By Jenna May Bourque
Originally, I planned to kick off my film school journey in 2020.
However, the onset of the pandemic threw a wrench into everyone's 2020 plans, all the colleges and universities forcing all classes online. With a preference for the in-person experience, I went back inside and closed my front door, pushing my start date in hopes that things would eventually return to normal. Yet, as months passed, it became increasingly apparent that the situation wasn't going to improve anytime soon.
Eventually, I had to make a tough decision and commit to beginning the program, even if it meant attending classes virtually. Finally, in late 2021, I took the plunge, balancing assignments with my job and life in New Brunswick. Six months into the program, as restrictions eased, I hopped on a plane to attend in-person classes in Vancouver.
The Foundation in visual art and design course included film, animation, and digital design. Over four terms, we delved into each area before picking two specializations in the final two terms. It was a blessing to have such a small class size, allowing for personalized attention from instructors and fostering a supportive environment for learning. We each had the chance to create our own short films and collaborate on various projects in mediums we knew we were not going to specialize in, which provided valuable hands-on experience. The film students got the chance to make their first, and probably last animated flour sack hop.
As the year drew to a close, I found myself struggling, contemplating whether to pursue further studies in the film production course or if I should return home. My hesitation cost me, the program became full for a year after I graduated, and I had no choice but to settle for the wait. I don’t regret that choice now, I wouldn’t have ended up in my crazy cohort if I made the choice sooner. In the meantime, I stayed in Vancouver anyway, I engaged in volunteer work on indie films and film festivals, supplementing my income with a job in hospitality and weddings.
While some of my foundation classmates already had their plans in line, being international students they did not have the luxury of hesitation. Upon my return to VFS, many of my peers were on the cusp of graduation.
In retrospect, I realized that the foundation program had equipped me with essential skills and knowledge, laying a solid groundwork for my next year at VFS, even within the industry if I did not pursue the next course. Composition drawing classes (even though I’m not skilled at drawing), helped me with storyboards and envisioning scenes. Motion graphics and 3d program assignments helped me get ready for the intense and quick due dates of film production, proving to myself that I can do anything with a due date even when they’re not my expertise. I still don’t remember how I managed to create the cute wizard animation I put together for one of my assignments. After an intense first year, Film production felt like extra sauce.
A highlight that stands out for me was back in Term 2 of the Film Production course, as we tackled various roles within the industry itself. From pre-production, and building a set from scratch to getting to play every major role on set, each aspect of the process provided invaluable insights and practical skills. It gave us the space to experience every role for ourselves while finding which areas we felt the most comfortable in.
Throughout the film production program, I had the privilege of working on approximately over 30 productions. With small roles, and big roles like Production Designer and Producer. These experiences, both challenging and rewarding, solidified my passion for filmmaking and prepared me for the journey ahead in the industry.
Being tossed in with the same group of people for a year has been an experience, having to see the same faces every day, drama is bound to happen. Our class had its clicks, they shifted around throughout the year as new people were put in new groups. It's what I imagine working on a movie set for months, or tv shows for years with the same people would look like.
In film school, the emphasis was consistently placed on the idea that grades would hold little weight in the real world of filmmaking. Beyond the occasional small test or assignment, nobody would be inquiring about our performance in a particular class during a specific term. Instead, what truly mattered were the results we produced, the dedication we exhibited, and the connections we forged within our classes.
Starting in the third term of my film school journey, I embarked on the path of a producer, leaping into the realm of logistics and paperwork. It was a role I never imagined myself embracing, yet as I delved deeper into its intricacies, I discovered a newfound appreciation for the work that Producers do. As a shy and socially awkward person, it was strange how much I loved being in a leadership role, despite everything that I have to do in the future to improve in leading a team. Which I will gladly embark on to improve.
Collaborating with the writing campus, we crafted stories that we film students would bring to life. When the opportunity arose to pitch for a producer role, I seized it with determination. Surprisingly, securing the position was easier than anticipated, perhaps because few dared to tread the path of paperwork and budgets. Yet, amidst the pre-production chaos, I found a sense of fulfillment in bringing stories to life.
Producing a short film in film school isn't just about getting the story onto a screen; it's about making conscious decisions that reflect our values and commitment to sustainability. With each project, I advocated for the inclusion of a Green PEACHY seal in the credits, symbolizing our dedication to environmental stewardship.
