Mira Nair Masterclass Review 2022: Is It Worth It?

This article “Mira Nair Masterclass Review” will provide you with the opportunity to read an in-depth evaluation of Mira Nair’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.

The Mira Nair Masterclass reads like a chat you’d have at a cozy dinner table with a friend. She chats, drinks, and eats in the store with her peers. There were only seventeen films, but I couldn’t bear to see them end.

I watched the entire film in one sitting, which was a little over four and a half hours long. You’ll have no trouble leaping, too. Classes taught by Mira Nair appear like a cross between those taught by Martin Scorsese and Terrence Howard. Three production workshops are interspersed with a lot of talking.

All classes tend to cover the same material. First, you’ll learn about brainstorming, editing, budgeting, sound, and more in a series of tutorials. Only a few examples of straight writing may be found. Students in Nair’s class are given writing advice, and he evaluates it indirectly.

The three workshops are the class’s shining jewel. We get to observe Nair break down, interact with the performers and crew, and then see the stage one more time.

I wish there had been more workshops available to me. I wish Mira Nair had been given three additional lessons to complete the workshop, as most students have between 20 and 30 classes in total. Nair’s leadership style is personal, spiritual, and intimate.

This would have been an ideal opportunity to observe how she interacts with producers and editors, as well as how she breaks down budgets and calendars. Since the premiere of “Mississippi Masala” in the early 1990s, Mira has made independent films that transcend boundaries and cultures, enthralling audiences with honest and bold stories.

She encourages her students to tell the stories they wish to convey in the same way.

Who Is Mira Nair?

Mira Nair is an Indian filmmaker based in New York City. Her production company, Mirabai Films, specializes in films for international audiences in Indian society, whether in the economic, social, or cultural spheres.

Before I started attending this class, I was completely unfamiliar with Mira Nair. However, she has quite a few accomplishments under her belt and is rather well-known.

At the Venice Film Festival in 2001, her film “Monsoon Wedding” was honored with the Golden Lion award for Best Film.

In addition to that, it was considered for a Golden Globe nomination. The film “Salaam Bombay!” received an Oscar nomination.

The fact that stars like Denzel Washington are begging to work with her indicates that her films successfully cross the cultural gap.

It would be accurate to describe her as a successful filmmaker. However, it is quite evident from this class that she continues to function primarily as an independent filmmaker.

For the Monsoon Wedding, for instance, everyone showed up wearing whatever they chose to wear. Many of her performers, extras, and crew even went so far as to bring their very own props with them.

This kind of forward-thinking strategy is par for the course for this Indian-American film director and producer.

Because of insights and recommendations like this one, I would highly suggest this course to anyone who is interested in making a movie or a video.

Additionally, you can find Mira Nair on Twitter, where she has over 245,000 followers, and where she regularly posts interesting content that you might find interesting.

What 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.

Since its inception in 2015, the online education platform MasterClass has quickly ascended to the position of industry leader (it boasts over 100 courses to date).

The fact that its instructors are on par with celebrities gives customers the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are receiving instruction from the very best.

Filmmaking with James Cameron, mindfulness and meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn, makeup and beauty with Bobbi Brown, and cooking with Gordon Ramsay are just a handful of the instructors that will be teaching at the school.

However, as someone who has participated in a significant number of MasterClasses themselves, I can state that it is not for everybody.

In light of this, within this evaluation, I will analyze the benefits and drawbacks of taking this class in order to assist you in determining whether or not it is the right choice for you.

Course Overview – Mira Nair Masterclass Review

The length of the MasterClass offered by Mira Nair is 4 hours and 31 minutes, and it is comprised of 17 video sessions.

In addition, there is a workbook that is included in the program that is 66 pages long and contains chapter reviews, activities, and a glossary.

The following is a rundown of each chapter, which will hopefully provide you with a clearer picture of what you can expect to learn from this class:

Introduction And Discovering Your Voice

Nair will introduce you to her cinema legacy to date in the very first online lesson she has ever taught. She has been in the industry for more than three decades, so she is able to go deeply into the nuances of what it takes for a director to produce pictures that are commercially successful.

In this MasterClass, she also explains her objective, which is to assist you in finding your own distinctive voice and in telling a tale that no one else can.

