For visual effects and compositing, I’d go to VFS.
If you go to Sheridan in their computer animation program, I hear you’ll be learning more character animation. That’s expecting that you’ll be accepted at Sheridan. It’s really hard to get into that program. And remember, it requires a 3 year diploma or degree or 4 years art related work experience.
Like many people have said, just give VFS your money and they let you in.
Originally posted by KWAK
[B]I think this best describes VFS: you get out of it, what you put into it. Work you ass off, forget your life for a year, and you’ll come out with a killer reel. Slack off and you might as well throw 24 grand in the garbage.I’m happy with VFS so far. [/B]
I think that in a way most of life is like this.
My main concern is the money. I can’t afford to study in VFS or CDIS. So I have to work several years to be able to afford studying in such an institution. For to plan ahead, I need to condition my life to be able to save that money instead of buying many other useful things in life, like a car for example.
So when someone says that basically you get what you put in, it doesn’t say much to me. I don’t see how that is worth 24K.
What does 24K get you?
I think that considering that there are many individuals eager to break into the industry, but have a similar situation as me, and studying in such an institution is so expensive, we have a right to know what 24K will offer us. It’s obvious that after putting in so much effort to raise the money to study there, we’ll give everything we have to make a good reel.
It’s a difficult choice, I really wish it didn’t have to be this way. If I had the money to be able to not work for a few months, I’d try to learn 3D animation on my own from books and build a good demo reel, but that just won’t happen.
There are probably people here that study or studied at VFS that may have things to say about it, but they know that the industry is tight and are afraid to talk negatively because it might hurt their chances at getting a job. I understand that, probably everyone understands that.
But who understands us? So many people with talent that lack the money to study in a 3D animation program and are very concerned about the details of each institution to make the best choices we can.
I’m not asking for ranting, but for more details, what does 24K get you? What’s the networking like? How many grads are working in studios? How many are freelancers?
And yes, it\s informative to know about bad things, it doesn’t have to be a rant, we know that no institution is perfect.
santiago: Go to my school in Windsor, Ontario. St. Clair College - Tradigital Animation program. I’m entering my 3rd year this year and it’s a great program.
About $4100 Tuition every year for 3 years. I was thinking about going to VFS, but it’s crazy… too much cash for such a little time. I need time to learn and explore areas… and this past two years has given me that opportunity.
http://www.stclaircollege.ca/programs/departments/animation/
I was in the VFS 3D Animation and Digital Effects course back in 97, class 10. I think they’re into class 50 or so now!
I definitely have to agree with some posts here, that you get out what you put in. When I attended it was only 16k CDN for 10 months, and our class size was 24 students.
How VFS helped me… I learned a little bit of everything, which was great, because the subjects that I was interested in I was able to delve into it deeper, and learn more (specializing in comping, but took in color theory, composition, design, which helps a lot!). All the instructors, save a few, knew what they were talking about.
The biggest thing I got out of it was the industry contacts. The people I met I still keep in contact with, and a lot of fellow classmates now have jobs in the industry (film, games, tv, etc). Most, if not all the teachers I have kept in contact with have left… A couple are at EA Burnaby, and one is down here at Pixar… And surprisingly, we still keep in contact!
VFS.
When I went it was only 16k for 10 mo, and I only attended for 6 mo, as I got a job in the middle of the 3rd term.
That school is, (as someone above stated) a put in= get out place. I don’t know if it’s improved much, but when I went there, they had teachers that most students could outpace by the time the course was done, BUT, that didn’t take away from the number one fantastic thing about the school: lab time. Once you hit term 3 (or at least it used to be this way) if you were concious, you had a computer to work on.
That was so amazing, because, at the time, it wasn’t like Joe Schmoopy at home with his regular machine could run (at the time) Softimage.
The teaching style of the course was also VERY well structured. You had do some classical in the first 2 terms. Now, I’m not a great 2d artist, but I learned a TON about the basics and principles from some super talented classical guys, who really loved what they did.
Then you learned to model. not animate; model. This was so important to do BEFORE animating because you didn’t need to tug on anyone’s elbow to get help all the time, you knew how models were put together. Even though I never wanted to model, I learned to before animating, and still LOVE it now.
They always had their s**t together, but if you want you can pick and complain about everything. At the end of the day, if you work hard, take criticism, learn from it and really look at yourself and your work objectively, you will walk out of there with an impressive tape.
Again; It at least used to be that way.
99% of what I learned was on my own. VFS was a great kickstart for me, as i would have never been able to dedicate myself self-paced at home. VFS was good because of the industry contacts.
I was a student back in 1999. Things have changed a lot there I’m sure. I said it previously and I’ll say it again: dont trust the job placement numbers. The only people to get work are people that truely devote themselves. Most people I know started off freelancing, and eventually moving into different companies. I know some pretty talented people that still struggle for work.
Keep in mind that when you graduate, you wont be competing against your classmates for work, you’ll be competing against the instructors.
