CreativeLive is an online creative community with a mission to make education available to everyone. They have over 2,000+ video courses so no matter what you want to learn, it’s likely there is a course for you.
In this CreativeLive review, I’m going to test it out, looking specifically at their film and video courses. This will be an honest review looking at the course content and quality of teaching.
Review Summary
Website | creativelive.com |
Courses | 2000+ |
Price | $15/month |
Free Trial | No |
Alternatives | Domestika & Masterclass |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.Get 20% off the Creator Pass. Get access to over 2000+ classes on demand and improve your skills 🙌
What is CreativeLive?
CreativeLive was founded in 2009, its goal was to take a fresh approach to education. No longer would creatives need to pay and travel to expensive workshops. Instead, to learn a new skill, you simply go online for quick access to thousands of classes taught by world-class experts.
Since its launch, CreativeLive now has more than 2000 hand-picked classes, 650 instructors, and 10 million students worldwide. So, not only is it steadily growing, but it is now one of the most successful online educational platforms.
The reason CreativeLive is different is that it always set out to build an online community. Not only do you have access to online classes, but you can also set goals and track your progress. Classes are taught by experts within their field, and some come with additional study materials. In other words, it’s everything you need to learn a new skill all in one place.
You should signup for CreativeLive if you:
- Want to master a new creative skill
- Have an interest in multiple creative areas
- Would like to learn from world-class experts
- Need instant online access to classes
How Does it Work?
Firstly, you can check out CreativeLive by creating a free account, after you enter your interests, the platform will suggest courses. Once you have purchased a class, it will appear in your library for easy access. All video courses can be viewed online, and iPhone/iPad users can also download courses to view offline for learning on the go.
The courses are built as a video series but can also include podcasts and exercise downloads. As a result, taking a class is super easy, with clearly defined details that guide you through each subject. In addition, many of the courses are recordings of live workshops with other people, which creates an engaging and lively atmosphere. Whatsmore, structured learning allows you to go at your own pace, repeat sections, or retake the whole course anytime.
How to open a CreativeLive account:
- Click on the link above and visit the main website
- On the top right-hand corner, click Login/Signup
- Sign in with Facebook, Google, or email
- Once signed in, you can search for classes
What Courses Do They Offer?
CreativeLive offers a full range of courses covering nearly every aspect of the filmmaking process. While photography and filmmaking are popular subjects, you can find classes covering all stages, from screenwriting to marketing.
This is very handy for the modern filmmaker who is expected to master a wide variety of skills. Of course, YouTube had always been the go-to place for a quick video lesson. However, their videos can sometimes lack quality and detail. CreativeLive aims for quality videos and quality teaching, so you know you are learning the most up-to-date expert advice.
For example, Build a Fan Base on YouTube from Sunny Lenarduzzi, which covers how to use YouTube’s algorithm to your advantage and gives your videos the best chance for success. Sunny has years of experience, and her classes (she currently has 13) take you through every aspect of setting up a YouTube channel from the ground up.
Some of the filmmaking courses on CreativeLive:
- Screenwriting: The Art of the First Draft
- Shoot and Create an Impactful Interview
- Adobe After Effects For Beginners
- Intermediate Drone Videography
Course Review – iPhone Filmmaking: From Shoot to Edit
For this review, I watched Cielo de la Paz’s course on iPhone Filmmaking. On signing up, I can see that the class is divided into very easy-to-digest lessons. The course itself is a recording of a live presentation by Cielo, which includes PowerPoint slides and video examples.
If you are a complete beginner to mobile filmmaking, then this course is beneficial. It starts off with the basics of pre-production, kit, and location scouting. Then slowly expands into more advanced advice such as shaping the story and color grading. I found the course to be very informative and easy to understand.
Cielo was also a very experienced teacher, and she understands how to engage a virtual audience. Her background is in videography and commercial filmmaking. Her previous clients include Apple, Business Insider, and National Geographic. So, you know straight away that you are getting quality advice from an expert in this field.
I’d recommend the course for anyone interested in mobile phone filmmaking and those new to the film industry. The course is well structured and thorough, unlike other free online videos offering which can leave out essential details. For filmmakers, the information can be applied to all film projects, whether or not shooting on an iPhone.
So it’s worth a watch if you want clear, structured advice on how to make a video from idea to export.
How Much Does It Cost?
Like Domestika, CreativeLive caters to all levels of learning and has a pricing structure to match. You can take a single class from $14 to up to £300, but there are regular sales and special offers throughout the year.
However, if you want to take more courses, the subscription service (or Creators Pass) might be a better option for you. There are 3 personal subscription models:
- $12.42/month (billed annually)
- $15/month (billed annually)
- $39/month (rolling contract)
Finally, you might be part of a team or want to offer your employees high-quality training. In that case, the Enterprise is what you need. It costs $149 per seat for groups of 5-1000. In addition, the Enterprise solution gives you access to every course available on the platform.
So what does this include? Here is a quick breakdown.
See real growth from 700+ iconic instructors ✔ |
Exclusive access to Fast Class – their best content, around 1 hour each ✔ |
Automatically gain access to new classes & exclusive conferences ✔ |
Learn skills easily with 60k+ digestible lessons ✔ |
Take any & all classes – there’s 2000+ on-demand ✔ |
Progress anytime with 24/7 access ✔ |
Set goals and track progress through curated learning paths ✔ |
Download lessons for offline viewing on iPhone/iPad app ✔ |
Is CreativeLive Worth it or Not?
Well, in my opinion, yes. Creativelive allows you to learn video and photography skills online without costing a fortune.
With more than 2000 classes to choose from, you will be able to find a class no matter what your interest.
It’s perfect for beginners and those who want to fine-tune their tech skills from editing to sound design. With so many subjects and skills to uncover, your brain will be challenged and healthier than ever.