As the film industry can be very polluting, navigating the challenges of sustainability in filmmaking proved to be a challenging task, especially when I was a Production Designer on a horror short film for one of the final projects. Yet, through diligence and determination, the two films I produced, "Wrong Potion" and "Epicedion" and Production Designed “Heirloom”, achieved the coveted Green PEACHY seal, a testament to our commitment to sustainable practices. I am committed to carrying these principles forward into all my future productions, ensuring that every story we tell leaves a positive impact on the planet.
One department of filmmaking that particularly captivated me the most in the realm of film, was production design. From hunting for Easter eggs to exploring character narratives in the sets, I found myself drawn to this craft more than any other department. Although I dabbled in photography, and editing during my youth, I eventually realized the camera wasn't my true calling. Even when the Harry Potter films had less of a charm for me, I remained enamored with the immersive world they built, inspiring me to dream of crafting similar worlds. Production design transcends storytelling; it's world-building.
Term 4 presented the greatest challenge, teeming with pre-production tasks and a deluge of assignments. It's typically advised to take on only one key role during this term to preserve one's sanity. Ignoring this advice, unable to say no, I took on the roles of producer and production designer for two separate short films. In hindsight, I regret not opting for secondary roles and contributing to all six films instead. This term was the most challenging, it proved to be a profound learning experience, not just in terms of assignments and film work, but it was also a huge self-discovery moment for me. I saw my collaborative abilities, learning how to work more effectively with others and identifying areas for personal growth in future projects.
To secure the green light for our short films from our instructors, we underwent two panels to demonstrate our competence and vision. The deadline for submitting the final panels loomed at 9 am one morning, and many crew members had yet to submit their components. The objective was for each member to deliver their part to the producer for compilation into a cohesive panel for submission. I needed to complete the main panels, one for producing and production design, along with annoying my team to collect. With a producing class scheduled that morning, I stayed at the school receiving the final parts and collating all the files until 7 am. One of my fond memories is having spent the night at the computer lab, trying to nap on two wheely chairs. Waking up as the other producer students, also pulling all-nighters, came in for class. We were all rather annoyed that we had to endure a class that morning, in which the instructor was making their appearance Via Zoom. It was three hours of laughing fits during breaks, trying not to fall asleep, and having the patience for the class to finish so we could all head home and sleep.
Terms 5 and 6 were dedicated to the production and post-production phases of all six final projects, intertwined with additional assignments as well as the term 6 mini/demo shoots. I’m not sure why, but I felt compelled to overwhelm myself in these two terms. In addition to overseeing the three productions of term 5, I would become the post-production supervisor and producer for the final project continuing into Term 6. I also decided to take on the responsibility for all six demos/minis in the sixth term as well. While I played a secondary role in most of them, I also took up one more role as a production designer for the last mini-shoot. Including a project, I also started to help produce with a few of my other classmates who wanted to do a short film once we graduated. Another challenge I got myself through, just barely.
The mini-shoot I undertook to design was titled "Mari." Our primary challenge was that we were prohibited from shooting on location; everything had to be done within the studio at the school. This short film, a pole dance music video set in a cave, presented its own set of difficulties. Creating fake rocks on a tight budget proved to be exceedingly challenging, and I found myself at a loss initially. Eventually, I made the bold decision to craft these rocks using paper and affix them to the limited number of flats at our disposal. The process of paper-mâché with my small team, mere days before the shoot, was fraught with setbacks. Watching the paper fall off as we attempted to transport them to the studio was disheartening, and I began to doubt whether our efforts would yield anything other than a ridiculous outcome.
However, my director/producer maintained unwavering faith in me and kept my spirits up. Without the encouragement and support from my team, who saw potential in me that I was struggling to recognize in myself, I doubt I could have seen the project through to completion. While I acknowledge the mistakes that persisted in the final product, the team, and most importantly the director/producer, was pleased with the outcome. I was on the verge of tears when a friend, whom I felt I had been letting down in recent weeks, embraced me and expressed her pride in my work for the first time. Those were words I had been longing to hear from her since we embarked on collaborating on a script for our final project.
My classmates played a massive role in helping me believe in myself, inspiring and supporting me through the challenges of the past two years. I will forever be grateful to every one of them. Whenever I find myself plagued by self-doubt in the future, I need only to reflect on what I was able to achieve during my two years at VFS.
