Master Class - The American Society of Cinematographers

Karl Walter Lindenlaub, ASC, BVK leads the discussion with students during a recent Master Class session.

The ASC Master Class is an intensive
five-day seminar taught in Los Angeles
by some of the finest directors
of photography in the world.

Designed for cinematography students with an intermediate-to-advanced skill set, the ASC Master Class incorporates practical, hands-on demonstrations of lighting and camera techniques with essential instruction in current workflow practices and informed analysis of feature films that are relevant to the coursework.

Larwrence Sher, ASC leads a discussion on the use of his Shotdeck visualization tool during a 2019 Master Class session that focused on shooting commercials.

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 associates serve as instructors during the five-day course, offering invaluable insights not only on the creative aspects of the cinematographer’s profession, but on business-related topics as well. Subjects covered in every class include:

• Lighting and camera techniques for both narrative and commercial projects
• Seamlessly incorporating visual effects into live-action footage
• Fine-tuning your projects in postproduction
• Making the right connections to open new doors and advance your career
• Tactfully handling job politics, both on and off the set
• Sourcing experienced, industry-savvy mentors
• Finding the right agent and/or manager to promote your work

Specialized Instruction

Some of the curriculum varies, depending on the instructor’s area of expertise. Specialized instruction might cover such subjects as commercial product lighting or greenscreen cinematography, for example.

Instruction takes place at the ASC Clubhouse in Hollywood and at nearby production and postproduction facilities. All necessary equipment is provided.

Enrollment in each ASC Master Class is limited to 24. Applicants must submit a current résumé in order to be considered.

Here’s a full report on a recent class, held in May of 2017.

Instructor Sam Nicholson, ASC (center, on dolly) with his students during the May 2017 session.

Here’s a full report on a session, held in November of 2018, that focused on shooting motion-picture film.

Instructors Edward Lachman, ASC and Linus Landgren, ASC, FSF (together, at center) with their students during the November 2018 "on film" session.

Five female students attended the June 2018 Master Class session. They were (from left) Suelen Romani, Sara Garth, Veronica Bouza, Melissa Kirchhoff and Sophie Cuadra. Their ASC instructors included (from far left) members Bill Bennett, Stephen H. Burum, Ueli Steiger, Don McCuaig, Rodney Charters and Curtis Clark. You can read more about this session here.

The next ASC Master Class sessions
in Hollywood will be held on:

The ASC Master Class program has been temporarily suspended due
to concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
The Master Classes will resume when health and
travel conditions are back to normal.