Masterclasses
Unlock Potential, One Class at a Time!
The Genesis: Pathways to Success Masterclass Program is your gateway to real-world skills, hands-on experiences, and personal mentorship from experts across a variety of fields. Whether you’re passionate about the arts, business, technology, or science, our Masterclasses offer an immersive way to develop your interests and explore new career paths. Each series is crafted to provide insider knowledge, practical tools, and industry insights, empowering you to turn your ideas and aspirations into achievements.
Whether you’re a student, a creative enthusiast, or someone looking to gain practical skills, the Genesis Masterclass Program is designed for you. Explore new industries, expand your network, and engage in hands-on learning that could spark a lifelong passion or career.
Register Now for Indie Filmmaking Masterclass
A Special Collaboration With
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This 9-hour masterclass is an in-depth, hands-on guide to indie short filmmaking, designed for filmmakers who want to take an idea from the page to the screen—and actually get it seen. Focusing specifically on short films, the course walks through the entire creative and production process, blending storytelling, strategy, and real-world filmmaking practice.
Key areas of discussion include writing and storytelling for short-form cinema, producing with limited resources, building and leading a collaborative filmmaking team, and developing a smart pre-production strategy. The class also covers casting, the art of directing actors and crew, and the creative and psychological mindset required when making a film.
A dedicated segment is focused on the 48 Hour Film Project—what it is, how to participate, and how to successfully create a compelling short film under extreme time constraints. This section breaks down preparation, decision-making, and execution techniques that apply not only to 48-hour competitions, but to fast-paced indie filmmaking in general.
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Attendees will collaborate on writing a short film, engage in practical exercises, and take part in interactive discussions that reinforce both creative confidence and problem-solving skills. By the end of the masterclass, participants leave with a clearer process, stronger storytelling instincts, and a realistic roadmap for making short films independently.
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Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: Batesville, Indiana
Registration Fee: $150 per participant
Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure that financial limitations do not hinder the ability of passionate filmmakers from attending. A scholarship may be requested by contacting the Genesis: Office.
Meet the Master Storyteller:
Joe Herbert
The Herbert Brothers, from Southeast Indiana, rose to national fame after writing, directing, and producing Doritos’ top-rated Super Bowl commercial of 2009 — the first ad in a decade to dethrone Budweiser for the #1 spot. Their win catapulted them into the spotlight with guest appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, and others, as they were featured on nearly every major television network, newspaper, and radio station nationwide. The ad went on to be named Adweek.com’s “Viewer’s Choice” Best Super Bowl Ad of the Decade.
Since then, the Herbert Brothers have written, directed, and produced commercials and videos for clients across the country, along with numerous award-winning short films recognized for Best Film, Best Directing, Best Writing, and more.
In 2014, A&E brought a production crew from New York and Los Angeles to Batesville, Indiana, to create The Herbert Brothers, an eight-episode reality series following the family’s behind-the-scenes antics as they produced funny and creative commercials for national brands. The series later streamed on Tubi and Amazon Prime.
Their feature film Between Waves, directed by the Herbert Brothers and starring Amy Jo Johnson and William Russ, was released in 2018 on Amazon Prime Video and other streaming platforms. Today, the brothers continue to write, direct, and produce feature films, with multiple projects in various stages of development. They are currently finishing up a one-hour comedy special for comedian Tyrone Hawkins, which will soon be streamed across multiple platforms.
Beyond filmmaking, the Herbert Brothers have invented and licensed more than half a dozen board games sold worldwide. Their award-winning board game TRIVIATHON® has earned over 20 industry awards and was named the #1 new party game in the U.S. by GAMES Magazine in 2010. Their hit game Word-A-Round, published by ThinkFun, was nominated for “Game of the Year” in 2014 and is now sold in multiple languages, with Disney and Marvel editions available. Other popular titles include SpinDoodle, Are You Dumber Than a Box of Rocks?, Last Letter, and more.
Joe Herbert
The Herbert Brothers
Be Apart of the Filmmaking Community
We’re proud to support and complement organizations that are strengthening the filmmaking community. These experiences provide additional opportunities for creatives to develop their craft, showcase their work, and connect with fellow storytellers.
Ripley County Film Festival
Powered by Ripley County Community Foundation
A showcase celebrating emerging filmmakers and original storytelling from Southeastern Indiana.
48-Hour Film Challenge
Powered by Ripley County Tourism Bureau
A fast-paced competition where teams write, shoot, and edit a short film in just two days; hosted April 24th-26th.
