Is Film School Worth It ? (Acting @ Vancouver Film School)

[@travislee4436]

Thanks for watching everybody! Make sure to subscribe to the channel if you haven't already!

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

In the beginning of my Junior year in high school (83-84) a class I selected was full and I was put in TV Productions class. I didn’t even know it existed until I walked into the room. The school was large, the teacher was smart, driven and moody. The equipment was old and the mixer was behind the times. I did learn some but I wasn’t good with the Stone Age equipment. It was still an interesting class and many years later I have two small KZbin channels.

[@raymondhoho]

I did this program back in 2007. In my experience, I didn't feel a sense of belonging during my time at VFS, I tried, but I just felt it was highschool 2.0 with a 20K price to it. I learned the most during one of the voice classes with Alisa. I wish that they had spent more time on studying breakdowns-> research of the industry people(ie: directors, producers, actors--resume, style, network styles and production tones), and WAY more focus on auditions. Cause as actors, we spend a lot of time auditioning. Post-Grad, I got loss in trying to figure out how to pay the remaining $16K at age 19. It was a struggle. It took me 11 years to pay it off. I didn't wanna quit the industry just to pay off the debt for something that I've studied for. It didn't make sense to do that. I seen a good majority of my classmates just drop out completely from the scene after grad, I just couldn't allow myself to do that. During that time, there was a writer strike and followed by a SAG strike from what I recall. Currently, I coach privately with a few coaches in town now(a little less during this lockdown). What I'm doing now works a lot better and I grown more then being in VFS. Wishing you all the best and I hope you're still in the industry, if so I ll see you around bud! :)

[@travislee4436]

Yes Alisa was one of my favorite instructors. I can see the high school thing, at times some classes could be a little clicky. Sorry you had that experience :( it definitely wasn’t perfect. Glad to hear you stuck through all the post grad hardships ! That takes a lot of will. Thanks for the support man :)

[@armaghansaif]

Thankyou, I got to learn from your experience. Means a lot

[@meyhadeanne]

Love this Travis

[@travislee4436]

Thanks :) writing it brought back memories for me too

[@christoferpritchett]

Memory lane...for sure Miss VanCity so

[@travislee4436]

Ya buddy ! Miss having you around !

[@RancidRiki]

as an international student the 20k$ a year is actually cheaper for me than a lot of universities outright, let alone paying for other services so this was a logical option for a first year because i can just get a host family and funnily enough save money

[@brianchuang1740]

hey Travis! thanks for the perfectly organized information! :)

[@travislee4436]

Hey Brian thanks for watching ! I’m glad you liked it. Consider subscribing for more videos like this ! I’d really appreciate the support :) have a great day .

[@escargoesuwu]

Thank you, I will definitely take all this into account deciding on VFS or not!

[@steveoatway7001]

This school looks very expensive and the few Grads I've followed personally are struggling or left the biz but that is normal and always has been. So it comes down to whether any instruction you are considering is affordable. All the really successful professional Actor/Stars I've asked about training say, "We're all different so whatever works for you is good". I remember a Hollywood Star of a hugely successful Film telling me about how she still went to a small Acting Class. The professional world is a real Crap Shoot and no one knows if a new Actor will be an overnight success or just be one of the 95% and never hit the "Big Time". I was at the "Breck Academy" a long time ago and three of my classmates went on to Leading Roles in TV Series but the vast majority ended up either leaving Acting entirely or doing it part-time because they couldn't survive financially. That is why criticizing a person for doing something else in Theatre or God Forbid, "Extra Work" in Film is a cruel insult. I've worked with Hallmark Film PA's who went on to Produce and/or Direct. Do what you need to do and can afford.

[@travislee4436]

Hey! On the Facebook and KZbin. Yes I totally agree with you here Steve, it’s all about preparation, being ready for that moment that luck may be on your side. Have a great night! Considering subscribing for more, I’d really appreciate it :)

[@PrinceRylan]

Thank you for sharing Travis!

[@travislee4436]

Thanks for watching ! Appreciate the support. Consider subscribing for more :)

[@PrinceRylan]

@@travislee4436 Done!

[@travislee4436]

Thanks !

