I'm 17 and taking a year off,then going to film school,but I cant decide where.I'm in British Columbia,want to stay in Canada. Should I go to a film school or a film studies program at a university? I was thinking of the program at Queens University,or Univeristy of Victoria.Im not sure what to do..gotta decide soon since I gotta upgrade.help..
thanks

I don't know pretty much anything about that region, but have you looked at Vancover Film School? I don't know much about it, but its worth a peak.


-Thomas Chalifour

Writer/Director/Actor Extrodinaire

I assume you want to work in film, not just learn film theory. I say, you have ayear, get crackin. Contact any and all schools with a fil program, and ask them what they offer. Dont be afraid to make phone calls, and ask questions. Decide what you are looking for in a film school, and then search that school out. Dont sell yourself short. Ask what you get to shoot, and when. Can you shoot 16mm, or 35mm? Do they own cameras? Will they provide a budget for your shoot, or film stock, or processing, and transfer? Do you have to wait 2 years to start shooting, or can you go right away? Do you have to wait 2 years even to START the film program?
Ask the question, do the homework, and know for certain what school you want to go to. Good luck.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans

Hey,

I'm doing a double honours in film/media at Western in Ontario so if you need help looking at schools just contact me.
Also, I think everyone is really underrating how important a background in theory really is.

I agree with Christian when he says theory is underrated. Production and Theory should go hand in hand, that is why my two top choices for film school ( Concordia [montreal] and Ryerson [Toronto) have a very strong balance of theory and production. In my opinion and almost any other people I have talked to in the Film Industry, these two schools are the strongest for production with a good background in theory as well, depending on waht courses you take.

If you want to jump straight into production, look around CDIS in B.C. They have a few private institutions set up, tutition is high, but you get lots of equipment and can acheieve degree's. Very flexible programs as well, just not sure how great they are?

If you don't look I'll force you to _=_

I'd have to say that the best plan is to go to a regular university that offers a smaller film studies program and another program that interests you. This way you can take their theory courses and the few production courses they have, use the equipment on the side to make your own films and come out with a degree that can get you a fairly decent job when you get out because you will struggle for awhile.
Check this out to see what I mean- http://www.lather.com/fsc/index.html

Thats what I'm doing because I'll leave with a double honours in film/media and will have learn all the theory and production skills I need and be able to get a great job with the media half of the degree while I get started.
That's my opinion.

thanks a lot!i think i'll take a film studies course at a university

You say you want to stay in Canada? Well, you're in luck!

Film production has been heading to Canada for years because of lower production costs. A huge majority of NYC film production moved up north after 9/11, much to the annoyance and financial ruin of us in the NYC metro area. But our loss can be your gain- make absolutely sure the school you pick is both known for it's film program, and that it is located in a major hub of film production! I gaurantee that there is at least one school taking advantage of local productions.

As people always say about NYU, UCLA, USC- the networking connections are often worth more than the education. Going to a school near the most major film productions has a littany of advantages over one in a less popular spot to shoot.

-Steve Maio
"Edit Everything"