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Edgar Wright
Filmmaking
The award-winning filmmaker made his name with the beloved Cornetto trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End). Follow that with Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Baby Driver and Last Night in Soho and you've got yourself a world-class filmmaking teacher with indie roots and Hollywood experience. From storyboarding and scriptwriting to fundraising and pitching to studios, Edgar will show you the many different approaches to filmmaking and will ultimately help you get your film made and get your film seen.
27
video lessons
Course notes
The course
Whether you're just starting out or want some insight into that trademark kinetic style, Edgar's filmmaking class is packed with practical tools and creative inspiration. He'll take you through writing, directing, casting, location scouting, collaborating, funding, production, editing, sound design, distribution and more. Just check out the full list of lessons below for a teaser. You no longer need to fear the live set. Get tips from Edgar and you'll walk in with an auteurial swagger that the cast and crew love to see. Even if it is a little bit fake-it-till-you-make-it.
Your Maestro
Meet the man who became an indie legend with the Cornetto trilogy and a trademark directing style. He started out making indie movies on a Super 8 camera and directed shorts on a shoestring throughout the 80s and 90s, building up a close-knit group of collaborators including Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. As someone who’s gone from film school reject and micro budgets to Hollywood blockbusters, there’s no one better to guide you through the world of filmmaking and show you how to make your film a reality.
Lessons
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3 mins
Meet the man who became an indie legend with a trademark directing style. He’s here to show you how to make your film a reality.
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5 mins
There’s so much you can learn from the classics. Delve into cinematic history with Edgar’s guidance and you’ll pick up tips for your own feature.
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18 mins
Edgar got rejected from film school. Twice. That didn’t stop him and nothing should stop you from starting out in the right direction…
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12 mins
Wise words on mental preparation, resilience, the work that lies ahead of you and how to work with your budget (not against it).
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14 mins
Learn about the benefits of writing your own opportunities and selling yourself as the whole package, whether solo or with a co-writer.
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11 mins
Discover the joys (and woes) of writing, through characters and theme, navigating writer’s block and breaking down plot with index cards.
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4 mins
The king of genre play celebrates the wonders of working in genre and playing with story conventions.
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8 mins
Smash cut to: developing your own filmmaker aesthetic through editing, sound, cinematography and performance, and understanding how it might evolve.
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8 mins
Edgar has storyboarded every scene since Shaun of the Dead. Learn how to visualise ideas in your head and map out where the story goes.
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20 mins
Hone your skills, find collaborators and make a name for yourself with short films then you’ll have a better chance funding your feature.
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11 mins
Learn how to construct a scene and tell a story with a little help from the town shootout in Hot Fuzz and the toilet brawl in The World’s End.
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12 mins
Tips for finding the right actors for your film and how to work with them in rehearsals and on set. Just in case Tom Hanks isn’t available.
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7 mins
Learn about stage sets versus real locations, when to use which and how to go about location scouting for that perfect setting.
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5 mins
Costume can make a splash even if you’re not working on a period feature. Consider colour, iconic outfits and presenting character.
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6 mins
Think about the camera’s relationship with other actors, the narrative, and the audience. Should it be invisible or like another character?
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7 mins
How to approach starting out on a production? Edgar advises starting with an ambitious scene to set the tone for the entire shoot.
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7 mins
How choosing the right soundtrack can transform your film. Get it cleared early and you can choreograph scenes to perfection.
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10 mins
Understand the difference between diegetic and non-diegetic sound, and the importance of good sound design to heighten the style of a film.
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10 mins
How to choreograph and execute breath-taking action scenes – from using elements of the Hong Kong Action Style to piecing it together.
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3 mins
The importance of finding a great production designer and keeping your aesthetic front and centre during the filmmaking process.
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8 mins
Weaving your film into a cohesive narrative using editing techniques like the Kuleshov effect, killing your darlings, and trial and error.
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10 mins
Edgar’s experience of the similarities and differences in creating content for television versus feature films.
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7 mins
Collaboration is key to successful filmmaking. See how an entire crew works together in the breakdown of a scene in Last Night in Soho.
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7 mins
How to stand out when distributing your film in a crowded arena. Know your strengths, make it pulpy and pitch to the right festivals.
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24 mins
Edgar answers questions from Twitter – on inspiration, working with his heroes, parody vs homage, needle drops and fighting your corner.
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17 mins
National Film and Television School students pose questions on redrafting scripts, action sequences, dialogue and improv.
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1 min
Final thoughts on how to become a filmmaker and how you never stop being a student of the form. Fade to black.
Get started
Single course
- Learn with Edgar Wright
- Enjoy over 4 hours of video lessons at your own pace
- Watch as many times as you like
- Own course for life
- Download course notes and exercises
$90
one-off payment
Buy Course
Annual subscription
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- Learn with the world’s greatest such as Marco Pierre White, Jed Mercurio, Alan Moore and Julia Donaldson
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for a one year subscription
Subscribe to BBC Maestro
Course notes
64 pages
A downloadable PDF full of tips and exercises to help you put theory into practice.
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