Vancouver Film School

#1388

Americans can get a TN permit however it requires a degree or a 2 year diploma plus 3 years of work experience. So if you just went to VFS and have no prior education you’re out of luck.

It is possible for a VFS grad to get a permit but probably not in Vancouver. The talent pool there right now is very high and they are a lot of people still looking for work after big lay offs in the gaming sector. Most studios won’t touch anyone without a few years behind their belt. However there are other places in Canada that are much better. Prime example is Montreal. Both eidos and ubisoft are very good at getting people permit, even juniors with no work experience. So consider applying there.

Magda I dig the avatar :slight_smile: Btw you coming for E3/Siggraph?

#1389

hehe cheers Serguei - you a fan too? Not this year - I think I’ll skip 2010 and go to Van next year. :cool:

#1390

It’s a special permit for people with 2 years experience in a lot of IT related things (I’m pretty sure Flash is a part of it). It works well in this contest because you don’t have to wait for approval but just go to the border and get it right away. As I was saying though, they’re taking it away on September this year.

#1391

dude thanks for info but i still don’t get it … .can u provide me any online link from where i can get more info ?

#1392

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-tech.asp

#1393

thanks deigo that helped a bit

#1394

ahhh siggraph is going to be at LA when i leave to Vancouver, at least on 2011 its going to be at Vancouver ill have to see if i stay around some more months there. :frowning:

#1395

Yep! I think the new cast of Karen Gillian and Matt Smith is great!
I’ll definitely be in Van for next years siggy so I’m sure we’ll run into each other there! The new convention center is really cool too!

#1396

Forgive me for the lengthy post :slight_smile:

I will be graduating with a B.S. in Computer Science in 2011, which makes me sort of a jack-of-all-trades type in that I am skilled at reading and writing code, yet have taken a strong personal interest in 3D graphics and animation. My school doesn’t offer anything in the ballpark of modeling or animation (the closest is art history - which is not close).

I am really serious about taking my abilities to the next level, which can only go so far working by myself with no real feedback from classmates who have any skill using programs like Max or Photoshop. I’ve spoken on the phone with a VFS admissions advisor and they say that a student with a background like mine is actually a great fit for their 3D Animation and Visual Effects program, as long as I have a demo reel that shows motivation and potential - that I would be shocked at some of the quality of reels that student get admitted with.

I’ve read a lot of posts talking about how VFS will take anyone’s money, and I just want to make sure I don’t fall victim to that. Are these claims valid? I really am very motivated so I wouldn’t get admitted just to slack off. Also, although you don’t get any sort of Master’s from VFS, is it typical for someone to attend VFS after going to a four year school?

#1397

Get an industry job as a programmer, learn 3D at home or slowly from the people you make friends with at work. School is great, but getting paid to learn is much better than paying to learn.

#1398

Hey Okilo11,

I came from a background very similar to yours, I did a computer science degree before I went to VFS. Now… I honestly never used my programming skills once at VFS. I’m not saying I couldn’t have, if I had chosen to do some crazy particle simulation I’m sure I could have done… but 99% of people don’t do this and for a good reason, VFS gives you a platform to make a demo reel which shows you have the basic skills to get a junior job in the industry and it’s best to keep your reel somewhat simple.

I think VFS is a great place if you have the cash and the will to learn but I don’t think coming from a programming background will really benefit you greatly at VFS, you might be better off getting some Maya and Nuke scripting tutorials teaching yourself because from what I saw none of the tutors at VFS are particularly skilled when it comes to scripting.

#1399

And that is perfectly fine with me - I never thought I would say it, but as much as I like programming, I love the artistic side of the whole process that much more and would much rather focus on modeling, animating, rigging, etc.
Would you say VFS helped you reach your goal of breaking into the industry despite coming in with a Computer Science background? Does your CS degree give you an edge even in the slightest now, or is it unimportant? And if it is unimportant, do you think having the CS degree hinders you compared to a traditional Art degree?

#1400

VFS definitely helped me in my goal to break into the VFX industry, without them I wouldn’t have the reel I have. I’m actually graduating in July, but since finishing my reel in mid June I have already had an interview with a big Vancouver VFX company and my reel isn’t even online yet! So I owe a lot to VFS and my own hard work.

I think the CS degree is a good thing to have, it shows you have a good technical understanding of computers and are a good problem solver amoung other things.

VFS will help you achieve your artistic goals, the degree is a good thing to have to show you are also technically minded. Not having an artistic background is not a big deal, aslong as you have a good eye for detail and can work well with colour it’ll be fine, and at your time at VFS you will train you eye to see the kind of details I’m talking about.

#1401

Just to clarify, I’m not saying VFS is 100% the thing to do for you, training yourself or learning on the job (if your lucky enough to get one) is a great way to go. But I can’t dispute the fact that VFS did help me a lot.

#1402

Heya,I’m waiting to go VFS so my answer may not be accurate… but yeah there are claims that the school takes your money. But does it matter? They are well known for their networks and teaching, so as long as you work hard and not slack off, I believe you’ll be getting your money’s worth.
Oh I’m attending VFS after a 3 yr diploma in polytechnic. So I’ll have 2 diplomas by the end of VFS. Haha (:

#1403

They took my money and ran with it. The school promised me that I would get a loan and that students have gotten them same loan just two weeks before me. So I signed up and submitted my art work. I got accepted and needed to pay 2500$ to save my seat. Well I applyed for the loan and didnt get it. I applyed several times for it and didnt get it. I called the school and asked what was the deal and I asked if I could get a portion of my 2500 I sent them. They denied it and they stopped calling me and havnt worked through this to help me. I say screw vfs and attend a better school like think tanke traing centre.

#1404

Well, according to their refund policy, you should have gotten all but about $500 back from them unless you were near the start date. In which case you weren’t supposed to get your money back.

I would have ran into the exact same situation, but I avoided it. I wasn’t going to pay in until I knew I was going to get the loan. I was accepted and all ready to pay the initial $2500, but I waited and applied for a “fake” loan from Sallie Mae. You can only take a loan out up to 6 months before the start of a term, so I told sallie mae I was starting 6 months from the time I applied from the loan. My actual start date was a year from then, but I just wanted to see if I would be accepted or not. I was denied. As a result I spent the next year working to get more money and improving my credit while waiting for this recession to settle down.

I re-applied for the loan, and got accepted, so now I’m paying in for my seat.

#1405

My advice to all new people starting on this journey is to play to your strength, if you have a CS degree then by all means go into the TD field! It’s the most thought after trade in the industry these days.
I know that it might be exciting and tantalizing to go out and become a matt painter (just an example as its as far removed from CS as I can think of) and while it certainly is possible just make sure to have a common sense and honest approach to your skills, talents and eventual prospects of getting a job!!!

And yes it is very common for people to attend VFS after a 4 year degree program. It is also true the admissions screening is weak at the best of times. You definitely shouldn’t expect the same pedigree of artists you’d see at Cal Arts or other schools actualy requiring a portoflio.

#1406

edit: Nevermind.

#1407

My reel from my time at VFS (and a couple of months after) and I can confidently say I would not be at the level I’m at without what I learnt at VFS, so for me, it was well worth the money.

http://www.cgcritic.com/reel/will-towle-vfx-reel-2010