Who Is Judd Apatow?
Judd Apatow, who is known for his comedic work, is also a man of many skills. He has worked in the film and television industries as a producer, editor, director, and screenwriter.
In the year 1999, Apatow established his very own production company and gave it the name Apatow Productions. Since it was founded, the production firm is responsible for more than 25 movies and 6 television programs.
He is most well-known for directing quirky comedies that have protagonists who aren’t typical yet are nevertheless approachable. Knocked Up, Trainwreck, The 40-Year-Old-Virgin, Bridesmaids, and Anchorman are some of the most well-known films that he has directed and starred in.
Apatow was awarded a BAFTA in 2013 for his work on the show Girls. Additionally, he is the recipient of two Emmy Awards, a CinemaCon award, and a Hollywood Film award, and in 2008, he was named Comedy Person of the Year.
These are only a few of the honors that have been bestowed upon Apatow; therefore, it is easy to assume that he is a very accomplished man.
What Exactly Is MasterClass?
MasterClass is an American online education subscription platform on which students can access tutorials and lectures pre-recorded by experts in various fields. The concept for MasterClass was conceived by David Rogier and developed with Aaron Rasmussen.
For students of all ability levels, online lessons are available.” MasterClass was founded in 2015 and offers 80+ video classes from some of the world’s most well-known experts.
This includes filmmaking instructors like James Cameron and Christina Aguilera as well as writers like David Mamet and Gordon Ramsay.
A leader in online education, MasterClass provides lessons in nearly every subject imaginable thanks to its impressive production values.
If you’re willing to pay $90, you’ll get access to a MasterClass and all of its related materials. It’s yours to keep as long as you want it. Because of this, you can come back to it at any point in time you like.
Alternatively, you can purchase a multi-use pass that gives you access to everything. All MasterClasses are included in a $180 annual subscription, which provides you access to all of them. It is possible to take courses from different categories and switch between them as you wish.
Despite its youth, MasterClass has already had a significant impact on the online education industry. This means that not everyone will enjoy it. In this Judd Apatow Masterclass Review, I’ll go over the positives and negatives of enrolling in MasterClass so you can make an informed decision.
Course Overview – Judd Apatow Masterclass Review
According to what Judd likes to describe, this is a combination of a comedy lecture and Tony Robbins-style inspiring life coaching.
Judd begins by relating anecdotes and life lessons from his long career in humor, including how he worked his way up from washing dishes to producing timeless Bollywood classics.
You will gain an understanding of Judd’s beliefs on how to write outstanding stand-up comedy in this MasterClass, as well as an understanding of why the personal touch is what makes everything funny.
You will also learn how to locate, create, and hone stand-up material that is based on your personal experiences in a way that will leave your audience in stitches.
Some of the fundamentals that Judd concentrates on are how to actually execute stand-up comedy, how to stop your inexperience from pulling you down, and how to put emotion into humor.
List Of Curriculum:
- Introduction
- Judd’s Journey
- Writing Stand-Up Comedy
- Performing Stand-Up Comedy
- Developing Life Into Story
- Case Studies: Developing Life Into Story
- Crafting Comedic Storylines
- Structuring Films, Part 1
- Structuring Films, Part 2
- Judd Apatow writing process: First Draft
- Judd Apatow on writing Habits
- Character, Part 1
- Character, Part 2
- Dialogue
- Tips for Writing Television
- Workshopping Scripts, Part 1
- Workshopping Scripts, Part 2
- Judd Apatow casting
- Working With Actors
- Advice for Actors
- Directing: Tone
- Directing: Shooting Comedy
- Directing: Production
- Case Studies: Improvisation
- The Evolution of a Scene: Knocked Up
- Editing and Testing Films, Part 1
- Editing and Testing Films, Part 2
- Music in Comedy
- Pitching
- Succeeding in Show Business
- A Life in Comedy
- Closing
Course summary:
The first part of the seminar consists of Apatow relating stories from his life to the class. We find out why he fell in love with comedy, where he gets his comedic inspiration (spoiler alert: Garry Shandling is a significant influence), and how he climbed up the comedy ladder to get to where he is today. Garry Shandling is a key influence.
Stand-up
We won’t have to wait long before we start discussing how to compose and perform stand-up comedy.