Therefore, jumping right into how to find your own unique perspective, Nair tells you how to do the following:

• The two categories of motion pictures can be found.
• Why moviemakers create motion pictures
• That which she enjoys pursuing creatively in her films
• Her suggestions for developing a fantastic narrative

Finding The Story

In addition to creating your own distinct voice, Nair emphasizes the significance of being an active participant in a community. She is of the opinion that it is essential for her films to have some level of engagement with the contemporary political climate and cultural climate.

Keeping this in mind, the following topics will be covered in this lesson:

• Use works of literature and current events as sources of tale ideas.
• Find a good writing partner who can contribute to your narrative.
• Get yourself ready to do some research and write a script.
• Work together with your story’s author and give it a “test run.”

Stretching Your Budget

Nair teaches you how to do justice to your tale regardless of the budget by walking you through the process that she uses to evaluate her own financial situation. She goes so far as to explain the specific questions that she mulls over when thinking about how to handle her finances.

Nair gives you some actionable ideas on how you may leverage a low budget to your advantage by reflecting on her early career, which took place during a time when technology advancement was limited (and there was no money for post-production).

At the conclusion of this lesson, you will have gained some useful information on how to:

• Attention to preparation can help alleviate budgetary issues.
• Create time passages and interludes with a minimal financial outlay.
• Make your dollar go further by drawing from Nair’s “library of imagery.”
• Maintain a good working relationship with your cinematographer when working on set pieces.

Casting

Nair provides some actual examples of how she first started casting performers, making reference to the process of casting both with and without the assistance of a casting director. She puts a lot of thought into how she will structure the casting session so that the actors will be able to relax and give their best performance.

By analyzing the dynamic between the director and the actor through the lens of an “equation,” Nair teaches you to:

• Casting advice and techniques to make the experience as pleasant as possible
• The two most important characteristics that she looks for in a performer
• How to collaborate with both working actors and regular people
• Your responsibilities as a director

Directing Actors

In this section, Nair will instruct you on how to provide a secure environment in which your actors can flourish. It is essential to cultivate a supportive atmosphere, particularly for hard parts, when working with actors of varying levels of experience because of the inherent contrasts between these groups.

Therefore, in this chapter, you’ll gain knowledge of:

• How to motivate people to provide genuine performances
• The styles of directing that Nair prefers and those that he does not favor
• How to establish credibility with your young performers
• The value of participating in theatre workshops
• How to maintain a natural and convincing performance

Directing Gestures

Nair discusses, from her own point of view, the best way to ensure that the scenes you write “pulsate with life” in reference to your need to interact with the world around you.

The way she sees it, gestures are an important part of the process of exposing character, and if you can pull these from real life, you can significantly improve the performances of your actors.

Therefore, in this chapter, you’ll gain knowledge of:

• How to make use of gestures to emphasize important situations
• Examples of actions that arise from telling the truth
• How to give each character their own distinctive mannerisms
• The significance of focusing on details

Scene Workshop: Read-Through and Blocking, Rehearsing the Scene, and Final Take

During this three-part portion, you will leave the classroom and participate in a scene workshop with two cast members from the film Queen of Katwe.

Nair demonstrates what real-life on-set directing entails by utilizing a crucial moment from the movie (the completed version of the film is screened at the beginning).

Nair will conduct an initial walk-through of the scene, as well as “scene blocking” with her cinematographer, as part of the process of “setting the scene” and introducing you to the actors and crew of the film.

You will develop an understanding of how Nair supports her actors and how she handles the emotions for the final take via the course of these classes. You’ll witness how she applies her own counsel by assisting actors in getting to the place they need to be.

Telling the Story: Monsoon Wedding

After first introducing us to the film “Monsoon Wedding,” Nair focuses on this movie as a case study of a film that is both local and universal. She refers it Monsoon Wedding as her “Punjabi reality check film,” and she had the intention of making it both commercially successful and artistically daring.

Keeping this in mind, Nair utilizes this movie to instruct you on how to do the following things:

• Discover motivation in the experiences of real people.
• Narrate several different plots at the same time.
• Make a plan for your movie using index cards.
• Maintain a healthy balance between happy and serious subjects.
• Recognize the significance of the editing process.

