This summer, challenge yourself creatively and experience VFS’s creative industry training.
Join us on-campus in Vancouver this summer for five-day intensive workshops in Film Production, Animation, Game Design, Acting, and Makeup Design. You’ll enhance your technical & creative skillset, begin crafting your career portfolio, get a taste of our full-time creative arts programs, and try something new in a true studio environment. Vancouver Film School summer workshops are taught by experienced professionals who are actively working in and shaping the creative industries.
Limited spots are available – register today!
Cost:
Price varies per workshop – see specific workshops below for prices.
Registration Deadline:
One (1) week prior to workshop start date
Dates:
July 14 – July 25, 2025
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. PDT each day
*Dates/times are subject to change
Location:
In-person, on campus at VFS
(*unless otherwise indicated)
Additional Information:
- Please ensure you provide a valid email address, as all workshop changes will be communicated via email.
- Schedules will be emailed at least one week before the start of the workshop. You can expect to have lessons with VFS instructors as well as creative assignments, activities, and independent work, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (*Please note: Day 1 will begin at 8:30 a.m. for your welcome orientation. Then, your schedule will continue from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for the duration.).
- Participation and attendance to each workshop day is required.
**Please note that courses may be cancelled at any time due to low enrolment. Upon cancellation, registrants will receive a full refund.
If you have any questions, please contact: [email protected]
Requirements
- Applicants must be 16 years old at start of intensives.
- Language requirement: Intermediate-level English (minimum requirement of IELTS 6.0).
- See each workshop for specific requirements.
Acting for Film & Television ($500)
Dates: July 14 - July 18, 2025
In this Acting summer intensive, you’ll dive into the exciting world of on-camera acting for film and television. Taught by working industry actors with impressive credits in film & TV, this workshop will provide you with firsthand experience performing in front of the camera. To learn more about our full-time Acting program, click here.
You Will:
- Learn essential acting techniques, from using your voice and body as a core instrument of play to vital audition techniques.
- Discover how to expand upon scripts to develop your own unique take on a character.
- Learn how professional actors interact on film sets.
- Film a short scene that synthesizes your work in front of the camera.
You’ll Need:
- Comfortable clothing
Acting for Film & Television ($500)
Dates: July 14 - July 18, 2025
This comprehensive five-day workshop will introduce you to the world of acting for film and television. Taught by active professionals with extensive resumes in the film and TV industry, this workshop provides you with firsthand experience of performing in front of the camera. Join us to explore the serious play in training for actors.
You will:
- Learn essential acting techniques, from using your voice and body as a core instrument of play to vital audition techniques.
- Discover how to expand upon scripts to develop your own unique take on a character.
- Learn how professional actors interact on film sets.
- Film a short scene that synthesizes your work in front of the camera.
What You’ll Need:
- Comfortable clothing
Film Production ($825)
Dates: July 14 - July 18, 2025
Led by experienced professionals active in the film & TV industry, this Film Production summer camp will take you through hands-on exercises working with actors, cameras, lighting, editing software, and more. Discover the 5 specializations taught in our full-time fast-track film production training program: Directing, Producing, Cinematography, Production Design, and Post-Production. You’ll also learn about set protocol & etiquette and post-production workflows. To learn more about our full-time Film Production program, click here.
You Will:
- Learn about the business and politics of the entertainment industry.
- Take on-set roles in order to direct actors and shoot a short scene.
- Learn how a professional film set runs safely and effectively.
- Develop editing skills to polish your scene for the final day screening.
You’ll Need:
- Wired headphones
- USB to take any projects home
- Notebook & pen or laptop for notetaking
Film Production ($825)
Dates: July 14 - July 18, 2025
In this one-week course, active film industry professionals will lead you through hands-on exercises working with actors, cameras, lights, editing software and more. This workshop will introduce you to the 5 key disciplines taught in the Vancouver Film School's Film Production course: Directing, Producing, Production Design, Cinematography, and Post-Production. Emphasis will be placed on proper set protocol and etiquette as well as post-production workflow.
You will:
- Learn all about the business and politics of the Film & TV industry.
- Take on-set roles in order to direct actors and shoot a short scene.
- Learn how a professional film set runs safely and effectively.
- Develop editing skills to ready your scene to be screened on the final day.
What You’ll Need:
- Headphones (*Must be wired)
- USB to take any projects home
- Pen and a notebook to take notes
Game Design ($825)
Dates: July 14 - July 18, 2025
Interested in how to become a video game designer in 2025? Experience the dynamic role of a professional game designer in this video game design summer camp. Instructors will guide you through prototyping your very own online game in VFS’s studio environment. There’s no better way to get a taste of VFS’s Game Design program, ranked #1 in Canada by Princeton Review Journal. To learn more about our full-time Game Design program, click here.
