I knew I wanted to be filmmaker when I realized I was a horrible actress. After being shafted to “Background Witch #3″ in my school’s production of Macbeth, I thought I would try something different and signed up for the Film/T.V. class that my highschool offered. As expected, the equipment was beyond archaic and my classmates were more interested in making skateboarding videos than writing screenplays. Nevertheless, after reading George Lucas’ “Skywalking”, and finally getting my hands on Adobe Premiere, I knew that I wanted to be a filmmaker.
I did a lot of research before deciding I wanted to attend SFU’s Film Program. VFS was too expensive, Capilano College was only a two-year certificate program, and BCIT was more focused on television production. Having family working in the film industry, I knew beforehand that a career in film would be very unstable. I wanted to study film but also get my Bachelor’s Degree so that in the event that my career in film didn’t work out, at least I would still have my degree to fall back on. When I looked into SFU’s Film Program, I knew that it was the program for me.
As one of the leading film school’s in Western Canada, it is also one of the hardest to get into.
Breakdown of the Program
As one of the leading film school’s in Western Canada, it is also one of the hardest to get into. With only 25 spots available, and competing with hundreds of other applicants, the school picks 40 applicants for interviews, and then narrows that number down to 25 students, along with a waiting list of 10 other hopefuls. I was one of those hopefuls, but luckily a couple people chose a different path, and I got in.
If that weren’t enough pressure, in your first two years the school kicks a number of students out of the program based on their work, skills and CGPA. You must then pass several theory and technical exams in your second year, maintain a CGPA of 3.0, and go through another lengthy interview process with the school’s professors to be granted entrance into your final two years of the program. My grad class had 17 students in it, and is the largest grad class SFU Film has had to date.
Although your first two years are very stressful, being constantly reminded that you could be kicked out at any point, the pressure to survive becomes more of a motivation to succeed. The program uses this method of competition in order to prepare us for our eventual careers as independent filmmakers in the real world, in which it’s every man for themselves.
One of the aspects of SFU’s Film Program that really enticed me was that it is one of the few film schools that actually still uses film.
Breakdown By Year
One of the aspects of SFU’s Film Program that really enticed me was that it is one of the few film schools that actually still uses film. In your first year, you make two experimental films, just like how filmmakers would before computers became industry standard. With a hand-cranked Bolex, you are given 2-3 rolls of 16 mm reversal film stock, get it processed at a film lab, then cut it by hand with the help of a trusty Steinbeck and splicer. Although some may think this is a useless and obsolete process, by learning the absolute basics of filmmaking, you start your filmmaking education with a really solid foundation for which you can continue to build upon.
In your second year, you go into groups of 3-4 people and take the year to make your first narrative short film. Using 16mm negative film stock, you shoot your film with an Eclair film camera, and record your sound with a Nagra tape recorder. One of the possible downsides to the program in comparison to other film schools is that you have to pay for all of your film costs on top of paying your tuition. However, as a recent grad, I am very grateful for learning how much equipment rentals cost and how to appropriately budget, as I now know how to effectively production manage my future films outside of school.
Your third year is probably one of the more relaxed years. You focus more on digital video production, and are required to make two videos, one each semester. Third year however also focuses on screenwriting and production management, in preparation for your fourth year grad film.
Your fourth year literally begins the day after classes end in your third year. Because everyone’s film shoots are scheduled for the beginning of September (or in my class’ case, the end of August), even though you aren’t enrolled in school during the summer, you are expected to use that time to begin gathering crew, making budgets, finishing your script and casting your actors. After shooting, the rest of your year consists mainly of post-production. I myself did at least 9 cuts before I came to my final cut, on top of doing my film’s sound design, finding music and color correcting the final output. Although a year seems like a long time, the time goes by a lot quicker than you think, and all of the sudden; it’s time to start sending your film to festivals.
Unlike other film schools, the SFU Film Program is not very industry based.
Administrative Side Notes
Unlike other film schools, the SFU Film Program is not very industry based. You learn all of the crew roles within a film’s production, but the program is meant for you to graduate as an independent filmmaker, an entrepreneur, with the intentions of continuing to make films within the Canadian independent film scene. It is however very community based. Most SFU Film alumni still keep contact with the school and its new students, and most SFU students usually end up working on future projects together.
Moreover, as well as being instructors, all of the school’s professors are also independent filmmakers with a list of critically acclaimed films under their belt, who are all very passionate about teaching future generations the ropes.
The Verdict
If you want to work on big budget film sets with a somewhat-steady paycheck, this probably isn’t the right school for you. If you want to learn the tools to be your own filmmaker, then I guarantee it is. Many SFU Film grads have gone on to be very successful filmmakers, forming their own production companies, and getting into internationally renowned film festivals. It just really depends on what type of career you want in film, and what school can best help you get there.
I’ve just recently graduated with a BFA, and have just screened my film at this year’s SFU Film Annual Graduation Screening, along with the rest of the film grads. I’m starting to submit my film to festivals everywhere, as well as applying for grants to start production on my next film.
For further information about SFU Film or my film projects, see the links listed below:
www.sfufilm.ca/4thyear
www.awkwardwhale.com
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Hi jessica! This article was very helpful, I’ve been experimenting with a bunch of courses at SFU and decided to take up Film with a minor in IAT. I will be working on my application form during September and hopefully will be as fortunate as you :) Do you have any tips for a budding filmmaker? :P
Best Wishes,
Kenny