Developing a Visual Palette

Nair gives an explanation of the thought processes that go into the creation of different color palettes here in this part.

Nair walks you through how she choreographed the use of color and imagery in the film Monsoon Wedding by using the henna sequence as an example. This allows her to convey a perspective that is uniquely hers.

Nair will also walk you through her “lookbook manifesto,” which is a document that she uses to communicate aesthetic concepts to the people who work with her.

You will walk away from this course with an understanding of how to develop your own lookbook for your movie, as well as how to effectively convey your vision to the designers and cinematographers working on your project.

On-Set Directing

After you have finished all of your pre-planning, Nair focuses her attention in this chapter on how to direct while you are actually filming. She emphasizes the need for this preparation in order to ensure that the guidance given on set is as smooth as possible.

Keeping this in mind, here is what you will pick up:

• What you need to accomplish before beginning to shoot
• The secret is bringing harmony and vitality to the set
• Who you should collaborate with the most
• What each department is responsible for

Working With Your Cinematographer

Nair demonstrates to you, with the Reluctant Fundamentalist serving as the central case study in her presentation, how she collaborated with her cinematographer to develop a unique visual style for the film.

She has stated that she places a high weight on the creative eye of her cinematographer and that she frequently defers to the cameraman in this regard.

Therefore, in this lesson, you will study the following:

• What to look for when hiring a cinematographer for your movie
• Nair’s method for putting the pieces of a scene together
• The aspect of this partnership that Nair cherishes the most
• How to articulate your visual aesthetic to the person behind the camera

Editing

Nair will instruct you in this chapter on the qualities that should be present in an editor. In addition to this, she offers guidance on where you can find an editor and how you can keep up with the most important people in the industry.

With this understanding as her foundation, Nair will teach you:

• What she is searching for in a good editor
• The best way to approach the process of editing
• Advice on how to work together more efficiently
• How to collaborate with your editor throughout the process

Sound And Music & Go Tell Your Story

Nair now moves on to the audio and musical components of post-production after having addressed the visual aspects, including editing. She explains how sound functions in her world and offers advice on how to determine the appropriate time to begin sound design.

According to Nair, the sound designer is just as vital as the director of photography, and the soundscape of a film is an important way of shaping the audience’s emotions during the viewing experience.

Keeping all of this in mind, Nair will instruct you on how to:

• “Sift” the sound in order to determine the intention.
• Maintain a healthy ratio of sound to silence.
• Make use of sound to depart from established norms.
• Talk things over with your music’s creator.

Pros & Cons – Mira Nair Masterclass Review

PROS:

A Study From A Seasoned Filmmaker

Nair has made a name for herself in the field of independent filmmaking ever since the release of her very first feature film, which was produced in the 1980s. Nair continues to be a formidable competitor in the industry she works in, most recently directing the film A Suitable Boy.

Because Nair acknowledges that this MasterClass is her very first time teaching an online course, you will have the extraordinary opportunity to get knowledge directly from her. This is a fantastic option for any aspiring filmmaker, especially when compared to other non-professional film courses that are available.

Aesthetic And Academic Suggestions

Nair’s delivery is particularly eloquent due to the fact that she has previously taught at Columbia University. She is able to address those who are watching her and condense facts into a format that is simple to understand.

Nair, in contrast to the majority of the other instructors at MasterClass, who are seasoned professionals but not necessarily “teachers,” has prior experience presenting advice on a university level in the form of a lecture or seminar. And the results are quite clear in the class!

Distinctive Themes And Perspectives

The relative uniformity of the film classes offered by MasterClass has come in for some criticism. By taking Nair’s class, you will not only obtain an authentic viewpoint on filmmaking on a limited budget but also a novel viewpoint on Eastern filmmaking, which is rarely discussed in academic circles.

Exceptional Juggling Of Theory And Practise

Nair does a wonderful job of striking a healthy balance between theory and practice. Throughout the entirety of the course, Nair’s lectures are supplemented by visual examples, and at one point in the program, you will even get the opportunity to “sit in” on a scene workshop with the actors of Queen of Katwe.

CONS:

Incomplete Without The Workbook

I could tell that Nair was used to teaching at the university level, despite the fact that she is generally easy to comprehend. Therefore, the majority of her recommendations are based on the premise that you have prior knowledge of at least some technical theory.