[@steveoatway7001]

Hi Travis, I want to add another comment. In the video you mention that some people worked harder than others and really made use of the resources which is saying they took advantage of all that VFS has to offer and received more for their money. That is one extremely important attitude of those performers who stick with the biz and are more successful than those who get a job simply because they are the right person for a gig at that moment. I've seen them flash brightly and drop off the radar within years. Secondly, the most important consideration before any venture, educational or not is, what do you want this experience to do for you? Of course we only guess but an educated guess will help towards your goal much less stressful than a hit and miss approach. Find out from professional Actors what is needed for a successful performance while getting paid for that and even for a successful career. Being in the Background and observing or especially Standing-in on a Film Set are terrific ways to understand what is needed for to gain a good reputation and be wanted as a performer.

[@travislee4436]

Yes completely. Working in background taught me so much about the industry and how it works, stand in even more so. Attitude is really everything if you want to be successful.

[@madhuraa29]

It’s my dream school and I think it totally worth it :)

[@TOSProductions]

Man, I’m 28, I have over a decades worth of extensive experience both on film and on stage. Ive been contemplating this for a while now. This video really helped organize my thoughts. I’d love your pick your brain a little more on your experience there/after! When you talked about investing the money into one’s career vs. film school, that is what Ive been stuck on for months. I’m only a 3 hour drive from Toronto, so I’m wondering what your thoughts are on travelling to VFS for the networking/education, vs. getting an agent here and just hitting auditions. Also, how do you know which agents are worth paying?

[@travislee4436]

Glad you enjoyed the video Jeff. Consider subscribing to the channel if you like the content it would mean a lot :) Toronto is an amazing place for film and it has its pros and cons when compared to Vancouver. I would say if VFS is the ONLY reason you want to make the trip, then it’s not worth it. I’m sure Toronto has schools that are just as good. In terms of agents, just ask around. Talk to your actor friends (if you don’t have any, start doing background work and make some). If an agent consistently gets you in the room, they are worth it. And if they don’t you can always just move on until you find someone that works for you. Film school isn’t for everyone and you have to weigh your options carefully. I wish you the best of luck in your journey! Thanks for reaching out :)

[@TOSProductions]

@@travislee4436 Thank you for such a fast reply!! I appreciate that huge. I have definitely subscribed, and hit the notification bell! I feel like the biggest aspect of the move for me is that Vancouver seems to be where things are happening. Like you said, its the entertainment mecca, and it sounds like the environment that you describe, definitely suits my style. Perhaps I should look into TFS a bit too. My main concern would be the networking opportunities that are potentially there in Vancouver, vs. Toronto. I also feel like being in the program would afford me the most opportunity to really dive in. I love the idea of completely immersing my everyday life into honing my skills and furthering my career. Spending 80-100 hours per week focusing on an arts-based career, with all of the resources to make use of. I feel like to take inprov, scene writing, vocal classes, dance, and audition classes would be incredibly valuable. Do you feel like, aside from the classes, that there is $20 000 worth of resources to make use of? Ie booking rooms for scene/vocal practice, access to other film students for creating a reel, etc.?

[@travislee4436]

For sure Vancouver is an amazing city ! If you think it’s right for you then come on over :) It is really amazing to be immersed in the life. The focus it gives you is really amazing. In terms of money, the resources are for sure there, it’s up to you to use them correctly. The staff are amazing and the collaborations with other programs is really great. There are plenty of rooms to rent and equipment as well. For sure look into all the schools you can before you choose :)

[@whossupix]

How old should I be to get there? And can I make it if I’m an international student

[@yashvardhanshukla8911]

Can you tell me mate which acting technique they teach their students.

[@Khyron9]

Save some money. Tell them you can't afford it and they will bring the price down. Three years cannot fit into 1 year. There is a freeze right now on production due to the strike.

[@angelhopeshaktiathena1429]

I have a query, I am going to Canada in or, so are there any part time courses in Vancouver, if I go to a Public School, which one will be best for me

[@theboudoirstudio-artbyjaqu6393]

this was so helpful, thank you!

[@norajohnston1763]

Did you find most people you knew who went to acting school never got enough work afterwards in the entertainment industry to live above the poverty line? I have heard that most people have to get a different career.

[@travislee4436]

It’s really up to you, there’s work out there, if you’re willing to do stand in or BG you can make enough money to live. But it’s true that people give up and change direction after film school. Not everyone is built to be self employed .

[@christoferpritchett]

The Work Works!

[@travislee4436]

That it does :) subscribe to show your support I’d super appreciate it . Thanks for watching !

[@mirandaredmond]

Thank you!

