i've heard that they kind of suck, and are only after your money.

i'd stick with either Ryerson or Sheridan. if you want to go for something shorter, try the Canadian Film Centre.

www.maketradefair.com
www.thehungersite.com
www.oxfam.ca

thank you. I know a lot of private schools are after your money only, but being international, I get charged triple anyway. Someone also told me about Sheridan, but it's in Oakville right? What's that like? Also, I heard of Confederation College and Humber. I really wanted to be in Toronto as I'm coming so far, but if Oakville is nearby then I suppose it's no big deal.

i never went to sheridan personally, but a friend of a friend took the film program there and had a fairly positive experience. you get a lot of hands on time, and he was able to get a professional short film made with a lot of help.

i'm not sure if you're elligible, b/c you're international, but the canadian film centre has apparently helped a lot of people break into the business too. it was founded by Norman Jewison, and a bunch of well known canadian filmmakers are alums.

but i would definitely stay away from the private schools. i've heard nothing but bad things from them.

www.maketradefair.com
www.thehungersite.com
www.oxfam.ca

well, i missed the deadline for most public places,except a foundation year at Humber. After that will try for Sheridan - know anything about Humber College? cheers for all that info

i don't know anything about the film program at Humber, but it's probably okay since the school itself has a pretty good rep.

www.maketradefair.com
www.thehungersite.com
www.oxfam.ca

ok, last question promise! I only just found out about all the other Ontario Colleges and some still have places on related programmes like TV Broadcast / Production. Never been to Toronto before and absolutely no clue what these are like for reputation. Anyway, Centennial, Seneca and Humber all have places still for September. Any words of wisdom on what their reps are respectively in Canada would be really helpful - really appreciate the advice. thank you.

I am currently in Grade 11 and planning to go to the Toronto Film School when I graduate too. I've heard mixed things about it, but all the bad things I've heard are from the internet user reviews on sites, so I'm not trusting that too much. I called them and booked an orientation of the TFS- very nice location, on the "media street" of downtown Toronto, connected to the CBC Studio building (who regularly hire graduates from the Toronto Film School). They have some pretty updated equipment too, big studios, screening rooms, etc. from what I've seen on the tour. I'm taking their Summer Studio program ($385) and seeing what it's like for myself. Does anybody know more about this school or have any other recommendations?

I've also heard Humber is good for engineering but their film programs are not that great

Confederation College is an excellent school. I graduated in 2001 and worked as a technical assistant for the the program the following year. It's located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is a small, but very charming northern Ontario community. The profs are very down-to-earth, unpretentious, and full of real-life film experience. The facilities are up to date, and the city itself is very receptive to the needs of the film students, which is virtually unheard of in any major city, especially Toronto. You shoot 16mm within 2 months of your first year and can leave second year with a thesis film worthy of international festival compitetion. For a 2 year program to provide this caliber of techinical education is no small feet. You will only benifit from what you put into the coarse. 90% of everything I learned happened outside of the classroom. To self-driven filmmakers this shouldn't be a problem or come as any surprise. If you are serious about being a filmmaker, consider Confederation College. It could be the best decision you will ever make.

http://newmediaarts.confederationc.on.ca/conflix/

Elipses

As a general word of advice, a good filmmaker is not bound by what institution they attend...the school you go to does NOT determine how good you are.

The truth of the matter is, many people in the industry get in without school, and are sustained in their position because they're good at what they do, not because of where they learned their information.

Also, do your research, visit the schools, and if you can...talk to some students from the schools and see what they think. Just keep in mind that many of them will be biased - just take everything with a grain of salt.

Good luck!

What about York or Concrodia? What about their film programs are they good? Cause I want to apply to those programs also.

Hi, I heard both Concordia and York are good. But everyone i spoke to said that without a doubt in Toronto that Ryerson is THE best. however it's 4 years and I'm not sure it's necessary to study for 4 years to get into film. We all know that you can start as a runner on set and work your way up, so are degrees necessary to get into film? I'm not sure but that's why i was considering the Toronto film School, it's shorter, teaches you the basics, then it's up to you to get out there and work. Good luck, there are so many to choose from!

honestly, i've never heard anyone who has atteneded the TFS say anything good about it....

www.maketradefair.com
www.thehungersite.com
www.oxfam.ca

I have a friend that went to TFS, and got a job at MuchMusic. However, ...they pay jack....and once you're in the industry, you'll realize that CityTV is not very highly regarded in the television/broadcasting realm.

As for Ryerson - the reputation is definetly there, but after speaking with students and seeing the facility for myself - I was not too impressed.

I have heard many great things about Humber though - the professors there are apparently wonderful, and a very good environment to work in.

I would not recommend TFS and Trebas.