Apatow goes into great detail on the process of creating a joke, whether that process involves constructing a joke around the punchline or beginning with the premise and developing it in a variety of ways.
In addition to this, he discusses the need of making your jokes more personal and ensuring that you give any jokes you’ve written careful consideration from a variety of angles. If you look at the same circumstance from a different angle, you might uncover something that is even hilarious. [Case in point]
The remainder of the MasterClass is split up between discussions pertaining to movies and television. Because there is some duplication, let me walk you through what is discussed in relation to each of the primary topics.
Humour In Movies
To start, let’s talk about Judd Apatow movies. Apatow demonstrates how to craft amusing narratives and how to organize a comedic film in a way that is accessible to anybody. In addition to that, he recommends approaching your comedies as if they were dramas. To put it another way, a comedy must be able to stand on its own without the need for jokes.
Humor On Television
Apatow discusses comedic television throughout the entirety of the course; however, there is a particular section titled “Tips for Writing Television” that delves specifically into how to produce comedic material for television. He describes the process by which he develops tales for television, which typically entails beginning with the conclusion of the series.
The Act Of Writing
In this section of the course, Apatow explains how to get into a creative flow and let your imagination run wild. How to brainstorm with peers, how to build an outline, and how to set appropriate goals for draughts are all covered.
Apatow also discusses his writing process and the necessity of rewriting, including how he works with peers.
There are several examples of how rewriting has made a difference. When Seth Rogen’s character realizes that he’s going to be a father in Knocked Up, I vividly remember the reworking of that sequence. The new version has unquestionably improved in terms of humor.
Characters
No one is more aware than Judd Apatow that having amazing characters is one of the most important components of a successful comedic film.
In this section, he discusses the sources of inspiration for his characters and explains how to develop genuine, humorous, and approachable protagonists and antagonists. Reading self-help books in order to gain a deeper insight into the nature of human behavior is one of his personal habits.
Apatow also discusses the idea that things are always funnier when they are performed in a manner that is consistent with the character. You will be able to produce humorous and realistic conversations with your character if you have a complete understanding of their personality.
Directing
The art of film directing and the collaborative process with actors will be a primary emphasis of the MasterClass. He discusses how to coax the finest performance out of an actor and the significance of allowing them some room for improvisation in their performance.
Additionally, he discusses some of the more technical parts of film production, such as editing, managing a team, monitoring budgets, and keeping to the allotted shooting schedule.
Pros & Cons – Judd Apatow Masterclass Review
PROS
1. Study with a Successful Comedy Filmmaker
Judd Apatow’s films may be a favorite of yours. It’s also possible that you’re put off by his delivery or delivery manner. Whatever the case may be, Judd has cemented his reputation as a talented screenwriter and producer in Hollywood.
If you enroll in his MasterClass, you’ll receive one-on-one instruction from him. He promises to teach you everything he knows from the start. In addition to recounting his own journey into comedy, he offers some advice on how you, too, may make your start in the business.
2. Excellent Supplemental Resources
MasterClass offers 12 more resources in addition to the 32 video lessons. Judd wrote the final draughts of the screenplays, outlines, and even the table read notes.
This is an excellent resource for those that learn best visually. It’s also a good idea to highlight and comment on important passages on paper if you have one. This was a terrific method for me to go beyond the videos and participate actively in the course.
Additionally, Judd does not shy away from recommending movies and books. When it comes to studying comedy and filmmaking, he shares several of his favorite books with you here. In addition to the MasterClass Workbook, he makes mentions these in the videos.
3. Strong Case Studies and Lesson Variety
There are a number of case studies and lesson plans to keep things interesting. Scene screenings, readings, and stand-up sketches all fall under this category. It’s safe to say that this MasterClass goes beyond the lecture style if you’re on the fence about MasterClass.
To sum it all up, Judd knows his way around the lesson plans and uses clips from his case studies to break things up when they get too long. This allows you to actively participate in the critical analysis of a scenario. Judd’s approach was put into context for someone who was unfamiliar with his entire body of work.
4. Fun and Active Community Center
The Community Hub is one of MasterClass’s best features. Here you’ll find a tiny community of course participants. You can talk with other users, discuss tasks, and even get feedback on your work in this area.