[@nancysudheer]

Thank you so much for this video it was so helpful

[@pedrosilvasouto7320]

Hello, I am writing a science fiction story about the adventures of a group of robots in the form of mythological creatures living in Portugal and I would love to go to the Vancouver Film School to do the television writing course. I would like to know if at Vancouver school I could find colleagues who could help me adapt my book for a TV series... I would love, for example, to meet students in the course of actors who could be interested in playing the role of my characters!!! Could it be possible to create with the other students a team of writters, actors, animators and other artists to help me in my goal of giving life to my sci-fi stories?

[@themegamer221]

Can you go to Hollywood by going to VFS?

[@travislee4436]

Of course

[@nancysudheer]

My daughter is planning to go VFS after her A levels (grade 12 British syllabus) as she wants to pursue film making is it worth it or should she go for a full fledged 3 to 4 years course

[@gautamsehgal5653]

they are charging C$30,500 now

[@travislee4436]

Woow! Thanks for letting us know .

[@omarmorett6368]

That’s only for international students, for Canadian is still $20,000 CAD

[@euedienesilva07]

Is it possible to get into Hollywood if you give everything you have and work hard in this school?

[@travislee4436]

Of course . It’s possible without the school if you’re working that hard .

[@euedienesilva07]

@@travislee4436 I appreciate your reply! I'll work really hard for sure!

[@LowJacK604]

VFS sounds amazing.

[@travislee4436]

Ya! It’s pretty great :) I really enjoyed my time there. Thanks for watching! Appreciate your support.

[@madhuraa29]

Will I be able to get into the school if I’m passed grade 12 but I’m 17 years old

[@travislee4436]

I think so. Just call and ask :)

[@shashwat3564]

Do you know any sound design student from VFS? I am joining the October class. It would be great to get a little help. Thanks.

[@silvermusic7223]

hi shashwat i am anujith from kerala, i will joining 2022 January please share your experience

[@shashwat3564]

@@silvermusic7223hi. you mean Feb 2022? Are you done with all the formalities?

[@silvermusic7223]

@@shashwat3564 NO MAN COULD U please share your fb id

[@shashwat3564]

@@silvermusic7223 facebook.com/sha.shwat.9862/

[@wmakakakak5175]

I'm not living in canada Do they accept international students

[@travislee4436]

Yes they do

[@lightninganderson911]

Hey Travis Lee its Lightning

[@madhuraa29]

What is the minimum age required to get into this school?

[@travislee4436]

I think you just have to be out of high school

[@madhuraa29]

@@travislee4436 like passed grade 12 th?

[@travislee4436]

Ya

[@madhuraa29]

@@travislee4436 okay tysm for telling!

[@anakaren2624]

Hey travis, do you have instagram? I'd like to ask some questions and discuss about the school! I'm brazilian and I'm looking for schools around the world

[@travislee4436]

Not one that I use no . What questions do you have ? I can answer here .

[@anakaren2624]

You said there are many programs like acting, writing, 3d animation and stuff. I want to know if you can take more than one. I want to know if they have scholarships too!

[@travislee4436]

Yes and yes :)

[@harmankang524]

20K?

[@travislee4436]

That’s right . Even more for international students.

[@harmankang524]

@@travislee4436 Dang, I was thinking of going there for acting essentials.

[@travislee4436]

Acting essentials is about 5k I think. It’s a pretty great school.

[@harmankang524]

@@travislee4436 Wow, and the acting for television program?

[@harmankang524]

@@travislee4436 Not even my scholarship can cover that

[@DDLounge]

Hi Travis Lee, I hope you are doing well, I used to see your videos and have learned too many things from you. I am from Bangalore India and planning to enrol myself with VFS for 1y acting essential. I have a confusion, how a life of an actor who has passed out from Vancouver Film School. Are they getting a job in the field of acting? Have you got any work after passing from VFS? I know this is very personal but hope you will help me out with this.

[@Hank-r4d8y]

I’m sorry to say but Travis died a year ago

[@DDLounge]

@@Hank-r4d8y I am so sorry for the losses. May the holy soul rest in peace 🙏

[@angelhopeshaktiathena1429]

Nice bro, thanks

[@danieladelatorre5751]

Hi Travis!!! thank you so much for this video. I am considering to study on VFS but I have a dilemma and I will really appreciate your advice on my case. Is it possible to contact you through instagram or mail to explain the situation?

[@frantisekrandysek1723]

Hi Travis, Thank you for your video. I would like to ask you few more questions about the VFS and acting. If you dont mind, I would contact you on facebook or any other social media to chat with you in private. Thank you, have a nice day.