It's approaching, I'm entering my possibly last year of high school (12) as of this September. About almost three years ago I didn't even care about movies until my friends took a comm-tech class and I decided to do the same (different schools). Anyways since my first video class I've been infatuated, and figured that I can be a Director or Writer or Editor and I would like to go to film school or a school with a film program. The catch is my funds can only send me through University/College once, so my parents want me to take law and film as a fall back. My current marks grade 11 (course mentioned generally relatable to Film in some way save for Law ) :

ENGLISH: 79 (was 85 but exam=hurting)
LAW: 90
COMM TECH: 68
SCRIPT WRITING & FILM STUDIES: 85
DRAMA: 72 (received 85 on Directing Assignment, acted, wrote, and directed)

Current Average: 78.5


Comm Tech was low because I didn't make a second film, instead I helped every single group in my class' video, my only video that I did everything asides from acting on, received the best mark in the class, my teacher really liked it and I had to perserveer through alot of negativity about student-film violence. Anyways I'm so far after some research limited to three Ontario Universities, I don't want to go out-of-province due to costs.

Three Universities:


QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY (KINGSTON): offers a film program and a law program.

YORK UNIVERSITY (TORONTO): offers a film program and a law program.

RYERSON (TORONTO): offers a film program and various writing programs which I am allowed to take instead of law.

These three institutes offer production courses which I am interested in, and I was wondering if anyone has any reviews or have any opinions of heard of any reviews or opinions about them. It would be a great help if I could get some reviews to help me decide how to launch the rest of my life. Honestly I know Law is guaranteed money and career, and in film it's a shot in the dark, where the odds are against you, but film is more fascinating to me, I like to watch movies, and I like to make movies. There is also a fourth option to take an extra year of high school but I'm not sure about doing that yet. Again thanks for your help.

Hello Mr. Blonde,

As for the schools that you've listed, I'd think that York has the better film program. Then maybe Ryerson. I'd stay away from Queens for film.

But what is that you want to do? Do you want to major in film or law? I can tell you that doing both (at least doing both well) would be really time consuming if not incredibly difficult.

I did my undergrad at York, and I know that it's quite difficult (and probably the same at most schools) to take courses in different Faculties. For example, if you are in Science, there is no way that they will give you permission to take a film production course. The reason is that the few spots available in the production courses go directly to film students (faculty of fine arts). so if you aren't officially a film student, you will not be able to take those classes.

In fact, not everyone in film at York is in production. You have to be selected by the department to be in production classes.

I found this out the hard way, when I thought that I would be able to take film courses on whim (I was a science student). I ended up taking a few film courses (American Film I and II) only because it was cross-listed as a Humanities course. The class was awesome, with a great prof. I did still need permission from the prof to take it (which wasn't a problem).

Keep in mind this was about 4 years ago, and things could possibly have changed. I doubt it though, since there are a lot of film students at York trying to get into production.

I think you really need to sit down and figure out what you want to do.

Also, I think your parents may be right (as much as I hate to admit it) with law first, film second.

I will suggest (and I know tons of people on this board with disagree) that you really try your best at studying law and doing well. Do your film stuff on the side, help out your friends with productions etc...

Once you graduate, and if you're still interested in film, then apply to a graduate film school.

I have looked into the University of British Columbia, and they have a good film program, only catch is you have to take a a minor for two years before you can go into Film Production. So I don't know if you can take Law as a minor, but you might want to look into that.

Another option you may want to consider is going to college for film... College is a more hands on approach and is constantly over looked by most people... I'm not saying that either college of university is better, but it is another option to consider... What can affect you decision is the way that you learn... Colleges and Universities cater to different types of learning styles and you may want to see which best fits you.

I'm interested in attending Ryerson. What is the exact name of the film program there?

^ ditto, i just got back from toronto thinking i wanted to transfer to york for film (from penn state), but just couldn't see myself at the york campus.

i struck up a convo with a bartender who told me to walk two blocks west to the ryerson campus - what luck!

i am really interested in ryerson, does anyone have any opinions (+ or -) on this university??

