The American Society of Cinematographers

ASC Master Class

Learn From The Best

Upcoming Classes 2024
Sept. 16-20 | Sept. 28 (NYC) | Oct. 21-25 (Shooting Film) | Nov. 2-3 (Online)

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.

Session instructor Checco Varese, ASC (far right).

Tom Sigel, ASC conducts a lighting demonstration.

Christopher Probst, ASC presents a demo on a volume at Synapse Virtual Production.

Natasha Braier, ASC, ADF (center) demonstrates her use of special lens filtration.

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

Clad in a white shirt, ASC member Dan Mindel (*Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*) is pictured with members of a 2020 Master Class session that focused in shooting on motion-picture film. Other instructors included M. David Mullen (*The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*), Mikael Salomon (*The Abyss, Far and Away*) and Linus Sandgren (*La La Land, No Time to Die*).

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.

Unless otherwise noted, instruction takes place at the ASC Clubhouse in Hollywood and at nearby production and postproduction facilities. All equipment is provided by major industry suppliers. All in-class transportation needs are also provided.

Enrollment in each ASC Master Class is limited to 30 participants. Applicants must submit a current résumé in order to be considered.

Here’s a full report on one of our recent classes as well as a another article 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.

Markus Förderer, ASC, BVK (holding mic) conducts an on-set lighting demonstration.

What Are Attendees Saying About Their Experience?

“The class helped me think more critically and creatively about my work.”

“The interactions with ASC members were the most beneficial for me.
I learned more from one-on-one conversations with the members than I could have asked for.”

“The mix of technique, artistry, and point of view was well-balanced.
The level of information was also great for my background and experience.”

“The on-set lighting sessions were extremely valuable because they are the hardest pieces of information to come across on our own.”

“The lighting demonstrations of the individual instructors were the most valuable part because they’re each so unique in their approach.”

“The classes addressed very advanced topics and contained demos where the details were very much in-depth.
You can’t just watch a YouTube video about these subjects to get this much information.”

Michael Goi, ASC, ISC revealed his approach to lighting for horror stories.

Upcoming ASC Master Class Sessions

September 16-20, 2024

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.

Confirmed Instructors:

Ernest Dickerson ASC (Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X)

Tobias Schliessler, ASC (Dreamgirls, Beauty and the Beast, All the Light We Cannot See)

Sal Totino, ASC, AIC (Everest, The Offer, Spider-Man: Homecoming)

September 28, 2024 (NYC)

This is a special one-day event to be held in New York City at Bronx Community College. An in-person Master Class designed for cinematographers with an intermediate to advanced skill set, it is an opportunity to hone your craft and initiate valuable industry connections while receiving instruction on the latest gear, techniques and current workflow practices. This event, sponsored by Sony and in cooperation with the ASC, will offer valuable insights — not only for the creative and technical aspects of cinematography but also for developing your persona as a cinematographer.

Lunch will be provided and there will be plenty of opportunities to mix with ASC members.

Confirmed Instructors:
Declan Quinn, ASC (Hamilton, Leaving Las Vegas, One True Thing)

Martin Ahlgren, ASC (3 Body Problem, House of Cards, The Plot Against America)

October 21-25, 2024 (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. The ASC Master Class is an intensive five-day seminar designed for cinematographers who want to master an intermediate-to-advanced skill set. Instruction takes place in Hollywood and covers lighting and camera techniques and current workflow practices. All necessary equipment is provided. This topic has been very popular and this session is expected to sell out. Learn much more about the previous class here.

Confirmed Instructors: TBA*

November 2-3, 2024 (Online Class)

This class can be attended by participants located anywhere in the world. Derived and adapted from our signature in-person Master Classes, the seminar will have live interactions and Q&A with some of the world’s top working cinematographers. The class size will be limited to 30 participants. The planned curriculum — including two pre-recorded lighting demonstrations, selected film clips, live instruction and interactive discussion periods — is designed to last about 6 1/2 hours per day, with each session starting at 7.30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (10.30 AM New
York; 3.30 PM London; 4.30 PM Berlin; 9:00 PM Mumbai; 11.30 PM Beijing).

Confirmed Instructors: TBA*