Canadian school choice

#1

Hey guys, how you doing?
So, I’m brazilian and I just joined a Digital Design course in the university this year.
But I’m looking for a 3D career, that means I’m thinking about going to a college or a training centre in a better country for this, because here in Brazil we can’t find good courses or schools for 3D animation/modelling. I’m focused more on the modelling area, btw.

So I searched for some school in Canada, and find out four that I most liked:

  • Think Tank Training Centre - it’s too expensive for me, but it seems that it’s an amazing course.
  • Capilano University - looks good though, but it’s also expensive.
  • Humber College - it’s a 3 years university and it’s cheaper than the others. Maybe the best option for me right now.
  • Inter-Dec College - 1 year also, but I don’t know how much it costs.

The first school that I saw was VFS, but I’ve read a lot of bad reviews about VFS, so I discarded them.

My question is: is there someone from Canada that could help with this? I’m really looking forward a canadian school more than an american one. I have some people that I know there and it would be much easier for me to go to Canada.

I really hope you can help me. Thanks. :slight_smile:

#2

VFS is a great school but be expected to work very hard (from what I hear) but it is quite expensive. As a general note, school and education is mostly what you put into it.

I posted in another thread on schools in the Toronto, Ontario area. They are for 3d animation (no school that I know of is strictly modeling)

Here’s a few Animation programs in Ontario, Canada:

Durham College (2 year diploma or a 3 year advanced diploma)
http://www.durhamcollege.ca/program…-arts-two-year/

Sheridan (I believe this is a post grad program, so you may need a prior diploma)
http://www.sheridancollege.ca/Progr…0Animation.aspx

Seneca (3 year advanced diploma)
http://www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/ANI.html

Durham College also has a Game Development program (2 years) if you’re looking into that field

http://www.durhamcollege.ca/programs/game-development/

Be sure to do research and read reviews

#3

I’ve never talked with someone that went to any 3D program in Canada, so all I the resources I have to judge these schools are the reviews I find in the internet.

I read that some programs show, in the first trimester, every basic thing you need to know about the 3D area. They explain what each one do, and then you will have to choose what path to follow - animation or modeling, for example.

From what I read, VFS is very expensive for what they provide to you. I understand that the education is what you put into it, but a bit of help from the school is necessary.

About the programs you listed, I read - again, only from reviews from alumnus - that Durham College is one of the worst colleges someone could attend, that the staff and teachers are not really prepared to administrate and to give knowledge to their students (also, I watched some reels from DC alumnus and didn’t liked).

As I’m looking for a 2~3 years program, I’m focusing on searching more about Seneca, Humber and Capilano.

I don’t know the veracity of these reviews, but I can build a base on my thoughts by reading them, I think.

Another thing that bothers me is the price for international students. What do they give to us to charge 7k more than for a Canadian student?

But thanks a lot for the tips, rob. They were very useful.

#4

I just finished my year long course at Think Tank Training I went to Vancouver all the way from Minnesota and all I can say is it by far beats out VFS any day. In fact at TTTC they have went I finished 3 students that had attended VFS and didnt get a good education from it. If you are from Vancouver call TTTC and Talk to Angela and see if you can set up a tour. The owners of the school Scott and Joe are always there they teach classes and give tours to people. Very nice school and for only 35k you really cant beat it regarding the education you get from them.

Edit:
I see that you are from Brazil. in the class after mine we had two other people from South America if you want I can hook you up with there email and or phone number and you can contact them and talk to them if you would like.

#5

Sure, that would be very helpful if you could give me their emails. :slight_smile:

Last week I was searching YouTube for some demo reels from TTTC alumnus and then I found yours - were one of the first I watched -, and I got really impressed, because all the reels from these guys were amazing.

I’m pretty sure that Think Tank is one of the best schools around the world for 3D studies, but unfortunately, it’s very expensive for me. It’s the double of what my parents and I will pay for my 4 years at university here. I think I’ll still focus on finding an university, with a 2~3 years program, and after that I’ll stay an year at Think Tank to improve all the skills I acquire.

But thanks a lot, rod. And very nice work you have done there. What are your plans on jobs right now? Are you going to freelance or you prefer to work at a game/film developer or any related?

#6

Yeah Think Tank has a lot of Demo reels that are not even on the web because people have gotten jobs before finishing there reel. Here is a lady that finished ahead of me two classes shes working in the industry I cant remember were though. http://www.krop.com/sarahansen/?page_id=91#/116433/
I am currently seeking a full time job at a studio but till then I am working on freelance stuff that I got from my mentor that I got from Think Tank Training, I will pm you Leonardos email hes from Argentia.

#7

The girl’s portfolio is amazing too. Everything I heard about Think Tank is good, much better from VFS or any other.

And thanks a lot for the email. I’ll contact him. :wink:

#8

We had quite a few talented modeling grads at VFS when I went through the program a few years ago.

It’s the student, not the school. Networking was the most valuable thing they provided.

With any of these 1 year schools, you want to make sure you have a good artistic foundation before attending. They’re mostly about teaching you the software and helping you to build a portfolio for immediate job hunting.

#9

Nice you linked to Kolby Jukes portfolio hes a amazing artist I didnt know he went to VFS. He has come to TTTC a few times to do workshops and is really good friends with one of the owners of Think Tank.