Ryerson University: Image Arts Program

Here's the website off of ryerson's official site. From here, you can find a link that leads to the Image Arts Official Website with more details.

I was reading further down the board, and someone mentionned that Ryerson was a "Film Studies" school, meaning that you critique the films. The description definately says otherwise though. A very appealing description to independant film makers.

quote:

Film Studies
In the Film Studies option you'll become a creative, highly adaptable film and video maker. You'll learn to take advantage of different artistic and commercial opportunities while working effectively in a wide variety of circumstances.

You'll undertake film and video exercises that will illustrate the aesthetic concepts and principles being studied in the classroom. In your final year, you'll be required either to produce a film or video for which you are personally responsible or to take a creative craft leadership position on a number of your colleagues' projects.

As a graduate, you may become an independent filmmaker or do freelance work in many areas of the film industry such as producing, directing, screenwriting, editing, cinematography, sound design and recording and others depending on your specialization. You'll be qualified to take various different key support positions in, for example, production management, the art department, sound, camera or assistant directing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Yonidam,

Honestly, I'm a bit surprised with the buzz of Ryerson on here. As a university, "Rye High", as we used to call it, just doesn't cut it. It's long been known as the place to go to if you got rejected from University of Toronto and York University. The atmosphere and level is more at a community college level (which Ryerson was) than an academic powerhouse. Which is fine, as long as you know that.

The only 'decent' program that I know of there is their Journalism program. Possibly even radio-television.

Also, I wouldn't go to a school just because of the blurb on it's website. Go there, talk to the students, talk to the profs get more information, look into 10 different schools and then make an informed decision.

The fact that some people don't even know the name of the program or find it's wesbite, indicates that far more research is needed.

does the university of toronto offer anything in the line of film?

also, are there any other highly regarded canadian film schools that someone could recommend? thanks!

quote:

Also, I wouldn't go to a school just because of the blurb on it's website. Go there, talk to the students, talk to the profs get more information, look into 10 different schools and then make an informed decision.

The fact that some people don't even know the name of the program or find it's wesbite, indicates that far more research is needed.

Well, I'm not making any decisions yet. Am I not allowed to ask people here for websites and information regarding these things? I'm doing what you're saying I should do.

Your point is taken. However, the amount of time it took for you to post that response, you could have easily done a simple google search for the school's website and looked around it.

You would get definitive answers to what you and other posters want to know (the name of a program, what the program offers, admission requirements etc...)instead of heresay opinions that myself or others provide.

duders, can you please tell me about York. I was researching that today and it looked very nice. Program information, Residence information, etc.

Yonidam,

I have general information about York...but it depends on what information you want. As I said before, I wasn't a film student at YorkU, so I don't know any more information than what their website will tell you. As for program info and residence information...it is all up there on their website. Check it out.

It says that you did your undergrad at York in your first post in this topic. I was hoping maybe you could share a personal experience.

The thing about Ryerson is that their admission requirements don't seem as film-centred as York's. To get into York, you need to submit a full portfolio including demo reel, a film critique-essay, favourite films, and other information to do with movies. Ryerson however, just asks for an essay about why you want to go to Ryerson, and a series of stills, not video. Then, they basically pick the people with the highest marks. This leads me to believe that if accepted to York, you will be working with more qualified students, who all survived the more film experience-related admission process.

You couldn't be more wrong. In Montreal, where I'm currently finishing off CEGEP (college), we communications students all view ryerson as the school to go to for film education and experience. York is decidedly way too expensive for the courses they are offering compared to the warm feel of Ryerson's community and low cost. Ryerson asks for a portfolio, just as any good school would ask for but they don't wanto to see film. Why? Because they want to see your art STYLE not how much you know about film. They want to see your ideas, your approach, you talent in art. To me Ryerson is much moorre appealing in that regard because it means that the students there are talented versus those who are rich and only know how to hold a camera.

I think Stu's comment is right on.
I know also in the past, they will get all of the local applicants together. They will then show a clip from a movie, and ask you to write about it. OR write a story about a picture that they show you.

