11 votes

Has anyone subscribed to MasterClass?

The MasterClass adds are very enticing and some of the topics covered are interesting to me. Has anyone held a subscription and, if so, what were the pros and cons? Was it worth it for you?

13 comments

  1. [2]
    mrbig
    (edited )
    Link
    There’s probably nothing in those classes that cannot be found in text form with more depth. But some people place great value on human connection, and feeling they’re close to some authoritative...

    There’s probably nothing in those classes that cannot be found in text form with more depth. But some people place great value on human connection, and feeling they’re close to some authoritative figure. I watched some of Dustin Hoffman and David Mamet via alternative means but everything Mamet said was already in his book.

    I find it odd to place affection on a teacher that’s not really available. But that’s just me.

    Maybe the acting ones make more sense than the others.

    I’d say buy it if you don’t like reading books.

    4 votes
    1. DougM
      Link Parent
      I love reading so I’ll focus on that. Much cheaper as well :)

      I love reading so I’ll focus on that. Much cheaper as well :)

      1 vote
  2. [9]
    Turtle
    Link
    I have not subscribed but I pirated the chess class with Garry Kasparov and found it to be very basic, and I'm not even what you would call an "advanced" player. I don't know if this is the case...

    I have not subscribed but I pirated the chess class with Garry Kasparov and found it to be very basic, and I'm not even what you would call an "advanced" player. I don't know if this is the case with all of them though.

    2 votes
    1. Akir
      Link Parent
      From what I understand, the appeal of the service is not so much becoming an expert in the field, but to learn from celebrities. (That being said, I'd be lying if I said that the "become a master"...

      From what I understand, the appeal of the service is not so much becoming an expert in the field, but to learn from celebrities.

      (That being said, I'd be lying if I said that the "become a master" thing was not in the subtext of their marketing).

      5 votes
    2. [5]
      tomf
      Link Parent
      I found this with the cooking ones, too. They'd be perfect if you were near-clueless, but otherwise the only takeaway was 'keep a little squeezy of white wine vinegar around.' Now, this being...

      I found this with the cooking ones, too. They'd be perfect if you were near-clueless, but otherwise the only takeaway was 'keep a little squeezy of white wine vinegar around.'

      Now, this being said, Penn and Teller's was pretty good because I am fairly new to magic and cannot do a clean french drop for the life of me.

      The filmmaking ones are alright but can get a little dry / boring after a time.

      2 votes
      1. [4]
        mrbig
        Link Parent
        Magic is something that definitely benefits from visuals. I love Penn and Teller and I bet it is great!

        Magic is something that definitely benefits from visuals. I love Penn and Teller and I bet it is great!

        1 vote
        1. [3]
          tomf
          Link Parent
          its kind of off-putting because you've got Teller leading it.

          its kind of off-putting because you've got Teller leading it.

          1 vote
          1. [2]
            mrbig
            Link Parent
            I would probably feel the same way but from the interviews I watched Teller is more thoughtful and thorough, while Penn is a larger than life showman. Penn is the guy for Vegas, but I’d probably...

            I would probably feel the same way but from the interviews I watched Teller is more thoughtful and thorough, while Penn is a larger than life showman. Penn is the guy for Vegas, but I’d probably want Teller as a teacher.

            3 votes
            1. tomf
              Link Parent
              yeah, Teller is great. I haven't watched a lot of interviews with him, so it was surprising to see him out of character and speaking. But yeah, if you want to learn some quick tricks, their...

              yeah, Teller is great. I haven't watched a lot of interviews with him, so it was surprising to see him out of character and speaking.

              But yeah, if you want to learn some quick tricks, their masterclass would be a great place to start.

              1 vote
    3. mrbig
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Chess seems like a perfect subject for books, TBH. Not much to gain with video, besides watching a famous guy move pieces on a board.

      Chess seems like a perfect subject for books, TBH. Not much to gain with video, besides watching a famous guy move pieces on a board.

      1 vote
    4. DougM
      Link Parent
      Intersting. Thanks.

      Intersting. Thanks.

  3. thundergolfer
    Link
    It looks like infotainment to me, but sold at very very high prices. There's one called "Gordon Ramsay - Teaches Cooking". I'd bet that the content is pretty much like a TV Show, and there's...

    It looks like infotainment to me, but sold at very very high prices.

    There's one called "Gordon Ramsay - Teaches Cooking". I'd bet that the content is pretty much like a TV Show, and there's already TV shows of Gordon Ramsay taking you through recipes that are available for free.

    1 vote
  4. culturedleftfoot
    Link
    For anyone else that's as clueless as I was, here's their YT channel with a bunch of trailers.

    For anyone else that's as clueless as I was, here's their YT channel with a bunch of trailers.