You Will:
- Explore the game development process from concept to completion.
- Get direct production experience in game art, level design, storytelling, and programming software.
- Bring characters to life in Unity and explore game development by prototyping your very own online game.
- Begin building a dynamic online portfolio.
You’ll Need:
- Wired headphones
- USB to take any projects home
- Notebook & pen or laptop for notetaking
Game Design ($825)
Dates: July 14 - July 18, 2025
Intended for those who want to pursue a career in the games industry, this five-day course will give you a unique opportunity to experience the dynamic role of a game designer. Instructors will guide you through creating your very own game in VFS’s studio environment. There’s no better way to understand the one-year Game Design program at VFS and get a taste of working in video games.
You will:
- Explore the game development process from concept to completion.
- Get direct production experience in game art, level design, storytelling, and programming software.
- Bring characters to life in Unity and explore game development by prototyping your very own online game.
- Begin building a dynamic online portfolio.
What You’ll Need:
- Headphones (*Must be wired)
- USB to take any projects home
- Pen and a notebook to take notes
3D Animation & Visual Effects ($825)
Dates: July 21 - July 25, 2025
Through this Animation workshop in Vancouver, you’ll explore the processes, history, and power of 3D Animation. Hands-on exercises will introduce you to foundational techniques used in animation, allow you to start crafting your career portfolio, and provide you with vital insight into the $400+ billion global animation industry. To learn more about our full-time 3D Animation program, click here.
You Will:
- Get hands-on experience with techniques used in designing for animation.
- Learn pose and form while creating a 3D model and exploring cutting-edge 3D tools to animate objects.
- Create concept art like storyboards and character designs.
- Explore the variety of exciting roles artists play within a production.
You’ll Need:
- Wired headphones
- USB to take any projects home
- Notebook & pen or laptop for notetaking
3D Animation & Visual Effects ($825)
Dates: July 21 - July 25, 2025
This workshop features five days of exploring the processes, history, and potential of animation. The course focuses around exercises that form the foundation of the entire animation medium, and provide you with vital insights into the workings of the real-world animation and visual effects industry.
You will:
- Get hands-on experience with techniques used in designing for animation.
- Learn pose and form while creating a 3D model and exploring cutting-edge 3D tools to animate objects.
- Create concept art like storyboards and character designs.
- Explore the variety of exciting roles artists play within a production.
What You’ll Need:
- Headphones (*Must be wired)
- USB to take any projects home
- Pen and a notebook to take notes
Makeup for Film & Television ($825)
Dates: July 21 - July 25, 2025
In this Makeup for Film & Television workshop, you’ll discover the world of production makeup, from effects to tattoos and beyond. Through live demonstrations and hands-on assignments, you’ll develop foundational production makeup skills and begin crafting your career portfolio. To learn more about our full-time Makeup Design program, click here.
*Note: This workshop will require students to use each other as models for the application of production makeup throughout the week.
You Will:
- Cover basic highlight and shadow techniques.
- Learn corrective & beauty principles in production makeup.
- Try “out-of-kit” effects such as cuts, scars, and facial hair applications.
- Design & apply a tattoo and emerge from the workshop with photographs for your portfolio.
You’ll Need:
- Notebook & pen or laptop for notetaking
- Camera or smartphone for taking photos of your work
Makeup for Film & Television ($825)
Dates: July 21 - July 25, 2025
Discover the many facets of production makeup, in this five-day workshop. Through live demonstrations and hands-on assignments, you’ll emerge with the foundation necessary to apply to VFS’s Makeup Design for Film & Television.
*Note: This workshop will require students to use each other as models for the application of production makeup throughout the week.
You will:
- Cover basic highlight and shadow techniques.
- Learn corrective & beauty principles in production makeup.
- Try “out-of-kit” effects such as cuts, scars, and facial hair applications.
- Design & apply a tattoo and emerge from the workshop with photographs for your portfolio.
Requirements:
- Notebook & pen OR laptop for notetaking
- Camera or smartphone for taking photos of your work
We’re continually improving our curriculum to enhance your experience at VFS. Please note that the content above may be subject to minor curriculum changes.
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Questions about VFS Summer Intensives?
Go to the FAQHeader image artwork by Victor Fernandez, VFS 3D Animation & Visual Effects graduate, 2024