A closer look at Vancouver film school

About Vancouver Film School

The keys to the Vancouver Film School (VFS) educational models are intensity and industry immersion. The Foundation of VFS was the belief that one year of concentrated work, balancing industry-led theory and hands-on production provides students with the skills necessary to create a professional-level portfolio or reel. Let’s learn more about Vancouver Film School in detail.

School values

• Trust establishment- VFS keeps its word, delivers on promises, and fosters trust among students, employees, and industry partners.
• Welcoming changes- Change motivates it to keep creating. The school motivates creativity through curiosity, knowledge, and imagination, which are important tools in this process.
• Work together- VFS focuses on working together to make the world more inclusive. Teamwork and mentorship foster growth. The school celebrates diversity and aims to respect and care for one another.

History

VFS began in January 1987 with a single class of six film students and has grown steadily since then. In 2004, VFS launched its first international admissions office in Mumbai, India, and started one of North America’s first Game Design programs. The school’s recent achievements are hosting the annual Game Design Expo in Vancouver, which began in January 2007, and collaborating with YouTube to start a 2008 scholarship competition for the creators of three videos that the YouTube community submitted and voted for.

VFS also announced three ‘Kevin Smith Scholarships’ in acting, writing, and film production in 2018. Smith also provided funding for thirteen partial scholarships. Smith chose the recipients from a pool of over 900 applications. The school announced the ‘Emily Bett Rickards Acting Scholarship’ in February 2019. It is a collaboration between VFS and Rickards to fund a full scholarship for both of the school’s acting programs and additional partial funding of $250,000 for other students. Rickards will also choose the winners. In May of the same year, VFS announced that they would assist Vancouver-based Reality Curve Theatre in their off-Broadway production of Zayd Dohrn’s Reborning, which will play at the SoHo Playhouse and star Rickards.

Campus

VFS has eight campuses and educates over 1000 students in the entertainment arts. Its six buildings comprise the campuses in and around Downtown Vancouver. Award-winning industry professionals provide expert guidance to VSF students throughout their curriculum.

Facilities at VFS

• Workshops, production spaces, film sets, theatres, studios, screening rooms, green screen rooms, motion and performance capture facilities, computer labs, and other academic necessities are available on the campuses.
• Orientation, health insurance, banking, social networking, student counseling, and other services are available to students.
• VFS plans student events with the goal of educating, developing students’ careers, and inspiring them.
• ESL tutoring is available to assist students in understanding and communicating technical terms, as well as gaining fluency in the English language.

Courses

VFS provides 15 signature post-secondary programs spanning all aspects of the entertainment arts that award-winning industry professionals develop and teach. The intensive curriculum of each program evolves in tandem with industry demands and the best, most current industry practices.

The experiences of students are similar to those of professionals in the industry. Students physically and mentally immerse themselves in the film, animation, game, and design industries that surround the campuses and benefit from industry mentors, instructors, and guest speakers for career guidance and expertise.

Advanced courses

• 3D Animation & Visual Effects
• Acting for Film & Television
• Animation Concept Art
• Classical Animation
• Digital Design
• Film Production
• Game Design
• Makeup Design for Film & Television
• Programming for Games, Web & Mobile
• Sound Design for Visual Media
• VR/AR Design & Development
• Writing for Film, Television & Games

Preparatory programs

• Acting Essentials
• English for Creative Arts
• Foundation Visual Art & Design

Rankings

As one of the world’s leading institutions for entertainment education, Vancouver Film School had a first position in both Canada and international rankings for the best professional animation training program. It also came first in Canada as the best game design school.

Alumni

• Neill Blomkamp – Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director of District 9.
• Shakun Batra – Bollywood director of films such as ‘Kapoor & Sons’ and ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu.’
• John R. Blythe – Independent film producer of films such as My Amityville Horror and The New Hands.
• Sara Canning – A series regular (Seasons 1 and 2) on the television series The Vampire Diaries and has numerous film and television credits.
• Neill Blomkamp – Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director of District 9.
• Magda Apanowicz – Actor famous for roles such as Andy Jensen on the TV series Kyle XY and Lacy Rand on Caprica.
• Anugrah Bohrey – Writer of books such as Best of Luck (2012 film), and Himmat Singh.

Key takeaways

• Started in January 1987, VFS began its journey with a single class of six film students and grew steadily. In 2004, VFS opened its first international admissions office in Mumbai, India, and launched Game Design programs, one of the first in North America. 
• VFS has eight campuses, and it enrolls over 1000 students in entertainment arts courses. Its six buildings include the campuses in and around Downtown Vancouver. VFS students get expert guidance from Award-winning industry professionals throughout their curriculum.
• VFS offers 15 signature post-secondary courses spanning all aspects of the entertainment arts that award-winning industry professionals develop and teach. The intensive curriculum of each study program evolves according to industry demands and recent industry practices.

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FAQs

Q1. Is Vancouver Film School a public or private institute?

Ans- Vancouver Film School is a private institute.

Q2. What is the Vancouver Film School’s acceptance rate?

Ans- The Vancouver Film School’s acceptance rate is 84%.

Q3. Is it expensive to study at Vancouver Film School?

Ans- Tuition at Vancouver Film School ranges between $10,500 and $53,250. Scholarships are available to both domestic and international students at VFS.