Game Art courses and Schools

[blackdahlia]

Vancouver Film School offers a good variety of programs related to game art and design, a lot of the students go on to work at places like EA Canada and Radical Entertainment.
I am Currently finishing a similar course at Pacific Audio Visual Inst. in Vancouver, it's not the greatest school for this sort of thing, but i did get an internship that turned into a job out of it, and i still have 2 months until i graduate.

[sgv3dmax]

Thank you very much for the information blackdahlia. I went through the web site of Pacific Audio Visual Inst and found that it fits most of my requirements. Is the internship applicable to only a limited number of students or to all students? The chances of getting job after graduation is good?

[sgv3dmax]

Thanks for the reply

[blackdahlia]

you can find me in the PAVI grads section about 1/2way down. But I recommend that if you are certain of what aspect you wish to specialize in (environment art, animator, character artist) then go to VFS. If you are not quite sure of what you wanna do yet in the industry then i recommend PAVI. The chances of getting a job after graduating at any school really all depends on how strong your demo reel/portfolio is.
As for internships, that can all depend as well, If your marks are high and the art you produce is top notch your chances are much better and the administrators will help you along the way. However it is also dependent on the company side too, if they dont have space or time for an intern than there will be none available.
Vancouver is definatly the place to be if you are wanting to get in the industry (in Canada)
so if you are in the area i suggest calling both schools and booking tours and such and sitting in on a class or 2 to really make your choice

[sgv3dmax]

VFS does not fit my budget. I think i will go for PAVI. I came across another school - Van Arts - in Vancouver, Canada. This is the link to their game art program
VanArts - Game Art & Design - computer animation school, video game art design college, maya training courses in Vancouver, Canada
Is this similar to PAVI in curriculum and internship?

[blackdahlia]

I know a guy who did VFX at vanarts and he didnt like it so much, but i havnt heard anything from the game design students but it seems like they have an awesome curriculum. I REALLY like the fact that they have classes specifically for demo reels because thats the most important aspect of getting a job in the industry. PAVI does not offer such a course, but if you bug the instructors enough they'll set time aside to help you put it together but as part of the course they generally wont teach it.
PAVI will also give you a laptop(that you get to keep) with all the required software as well (Maya AND 3Ds MAX, Flash, Photoshop, Zbrush,) This is good because some students dont have this luxury otherwise, so your free to practice up on your skills in all the softwares.
Also another suggestion for you is MAKE INDUSTRY CONTACTS!!! they can make a HUGE difference in getting a job.

[sgv3dmax]

So blackdahlia, you think that vanarts is a better option? Curriculum is more important than laptop, right? To make industry contacts, will the school help me?
Here in India, making industry contacts is not very practical. Even game-realted education is poor. So, i need to take a decision. vanarts or PAVI. Waiting for your reply. Do you have any photographs of PAVI, just out of curiosity.
For the past 3-4 months, i am searching for a good scool for an international student like me. In canada, Vancouver is the place where most schools are. Is it because Vancouver has many 3d animation / gaming companies? After completing the 1-year program, do i have the right to work in Vancouver? As per my agent in India, after the program, i am entitled to work in the industry for 2 years (in Canada). If this is correct, by that time my immigration process will also get completed.
All these are some of my doubts. So i need to clarify about the prospects of getting a job after the program gets over.
Thankx

[blackdahlia]

Students are always the best way to make industry contacts, there will always be someone in your class that knows people at EA, radical, threewave ect... Instructors are also contacts seeing as most of them were or are IN the industry. The reason why vancouver has so many schools for this sort of thing is because its the entertainment capital of Canada, simply cause Canadians are much cheaper to hire.
so the bottom line is, if you don't have a computer and want to have access to these programs at all times, go to PAVI
if your willing to spend A LOT of extra hours after school in the computer lab, go to van-arts. I also recommend e-mailing some of the students from van-arts (i believe their portfolios are online) and getting their opinion as well.
I realize this is a big step for you so i want to make you as informed as possible.

[Guisedge]

Okay, just read through thread... lot of great suggestions in here.

Would anyone recommend any of these schools based on their distance learning programs or online curricula? I'm currently enlisted and have precious little spare time.

[Shadow71]

Originally Posted by AndyTheGameNerd

IAOD

Internation Academy Of Design

This school is located in Toronto, Canada

Lucky me, i live in toronto, i cant wait till i start there

Contact Us | IADT Toronto

It's actually referred to now as IADT (International Academy of Design & Technology - Toronto, Canada)

I took the course a couple years ago, and it was well...less then fabulous, hopefully they have improved the course, but just be prepared to learn most of your stuff in spare time, and use the school as a nice primer to get you started toward learning modeling, a really expensive $30,000 primer.