VFS?

[Colonel Conterno]

Vancouver Film School, for their "3d Animation and special effects" major.

Good? Bad? Explain if you can :)

[JS Neo]

I am from that school so I can provide some information. The course u mentioned is a solid one. For a newbie to 3d and computer animation, you will be provided with all the necessary skill to at least find a entry level job in the industry. It is pretty intensive and the last few months is spent virtually in the computer room. Bad i guess is the cost. It is horribly expensive and vancouver downtown where it is located is not a cheap place for accomodation.

For more information, go check out the VFS thread in cgsociety forum. There is much more info there.

[ikken]

http://www.artschoolreviews.ca/category/reviews/vancouver-film-school

[thesinfulsaint]

I recently saw a VFS film. The animation itself was actually pretty bad--very floaty and even (though a bit disguised with the heavy, hand-held style camera movement). The main character's face was also covered by a paper bag, meaning that this person was trying to avoid any kind of facial animation, too. Not saying that all of their films are like this, but this one was being presented as some of their best work. I wish I remember where I'd seen it...

At any rate, if that's a fair representation of most of the work at VFS, I'd say that it's probably not your best choice if you want to actually animate. Model, light texture...maybe. That aspect of the film wasn't too bad.

[ikken]

At any rate, if that's a fair representation of most of the work at VFS, I'd say that it's probably not your best choice if you want to actually animate.
And it is most likely not a fair example, a lot of vfs students produce really sub-par works, and the very little amount of truly stellar stuff is used heavily to promote the school.
Take a look at CV of people behind the work that VFS is showcasing - most of them have great industry experience or previous art training prior before enrolling there.
(that's true for most of private schools)

[Colonel Conterno]

I think I'd be more drawn to the special effects side of it rather than the animation. But thank you for the input thus far

[Intervain]

I would suggest visiting this thread on CGTalk (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=285&t=48100) - it's really huge [started back in 2003 and still going strong] and full of information. I graduated from this program 4 years ago now, so I can't say what it's like today. For my part, the experience was very positive - it was the best decision I've made in my life. Everyone is different though - so perhaps reading through the thread and contacting some of the current students might the best way to go.

[Colonel Conterno]

thank you much :)