StudioEnv3

“I did not have any background in Visual Effects nor any idea on how to use Nuke software when I started. What brought me to Lost Boys was a poor experience at VFS. The good thing that came out of that is that I now knew what it was that I was looking for and I found all of those things at Lost Boys.
From the first time I spoke to them, to the tour, to the classes and graduation and now being an alumnus everything that they said they were and did was exactly that and beyond.
Getting into Lost Boys is easy ONLY if you are a passionate and hardworking person who is exited to be in this industry. Simply having cash will not get you in like it does with other schools. They care about their students and want to make sure that everyone there really wants it and will work hard together.
Going to Lost Boys: They offered a small class and when I started it was exactly that, this benefited us and our teacher; we all got the attention and help that we needed and were able to really get to know each other and work together. Our class had people with a high skill set and people like me who were brand new, with a wide age range and people from all around the globe.
Every project that we did we built together from scratch: Mark behind the camera, Ria doing her magic with special effects makeup and creative wardrobing to us students acting for our shots. You really get that hands on experience and knowledge of the entire process. A lot of lectures also get recorded (audio & video) so we can go back and follow step by step while working. We had a lot of lab time but when we needed help from Ganz he always made the time even if it meant staying after hours.
Also the studio is awesome: its a fun environment and very much like the studios you’d work at. It is crazy how much we learned in 10 months. But it is a specialized program so you focus on that one thing instead of an intro to a million different things like some other schools.
Graduating and getting work: All of us got a practicum and jobs before graduation; half of our class couldn’t be at the graduation because they moved to Montreal for work because Lost Boys has connections everywhere and working anywhere in the world isn’t far out of reach with their help.
I myself got a job a month into my practicum (it is usually 2 months) at the studio that I originally wanted to go to and have worked there for 10 months.
I really can’t give them enough credit; they aren’t just the best VFX school in my eyes, they are also a family. I am very happy and grateful to be a part of it.
If you’re thinking about joining this crazy fun world of VFX I highly recommend this school; give them a call and go visit and you’ll see for yourself.”

“Lost Boys Studios is a real hidden gem of a school. I loved every minute that I spent there and had one of the best experiences of my life studying with them. The lecturer and owners are all extremely talented people that really know how to pass on their knowledge effectively and patiently.
I’ve studied at a lot of schools over the years, trying to expand my knowledge and Lost Boys was by far the best. I really loved and appreciated the simple things like how much effort, time, and money they put back into the school.
There is a real sense of pride amongst the staff as well as the students. If you are looking to take your career further while having one of the best experiences of your life doing it, then this is the right place to be.”

“Having the opportunity to study at Lost Boys Studios was the best professional choice I’ve made in my life. Great school, professional, excellent instructors, really good structure, amazing and a very focused program. Everything I needed I could get at Lost Boys.
It was such a real experience, projects were based on VFX works from studios around the world, technical lectures, latest techniques, and really good career advice. At the end of the program all my classmates and I had a really good demo reel. Lost Boys is a VFX School which really cares about its students. They make sure that they’re successful in their VFX career. I had such a great time and made huge improvement. Even before I finished the program I got a job in one of the world class VFX studios. And what a surprise I had when I was selected and awarded by The Rookies for an Internship! It is a very important VFX award. I had my demo reel reviewed by the best VFX artists in the world! I really feel prepared and confident to take any professional challenge in my career thanks to the support from Lost Boys Studios – School of Visual Effects.”

“My journey with the Lost Boys | School of Visual Effects was a great experience. Lost Boys boosted my confidence and gave me very useful practical approaches and experience of what I use to read before joining the FX program.

The project based curriculum simulated real world production experience better preparing me for my transition to a working professional.

The staff is highly experienced and supportive at any time in any type of difficulty. Every single minute in the premises counts, the studio was fruitful in many different ways whether it with friends or with the faculty. Special thanks to Mark, Ria, Ganz and our mentor Andrew for helping us in every possible way they could.

I am really happy and proud of my decision of joining Lost Boys. Some memories are worthy to remember; for me Lost Boys is one of them.”

“I am a 2014 graduate from the first batch of the EFFECTS TECHNICAL (FX TD) DIRECTOR Program at Lost Boys Studios. Being the only international student lacking basic knowledge about CG I risked to apply for Lost Boys. But, it was worth the risk. The specialized programs at the school are very well structured and has provided for a strong base to build my career as an FX Artist.

The staff at the school is very knowledgeable and very helpful. The most important thing is that you receive one on one attention which helps a lot in terms of understanding and getting the hang of concepts, which in many of the schools is hard to come by.

The teachers are involved as much as the students in the projects, and tackle problems along with them, which leads to good development in thinking process and at the same time bridges the communication gap between the students and the teachers, which makes for a comfortable learning environment.

