Discover filmmaking through the eyes of a storyteller who transformed
everyday encounters into cinematic masterpieces.
Discover filmmaking through the
eyes of a storyteller who transformed
everyday encounters into cinematic masterpieces.
HEARTFELT, OFFBEAT &
IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET
HEARTFELT,
OFFBEAT & IMPOSSIBLE
TO FORGET
In this exclusive filmmaking masterclass, Nelson shares his unique approach to storytelling—from building quirky, offbeat characters to crafting tension with humour, designing unpredictable scenes, and making bold directorial calls on set.
In this exclusive filmmaking masterclass, Nelson shares his unique approach to storytelling—from building quirky, offbeat characters to crafting tension with humour, designing unpredictable scenes, and making bold directorial calls on set.
If you’ve ever wondered how a five-line idea becomes a film that’s both hilarious and
hard-hitting — this is where you find out.
If you’ve ever wondered how a five-line idea becomes a film that’s both hilarious and
hard-hitting — this is where you find out.
Go behind the
scenes of genre-bending hits like
Kolamavu Kokila, Doctor, Beast, and Jailer.
Go behind the scenes of
genre-bending hits like
Kolamavu Kokila, Doctor,
Beast, and Jailer.
Films that blend dark comedy, action, and emotion in ways nobody sees coming.
Films that blend dark comedy, action, and emotion in ways nobody sees coming.
Class Info
Class Info
29 video lessons (3h 20m)
29 video lessons (3h 20m)
Episode 1
Introduction - Foundations of Your Filmmaking Journey
Meet your award-winning mentor Nelson who explains the goals of his MasterClass. Here he offers a peek behind the scenes, sharing the experiences, mistakes, and personal truths that shaped his movies. Take notes, but trust your gut.
Episode 2
Redefining Career Paths – Lessons from an Accidental Filmmaker
Filmmaking wasn’t Nelson’s childhood dream—it was barely on his radar. A twist of fate, a low engineering score, and his father’s quiet creativity changed everything, steering him into cinema almost by accident.
Episode 3
Finding your Voice
Learn how to recognize your creative spark through experimentation. Nelson reflects on how photography and college storytelling contests helped him develop a unique voice—an approach you can apply to your own evolution.
Episode 4
Learning to See Your World Differently
Explore how to develop a filmmaker's perspective without formal education. Nelson breaks down how curiosity, observational learning, and peer interaction helped him sharpen his visual storytelling and how you can too.
Episode 5
Watching Cinema with a Filmmaker’s Eye
Go beyond passive film-watching. Nelson explains how analyzing frame composition, editing rhythm, and visual metaphors can transform how you absorb and apply cinematic language.
Episode 6
Structuring Stories – Learning from Masters
Understand how to build narrative frameworks. Nelson shares foundational script lessons inspired by iconic Tamil directors, giving you tools to simplify and strengthen your story architecture. Learn and understand how to structure stories simply yet powerfully.
Episode 7
Prioritizing Story over Stardom – A Case Study of Kolamavu Kokila
Unpack how story-first thinking shapes powerful films. Learn why choosing narrative integrity over commercial casting can help you build breakout projects. Nelson breaks down his decision to make a woman-led film without leaning on familiar hero tropes. He explains why focusing on a strong story in Kolamavu Kokila mattered more than star power or formula.
Episode 8
Trusting Your Gut - Strengthening Creative Instincts in Direction
What makes your films different from everyone else’s? Learn how to identify and trust your filmmaking sensibilities. Nelson discusses the importance of owning your unique strengths, even when they go against the industry grain.
Episode 9
Turning Real-Life Observations into Relatable Stories
Real life triggered Nelson’s creativity: a chance encounter with a woman whose actions contradict her appearance became the foundation for Kolamavu Kokila. He explains how everyday life inspires relatable stories and Discover how to ground your films in authenticity.
Episode 10
Tonal Balancing – Doctor
Nelson describes the tricky tone of his film Doctor. Turning a straightforward missing-person case into something fresh meant mixing dark humour with genuine stakes — Learn how to mix unconventional tones without losing emotional weight. Nelson demonstrates how Doctor’s humour remained engaging without compromising on tension.
Episode 11
Previsualization – Seeing Your Story Before You Shoot
Narration isn’t just storytelling—it’s how you make your audience feel what you feel.. Explore how clearly visualizing your scenes can enhance emotional impact. Nelson shares methods to ensure your audience feels exactly what you intend.
Episode 12
Guiding New Actors - Techniques for Authentic Performances
Nelson prefers new actors over familiar faces. He reveals how direct, simple communication helps him draw natural performances from inexperienced talent, shaping them into believable, memorable characters.
Episode 13
Five Lines First - Building Stories from Core Concepts
When Nelson writes scripts, he begins simply: just five clear lines to capture his core idea. Then he maps out the big beats—start, middle, and end—before filling in the gaps. It’s not magic; it’s structure. Nelson breaks down his “Five Lines First” method—showing you how to distill your film into core beats before layering complexity.
Episode 14
Getting Unstuck
Writer’s block hits Nelson often. He admits it openly, sharing his simple fix: breaking scenes down piece-by-piece, pacing carefully to keep audiences glued. If a scene isn’t working, he doesn’t panic—he rebuilds it.
