Comments on: Capilano University – Well Worth It

By: Yumiko

Yumiko — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:17:40 +0000

Hi Kaz: I can’t really say how Emily Carr’s program is as I’ve never attended the program and don’t want to speculate… I wrote a little bit about how I felt about EC in my reply above to Manuel in my July 24, 2009. Back then I felt EC was too fine arts-like for me, considering I already studied fine arts. Even if I did know back in 2009, I think by now my opinion would be somewhat outdated because I’m unfamiliar with what they currently offer.

I would take advantage of the fact that it’s a great time right now to check out the gradshows of both schools. That way you can see what the students coming out of there are producing and see if it’s the quality and type of work you are aiming towards. And ask them a lot of questions. Capilano’s gradshow is on April 30th and Emily Carr’s show starts on May 8th. Another thing you can do is check out Capilano’s summer animation program to get an idea of their facilities and teaching. I’m unsure if EC has something similar.

That said, I don’t really understand why you would be considering going to both EC and Cap, alongside perhaps your other university, as that’s a lot of school, time and money. Is it the credentials you are after? You really just need a school that teaches you, and makes you practice the basics in animation principles, like timing, arcs, anticipation, follow-through, etc. If you work hard at refining those principles, it can always be translated into any computer program you are interested in. If it isn’t an animation school that concentrates first on these principles, and the computer programs second, I would question the quality of the school. (I’m talking solely about animation. If you’re wanting to go into 3D for modelling, rigging, environments, then I have no idea because I’ve never done 3D training.)

I hope that helps somewhat. But go to the upcoming gradshows and ask these questions to the current grads and students! Hopefully that will help you decide what is the best direction for you :)

By: Kaz

Kaz — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:27:34 +0000

Hi – great post!
I want to know – how good is Emily Carr’s Animation prog compared to Capalino’s Corp Animation? EC offers a corp animation course in the final year…I’m having trouble deciding, I want to transfer universities as my current one is too “art-driven” and not commercial at all – I want to do work in 3D, I am teachin myself Houdini and taking Maya courses next semester(only 6 credits of 3D offered in my current degree :( )

its funny, I contacted capalino and they said I should send 30 pieces for my portfolio – EC said 12 – 15 lulz…

So what are your thoughts? Presuming I get into both..what do you think I should do? Get my Degree at EC and do Cap after..or pause uni first, do CAP then do EC?

Thanks for any assist!

By: Yumiko

Yumiko — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:07:13 +0000

Hi Clint. What is the online tutorial you’re referring to?

By: Clint H.

Clint H. — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:12:23 +0000

This place does sound pretty good. Is the online tutorial as good as the real experience at the school?

By: Yumiko

Yumiko — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 21:14:30 +0000

Hi Amanda: I chose Capilano over Sheridan because I live in Vancouver, it is much cheaper and most of all, it is a 2 year program and not a 4 year degree program as it is in Sheridan. I already have a degree so I was not wanting to go to school for longer than I had to. Plus, Sheridan is in Oakville, which is not a type of city I desire.

To my benefit though, my Cap animation teacher Erich Salloch was a Sheridan grad of ’92, and he was excellent. I think Sheridan had a bit of a lull in the late 90s, early 2000s, but now I’m seeing a lot of outstanding work coming from there again.

Sheridan wasn’t the best choice for me but who knows, maybe it is for you! :)

By: Amanda Ng

Amanda Ng — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:57:53 +0000

Thanks for the review Yumiko! Just one question tho, I’m curious as to why u chose Capilano Uni over Sheridan as I heard Sheridan is the best in Canada for animation?

By: Yumiko

Yumiko — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:46:41 +0000

Hi everyone. Thanks a lot for your comments! I really appreciate it :) I’m happy to see some of my classmates commenting too!

To Manuel: The coordinator from Capilano is helping to create an animation program in Mexico city. There was a 4 week session happening this month. If you email me, I can refer you someone who can tell you more.

In regards to the other schools offered in our area, I can say that I work with many very talented people from both VFS and Capilano. Many other coworkers come from schools across the country such as Sheridan and even a school in Saskatchewan. Whatever school you choose, it is not a guaranteed ticket into a successful career in animation. Like a lot of reviews state, it is what you make it and hopefully you find teachers and classmates that believe you can make it too.

I feel I cannot really comment on a school I have never attended so I’ve asked my coworkers for their opinion. What I can say is that the person who told me to go to Capilano was a VFS grad. My VFS friends recommend: if one chooses VFS, one should already have an artistic foundation because the program is short and is focused on producing a good short film. They have good teachers who are from the industry. They agree the tuition is high and you must be extremely disciplined to get your money’s worth. They have a huge marketing campaign which spreads their (and successful students’) reputation quite wide, which I assume is possible from the tuition they charge, considering they can afford an office in Mexico. Also keep in mind that their tuition fee is much higher for international students like yourself, and VFS has a high admission of international students. (The tuition stated on this site is only for Canadian residents.) Because of the international status, it can be difficult to find work and stay in Canada, especially during difficult economic times like now. Many of my colleagues know coworkers who have been deported or denied work visas. Others have fortunately been able to stay. Please research this.

As for other schools, I did not attend Emily Carr because I felt they were more fine arts-like and I already went through fine arts school and wanted something more commercial and job focused. They’re still a good school though – I’ve been taking night courses there since I was a teenager. I’ve met one coworker from Emily Carr and none from AI or Van Arts so I do not know anyone to ask for their testimonies. I’m not sure if that reflects the job outcome from those programs, or just my circle of 2D studios I’ve worked at. We will have to wait for more reviews to be written!

Again, successful students can come out of crappy schools. Crappy students can come out of great schools. Focus, work hard and read sites like this and ask questions and decide what you can afford money-wise and time-wise. And which goals you must reach to not live in regret :) Education is never a waste.

Best wishes!
Yumiko

By: Manuel

Manuel — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:08:29 +0000

First, sorry for my bad grammar. I found very useful this info, specially because i’m from another country ( not USA ), and its very hard to find opinions of students about the schools. Now, i have a big dilemma, i’m from Mexico, so, this industry (animation) sucks, no joke, sucks as hell itself, but as you said, being an animator my most big desire since i was kid, now i’m older, and i’m studying the most similar career of animation in my country, graphic design. But then, the light shined upon me, and i discovered VFS, it looked pretty amazing at the first time, but then, i felt that VFS was a commercial school, but the good point of this one, it’s that it’s more easy to get in contact, they have a office in my country. and then, i discovered Capilano university, that looks much better. I wanna know your opinion about those schools, and thanks again for your opinion, see ya!

By: Ronaldo pipeen

Ronaldo pipeen — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:52:57 +0000

You make good points, and yes it’s good to see there are schools in Vancouver that require portfolios. Any one can pay their way into a school these days but good things don’t come easy and the quality of instruction and the fact your teachers care about your progress really do show in your great drawing/animating ability.

By: Donna Leong

Donna Leong — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:24:16 +0000

Thanks, Yumiko, for the review of our incredible school. Yes, the program is really good. They focus on teaching you solid drawing and animation skills that you would benefit from throughout your career. It is the best choice for anyone who loves drawing very much.