In filmmaking schools in Canada, there is a lot to learn. Just like I have detailed on the best fashion schools in Canada, as well as the best culinary schools in Canada, we will talk about all you need to succeed in film making schools in Canada.
Before we move on to the list of the filmmaking schools in Canada, it is very important we talk about filmmaking itself.
What is filmmaking?
Filmmaking can be defined as the process by which film is made. Filmmaking involves a number of complex as well as discrete stages which includes initial story, idea, or commission.
That’s not all, we have screenwriting, casting, shooting, sound recording, pre-production, editing, and finally screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a film release and an exhibition.
In filmmaking, there are a lot of technologies and cinematic techniques which are used in filmmaking which occurs in a variety of economic, social, and political contexts around the world.
Filmmaking originally involved the use of film but now has gone digital.
Therefore we can define filmmaking as the process of crafting an audio-visual story commercially for distribution or for broadcast.
Now, having defined filmmaking, let us look at the various production stages in filmmaking before we head to the list of filmmaking schools in Canada.
Production stages in filmmaking
Before a film can be completed and ready for distribution, and before the producers can think about making their money back, it has to pass through some essential stages and those stages are what I’m about to talk about.
List of production stages in filmmaking
- Development
- Financing
- Pre-production
- Production
- Post-production
- Distribution
Development stage
This is the very first stage of filmmaking. It is the stage in which the ideas for the film are created, rights to books as well as plays has to be bought.
Financing
Financing is a very crucial aspect of film production. This is because the production team will need some form of financing which I consider sacrosanct in every set of filmmaking.
Therefore it is very important you secure your funds because film projects can be arduous. Below are nine ways in which you can finance your filmmaking project.
How to get funding for your film
Below are some of the ways in which you can get funding for your film.
- Through grants
- Tax incentives
- Pre-sales
- Negative pick up deals
- Gap financing
- Private investors
- Fiscal sponsorships
- Crowdfunding
- Production placement
Read about how to get funding for your film in detail. Now the next stage is the pre-production stage.
Pre-production stage
This is the stage that comes after you are sure of your source of funding. This stage involves the arrangements and preparations which are made for the shoot. The pre-production stage involves:
- Hiring cast
- Hiring the film crew
- Paying for or selection locations
- Constructing sets
This stage involves a lot of planning and this takes place before the camera rolls and sets the overall vision of the project.
Production stage
This is the stage where the raw footage and other basic elements are recorded during the film shoot.
There is every necessity to keep planning ahead daily shoot and it is essential to stick with the budget and schedule in order to meet up.
This stage equally requires constant vigilance and communication is really essential at this stage between the location, set, office, production company, distributors – in short, all parties involved at this stage.
Post production
The post-production stage is the stage at which the images, sound, and visual effects of the recorded film are edited and combined into a finished product.
The footage is reviewed from visual effects, music and sound design.
wrap
The wrap is a post-production stage that comes just after shooting. It is the dismantling of the set and clearing of the location.
Everything must be returned in good order to suppliers and there must be a full set of records of the shoot.
Distribution
The distribution stage is the stage at which the completed film is distributed, marketed and consequently screened in cinemas or released to home videos.
It is at this stage the producers start expecting money for the considerable amount of time and energy which they have spent on the project.
Now back to why you are here-filmmaking schools in Canada.
There are several filmmaking schools in Canada, but educationplanetonline.com will be talking about the 10 best.
List of filmmaking schools in Canada
While most of the other websites are listing universities among the best filmmaking schools in Canada, educactionplanetonline.com has decided to list schools that are centred solely on music production training. Later in the article, we will list the universities which I consider good for obtaining your filmmaking/film production degree. Below is the list of the filmmaking schools in Canada for you:
- Canadian Film and Television Institute
- Canadian Film Institute
- Canadian Film Centre
- Vancouver Film School
- Cinema Studies Institute at the University of Toronto
- Toronto Film School
- Trebas Institute
- Universal Talent Film School
- Langara College Film Arts
Canadian Film and Television Institute
—Location: 7105 Nootka St, Powell River, BC V8A 5E3
— Phone: +1 7782377209
Their full time program consists of:
- Integrated Film study
- Acting for stage
- Film and TV
- Film theory and appreciation
- Business of film
- Directing and film workshop.
You’ll be guided by industry professionals as you gain hands-on experience.
After the first year, you can choose whether to continue for further studies or graduate with a basic diploma.
The second-year program is made up of electives including Acting, Directing, and Production.
