Vancouver Film School

#1348

It’s true that the awesome reels you see are only a portion of the reels churned out by students every year, and those reels don’t necessarily represent the level of every student that come out of vfs. That said, there are also lots of slackers at vfs, and you simply cannot expect them to come out with the same quality reels as those who work their butts off. Everyone I know who put in the hours, worked hard and pushed themselves got great reels in return, and if you work hard too there’s no reason why you won’t come out with a reel that vfs wants to show off on the internet.

Some people think that once they got in they will magically end up with a great reel at the end of the year, it doesn’t happen that way. Like every single school in the world, you get what you put in. You have to work hard, push yourself, and compete with yourself so you can keep surpassing your own work.

#1349

Actually, throughout the newer terms, we got more and more stuff. ZBrush license is one of the latest one and now we’re being taught that in class as well as Maya. We also got nice new big Intous 4 tablets to help with the zbrush lessons. I thought that was pretty nice.

#1350

**although there are cases–in Vancouver in fact, where schools will hire less than competent teachers or ones with an axe to grind(i.e. they didnt get where they wanted to in life and decided to take their frustrations out on students), and its not necessarily always true that what the student puts in will be what the student gets out.

There’s one case that made the Province newspaper a few years ago-(not VFS)–students gave teacher petition complaining they didnt feel they were learning enough in class, teacher responded by kicking classroom door in. Teacher remains on staff to this day.

Schooling can definitely be a gamble.

#1351

Wow, VFS is up to class 81 now? I feel old. (I’m actually sitting near a former 3d-16 classmate these days. It’s a very small world in VFX)

#1352

Wow 3D16! Haha, it’s great to hear you guys are still around in the industry! I’ll be heading back to the UK after my one year stint at VFS looking for a job in London, as I see you now work for Double Negative! That’s awesome, hopefully I’ll be in a similar situation some day!

#1353

soo my questions are…
are there classes on saturday or sunday?
around how many hours of classes per day?
much homework?

#1354

hey, no classes on saturdays or sundays, though expect to stay in school working after classes and even on saturdays. depending on the effort you want to put in of course…

#1355

and what about classes in evening ??? because I need to do part time job there

#1356

There are occasionally classes from 7 till 10pm but only once a week, one class per term.

#1357

There are opt-in classes on saturdays and sundays, usually life drawing or some workshop. Nothing mandatory. But expect to be in school on the weekends unless you’re working from home.

There are usually two blocks of classes every day. A morning one from 9-12 and an afternoon 1-4. Sometimes, and quite often there’ll be a 4-7 or a 6-9 class usually once a week.

There will be quite a bit of homework depending on the classes for the first two terms. Term 3 is more concept related and from then on it’s your final with a few classes.

On the topic of a part time job, seeing as you’re from India, remember it will be hard to find work if you dont have a work permit. Something I see quite a few students not understanding. It is also harder to work during the week with all the assignments due for the first few terms, but gets easier on the weekends and later terms.

#1358

hey, what about class school timing ??? and can we access the computer lab anytime??

#1359

Class timings vary from day to day. Most days are 9am-4pm with a break from 12-1. Some days have evening class at 4-7 or 7-9 and sometimes later.

You can access the computer labs at any time as long as there is no class and usually not during term breaks.

#1360

I will be attending VFS starting feb. 2011.
I just have a few questions…

  1. Are most of the industry contacts you make while at VFS with canadian studios? Or are there a fair number of US studios that look to VFS as well?

  2. Is it difficult to get a work visa as a US citizen in Canda after attending VFS?

Thanks in advance for any information!

#1361

Yes, almost all the industry contacts you make while at VFS are with Canadian based companies, however, if you really impress the instructors theres a good chance they’ll write you a reference which could help you secure a job after VFS.

While your here you should join SIGGRAPH and make sure you attend the SPARK FX and Animation seminars that are held in town, that is one of the best places to make contacts in companies all around the world. I’ve met reps from ILM, Weta Digital, CISVancouver, Pixar Canada, Digital Domain and a couple of others, so there is plenty of opportunity.

As far as I know if you have experience it’s easy(ish) for a US citizen to get work in Canada, but if you don’t have exp. you might be better off heading back to the states for a bit while you get some and then head back here at a later time.

#1362

Thanks for the reply Towley!
My main concern is being able to get a permit to work in canada where the contacts I will make will be. Is Siggraph going to be in Vancouver this year? I’ve always wanted to attend that! I will definitely check out the Spark FX and animation seminars, thanks for the tip.

#1363

I don’t think the main Siggraph exhibition is here, pretty sure it’s in LA, but you should checkout Siggraph Vancouver. They hold events and seminars throughout the year at various locations across the city.

I see where your coming from with the contacts, but a lot of the people you will meet here will have worked all over the world in the VFX industry even if they currently work in Van, or they will know people who work in companies everywhere. Through VFS and networking myself while I’ve been here I know people who have worked in Van, the US, the UK, Singapore and New Zealand so there is plenty of scope for meeting people from all over and they’re generally very happy to chat and stay in touch.

#1364

the Vancouver Siggraph is happening next year - this year’s LA

#1365

@towley - That’s good to know that I will get opportinities to meet employers from various locations. If you don’t mind my asking, how long have you been at VFS? Do you feel that you’re going to be at that professional level by the time you graduate?
I have already comitted to the school, but this kind of feedback is always good to have :slight_smile:

@Intervain - I will be attending from Feb. 2011 to Feb. 2012, so it looks like I’ll be in town :slight_smile:

#1366

Wow. I just read all 91 pages.

Hahaha. So anyway, my plan is to enter VFS on the 3D animation & Visual Effects course in August 2011.
I’m 19 now and I’ll be graduating from my current polytechnic in Singapore this Thursday although I honestly don’t think I’ve gained much out of the 3 years here.
This is the demoreel that I accomplished while here and… I think it’s kinda bad :confused:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAcnVMDpQ5o

But it does show pretty much what I know (which is not much), but from what I read in the last 91 pages, it’ll be more then most of the people who enter the course. Is it still recommended for me to take the course? I know about the first 3 months being dull and all that, but I’ll like some good training on my basics again. (:

I do hope I can get some scholarship. Read that it’s hard, but no harm trying right? Haha.
My parents will be paying for my tuition fee, but they do seem to have some financial problems so I’ll probably try and earn some money for this year… after all it’s still such a long way to go.

My bf is also joining VFS’s sound design course in August 2011 when he is done with his national service. (yeah we’re going together, but we’re aware how busy we’ll be) I’ve read that there are some collaborations though, so is it possible for him to do the sound for my reel or is it something that everybody does themselves?

Do you guys ever travel out of Vancouver as friends while in the 1 yr in VFS? Like during the weekends (does seem a little impossible after reading) or breaks?

It’ll be hard to get a job in Vancouver as a foreigner wouldn’t it? Damn. Ah wells at least the CG scene here in Singapore is growing… I’m hoping to try out working there though.

#1367

Since VFS is one of the schools im looking at, besides VanArts, decided to ask some questions here:

  1. Would the degree from VFS also transfer over to the United States or would it only work in Canada (thinking about going for Game Design)?

  2. Would finding housing near the school be difficult? Or does VFS help with that somehow?

  3. What is the ‘work visa’ you need to get to go to school there from the U.S?