Is "sire" okay, your highness?  

Everything are you sure?! lol You definitely don't know me ;P

The just of it my tuition was 24k Canadian, the school is the number one film school in Canada and one of the leading ones in the world. While the school has won several awards as the number one in several different categories it can't exactly be compared to other film schools. VFS has 1 year intensive programs rather than 4 year degrees. So unlike most public Universities where you have to take things like English Lit or Biology or other side courses, at VFS your only film/TV/Animation/Game Design/ Producing. You have roughly 2,600 hours at school in the single year at time 9 hours of class a day but on top of that all of the assigned homework.

VFS isn't a traditional school there is little to no theory, the school prides itself on teaching everything as practically as possible. Second week in class we were shooting our webisode, we had to secure location and story board and everything within the first two weeks. We lost 3 students in the first month as the work load was simply too much for them. The school resembles a real industry work environment students often spend the night on chairs because they missed the last bus or train home. On the weekends you’re shooting or volunteering on shoots or working on projects or side projects.

The longest holiday is 2 weeks at Christmas other than that there is virtually no time off. Depending on the program term 6 is often far more lax as it is when you go find your job. But up until term 5 you are worked like a work horse, on top of your constant barrage of work there are guest speakers from film/television/game and music. So the producer/creator of Continuum came and gave a speech the Producer team from 343 was up and gave a talk. The school has a ton of industry ties especially locally with EAGames being a major employer even today of alumni.

The staff are all experienced in my program we have the old CEO of Polygram Records teaching us about the music industry, one of the old VP's of Paramount Pictures Canada teaching us Manufacturing and distribution, my game design teacher a co-producer on Scarface who's wife worked(s) at Radical. Every teacher is qualified and depending on the program they are more or less established.

Vancouver is amazing, I grew up in this province but since moving to the city I prefer it to anywhere I have lived. It has an amazing nightlife (For Canada) and multicultural diversity that I haven't seen anywhere else. Amazing transit system and food galore and of course were Canadian so everyone from another country is always commenting on our manners and how warm we are. The industry here however is in flux the games industry has virtually collapsed and independent studios popped up everywhere. Pay is rough 800-1,000$ a week at a good indie studio but their are way to many established and experienced deveopers to compete against. 

Employment varies from program to program. My program EBM has a very high employment rate because it is one of the only "Entertainment" Business Management programs in the world. Acting has virtually no employment prospects you are looking at roughly 10 years before your acting career will be viable unless your one of the lucky few. Film Production grads have a fairly high rate of success as grips, lighting, camera crew etc...etc... but only a few directors ie. Neil Blomkamp. Writing has a decent success rate as well with the writer of Hanna coming from our school. Game Design has a decent employment rate at indie studios as well as EA but as the industry implodes in Vancouver it is harder and harder to find steady employment in the games industry!

The school is amazing and I found the 24k investment to be more than worth it. You’re looking at roughly 20k in living expenses to rent and feed yourself for the year in Vancouver as well. Take advantage of grants and scholarships if you can and if you’re looking for a way to immigrate a lot of students do end up staying in Canada after school.

I hope that was a satisfactory review! I could write another 8-9 paragraphs if you want :P

JFC

I bet your the user on VGC with the most unread paragraphs.