Vancouver Film School prides itself on its industry partnerships. We work directly with the best of the industry to provide real-world film production training opportunities for our students while they’re at VFS, giving them exposure to and experience with the industry they are training to join. Before they’ve even graduated, our students get to add real, on-set industry experience to their resumes! A great example of this was late last year when Vancouver Film School’s Film Production program students gained industry experience through a film production collaboration with Ryan Reynold’s Maximum Effort for a SickKids holiday ad starring Ryan Reynolds himself and Michael Bublé. More recently, this past fall, 8 additional VFS Film Production students had the opportunity to work on-set for a film shoot with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks!
Titled ‘The Call of Destiny’, the shoot was for the Canucks’ in-arena cinematic video for the 2024-25 season, featuring cutting-edge motion capture technology and the film production skills our students have been learning at VFS. Co-starring Actor (and Canucks Superfan) Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) and featuring cameos from a number of the Canucks themselves, the final product was nothing short of EPIC (anyone else getting Middle Earth vibes?).
You can watch the full video here:
On-Set Experience with the Vancouver Canucks
The Film Production students lucky enough to work on-set were Kylee Lauren Bell, Jaxon Bohn, Kyle Sorely, Josiah Erwin, Steffie Wong, Marcelo Salinas, Linzie Weiss, and Mathieu Gallon. These students gained professional film set experience as Production Assistants over two days, September 14-15, at Rogers Arena. These particular days of the shoot covered all of the on-ice footage you see in the video.
This opportunity not only provided on-set training for VFS’s film students but offered networking opportunities in Vancouver’s film industry! While Kyle, who called it a 10/10 experience, said “it was one of the coolest experiences I have had. I got to meet players from my favourite sports team and work with an amazing crew on an insanely cool set”, Steffie commented: “this experience taught me that film is not just about delivering what is necessary – it’s about making real connections with the people who bring the story to life.”
The video has been airing during home games and has been praised for its cinematic quality, garnering positive reactions on YouTube from Canucks fans. @CanucksGameVlogger commented “They always kill it with the arena presentations”, while @JaykeKnoll said “This is so sick for no reason” and @drkhkoowho proclaimed it a “cinematic masterpiece”.
From left to right: Josiah Erwin, Steffie Wong, and Kyle Sorely from VFS’s Film Production program on-set with the Canucks.Motion Capture Training at Beyond Capture Studios
Speaking of industry partnerships, Beyond Capture Studios was also involved with the production of the video, with their motion capture technology bringing to life the snowstorm and mountain-climbing sequences in ‘The Call of Destiny’. A 64,000 cubic foot performance capture volume, Beyond Capture’s performance capture studio at Vancouver Film School is one of the largest in North America. They’ve worked on some of the industry’s biggest projects, from Netflix’s The Fall of the House of Usher to the Resident Evil 4 remake and beyond. VFS’s partnership with the studio grants our students access to this space during their training, exposing them to cutting-edge motion capture technology in film and allowing them to add yet another industry-standard practice to their skill set.
As Beyond Capture has hired many VFS grads over the years, Vancouver Film School alumni, including motion capture and audio technicians, played key roles in producing the Vancouver Canucks video. These alumni are Russell Ma (Motion Capture Technician), Andrea Garcia de Alba (Motion Capture Technician), Andres Ferrat (Senior Motion Capture Technician), Carlos Rodriguez (Audio Technician), and Matt Lautrup (Shoot Producer).
Take a look at this behind-the-scenes video from Beyond Capture:
Real-World Training Opportunities at VFS
This is just one of many exciting opportunities that lie in store for Vancouver Film School students. If you’re looking to enter the entertainment industry and want to do it FAST, Canada’s leading film school in Vancouver – one of the largest creative hubs in Canada – gets you fully trained and launches your industry career in directing, cinematography, producing, production design, and post-production. Explore VFS’s Film Production program today and launch your filmmaking career in just 1 year!
FAQ
- How were the students chosen for this opportunity, and what criteria was used to select them?
As VFS class sizes are small to optimize training, maximize networking opportunities, and ensure each student receives the attention they deserve, this was an open call to the current Film Production intake. Students were made aware that this was a fantastic opportunity to gain experience working on a professional film set and therefore, each student from this particular intake was offered the chance to join the production. - What specific responsibilities did the students have as Production Assistants during the shoot?
As Production Assistants, the students would have performed various on-set tasks, including managing equipment, assisting with set preparation, coordinating with crew members, ensuring the smooth flow of the shoot, and possibly running errands. They might also have supported departments like lighting, sound, and props, gaining hands-on experience in multiple aspects of production. - What role did Cobie Smulders and the Canucks players play in the creative process for 'The Call of Destiny'?
Although her character is not clearly defined in the video, Cobie Smulders’ role in the sports-themed video it that of an omniscient gatekeeper of a sacred Hockey Stick. - What steps are taken by VFS to ensure students transition smoothly from training experiences like this to professional industry roles?
VFS prepares students for professional roles by providing networking opportunities through industry partnerships, real-world film industry experience in Canada on high-profile projects, and access to advanced facilities like Beyond Capture’s motion capture studio. They also offer career counseling, mentorship opportunities, and vast network of alumni connections. These resources help students build resumes, develop relationships within the industry, and gain the confidence needed to secure jobs post-graduation.