I appreciated this since it made me feel more connected to the lesson. MasterClass and other students are available for questions to further your understanding. This is far superior to other classes that leave you with unanswered questions.
5. An Instructional Manual for Comedy
If you’re a budding comedian, this MasterClass has some useful information on how to break into the industry and learn comedy on your own. I don’t think anyone can give a step-by-step guide on how to be humorous because it’s such an abstract topic.
Judd’s MasterClass, on the other hand, is a step-by-step approach to growing your abilities and finding a career that nourishes your passion. He advises you to take certain measures toward obtaining an education in comedy once he has discussed his personal experiences.
With its practical guidance, this MasterClass makes up for its theoretical heft. In this course, you will learn how to study the technique of a comedian, create your own brand of comedy, and draw on your personal experiences to construct comic plots.
6. Accessibility
At the moment, this MasterClass is only offered in the English language and includes subtitles for those who are hearing impaired. The subtitles are not automatically created like those seen in some videos; rather, they have been painstakingly crafted to correspond with each individual lesson.
Thankfully, MasterClass is working on expanding the languages it supports and adding captions in order to appeal to an even greater number of people.
CONS
1. Sometimes Unclear Delivery
As a MasterClass instructor, Judd does not have a lot of expertise in the classroom. Consequently, his delivery and anecdotes/examples were difficult to understand at times.
He also mumbles a lot and speaks at a rapid pace during the lessons. It’s important to remember that Judd is a comedian rather than a teacher, and his courses may, at times, reflect that.
Other MasterClasses, like David Mamet’s, have more theory than Judd’s. Although his practical counsel is excellent, he frequently names-drops essential concepts, as if he expects the spectator to do their own study.
2. Not Always Dedicated To Comedy
Although the title of this MasterClass is “Judd Apatow Teaches Comedy,” this may not be the most accurate summary of what is covered in the course. In point of fact, a considerable portion of Judd’s MasterClass is devoted to the topics of directing, producing, writing, and editing.
Keeping this in mind, the early and late chapters place a strong emphasis on comedic elements. The majority of the class will focus on the organization of a film or television show as well as the development of the essential components that are necessary for its success.
I would argue that comedy is covered in these lessons, but it is always discussed in conjunction with other topics like character development, dialogue, and editing. Due to the fact that the course has a much greater emphasis on production, I would also add that this is not ideal for those who are interested in standup comedy.
3. Examples Can Be Complicated
As previously observed, Judd’s muddled delivery sometimes makes it difficult to follow up with his examples. It can be difficult to put Judd’s examples into perspective and grasp how they relate to the issue at times because they are so brief.
Judd mentioned Garry Shandling multiple times during the course of the program. As simple as “be like Garry,” he doesn’t provide any examples to support what he’s saying. In certain cases, I felt that I needed prior knowledge of comedy in order to really grasp these concepts.
4. No Footage From The Writers’ Room Or The Set
Aside from on-set footage, several MasterClass writing seminars offer a glimpse into the Writers’ Room experience, typically due to copyright difficulties. Since several chapters are devoted to writing workshops, it would have been interesting to observe how they actually work.
He also pays close attention to the direction he offers his performers in order to bring out the best performances possible. The lesson could have been better understood if it had been shown on the set.
5. The Curriculum Is Level-Neutral
I had a difficult time figuring out who this training was aimed at. At first sight, it appeared that Judd’s MasterClass was geared toward beginners, as he provided plenty of tips on how to start a career from scratch.
Judd, on the other hand, stated a number of notions that he couldn’t back up with evidence. A film or television series’ plots, cuts, and structural paradigms all fall under this umbrella term.
I got the impression that Judd was presuming we knew what he was talking about, which seemed inconsistent with the rest of the material we’d been exposed to so far.
Who Should Take This Course?
If I were to assign a number between 1 and 10, I’d say this course is most appropriate for individuals who fall anywhere between a 2 and a 7 on the difficulty scale. To reiterate, the course presupposes some prior knowledge on your part but also goes into great detail about how to get your foot in the door in the workplace.
Although Judd doesn’t say it, I believe this course is best suited for students who have completed at least a two-year college degree. It’s not the course for you if you’re searching for in-depth explanations of theory and terminology.
