Stephen Colosi
Stephen Colosi
What education did you have before you took the Visual Effects for Film and Television course?
Before I attended Seneca College, I had previously completed a 2 year diploma at Durham College in Oshawa. There I studied Digital Animation, where I was introduced to methods used for the visual effects process.
Tell us a bit about your experience at the college.
After graduating from Durham I knew that I wanted to pursue a career as either a compositor or an effects artist, so naturally I began looking for schools that offered the best up to date classes. Seneca was always held in high regard when it came to best 1-on-1 teaching, as well as industry knowledge, which was the major deciding factors when it came down to me choosing a school.
All of the professors at Seneca were very knowledgable about every aspect of the industry and were able to give an entire overview of the VFX production, making it easier for students to create a learning path that best suited their skills and passion. The teaching styles of Seneca professors made learning fun again, and it created a group atmosphere unlike any other program I've seen before. Due to the small class sizes everyone was able to get proper instruction from the professors, allowing for the classroom to evolve as a whole, leaving no one behind.
How do you use the education you got at Seneca in your job today?
After finishing the VFT program at Seneca I felt prepared and confident about tackling the job market in the outside world. Not only had I produced a quality demo reel, but I had also been prepared for the job hunt itself, thanks to the professors knowledge of the hiring process.
As I went in for my very first job interview at a studio, I had remembered everything the professors had taught me, and within just a few short days I had been hired for the position of effects artist for a well known studio. It is true that you learn the most the first week you start at a studio, but because of the preparation I received at Seneca I was able to hit the ground running and enter the industry with confidence. My employers were impressed with how up to date my techniques were, and noticed the quality of a Seneca graduate right away.
This is Stephen's demo reel when he finished the program in the Spring of 2013
What advice would you give potential students who are thinking of taking the course?
To any potential students out there, that are serious about entering the Visual Effects industry, I strongly suggest taking VFT at Seneca. They will give you the opportunity to discover what you are passionate about, and take that passion and mold it into a profession. It will arm you with the knowledge and techniques you need to enter the industry professionally as well as give solid ground to build yourself up on.
(Written in 2013)