Episode 15
Creating Complex Characters – The Making of Veera Raghavan – Beast
Nelson discusses building a layered character with Beast’s Veera Raghavan. He explains how opening with action, adding emotional depth, and tapping into the character’s guilt made Veera relatable and engaging from the start. Understand how to build emotionally layered protagonists.
Episode 16
Making Mass Moments Matter
How do you build scenes everyone remembers? Learn how to craft “mass” scenes that resonate emotionally, not just visually. Discover timing, setup, and payoff strategies for iconic cinematic moments. Nelson believes memorable “mass” moments must be emotional, not just stylish. He talks about carefully placing punchlines and reveals, ensuring they land just right.
Episode 17
Writing Transformational Arcs – The Power of Turning Points
Nelson unpacks why transformation scenes—those big “flip” moments—are always audience favourites. Using examples like Kolamavu Kokila, Doctor, and Beast, he shares how predictability doesn’t matter if you handle it right.
Episode 18
Hero’s Journey – Jailer & Baasha
What makes a hero’s transformation powerful, even when you’ve seen it before? Nelson examines films like Jailer and classic hits like Baasha, showing why timing and emotional consistency make familiar arcs fresh again.
Episode 19
Writing Real Dialogue
Nelson gets real about dialogue. He tests lines by speaking them aloud to his team, ensuring they sound true—not forced or overly dramatic. Each character speaks uniquely, making scenes authentic, never artificial. Learn how to write dialogue for authenticity, clarity, and character depth.
Episode 20
Balancing Collaboration with Creative Control
How much feedback is too much? Nelson explains his balanced approach—accepting input openly, but always filtering it through his instincts. It’s about adapting to challenges without losing sight of the original vision.
Episode 21
Aligning Creative Vision with Production Budgets
Nelson talks candidly about how budgets shape his stories. Learn How handling constraints can lead to smarter decisions, keeping stories focused and practical.
Episode 22
Scene Design without Storyboards - A Collaborative Approach
Nelson emphasises on why he rejects storyboards. How he starts from core scene concepts, collaborating closely with his art and camera teams, planning sets practically. It’s not about visuals first—it’s about making scenes feel real. Understand how to communicate scene intention without traditional storyboarding and Learn Nelson’s method of co-developing set design with art and camera teams for natural realism.
Episode 23
Set Design : Sets Built from Scripts
Every set Nelson builds is strictly informed by the script. Discover how every element of set design should serve the story - Wall heights, windows, even furniture—they all come directly from what the scene needs. It’s a careful, practical approach to set-building that ensures filming goes smoothly.
Episode 24
Keeping the Set Alive
Nelson shares how he maintains creative energy on set. Instead of panicking when problems occur, Nelson shares how to preserve positivity and problem-solving energy during high-stress shoots.
Episode 25
Communicating Clearly
Nelson emphasizes clarity on set—he relies heavily on assistant directors to communicate visual goals clearly to every department. His approach is straightforward, efficient, and avoids unnecessary micromanaging.
Episode 26
Case Study : The Art of handling Stars & First-Timers
Nelson directs big stars and fresh actors exactly the same way: clearly and directly. He explains how he drew a strong performance from newcomer Dhanraj in Jailer by patiently guiding him through months of preparation.
Episode 27
Editing with Rhythm, Emotion, and Honesty
Editing isn’t just trimming footage—Nelson describes it as finding the story’s heartbeat. He works closely with editors, relying on trial screenings and honest feedback to find the cleanest, clearest version of the film. Explore how editing reveals the soul of your film.
Episode 28
Music Leads the Way – Anirudh’s Scores
Music isn’t just background for Nelson—it guides scenes. He describes working closely with composer Anirudh Ravichander, Learn how to integrate music from script to edit, by understanding how tracks sometimes shape entire sequences, like the tense moments in Kolamavu Kokila.
Episode 29
Prioritizing Performance and Visuals on Set
On set, Nelson doesn’t stress about the script—it’s locked in his mind already. Instead, he concentrates on visuals and performances, trusting his preparation to guide him through each take smoothly.
Start your journey with Outstanding excellence!
Start your journey with
Outstanding excellence!
₹2,499
₹2,499
₹4,999
₹4,999
20+ Lessons
20+ Lessons
Lifetime Access
Lifetime Access
Certificate Signed by Nelson
Certificate Signed by Nelson
Learn at Your Own Pace
Learn at Your Own Pace
Downloadable Worksheets and Resources
Downloadable Worksheets and Resources
Film Community Access
Film Community Access
STEP INTO THE WORLD OF THE
MIND BEHIND THESE BLOCKBUSTERS
STEP INTO THE
WORLD OF THE
MIND BEHIND THESE
BLOCKBUSTERS
WHO IS THIS
MASTERCLASS FOR?
WHO IS THIS
MASTERCLASS FOR?