As for my York experience, you should know that it wouldn't compare to a film student experience (so take what I say with a grain of salt). I was in Science (physics & astro) and I had a fantastic time. By the time I had reached 3rd year, most people had been weeded out, and I knew all of my classmates personally as well as the profs. The classes were extremely small (usually no more than 5 people), which was great. I also got a lot of great research opportunities which I took advantage of.
As for the campus itself, it has completely changed since I was there, so I'm not really what to tell you. The same complaints at other schools apply: bad/limited food, horrible administration etc...

There is the argument that the campus is isolated, which it really isn't. Granted, it is far from the city core, but there are a lot of diversions in the area. It can be a pain in the ass to commute from other regions of the city (if you don't live near or on campus), but they've made great strides with public transport recently. Also the diversity on campus is excellent.

Oh, one big plus about York is the Sound and Moving Image Library (SMIL). I believe it is one of the largest (if not the largest) collection of film and audio recordings in the country. They've got and incredibe DVD's, films and videos. Pretty much anything you've ever wanted. You can take stuff out, which makes it the best video store in Canada.

At the end of the day, York is a school (like most schools) where you create your own experience. You can complain about it all you want, or you can make the most of the opportunities that are made available to you. This is why I believe that York is far better than Ryerson. There are more opportunities and resources that one can take advantage of at York.

Thank you for your input. I have to make the decision in about 6 months give or take, I'll probably apply to both universities, and more. I see no harm in that. I definately appreciate the information it's best to hear from people that have experienced. I've just spoken to people that have read, or heard they were good or bad schools, but with no personal experience. So this is really informational.

Thanks for responding to my dilemna everybody.

(BTW I was on vacation)

One of the problems with le law well see, I have no real interest in actual law, but it's a fool-proof career and cash which at the current moment isn't important to me, but will be in the future. I mean, with filmmaking it's a huge risk especially in the aspects of acting and directing (I'm interested in the later, I dislike acting.) I mean it's a huge hit or miss, whereas legal is easy street, well it's not easy but it's not that hard.

York seems like it might suit my needs I've been hereing conflicting reports about it from L.O.A.F.S. from past students who didn't like certain aspects like not focusing on production until the second year, first year is watching and writing, I'm more into production, but I still dig each step, I started out with minor producing -> writting -> directing -> editting and they're all great aspects.

I think I might do what you (Duders) said with Law first and film second, but it's a constant battle in my head or which I'm better at. I know I've gotten better in Comm Tech when I've had a crew (86), and I know I've gotten excellent in Law (90) but it's a tough choice.

I might even go to college, it's cheaper, it's more accessible learning, it's now looking like a great option... I'm pretty good with theoretical knowledge, but production itself is all hands-on, there's no real theory to it save for rules (like the rule of 3rds, 180 degree rule [which I don't entirely get yet] )

The three schools I'm thinking of are also great options, if I go out-of-province (Ontario) I'll check that UBC place, I saw a doc on it and it looked great and the people were visibly having fun. But then there's Queens which isn't reccommended but it's the closest school like a maybe 20-45 min drive. Ryerson and York look to be my top ones, I'd love to do something in the arts for my life but it all depends on what will in the long run bring me the most happieness/what will suffice for my needs. Arts can and so can Law, but one is a constant competition, and York offers both... I'll apply for all plus some colleges and see where the cards lay, I might even take an extra year option at school, it all depends on how I feel and how I want to kick-start the rest-of-my-life.

Mr Blonde,

If you do decide to take up law because it's the easy way to a money making career...you should know that by the time you graduate, you will definitely feel unfulfilled. You will also wonder a bunch of 'what ifs'. If you actually make it all the way to graduation (from law), it's then that you have to decide: stick with law...make cash and be unhappy. Or go for something that you've always wanted to do. Your decision will also be based on your marital status, if you've got a mortgage, kids etc...

All of this is probably 6 years away. Just don't think that law will be enough to sustain you, as you go older. Intellectually, you will not be happy. How much are you willing to give up?