Toronto West Coastie dropping by....

Hello all! My first time here on your splendiferously fine, warm, cozy little forum....but already I most assuredly likes what I sees....and I can also tell that you're a lovely bunch of folks, too....so I think I feel quite comfy and safe hereabouts. *enthusiastically waves to all* Hope it's alright, me stopping in here like this....but I do have a question or three, and figured that you would all naturally be the best ones to answer it....hopefully, that is - I mean, I'd truly be ever-so-grateful! It would really help me out *so* very much....

Here's the thing: I've been researching various film schools that I might like to get into....did some serious, in-depth career exploration earlier, really got down to it, did some strong and very fulfilling personal development, and I just realized that since I kept being pulled back to filmmaking, acting and TV-making time and time again....since for years, I'd kept inexorably, irresistibly being drawn to it....there was really no point in resisting anymore. I knew where my passions truly lay, and having had some experience, too, I'm only even more positive, committed, and zestfully enthusiastic and hopeful about the whole thing. When you have a passion....when something just fits....well....you just know.

Now, the reason I mention this is, I've obviously heard a fair bit about the Toronto Film School....so I was hoping that someone could give me the lowdown on it - tell me what it's like, how you've found it, what program you took or field you specialized in....how you enjoyed it....really, I just wanna know everything, and I figured that if anyone would have the proverbial inside scoop....it would surely be you guys. Also....are there, let's say, other film schools that you think it's worthwhile for me to look into? I am, rest assured, absolutely and perfectly willing to move most anywheres, as need be....wasn't necessarily looking at Vancouver as my first choice, but you know, like I said - heard a lot o' good things about Toronto....and I *know* you're all fine folks besides....so it just made sense, to me, to come here first.

Thanks so, *so* much, guys, for all the help you might be able to offer me....any advice, suggestions, info, feedback....*anything*, really, it will absolutely be of tremendous help to me....I know that much. *hugs to all* You're great, of course, and....a Happy, Happy, Star Wars-rich, Anakinly and Haydenly magnificent New Year to all!


Dawn.

 

Hi Dawn, welcome to this side of the prairies!

I do believe there are a few people here who are going or have gone to the Toronto Film School. Hopefully they'll pipe up with comments.

 

Hey Qui-Dawn,

If you're interested in film schools in Toronto, you should look into the film program at Humber College. I'm currently in my second year in the program and it's been better than I expective. The program covers everything there is to know about Film and TV production. If you're interested you should check this site out as a starting point....

http://postsecondary.humber.ca/04831.htm

 

Hey Dawn,

I went to the Toronto Film School (International Academy of Design and Technology). I graduated in June 2003.

I was in the video editing program, not the Film & Television programme, so my experiences may be different from that point of view. I believe Mert is currently in that program.

Basically, the school is good at having industry-standard equipment. In editing we used Avid Xpress systems. The audio programme was using Pro Tools and I'm sure the Film Programme had standard equipment.

The major problems with the school are: administration, teacher quality and the expense.

The administration is basically designed to sell you on the school, get your money, and keep you somewhat happy. You'll get weird administrative errors. Not the end of the world but still a pain.

One of the schools selling points is that they have "industry professionals" as teachers. Well, almost all of my teachers were graduates of the school and had only worked for several years and none had done anything noteworthy. A few courses were a waste because of the teacher, but most did an adequate job of teaching us what we needed to know.

One of the guys I work with graduated the film programme, and wasn't happy with the teachers either. They just don't have the same reputation as teachers from, say, Sheridan.

And the last main problem is the expense. It's about 20,000$ +/- a few thousand depending on the field. For that price, I could have bought my own editing system, After Effects, Photoshop, a prosumer video camera, lights, mics, etc. and some manuals and taught myself. Your diploma is basically a receipt. I imagine the film programme would require more feedback and group work than editing.

Overall, I had a great time at the school, learnt the programs they taught, did really well at them, had fun and am working in a related capacity. The industry isn't easy to break into, especially trying to make a full-time, well-paying career at it. But, sometimes you just have to do what you enjoy most out of life. If you're talented and determined, you have a good chance of doing okay.

Obviously, this is based on mostly my own experience at the school, others may have had a better/worse time than I did.

How is the industry on the westcoast? Vancouver seems to be a hotspot for film activity. I've been wondering if I should be checking the west coast for jobs.

If you have any other questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

 

One question I have for you Adam is does your receipt/diploma get you job interviews?

Given a graduate from Sheridan and one from The Toornto Film School which one would they look at first. If you went out west which one would have the better reputation?

As for the local industry, yes it is in bad shape. The provincial government better do something fast or the industry will be damaged beyond repair.

I know of a couple (actor and SFX prop maker) that pulled up roots and went to Vancouver a couple of years ago. Articles in the newspapers also do not paint a happy pictures of how things are going here.


Alex
Styrofoam Guy

 

Good, good, keep the info coming, guys....much appreciated! A quick question, though....what you're saying here, it gives the impression that the industry sitch in Toronto and thereabouts....well, really *isn't* so much....I mean, just at first glance, it doesn't seem to be an especially rosy picture that's being painted here. I had been eyeing Toronto (or this Sinclair School, which I admit I'd not heard of before....though it's hard for me to judge which one would, you know, provide the better opportunity, the better "in", if you will....which is, of course, why I'm asking all these questions!) simply because I *was* wary of the situation in Vancouver....heard that it was off-puttingly difficult to get anywhere over in those parts....and, yeah, when I brought it up to filmmaker pals and asked 'em, which would they suggest, they told me to look at Toronto....so here I am.

Of course, I suppose one big virtue of it all is the fact that....unlike a great many folks....I'm not going in there expressly planning to be a director, or a writer - not looking at it from that particular perspective, you see. Heck, I crewed on some short film projects this past summer - helped out with the sound, the lighting, other aspects of production....also served as an AD on one project - and I *loved* it! Heck, now that I could really see myself doing....just to be involved like that, crewing on stuff, it's great....I knew that I was helping make something happen....and I was just happy to be a part of it, *any* part of it, really. That's what I want, and that's why I'm totally cool with most anything that happens....just to be involved, in most any way, in the kinda thing that I so love is the real treat for me.


Dawn.

 

You should do some research on some of the school programs that are offered in the Toronto Area.

The programs I know of are:

The Toronto Film School (International Academy of Design and Technology)
Humber College
Centennial College
Ryerson University
York University
University of Toronto

There's also programs at Sheridan College in Oakville. I think most of those require previous experience, or some form of post secondary education.

I would check out the websites, and see what you can learn about them. It's a major investment, research will help.

I know the Toronto Film School has a list of former students who can give their opinions on the school and specifically the program you are interested in. Other schools may have that same option.

Isn't there a Vancouver Film School out in Vancouver (surprising it would be there)? Any idea of the quality of that program?

The film industry still brings in ~$800 Million in Canada, so it isn't entirely dead. Things are being made and there are jobs out there.

One of my co-workers is currently attending Ryerson's Film program and he seems really impressed by it. It has a really good reputation and will get you a B.FA.

Have you found any information about film schools in the Fan Film forums?