York University

The professors of this school are more like critics rather than teachers. They do not supply you with tips or consider how filmmakers make cutting edge films, instead they opt to explain the standard procedures. For 5K a year, they are incredibly cheap, in one of our classes we actually had to make a "photo" movie to save money, we couldn't even shoot with our own MiniDV cameras, which most of us had access to. It was really pathetic. I learned a lot more making films in my own time, renting my own equipment and teaching myself how to make good films. I seen the 4th year films at York, and not surprisingly they were very unimpressive and dull.

"York’s film program is reflective of ""Canadian"" cinema's derivativeness. However, there's bad and great film everywhere. Everyone can immediately tell when they sit down for their first class in any discipline, whether the professor in front of them will have something to say, that they might value or at least respect, but at York it's immediately apparent in the film production classes that this respect is one sided. Could a professor possibly not like their job? Highly likely at York, but the pay is good. Could a student push the envelope at York? (In other words. make a good film) It would seem that the only way to get the phony respect of a professor at York is to play their game and then to trick them into thinking that your film is what they want. At York after 1st year, the professor decides, which proposed films are made. Why the students don’t vote to decide, I don’t appreciate. There are lessons to be learned in the production classes at York, but most are inadvertently bureaucratic. But should the students complain on websites, or would I be better off having a meeting with the dean? It’s better not to dwell on such things. Some aspiring filmmakers appreciate the value of a good education, but these people who do are not applying for film school, they're in a discipline that inspires ideas of humanity. Film is not like other arts, its far more realist, even if only in the basics of its medium. We’re surrounded by images, so we know how to frame images, and movements. York doesn’t bother to tell you how, nor should they really. However, they should be a hell of a lot less restrictive of WHAT you frame, which YOU think may be important. On the other hand! I can say that I have had one great professor so far at York, and where it really mattered. Evan Cameron is a screenwriting professor, and I was fortunate to have been placed in his class. As I mentioned earlier, on the first day I knew I was going to learn something and sometimes even more importantly he’s energetic and excites. think screenwriting at film school is by far the most important to be taught, and I must admit that York has hired the right guy for the job. It’s funny, how your experience at school can be so polarized. I guess it fits in with everything else. Apply to York’s film program if you want to have the time to educate yourself. If you’ve more patience than I, take a more intellectually stimulating major at York, and the screenwriting classes that Evan Cameron has open to non-film majors. "

York University is a good school to go to if you're interested not only in trying out the equipment and learning how to be a filmmaker, but also in learning about film theory and screenwriting, and about using images in storytelling. However, as it is with all schools, one has to be willing to learn. Not all professors will think the way you do, and part of playing the University game in any discipline is navigating between doing work you are interested in and work you will receive good grades for. If all you want to do is learn technique to make conventional films, go to Ryerson. If you want a more well-rounded University degree, York's the place to be. Oh, and along with one of the other commenters on this site, I would agree that if you are intelligent and hard-working, don't miss one of Evan Cameron's classes. He's my favourite prof there -- but be warned that he's not always popular; he makes you work! Also, the navigation between what you want and what the prof wants might be lessened by going into Phil Hoffman's experimental/abstract filmmaking class. You'll be making a different sort of - perhaps more personal - film, but you'll be getting an amazing man (Hoffman) to really support you in the process. Plus, you'll learn about all kinds of neat experimental strategies and techniques for making film art. Some beautiful stuff comes out of that class!!

This is such a great school with great programs. Also, Rachel McAdams graduated from it and look at her now!!