Another great thing about the program is that it isn’t confined to the four walls of the studio. Gathering references for projects outside in the real world is also a unique part of the program.

Industry visits to various studios around the city gave us a great exposure to the professional working environment and also gave us an idea of the various exciting career opportunities after graduation.

Being at Lost Boys was one of the best decision I made and one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. The knowledge I have gained is immense and also had the opportunity to meet some very talented students across the globe.”

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” – The Litany Against Fear – Frank Herbert, Dune

“Before coming to Lost Boys, I was living in Hawaii and worked in Communications. However, all of my free time was consumed with learning about visual effects. I loved it. But like most people, I was afraid of change. Afraid of the unknown. Afraid of failing and afraid to turn a hobby into a career. After all, it would mean starting over. But, I kept coming back to a short passage from a book that I read many years ago. That passage from Dune played on a loop in my head. Committed and unafraid, I decided to do some research on schools. Lost Boys kept percolating to the top of the list as one of the best schools in the business.

Going to Lost Boys changed my life. The FX TD program delivered everything it promised. Through hard work and perseverance, along with the support of staff and fellow students, I gained a solid and focused foundation of professional FX skills and an introduction to the working realities of the visual effects industry. Because class sizes are managed, you get to know everyone. Not just in your class or discipline, but alums and new students as well. Those connections become the glue that bonds people for a lifetime. I became we because of Lost Boys.”

“The Lost Boys FX TD Program was an easy decision for me. Its FX focused Houdini program was exactly what I was looking for. The course is unique and really well put together by Andrew, who besides being a Houdini Master is also a fantastic teacher.

It was not just about learning the software but learning about how to think and observe like an FX TD and hone your problem solving skills.

The class sizes are small, which is a huge advantage and gets you a lot of personal attention.The environment is really friendly and supportive, which is important to have when you are working on very challenging projects. The project based learning structure mimics a professional studio environment and has been really helpful.

Going to Lost Boys is one of the best decisions of my life and I have really fond memories of the school. I got way more out of the program than I had expected. I would highly recommend it to anybody wanting to get into VFX and animation.”

“Lost Boys was my only choice when I applied to Canadian VFX schools. Former educator work experience allows me to differentiate what schools offer that really matters to grads from merely marketing and hype, which is the reason Lost Boys attracted me.

Being in the FX TD program was my most memorable and rewarding experience. Our Jedi Master Andrew prepared us thoroughly for not only the ability to complete production shots, but also more importantly, career professionalism to thrive in a studio. How often do you get a brochure of studio do’s and don’ts from school career counseling?

The FX TD program is designed to simulate a studio environment so much that later I never felt unfamiliar with studio schedule or culture. Besides countless studio tours, we had recruiter visits and industry mentor portfolio reviews. In the end I was able to land an offer at my dream studio. I can’t thank Andrew, Ria, and Mark enough for their help.”

“Ten years ago I was making Star Wars videos with my friends in my backyard, prior to attending Lost Boys I had even done a few more through high school. Experimenting with filming to post production to editing and sound in the most basic manners, it was always a one man show.

Today I work at Industrial Light and Magic with an amazing team of people working to further make history in visual effects.

Lost Boys is the one and only place I could ever see myself going to now that I’ve made it through and landed successful jobs. With each one having been a stepping stone leading to something greater, Lost Boys has proven to be that “first step into a larger world” Obi-Wan speaks of. In my time there I realized more and more that Lost Boys is more than just a school, to some it’s a home, or a home away from home. And the FX TD program is more than a course, it’s literally everything you could ask for and more in the way of a ticket to work in post. Same goes for the compositing program.

A huge thanks to Lost Boys and it’s lovely staff for being such loving hosts and amazing people!”

“Lost Boys was a clear choice for me when I had to choose a serious school for teaching about what an effects artist should really know in order to step directly into the feature film VFX industry.

An exclusive teaching on Houdini with a famous Houdini guru such as Andrew Lowell, has to be considered pure gold in the most active city (Vancouver) of visual effects in the world.

I’ve considered other schools in different areas of the world prior my final decision to register to Lost Boys in Vancouver. I found this school the perfect combination of quality of the teaching, length of the course, size of the classes and job placement assistance.

The contained size of the school and the classes is big advantage. The human touch and the friendly environment that grows into the school helps a lot to get more into the mood of how the VFX industry is made. Vancouver is a not a huge city and the degree of separation of the VFX people are really small. It’s important to know each other, sharing knowledge and consider ourself as part of a team a not just as a standalone artists.

Giving up to my job in Italy and moving into the other side of the world to start fresh a school is something that can be trustfully considered to be crazy thing. Instead I found solid ground in this new adventure with classmates, teachers and passionate people that gave me the tools and the help I was looking for to make my step into the Vancouver VFX Film industry.”