> If Udemy's pitch were “Learn X as Taught by Notable People in the Field,”

MasterClass already is like this, but the content doesn't go as deep as it could to really teach learners.

Masterclass is really a scam in my opinion. Who needs them to teach about generic stuff, when what we need is how to be good like them, that’s why we pay for the course

This. Intro to X courses are better left to the manifold resources available on YouTube. Experts are for expert topics. As Liszt reportedly said when asked why he eventually accepted only advanced pupils: “Wash your dirty linen at home.”

And you probably don't have the chops to write screenplays like Aaron Sorkin and almost certainly won't develop them from a video.

You're probably gonna need to chip a few blocks on your own before asking Michelangelo for pointers.

Pretty much. This idea that you can never have done something and get something from a Masterworks is a bit silly. Inside the Actors Studio was great but essentially entertainment. As something that's likely to give any real insight into things you're missing, you probably need to have some experience first.

Notable people tend to teach on their own sites, or at least more specialized sites rather than generic sites like Udemy. Udemy would need to pay them instead.

It's not hard to look at each profile, most will proudly shout their top credentials as visibly and often as possible. "1M Subscribers on YouTube!" vs. "I worked in this industry for 10 years" is a pretty easy call. How much of this process should be spoonfed? Active engagement is required at some point.

Udemy functions as open market with the associated pros and cons.