#10

QFA - Zoober pretty much hit the nail on the head… VFS was great for the students who went there [at least in my day :wink: - 2005]

#11

Yep, I understand.

Those people who write reviews must be frustrated students that went there thinking that they would learn everything magically, but now they are unemployed, so they waste their time writing bad things about the school. :slight_smile:

Just kidding, I don’t know them, so I can’t say much.
But now I’m discovering how difficult it is to find a school that really matches with my standards. Specially with the budget. But thanks for the tips. :thumbsup:

#12

VFS has had negative things said about it for years, dating back to the mid 90s when they claimed the Clerks filmmaker was a graduate even though he dropped out of it.

Capilano probably has the best reputation for traditional filmmaking in the province and I think they have been expanding their animation department recently.

I wouldnt dismiss the Ontario schools out of hand though–they have/had a very good makeup fx program–much better than what the Vancouver schools offered in materials and techniques and their main art school had traditional sculpting while Vancouver’s main art school was into earthen clay sculpture and abstract art.

Dont know how it is for CGI–a couple of the pioneers in CG on films like Jurassic Park came from Sheridan however. I imagine there must be some serious training available there and they just dont advertise like Vancouver schools.

Good luck.

#13

The basic test of freedom is perhaps less in what we are free to do than in what we are free not to do.

ergo carrier
baby carrier

#14

I am currently a student at Visual College of Arts and Design (VCAD.ca) in Vancouver.

I haven’t researched to far into tuition costs from other schools but I have seen a few and VCADs tuition is near half of other popular schools.

There have been some major changes in the schools programming since I have started.

I am nearing completion of my course and the course I took has a strong teaching of 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting. The animation and rigging department was lacking though.

I wanted to be an animator but I felt that I didnt learn enough of the fundamentals of animation to have the confidence to focus on an animation demo reel. However I have gained a very strong understanding of modeling from this course therefore I am working on a Modeling reel.

I should note that the instructors here don’t know everything in terms of different workflows and techniques. A lot of them only know so much and you might find yourself learning on your own better methods than what is taught.

In conclusion though, for the price, I highly recommend this school if you want to be a modeler.

You can view the porfolios of the students from this school at http://vcad.ourstudentportfolios.com/

Please note that the recently updated porfolios are still a WIP from students still in school working on them.

#15

Hi Stremel

We offer a post graduate program in 3D animation, Game Art, and Visual Effects, as well as an undergraduate program in Animation. You can take a look at our website to see what courses we offer, and the tuition for each course. If you want to read up on some of the projects we’ve been working on google “seneca college ryan”. Another good one is “Ormie the pig”. We’re working with Chris Landreth again on another film housed here at the college.

If you have any questions you can contact me through the email in my signature below.

Sincerely,

#16

Hi. My name is Cesar Montero. I currently work for Dreamworks Animation since 2008. I studied Digital Design at VFS, and learned 3D on my own via forums and internet. The portfolio that got me the job was made with a single machine, and Lightwave back in 2006. It still holds up.

When I joined VFS, it was 30k, and I got 50% discount for enrolling a year in advance. There are two types of VFS students: the ones that go home and get stoned and drunk, and the ones who would coninue refining their craft and homework back home. Guess who gets the job? Vancouver is a beautiful city full of attractions. Some people get distracted with this and then try to bame the school.

I think your doing the right thing to study deign first. There are many basic and fundamental errors in 3D portfolios that have nothing to do with 3D knowledge. It will also help you get a more solud base in case you decide later to not do 3D, or have your own company that covers different media.

If I was to chose again a school, I would probably go to Gnomon. Its in LA and its easier to hunt for a job here than in Vancouver. (I also worked there for a bit). Go for a school which is surrounded by companies for which yu want to work. That way you can have more direct contact with their needs and offers.

Cesar Montero - www.artzolio.com

#17

Hey, my name is Freddy Butt, and I’ve also been researching Canadian Schools for a career in Film and Visual Effects. I graduated from Digital Animation, a 2 year Diploma program back in 2006. With prior design experience, I was looking for a school with a shorter but more intensive program.

 One school that seems like a not-so-well-known diamond in the rough is:

“Lost Boys Studios - School of VFX” located in Vancouver.
96% Job Placement Rate
A 10-Month course which includes an 8 week practicum in a local studio.
27,900.00 CDN for Canadian Students.
29,900.00 CDN for International Students.

 There are so many schools to choose from, this seems like the hardest decision I had to make in my life.  If anybody else has any opinion on this school.  Please feel free to chime in.  Seems like a great curriculum to me, they seem to concentrate on the much sought-after Maya-Nuke workflow.  Hope I didn't ramble too much on my 1st post. hehe.

Sincerely,
Freddy

#18

I’ve done my research on Canadian VFX programs, and if you’re looking for a high quality intense program, and money isn’t an issue, in my opinion you have 3 options:

  • Vancouver Film School
  • Lost Boys Studios
  • Think Tank Training Center
#19

Vancouver Film School is pretty good, and has a lot of experience. I’m not sure about the rest of the schools. I also heard Think Tank is pretty good. It also depends on how much money are you willing to spend. If I was going to study again, I would first get a membership to digitaltutors.com, learn for a year with JUST THAT. Then, based on what I find I like the most, apply to a school that could refine what I already know. Many of the people that come out of these schools already knew some before getting in. They go to refine, and that is why they can take the full advantage of the courses.

#20

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