These are some of the skills you will gain while taking this MasterClass:
- Organize comedy pictures in a logical way
- Create a detailed script for your movie.
- Develop solid habits for both writing and working.
- Dialogue is a great way to develop a character’s personality.
- Film and television writing are two distinct genres
- Workshops can help you improve your script.
- Ability to work well with actors
- Improvise your film to make it better.
- Success in the entertainment industry on a regular basis
Course Pricing – Judd Apatow Masterclass Review
The Judd Apatow MasterClass is not currently available for purchase as a stand-alone product, which is regrettable. You are required to purchase a membership to MasterClass, which will cost you $180 for the standard annual plan.
You also have the option of upgrading to a Plus or Premium membership, which enables you to stream the courses on several devices at once and download them to watch when you don’t have internet access.
The good news is that if you sign up for any of the membership plans, you will have access to all of the content that is contained within the MasterClass library. If you sign up, you’ll get access to more than 110 different courses that cover a wide range of subjects, giving you a diverse range of options from which to choose.
- Runtime: 6 hours and 34 minutes
- Course Value: 4 out of 5
- Lessons: 32 video lessons, plus 12 documents for download
- Supplementary Materials: 12 other documents, including a workbook, draughts, scripts, brainstorms, and hand-written notes; these are all in physical form. In addition, MasterClass users get access to a community forum that is referred to as the Hub.
Is This Course Content Unique?
Judd Apatow’s other comedy advice was only available in a three-minute interview. Naturally, this piece of wisdom is condensed and unmatched in scope by whatever he has to say in his MasterClass.
The 2015 book Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy is the second of Judd’s published works. Those interested in anecdotes could benefit from reading his two volumes, which are available online.
While I don’t believe his books are meant to help young people break into comedy, I don’t think they are. Judd’s MasterClass, on the other hand, was designed with this in mind. All of the course material is in one spot, making it easy to go back and review.
Judd Apatow Masterclass Review – Is It Worth It?
This MasterClass, in my perspective, isn’t really about whether or not you’re a Judd fan. Specifically, I learned a lot about comic writing and pitching from this course.
As Judd himself stated, critical reading and watching of media is vital to understanding what works and what doesn’t. If you want to break into comedic writing for television or film, I think the Judd Apatow MasterClass is worth watching.
PROS:
- Discover the art of funny filmmaking from a master.
- Abundantly more resources
- Insightful case studies and a wide range of instructional materials
CONS:
- Delivery can be shaky at times.
- Comedy isn’t always a one-dimensional thing.
- It can be tough to follow examples at times.
You’ll learn the following:
- Perform stand-up comedy as a writer and actor.
- Create hilarious stories out of everyday occurrences.
- Your market’s structure in film
- Compose believable people and dialogue
- Workshops are a great way to improve your script.
- Actors should be cast and worked in the proper way.
- For comedy and tone, direct
- Make sure your videos are polished and put through rigorous testing before they go into production.
- Become a stand-up comedian
When in doubt, there are numerous MasterClasses available. Fortunately, you may watch teasers and videos for each course to have a better idea of what to expect. For those who want to learn about more than one subject, the all-access pass can be a better value for money.
For individuals who want to enter into comedy writing or production, Judd Apatow’s MasterClass is a worthwhile watch. It may not be ideal for stand-up comedians, but it has a wealth of information for those who want to improve their art and tell more memorable funny stories.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get the Judd Apatow MasterClass Free?
No, this MasterClass is currently unavailable for free. It’s possible, however, that someone else will buy it for you as a present.
How much is MasterClass?
It costs $90 to take Judd’s MasterClass for a single course payment. One year of unrestricted access to all courses costs $180 if you purchase the all-access subscription.
How long is Judd Apatow’s MasterClass?
Judd’s MasterClass is a total of 6 hours and 33 minutes.
Can I get a refund if I don’t like the MasterClass?
Yes. Within 30 days after purchase, MasterClass gives a refund.
Judd Apatow Net Worth
In terms of income, director, producer, and writer Judd Apatow earns a combined $160 million annually. With his company, Apatow Productions, he has overseen the production of numerous movies and TV shows.