Summer Film Industry Booming and so is Toronto Film School: Guest Blog by Christopher Lane

So much has been going on from Batman, the “batmobile” and the Joker sightings to big fat Greek weddings—it seems everywhere you turn Toronto’s film and television industry is in full force. Not only the crews, but the post-production facilities and distribution companies are overflowing. Our city is also excitingly gearing up for the 40^th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival.

As always I would like to congratulate all of our graduates. We will miss seeing you in the halls—of course as far as we’re concerned you’re never really gone. A big hello to all of our new students as well. Please go out of your way to say hi and make our new students feel welcome and a part of our Toronto Film School community.

I would also like to congratulate our 5^th term “Thesis” films. With the minor tweaks and revisions that have been implemented in the various courses over the last year or so, that lead into our 5^th term pitches—we the jury have hands down agreed that this crop presented an astounding leap in the quality of materials submitted to the board. Therefore this marks the first time in Toronto Film School history that we have (happily) been forced to “greenlight” every project submitted last term.

Congratulations to these students! This can only result in continuing to better the overall final product. We look forward to seeing the films. As far as courses are concerned know that were always tweaking in the best interest of you, our students, and I take to heart all of the conversations we’ve had together, and will continue to better our delivery of information to you and continue to make the Toronto Film School the greatest film school in the country.

There have been so many exciting things that have happened over the last little while. This seasons TIFF Higher Learning symposiums are being planned and we were treated to a sneak peek with the first event. This event, which was attended by Toronto Film School students in Film Production, Writing as well as Acting, was a resounding success. Ask anyone who was there. The event consisted of a feature length screening of “Johnny Stecchino”, followed by a lively and animated Q&A with Oscar winning director Roberto Benigni and his partner Nicoletta Braschi. You can read more about the event here.

April 29 was National Film Day in Canada and our students were able to step up in a big way participating in many roles such as film crew and event hosts assisting REEL CANADA in the facilitation and documentation of the event. Our students were able to spend time with iconic director Atom Egoyan and up and coming actor Vinay Virmani even having the opportunity to interview them for short promotional films they were asked to produce, which were shared and seen on both large and small screens everywhere. Check them out on the Toronto Film School Student Stories Blog here.

Once again our Film Production students were asked to produce and shoot the annual charity event Project Water hosted by Engage and Change even receiving a plaque, which we will proudly display. The event helps deliver water to homeless and in need individuals and families across the city, good work.

Another huge shout out to all of our Film Production students who have stepped up in a large way to not only represent Toronto Film School but the city of Toronto, by producing dozens of short historical documentary, experimental and narrative films celebrating the Magna Carta’s 800^th anniversary. The document will be displayed at Historic Fort York, along with a great deal of Toronto Film School work celebrating this important document.

We also had a lot of fun working with a brand new 3D printing company who supplied their services to some upcoming films. Our 5^th term projects will now have the ability to design props and/or set pieces that could not previously been resourced with the assistance of Voovoo 3D printing. Shout out to Emily Varg and Terryl Benoit for assisting me in producing a promotional piece for our new affiliates. And thank you again to the dozens and dozens of other projects that our Film Production students have stepped up in such a way that represents Toronto Film School—with everything from projects with the Canadian Film Centre to corporate pieces for various companies and events. Your professionalism and quality of work continues to make the Toronto Film School proud. All of these have been just a few of the projects and events that our students have been involved with in the past term. Keep up the great work.

Coming up at the Toronto Film School we have all sorts of events in the works including guest speakers as well as further events involving REEL CANADA including celebrities, notable directors, producers, writers and actors. I will keep you posted as these events get finalized. Stay tuned to the bulletin boards and all of our social media.

We also have an exciting event coming up with Flying Fish Productions which is one of the major drone flying and film production companies in this country. They have worked on projects like HBOs Sensitive Skin, Orphan Black and National Geographic as well as many other film and television projects. Flying Fish will be coming into the school to speak, bringing along a flight simulator, various drones and camera demonstrations, as well as allowing the students the opportunity to practice flying some drones yourself—maybe even setting up a few obstacle courses for you to test your skills.

Believe me, I tried and have to profess I have no skills! I crashed over and over. There will even be small practice drones and slightly larger drones with cameras available to order. This should be a very popular event and I hope to see you there.

Lastly I’d like to mention that our 3^rd annual Toronto Film School Festival of Films is set to take place on September 24, 2015 at the Cineplex Odeon 10 Dundas St. E, with the award ceremony taking place in the VIP Theater. We have optimized and streamlined the submission process for this year to keep in line with the major festivals around the world. To submit or for more details on the festival please visit here.

This year’s festival and ceremony should prove to be our biggest festival yet. Of course there’s all sorts of other events for you to participate in, but I want to keep a few up my sleeve. Please check the bulletin boards regularly! It’s always been my belief that participating in all that is offered and available to you, the students enhances the learning and school experience. The filmmaking community is just that—a community—be part of it. Enjoy it.

Christopher Lane is an Instructor of the Film Production Diploma Program at Toronto Film School. He is a writer, producer and director who has been working in the film industry for more than 20 years.