
The American Society of Cinematographers’ in-person Master Class program is designed for cinematographers with an intermediate-to-advanced skill set. The program provides live demonstrations of lighting and camera techniques, instruction in current workflow practices and analysis of feature films. This five-day seminar is taught in Los Angeles by some of the finest directors of photography in the world.

Enrolling in the ASC Master Class will enable you to hone your craft while making valuable professional connections that can jump-start your career. Prominent Society members and ASC associates serve as instructors, offering invaluable insights not only on the creative and technical aspects of the cinematographer’s profession, but on business-related topics as well.
Subjects and Activities May Include
• Five-day class including multiple interactive lighting demonstrations
• Engagement with ASC members, ASC associate members and sponsors
• Presentation of shooting in an LED volume
• Color-grading workshop at a post facility
• ASC cinematographers-turned-directors panel
• Panel discussions on career and agent issues
• Analysis of cinematography from notable films of the past
• Presentations about cameras, lenses, sensors and future technologies

Specialized Instruction
Curriculum in each class varies depending on the instructors’ area of expertise. Instruction might cover such subjects as lighting for narrative storytelling, the creative use of optics, or virtual cinematography, for example.
Instruction takes place at the ASC Clubhouse in Hollywood and at nearby production and postproduction facilities. All equipment is provided major industry suppliers.
Enrollment in each ASC Master Class is limited to 30 participants. Applicants must submit a current résumé in order to be considered. COVID vaccination is required.
Here’s a full report on one of our recent classes as well as a full report on a session that focused on shooting motion-picture film.
Our May 2022 Master Class session was held in Hollywood and focused on lighting and virtual production.
What Are Attendees Saying About Their Experience?
“I learned a lot technically, but it was inspiration and motivation that was most valuable.”
“Every lighting demo technique used was distinct and applicable to so many different areas of the discipline and art of cinematography. The stories and advice were simply life changing.”
“More than anything, every day was an affirmation that I’m on the right path and have made decisions for my life, my crews or my projects that mirror what these legends have accomplished. A definite confidence boost.”

Upcoming Sessions

ASC Master Class Sept. 18-22
To be held in Los Angeles.
Confirmed ASC Instructors (clockwise, from top left):
Alice Brooks
David Stockton
Michael Goi
Jay Holben - Associate Member
Steve Gainer
Michael M. Pessah
ASC Master Class Oct. 14-15
Online Session
This two-day session will be conducted entirely online, with two prepared lighting demos and interaction with ASC instructors via Zoom and is designed to last about 6 1/2 hours per day. This class is open to students worldwide at a reduced cost
ASC Master Class Nov. 13-17
Special Focus: Shooting Film
This session will cover the unique attributes of shooting on motion-picture film (which may include 16mm, 35mm and 65mm formats), with seasoned instructors sharing their experience and insight. This class will include production and post, with instruction on working with the lab. To be held in Los Angeles.
Confirmed ASC Instructors: TBA*
Registration and newsletter signup is available here.
• All instructors subject to availability.
ASC Member Faculty Roster
- Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC
- John Bailey, ASC
- Affonso Beato, ASC, ABC
- Dion Beebe, ASC, ACS
- Bill Bennett, ASC
- Gabriel Beristain, ASC, BSC
- Oliver Bokelberg, ASC, BVK
- Alice Brooks, ASC
- Don Burgess, ASC
- Stephen H. Burum, ASC
- Patrick Cady, ASC
- Paul Cameron, ASC
- Russell Carpenter, ASC
- Vanja Černjul, ASC
- Christopher Chomyn, ASC
- Joan Churchill, ASC
- Curtis Clark, ASC
- John Conroy, ASC, ISC
- Richard Crudo, ASC
- Dean Cundey, ASC
- David Darby, ASC
- Caleb Deschanel, ASC
- Richard Edlund, ASC
- Eagle Egilsson, ASC
- Robert Elswit, ASC
- Anna J. Foerster, ASC
- Larry Fong, ASC
- Steve Gainer, ASC
- Michael Goi, ASC, ISC
- Magdalena Gorka, ASC, PSC
- Shana Hagan, ASC
- Tom Hurwitz, ASC
- Baz Idoine, ASC
- Mark Irwin, ASC, CSC
- Shelly Johnson, ASC
- Jon Joffin, ASC
- Craig Kief, ASC
- Darius Khondji, ASC, AFC
- David Klein, ASC
- Edward Lachman, ASC
- Jacek Laskus, ASC
- James Laxton, ASC
- Robert Legato, ASC
- Matthew F. Leonetti, ASC
- Matthew Libatique, ASC
- Charlie Lieberman, ASC
- Karl-Walter Lindenlaub, ASC, BVK
- Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC
- Tommy Maddox-Upshaw, ASC
- Don McCuaig, ASC
- Robert McLachlan, ASC, CSC
- Suki Medencevic, ASC
- Dan Mindel, ASC, BSC
- Claudio Miranda, ASC
- Reed Morano, ASC
- Polly Morgan, ASC, BSC
- Kramer Morgenthau, ASC
- M. David Mullen, ASC
- Fred Murphy, ASC
- Guillermo Navarro, ASC
- James Neihouse, ASC
- Sam Nicholson, ASC
- Daryn Okada, ASC
- Woody Omens, ASC
- Daniel Pearl, ASC
- Michael Pessah, ASC
- Wally Pfister, ASC
- Rodrigo Prieto, ASC, AMC
- Christopher Probst, ASC
- Cynthia Pusheck, ASC
- Declan Quinn, ASC
- Tami Reiker, ASC
- Armando Salas, ASC
- Mikael Salomon, ASC
- Linus Sandgern, ASC, FSF
- Roberto Schaefer, ASC, AIC
- Tobias Schliessler, ASC
- Nancy Schreiber, ASC
- John Schwartzman, ASC
- Dean Semler, ASC, ACS
- Steven Shaw, ASC
- Lawrence Sher, ASC
- Dante Spinotti, ASC, AIC
- Buddy Squires, ASC, AIC
- Eric Steelberg, ASC
- David Stockton, ASC
- John Toll, ASC
- Quyen Tran, ASC
- Sandra Valde-Hansen, ASC
- Theo van de Sande, ASC
- Hoyte van Hoytema, ASC, FSF, NSC
- Kees van Oostrum, ASC
- Checco Varese, ASC
- Amy Vincent, ASC
- Mandy Walker, ASC, ACS
- Jo Willems, ASC, SBC
- Dariusz Wolski, ASC
- Robert D. Yeoman, ASC