Mike R
it is expensive & you dont get far unless you go all out; but i think the real value in vfs was the staff & to a lesser extent the equipment. good equipment is pretty much a given & you’d expect that for the $$. the staff are its greatest asset. most of them are industry pros.
their instruction was good but the experience they have was better. they also ended up being my first contacts into the industry, which turned out to be importantant for me to get my foot in the door…
i think vfs was a good thing.
I agree with Rhonedog. Most of the stuff you’ll learn will be by yourself experimenting and doing things, talking to friends and even reading forums.
It’s true the VFS has delivered some really good reels, but trust me when I say there are tons and tons of awfull reels too. It’s probably a 10% good to bad ratio. Of course, most of the bad ones don’t make it out and nobody sees them, but they are there.
Though one of my biggest issues with VFS is that they care way more about themselves and about you producing something that they can use for their own marketing material and be sent to festivals than helping you get a job.
As a student I think working on a 2-3 minutes little short is really a bad idea. If you see most profesional reels, they have just clips of animations from different shows that they have worked on. I think as a student it would be a much better idea for them to be working on 4 or 5 10 second clips than on a short. You’ll get a job a lot easier that way. But that means that VFS can’t use it for festivals so they’ll fight you and make you work on a short.
All in all it’s a good school and in general I would recommend it… I do have a lot of things that I do not agree with the school about and a lot of bad things I could say, but I would rather not expose them and open a big can of worms.
If somebody would like to know more about it in private, you can either mail me or PM me.
Goosh
99% of what I learned was on my own. VFS was a great kickstart for me, as i would have never been able to dedicate myself self-paced at home.
i agree fully with this statement and it applies to any school. I am currently in my second year at AIvancouver-burnaby(formerly CDIS) and i have also learned 99% on my own. it all depends on your drive… your determination and your goals.
/.Chad Fox
ps my Signature below is also part of the equation
Hey, some initial thoughts on VFS…
Compared to McGill University (like comparing apples…oranges) it seems like they do care somewhat, atleast to recruit you.
I recently got accepted into the Digital Design, and I had a decent portfolio, but am pretty sure I wouldn’t have gotten in OCAD, or Emily Carr, b/c I have no Fine arts background. So I am sure their entry req. are lower.
Has anyone completed this program, and how does it compare to other Graphic Design schools. I am really looking for a Diploma b/c I am self taught till now and am sure I will learn most of it that way. I am also looking for a school w/ a good rep and contacts. What are the job placement rates like, I don’t want to go back to freelance for now.
Any thoughts? Attending their fair today, hopefully get better insight after that.
hey’all !
i am thinking of apply to VFS.
I things is.
I won’t have much money like a few grands to survive.
I really don’t want to wait till I have 10 grand cuz
it will take too long.
I am Canadian.
I was wondering if some people had survived the intensive year even though they were extremely poor.
Where can i get grants ?
THX a bunch !
Hey, I’m from Australia, and I was thinking about heading to study at VFS or VanArts, but now I’m not sure…Is there only on here from VanArts???
Anyway, try contacting your government, they should help you with any information on grants. Although I think you’ll find it hard to get any sort of financial aid, as VFS is not a uni.
Cheers
hey !
i got accepted in 2d animation and I visited the school last week.
I am starting end of oct. Can’t wait !
I liked Vancouver. Rains to much but there’s some nice beachers and cheap sushi. (15 for 8$, hehe)
Is that the talent student makes the demo reel cool? Or the school who turn every newbie into talent to make the cool demo? As I know alot of art school has to get thru an interview in-order to get in. So is that the same case as VFS?
Ok, some people have posted that they have done 99% of the work on thie own? Does “on my own” mean:
a) You have done 99% without any help, ie help from the net, students, teachers, etc
b) 99% of your work was done without the schools resourses
cheers
Look seriously for what seems to fit your needs. Is it drawing course or art in general or animation, that you want? Tho, animation is hard in general. Everyone is at a different level of development, artisticly. Keep learning in anyway possible. Continu going foward, not backwards.
VFS looks for potential students at any level of development. They try push mostly creativity and basic technique for a 1 year. Afterwards, you fly on your own. They got the latest equipment, computers, DV camera, etc. (You name it! they got it for film production, animation included). Great resources. The teachers have alot and great experience and in diverse areas of the field. They are easy of approach and they will glad to try to help you, possible students, included. I think if you go there with a open mind, that’s the way to go.
In last, your education is your responsibility. Don’t think the teachers will do everything for you.
You have to challenge yourself and ask alot of questions to get most out of it.
Cheers
“In last, your education is your responsibility. Don’t think the teachers will do everything for you.
You have to challenge yourself and ask alot of questions to get most out of it.”
You know what zenmaster, thats probably the best reponse ive heard
Cheers
Has anyone taken the Digital Animation (Maya) course and would like to talk about it??
Cheers