Film students tired of theory, want
to the “how”
Film students tired of theory, want
to the “how”
Budding filmmakers with stories running in their heads
Budding filmmakers with stories running in their heads
Directors who want to sharpen their instincts, not just their tools
Directors who want to sharpen their instincts, not just their tools
Indie creators
Indie creators
Movie lovers who want to move from watching to making
Movie lovers who want to move from watching to making
ADs looking to level up from
shot lists to storytelling
ADs looking to level up from
shot lists to storytelling
Writers who see scenes when they hear conversations
Writers who see scenes when they hear conversations
WHY IS THIS
MASTERCLASS FOR YOU?
WHY IS THIS
MASTERCLASS FOR YOU?
Follow the journey of a director
who rewrote the rules without ever going to film school
Follow the journey
of a director who rewrote the rules without ever
going to film school
Know how to
Break down your story
Nelson way
Know how to
Break down
your story
Nelson way
Understand how to direct Stars
and first-timers with the same
calm clarity
Understand how
to direct Stars
and first-timers
with the same
calm and clarity
Discover how to
blend dark humor
and tension
Discover how to
blend dark humor
and tension
Learn how to spot
cinematic moments
in everyday life
Learn how to
spot cinematic moments
in everyday life
See how emotional depth, even in mass scenes, creates lasting impact
See how
emotional depth, even in mass
scenes, creates lasting impact
Build sets,
structure scenes, and
shape edits that feel real
Build sets,
structure scenes,
and shape edits
that feel real
Learn to
trust your gut, even
when the set is chaos
Learn to trust your gut, even when the set is chaos
CERTIFICATION
OF COMPLETION
Download or print out as a PDF to share with others
Showcase your Certificate on social media
Share a document online to demonstrate your skill
QUESTIONS?
WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED!
QUESTIONS?
WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED!
Who is this class for?
This class is designed for individuals passionate about music composition and eager to explore the world of the renowned musician from Basrur, who has left an indelible mark on Indian music with hits like KGF, Mufti, Ugramm, and more. Gain valuable insights into his creative process, experiences, and live case studies.
I’m an Intermediate/Professional Photographer, would I benefit from this?
Absolutely! Whether you're a budding musician or an industry professional, this masterclass provides a deep dive into the musician's artistic sensibilities, beliefs, and values. The class offers downloadable scene breakdowns, case studies, script and storyboard excerpts, along with in-depth workbooks to help you refine your skills and take them to the next level.
What do I need to learn from this class?
The only prerequisite is a passion for learning. No prior knowledge of music composition is required. All you need is a device with an internet connection and a few hours to spare. The masterclass covers the fundamentals and intricacies of music composition, making it accessible to beginners while providing valuable insights for seasoned musicians.
Will Ravi Basrur be teaching the Class?
Yes, Ravi Basrur will be teaching all the lessons in the Class, However, the lessons will be recorded & will not have or involve any live sessions/interactions.
Which Language is the course in?
This course is in mix of Kannada and English with English Subtitles.
Who is this class for?
This class is designed for individuals passionate about music composition and eager to explore the world of the renowned musician from Basrur, who has left an indelible mark on Indian music with hits like KGF, Mufti, Ugramm, and more. Gain valuable insights into his creative process, experiences, and live case studies.
I’m an Intermediate/Professional Photographer, would I benefit from this?
Absolutely! Whether you're a budding musician or an industry professional, this masterclass provides a deep dive into the musician's artistic sensibilities, beliefs, and values. The class offers downloadable scene breakdowns, case studies, script and storyboard excerpts, along with in-depth workbooks to help you refine your skills and take them to the next level.
What do I need to learn from this class?
The only prerequisite is a passion for learning. No prior knowledge of music composition is required. All you need is a device with an internet connection and a few hours to spare. The masterclass covers the fundamentals and intricacies of music composition, making it accessible to beginners while providing valuable insights for seasoned musicians.
Will Ravi Basrur be teaching the Class?
Yes, Ravi Basrur will be teaching all the lessons in the Class, However, the lessons will be recorded & will not have or involve any live sessions/interactions.
Which Language is the course in?
This course is in mix of Kannada and English with English Subtitles.
Are there any recurring costs that I need to pay to access the videos?
There are no recurring costs or any additional charge that you need to pay after purchasing the Learning experience.
How long is the Class?
The Class is approximately 190 minutes long and is divided into 29 Video Lessons.
When do I get to download the customised signed certificate?
You get to access the certificate once you complete watching all the lessons in the course.
Where can I watch these classes?
You can access LevelUp Learning across various devices - Mobiles, Tablets, Desktops or Laptops. You can access classes on mobile by downloading the LevelUp Learning App for Android and iOS devices.
Will i get certificate for this masterclass?
Yes
Are there any recurring costs that I need to pay to access the videos?
There are no recurring costs or any additional charge that you need to pay after purchasing the Learning experience.
How long is the Class?
The Class is approximately 190 minutes long and is divided into 29 Video Lessons.
When do I get to download the customised signed certificate?
You get to access the certificate once you complete watching all the lessons in the course.
Where can I watch these classes?
You can access LevelUp Learning across various devices - Mobiles, Tablets, Desktops or Laptops. You can access classes on mobile by downloading the LevelUp Learning App for Android and iOS devices.
Will i get certificate for this masterclass?
Yes