The aforementioned areas are covered in great depth after the first year leaving you with the opportunity to specialize in an area you fully desire to explore your imagination and creativity. All in all, you will receive a comprehensive diploma over the one-year diploma.
Tuition and fees
- Domestic: $30,000
- International: $40.000
Application Fee:
- Domestic: $250
- International: $350
Other fees
- Material Fee: $420
- Equipment Usage Fee: $360
- Insurance Fee: $ 400
Canadian Film Institute, Ottawa
The Canadian Film Institute (CFI) was incorporated in 1935 as a federally-chartered, non-governmental, non-profit cultural organization.
It is the oldest film institution in Canada and the second oldest film institute in the world.
Its mission is to encourage and promote the production, diffusion study, appreciation and use of moving images for educational purposes.
They organize film programming and artist talks which provide educational enhancements.
They are known for the numerous events which they organize which include:
European Union Film Festival
Bright Nights
The African Film Festival
The Latin American Film Festival
These international festivals are an incredible cultural asset for local audiences and filmmakers alike.
Canadian Film Centre
This is one o the filmmaking schools in Canada that is a charitable cultural organization and educational institution that was founded in the year 1988 by award-winning, internationally acclaimed filmmaker Norman Jewison.
The institution was established for advanced film studies where Canadian storytellers will learn to master the medium of filmmaking and ultimately command a place on screens around the world.
The CFC is now home to a range of intensive, hands-on programs in film, television, screen acting, music, and digital/immersive media that empower, shape and advance opportunities for Canadian creators and entrepreneurs working in screen-based industries.
Tuition fees:
Canadian Students: $5,500
Supplementary Fees:
Lowest: $60 | Highest: $60
Vancouver Film School
This is one of the best filmmaking schools in Canada that offers over 15 post-secondary programs that deliver the industry-standard techniques and applicable skills which you need for a rewarding career in animation, film and television production, Screenwriting, programming, makeup, sound, digital, game or VR/AR design etc.
Their programs include:
3D Animation & Visual effects
Acting essentials
Acting for Film and Television
Animation concept art
Classical Animation
Digital design
Film production
Foundation visual Art & design
Makeup Design for Film & Television
Sound Design for Visual media
Writing for Film, Television & Games
Creature Animation
VR/AR design & Development
Tuition and Scholarships at Vancouver Film School
| Student Status | VFS Program | Tuition (2019)1 | Top Excellence in Media Scholarship2 | Second Excellence in Media Scholarship | Tuition Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Production | $36,750 | $10,000 | $7,000 | $4,000 |
| Domestic | Writing | $20,750 | $5,000 | $3,500 | $2,000 |
| Domestic | Acting | $20,500 | $5,000 | $3,500 | $2,000 |
| International | Production | $53,250 | $15,000 | $10,000 | $7,000 |
| International | Writing | $28,250 | $7,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
| International | Acting | $30,500 | $7,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
Tuition rates are subject to change.
The above figures do not include a mandatory application fee of $75. The scholarship and tuition discount may not be combined.
A total of six Excellence in Media Scholarships are allocated to pathway students.
Cinema Studies Institute at the University of Toronto
The Cinema Studies Institute is one of the best filmmaking schools in Canada which has for over 40 years have run programs designed to provide students with the courses that reflect the diverse nature of the cinematic experiences that have unfolded over time, and that exist in today’s intensely intermedial environment.
Their programs are available to both graduates and undergraduates.
With this wealth of research and teaching expertise, CSI covers a wide range of film and media areas.
These areas offer an exceptionally challenging and diverse undergraduate program of study, not to forget the innovative and rigorous suite of graduate programs.
A fusion of analysis, history, and theory has been a hallmark of the cinema studies curriculum since its inception and, as such, continues to inform our approach to the study of cinema and media at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Cinema Studies Institute Tuition fees: $17,500.
Toronto Film School
This is one of the best filmmaking schools in Canada that offers on-campus diploma programs that are designed to fast-track their students for a career in entertainment, design or video games.
In their inspiring and high energy environment, you will be mentored by practising with industry professionals as well as collaborating with peers across creative programs.
In this school, you are sure to gain real-world industry experience. You are sure to work in cross-industry teams and build meaningful professional connections.
You will equally learn how to convert your creativity into practical skills through their hands-on industry-based portfolio projects that showcase your work to future employers in the industry.
They offer 6 accelerated diploma programs designed to train you for a career in entertainment as well as other programs that have made them stand as one of the top filmmaking schools in Canada.
You’ll study at an accelerated pace to adapt to an industry rhythm and earn your diploma in just 12-18 months.