This class does not function as well for students who have not completed their college education and do not have access to the Workbook. In point of fact, this not only lends support to the curriculum but is also essential for comprehending a number of the phrases that Nair uses.

Because of this, if you want to get the most out of this class and you have less experience with film theory, you will need to go through the Workbook in addition to watching the video courses.

Sometimes Advice Is Vague

The vast majority of spectators feel that Nair possesses an endearing manner of speech. Throughout the classes, she makes extensive use of metaphors and analogies to drive her arguments home. While it is undeniable that this helps bring her advice to life, there are instances when it can verge on being a little bit too hazy.

For instance, her recommendation that you should saturate the set with “love” may come across as a bit vague. And although while I believe she supports her teaching with a sufficient number of tactile examples to allow her to get away with this, it is still an attribute that should be kept in mind.

There Is No “Ask Mira” Area

One of the benefits that many people enjoy about MasterClass is the opportunity to ask the instructor questions. This is a significant component of many of the other classes available on this website.

However, this component is absent from Nair’s course, despite the fact that it most likely would have been helpful to students who were looking for specialized guidance.

Not Having Reading Lists

Although this is a very insignificant shortcoming, several MasterClass users have expressed their dissatisfaction with the fact that Nair’s reading lists are not now accessible.

After spending an entire chapter praising the impact that Indian literature had on her filmmaking, many viewers felt that they would have benefited from a reading list in order to better understand Nair’s point of view. Nair’s chapter praised the influence that Indian literature had on her filmmaking.

Who Should Take This Course?

In Masterclass, there are a few different filmmaking classes that you may take. Amazing directors who have won Oscars, such as David Lynch, Jodie Foster, Spike Lee, and Ron Howard, amongst others, have all created Masterclasses.

These classes are primarily intended for individuals who are involved in the filmmaking process.

However, due to the fact that these directors have achieved such a high level of notoriety, a large number of individuals who have never considered the possibility of working in the film industry have found that taking their classes is enjoyable.

Their legion of devoted followers can’t help but be curious about the inner workings of these renowned directors’ heads and hearts, as well as their methods of filmmaking.

However, this is not necessarily the case with Mira’s path. In comparison to the other filmmaking classes, this one is much more factual and straightforward. People that follow celebrities more for their work than for their own interests would probably not find it to their liking, in my opinion.

Participating in this class would also be of great advantage to a person who is a writer or who is interested in becoming a writer. Mira Nair is an excellent teacher if you want to learn how to write a story and develop characters.

Course Prices – Mira Nair Masterclass Review

If the price of MasterClass has changed since the time of this review, you may find out more by visiting this page. There is a $180 fee for a year-long MasterClass subscription at the time of this writing.

Access to all of the MasterClasses is included. The benefit of taking more classes is that the cost per class becomes less and less important as you accumulate credits. As an example, assuming you’re happy with at least four of the classes, you’re basically paying $30-$45 per class (180 / six classes = 30).

Because these seminars are taught by professionals from around the globe, the value is unmatched. It’s a sort of learning hack. A 30-day money-back guarantee is also available from MasterClass.

There’s a way to buy a single course, but it’s a little complicated to do so. MasterClasses can be purchased for yourself and given as a gift, or you can give the class to yourself. The asking price for this item is $90 right now. However, the all-access pass is arguably the best bargain.

Mira Nair Masterclass Review: Is This Course Worth It?

The course is really priceless, and you won’t regret taking it. The lessons are a reflection of the techniques Mira has used to become a successful filmmaker, producer, and director. As a result, you should not delay enrolling in her MasterClass to get a head start on your career.

Mira Nair has established herself as one of the most influential indie directors in the world.. Because of this, she’s a good person to sit down with and learn about various facets of the business. For decades, she has worked as a film director, making her an excellent instructor.

As a filmmaker, she has achieved great success. This course, however, makes it apparent that she is still an unaffiliated film director. Everyone wore their own clothes to a monsoon wedding, for example. Actors, extras, and other members of her crew have even gone so far as to purchase their own accouterments.

This is a typical Indo-American filmmaker’s unique approach. To anyone who is interested in movies or videos, this course will be a valuable resource.

Thank you for reading this article “Mira Nair 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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