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MAILING ADDRESS
Suite 3 – 145 19th Street Courtenay, BC Canada V9N 9G2 PHONE - (250) 871-8103 admin@lostboys-learning.com MAP View Larger Map |
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CONTENTS
APPLYING TO LOST BOYS LEARNING Q. What should I include in my portfolio? A. We would like to see at least 6 pieces of your best, most experimental, most creative artwork. Art can be completed in any medium: computer-based applications, film or video, graphic design, flash, traditional artwork including drawing, painting, sculpture, etc. and photography. Your portfolio pieces can range from a simple pencil sketch to a full 3D render. Q. What does Tuition include? A. Tuition includes: Individually-assigned computer workstation including dual LCD monitors, DVD R/W drive, optional tablet; access to high definition digital video and still cameras and related onset VFX equipment; transportation and basic props for live-action shoots; student activity fees including field trips & student social events during class hours; housing assistance; job placement assistance; lab maintenance; graduation show & ceremony; training completion fund insurance and other related services. Students should supply: personal headphones, personal computer for home (optional), DVD stock for backups and spending money for activities outside of school hours such as movies or dinners (optional). Students will be expected to provide props or costumes for their own projects, i.e. items for a shoot above and beyond the in-house stock at Lost Boys. Q. Can I get a Student Loan to attend Lost Boys? A. Please refer to the Payment Methods section of the website for links to major Canadian banks that offer Student Lines of Credit. At this time, government student loans are not available as Lost Boys Learning is not an Accredited institution. ABOUT PROJECT-BASED LEARNING Q. What is Project-Based Learning? A. Project-Based Learning is a technique which enables the students to explore and grasp concepts and methods within a simulated production pipeline. We tackle production-style projects right from the beginning of Term 1. The projects are carefully designed to meet the student's skill levels and also to introduce all the necessary concepts and techniques in Live Action, 3D and Compositing for Visual Effects. Q. Can I work on my own projects? A. Students are encouraged to work on their own projects, alongside the assigned projects, as time permits. This way, each student can explore various areas of interest, share their findings, get feedback on personal styles and have a creative outlet for their own ideas. Each assigned project can be individualized to meet each student's needs, as well. In term 3, we focus on personal projects and demo reels. Q. Will we do any drawing or art in the program? A. Yes, we do traditional drawing. Not to the level of a Fine Arts program, but enough to cover the basics and introduce a quick and simplified medium to express concepts. We learn about storyboarding, composition, maquette sculpture and other practices relevant to our production experience. We do some fun projects including mask making and life drawing . Students are not graded on the quality of their drawing skills. COMING TO CANADA TO STUDY Q. What paperwork do I need to come to Canada and take your program? A. You will need a Study Visa and possibly a Temporary Resident Visa, depending on which country you are coming from. Citizens of certain countries such as the USA, Mexico, Australia and many European countries do not need a Temporary Resident Visa. Everyone needs a Study Visa for any program of study in Canada longer than six months. Please refer to the Canadian Immigration website before applying to find out your requirements. Q. Can I work while studying in Canada? A. Canadian Immigration laws do not allow international students to work while they are a student. Q. Can I work in Canada once I've finished the program? A. There are three steps to gaining employment in Canada: 1) find a company who will offer you a job, 2) have the company complete a Job Offer Validation with the local Human Resources division of the government, and 3) be approved for a Work Permit which typically be for a duration of one year (renewable). Q. What might cause a Job Offer Validation or Work Permit application to be denied? A. If there are many other people applying for the same job or similarly qualified Canadians available and the company hiring cannot prove sufficient job search and specific need to hire you, you may be denied. Qualities that MAY help an application are previous work experience (preferably related) and previous college or university studies. Q. Will you help find a job in Canada? A. At Lost Boys Learning we will be knowledgeable about the companies hiring, and help you to determine your strengths and goals in order to produce a demo reel that could get you hired in Canada or elsewhere. We will use our extensive network of industry connections (gained through our production experience at Lost Boys Studios, and our involvement with companies around the world as part of the Virgin Digital Studios group) to make personal recommendations for you. It is not easy and there are no guarantees - you have to work hard to make your demo reel, learn about the industry, and practice your interviewing skills. Q. Where will I live while I'm at Lost Boys? A. Our school is in the beautiful Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, about a .5 hour flight from Vancouver or a 2.5 hour drive including the ferry. There are apartments, houses, rooms in houses and homestays available near the school. Although we don't have on-site student housing, we will help you find accommodation. We maintain a database of private houses with rooms available. If 2 or more international students are coming for the same program they could arrange an apartment together. Rentals are listed in the Classifieds in the Comox Valley Record. Q. Will I need a car? A. There is a public transit system that comes within a block of our school, in downtown Courtenay. A car would be fun for exploring the area and weekend day trips, but you can certainly get around by walking, bus or even a bicycle - pick up a used bike or a new cheap one for about $100. Q. What is the weather like? A. We are fortunate to live in some of the mildest weather in Canada. That said, it still gets a bit cold in the winter but not usually below 0 (zero) °C. Expect some snow in the winter, rain and wind in the spring, and warmer summer temperatures in September, May and June. Q. I'm worried about my English. Can I study English in Canada before coming to Lost Boys Learning? A. Yes, there is an ESL school in the Comox Valley with flexible start dates and study times, as well as many ESL schools in Vancouver. You could spend a month prior to your studies brushing up your English skills and enjoying the summer weather. Contact the Comox Valley International College. Q. What about health/medical insurance? A. It is highly recommended that any foreign student acquire student travel health insurance through their travel agency or through a company such as Ingle International or Student Sure. After 3 months of residency in Canada you will register for the BC Medical Services Plan. All coverage is approximately $60/month. |
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RECENT NEWS: Oct 10, 2008 - I’m proud to announce that we received a New Media Finalist Award at the MISTIC Awards held in Nanaimo last week. MISTIC is a Vancouver Island association that promotes and celebrates excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation. Nov 6, 2008 - Our new phone number, effective immediately, is (250) 871-8103. 
Oct 10, 2008 - Today we hosted guest artist Eric Petey, a seasoned VFX artist with credits such as Transformers, Speed Racer, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, King Kong, I, Robot and Die Another Day. A Rigger and Animator, Eric shared his personal stories and talked to the students about working environments at differents types of companies. (more) 
Sept 2, 2008 - Welcome to the class of 2009! Hailing from Korea, Ontario, Mexico City, Washington DC and London, England - a great mix of talent and personalities. We've completed the Personal Title project and our Telekinesis Spoon project with Maya and Nuke, and our Ghost project will be ready for Halloween. (more) 
June 20, 2008 - I'm happy to announce 100% student placement of the Lost Boys Learning graduating class of 2008; Perry Sohn, Andy Chen, Nicholas Knudson, Drew Current, Jennie Bates, George Kyparissous, and Hsuan-Yi Fang. Lucky companies include Atmosphere Visual Effects, Anthem Visual Effects and Technicolor in Vancouver, Big Studios in Toronto, Midway Games in Chicago, Pendulum Studios and Zoic Studios in California. Best wishes to you all in your new careers! (more) 
June 13, 2008 - Lost Boys travel to Vancouver for another Studio tour. This time we visit Spin, Embassy, Lux, and Rainmaker Entertainment's motion capture unit. (more) 
June 2, 2008 - Lost Boys hosts guest speaker John Gajdecki, VFX Supervisor/Producer for over 17 years. (Stargate SG1, A Wrinkle in Time, I Robot...) John shared his experience and brought along many before and after clips of VFX Shots ranging from complex full CG creatures/environments to deceptively complex wire removal shots. 
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