Toronto Film School tuition fees
For our 18-month diploma programs, the total fee is $35,160. The international fee is an additional $18,459.
For our 18 month FP, ACT – diploma programs, the total fee is $36,246. The international fee is an additional $19,029.
For our 12-month diploma programs, the total fee is $22,980. The international fee is an additional $12,064.
Trebas Institute
With diversity, excellence, and innovation at its core, Trebas Institute is one of the top filmmaking schools in Canada has helped over 3,000 graduates achieve their goals of working in the film, audio, entertainment, business, and technology industries.
Through small classes taught by expert faculty, high-quality programs, and excellent facilities, you’ll leave Trebas Institute with the most contemporary skills and knowledge, enabling you to work with some of the biggest names in the industry including Ubisoft, Virgin EMI Canada, and Universal Music Group.
Trebas Institute, one of the top filmmaking schools in Canada has state-of-the-art facilities in Montreal and Toronto, two of Canada’s most cosmopolitan cities.
They are committed to providing industry-focused programs in audio, film, music, business, technology, and entertainment management which are all taught in small classes.
They have a student-faculty ratio of 25:1 which allows students get personalized education.
Above all, You’ll have the opportunity to stay in Canada after graduating by applying for a post-graduation work permit which can be valid for up to three years.
Trebas Institute tuition:
program: audio and Video Post-production
2 years program eligible for Post-Graduate Work Permit:
Domestic: CAD$ 32,000
International: CAD$ 32,000
Universal Talent Film School
This is one of the best online filmmaking schools in Canada that is home to hundreds of students each year who take their courses.
They combine the best method of acting, instinctive acting and improvisation.
In this school, you become an actor in less than a year.
Their professional training is essential in order to have a successful career in acting through helping work on your craft consistently.
This is equally one of the filmmaking schools in Canada that offer acting programs for your kids.
Langara College Film Arts
Langara College Film Arts is one of the filmmaking schools in Canada. It is an eight-month, intensive, collaborative, and comprehensive program for students wishing to work in today’s film industry as actors, writers, or directors.
Their programs run from January through August.
They equally offer post-acreditation certificates in three streams of study, writing for the screen, acting for the screen as well as directing for the screen.
Each certificate is a stand-alone program.
Courses in film studies, film principles, and film practice overlap resulting in a creative and collaborative environment in which students will practice their skills with the other creators in each craft area.
These overlapping courses are designed so students will develop a dynamic understanding of the filmmaking process.
They equally offer courses in film studies, industry practices and the business of film production that will consequently give students the knowledge to embark on creative film careers.
Cost of studying in this filmmaking school in Canada
Full-time tuition is C$8,700 for both Domestic and International students. There is a non-refundable application fee for the Full-time program.
The cost is $100 for Domestic students and $155 for International students. Students need an external drive and Camera cards for the full-time program. Part-time program fees are per course.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you become a successful actor?
Step 1: Learn How to Act
Acting is first and foremost a craft.
To be successful in acting, then you must take a wide variety of acting classes which you can get at the filmmaking schools in Canada, then you must prepare to work in a wide variety of styles with as many different groups of people that you can find.
From improv to scene study to audition technique — the more you know, the more professional you’ll be and ultimately, the better prepared you’ll be for whatever roles come your way.
Acting is a skill and you do need to perfect your craft and continue working to improve.
Never stop learning or someone else will take away your spotlight which I’m sure you don’t want.
Step 2: Get An Agent
After training, then you can think of approaching agents.
Agents love taking on new actors that have studied and honed their craft, this shows you are serious.
When approaching an agent, you must ask yourself…. What do I have to offer the agent?
You might start getting auditions during your studies or after.
What are some Univeristies to study filmmaking?
Here are some film making schools in Canada for international students and domestic students.(filmmaking universities in Canada)
1) University of British Columbia Department of Theatre and Film
2) Ryerson University
3) Capilano University School of Motion Picture Arts
4) Concordia University–Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
5) Sheridan College, Ontario
6) George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology, Canada
7) The University of Windsor
8) Queen’s University
9) Simon Fraser University
10) Fanshawe College
11) York University–School of the Arts, Media, Performance, and Design
12) Red Deer College
What are some film production courses to look out for in filmmaking schools in Canada?
In the filmmaking schools in Canada, you should look out for the following:
3D Animation & Visual effects
Acting essentials
Acting for Film and Television
Animation concept art
Classical Animation
Digital design
Film production
Foundation visual Art & design
Makeup Design for Film & Television
Sound Design for Visual media
Writing for Film, Television & Games
Creature Animation
VR/AR design & Development