Toronto Film School Blog

Monika Monika recently landed a role on Bell Fibe’s Realm 2 – a “dream come true” for the Class of 2021 Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre grad. The web series follows the lives of various hopefuls, whose goals in life are similar, despite the fact that their paths have never crossed. “Working on …

Toronto Film School’s John Tench has enjoyed a very busy year on set, with a quintet of roles that will have him appearing – and sometimes dying – on both the big and small screens in the coming year. Not only did the Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre instructor recently appear in an …

At Toronto Film School, we never cease to be amazed by the accomplishments of our awesome alumni, students and faculty, who are out pursuing their dreams in the creative industries – be it winning prestigious competitions and awards, securing sought-after jobs in their field, or landing roles on movies, TV shows and web series. Here …

What Do Body Doubles Do?  Body Doubles make shows and movies possible by allowing the characters they are portraying to appear to have abilities or skills they do not have, or a certain desired look. Here are some examples of when a body double is needed:  When a scene requires a stunt that is too …

Students in Toronto Film School’s 5W Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre class will need to be ready to take on any and all roles when their production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Everybody hits the stage for a three-performance run next week. That’s because the play – a modern riff on the fifteenth-century morality play Everyman …

Toronto Film School Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre students will tackle Pulitzer Prize-winning author Carol Shields’ 1990 play Departures & Arrivals next week at the Papermill Theatre. Directed by Jonathan Whittaker, the 75-minute play is set in an airport lounge, and, through a series of vignettes, captures a spectrum of travelers awakening to …

Toronto Film School acting students will delve into the surrealist mind of award-winning filmmaker David Lynch this month when their production of Twin Freaks comes to the stage at Papermill Theatre. Created and directed by Jonathan Higgins, the 75-minute play takes its inspiration from the unique cinematic aesthetic Lynch – an auteur, innovator and cinematic …

Toronto Film School acting students will revive a classic James Joyce tale later this month, when their adaptation of The Dead hits the stage at the Papermill Theatre. Adapted and directed by Aaron Willis, the 75-minute play breathes new life into Joyce’s exploration of love, loss and the nature of Irish identity, which was first …

Buying a gift for an actor can feel as daunting as decoding a Shakespearean soliloquy. Whether they’re delivering heartfelt monologues in an acting class or starring in the latest Hollywood production, actors are notorious for having unique needs and tastes. Unfortunately, this is doubly true regarding their preferences for presents.  But fear not! We’ve put …

“Hope and connection in an often troubling, but beautiful world.” That is what the creative team behind Toronto Film School’s latest virtual production of The Wayfinders hope audiences take away from watching their play. Created and directed by Lauren Brotman, the 60-minute virtual play was inspired by scenes from Tara Beagan’s Dreary and Izzy and …

A group of talented acting students from Toronto Film School will attempt to “shed light on the things we prefer to keep in the dark” when their adaptation of The Government Inspector takes to the stage at the Papermill Theatre this month.   Adapted and directed by Andy Massingham, the 75-minute play was originally written …

“When in doubt, keep it simple.” That was just one of the pieces of advice imparted on Toronto Film School’s graduating Class of 2023 during their recent convocation ceremony – and it came from none other than Priscilla producer (and fellow TFS alum) Chris Hatcher, who acted as the ceremony’s distinguished speaker. Distinguished Speaker Chris …

It can seem a daunting task, being handed a script and knowing you have to memorize all your character’s lines. Although there is no one generally accepted method for remembering dialogue, memorization techniques are taught in most acting programs such as Toronto Film School’s Acting for Film, TV and the Theatre Diploma Program.   In this …

Voice acting is an art form that breathes life into characters, narratives, and advertisements across media platforms. From the fantastical realms of video games to the captivating storytelling of podcasts and the persuasive allure of commercials, voice acting plays a vital role in entertainment and culture.  In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you into the …

Your journey as an actor begins long before you step onto the stage or in front of the camera. In truth, it starts with a document that’s your calling card, your introduction, and your ticket to auditions all rolled into one—the acting resume. Join us on a quest to craft a winning acting resume that …

A group of Toronto Film School’s talented Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre students will bring a story about a country in the throes of a civil war to the stage when they launch their production of Luces Nocturnas at the Papermill Theatre later this month. Conceived and directed by Rosanna Saracino, the 75-minute …

Toronto Film School acting students will pay tribute to a beloved late classmate when their upcoming adaptation of Luis Bunuel’s El ángel exterminador hits the stage at the Papermill Theatre. “I’m going to begin with the name of a beautiful angel: Stefany Herrera Salgado, a student actor who was taken from us only four months ago,” …

If you’ve ever watched a film or a television show and thought, “I could write something like that,” you’re not alone. Many people are drawn to the glamour and creativity of the film and television industry, and screenwriting is often seen as a gateway into this exciting world. But one question that often arises is, …

Being on a film set can be thrilling, even if you’re not a credited character but only someone in the background. This is known as being an ‘extra’ or ‘background performer.’ Typically there are no lines to memorize, and often you are working as part of a group. Below, we answer the commonly asked questions …

by Garry Murdock. July 4, 2023  We’ve all heard the stories:, how a famous actor landed a part or an agent without trying, and became a superstar. Charlize Theron was ‘discovered’ in a bank. Chris Pratt was waiting tables at a restaurant in Maui when a director casted him on the spot. Jennifer Lawrence was …

Toronto Film School recently announced Dmytro Salenko as the inaugural winner of its newly launched Creative Success Award. For Salenko, a Video Game Design & Animation student, being selected as the first-ever recipient of the quarterly $2,500 bursary meant the world to him – not only proving that all his hard work and dedication is …

Class of 2023 grad Matyas Dudas landed a job at People Can Fly Studio – a global video game development company known as one of the leading Unreal Engine studios in the industry – right after graduating from the Video Game Design & Development program last fall. Since November, Dudas has been working full time …

At Toronto Film School, we never cease to be amazed by the accomplishments of our awesome alumni, students and faculty, who are out pursuing their dreams in the creative industries – be it winning prestigious competitions and awards, securing sought-after jobs in their field, or landing roles on movies, TV shows and web series. Here …

Toronto Film School’s graduating class of Video Game students recently showcased their capstone gameBaristapocalypse during a virtual event for students, faculty, staff and alumni. Billed as a “caffeine-fueled adventure,” the multi-player game is set in a post-apocalyptic universe where players are tasked with managing a coffee shop on a commercial spacecraft – keeping it free …

Toronto Film School recently welcomed Academy Award-winning animator, director and JALI Inc. founder Chris Landreth to our 460 Yonge Campus. Landreth, who won the 2005 Best Animated Short Oscar for Ryan was on hand on March 6 to deliver his world-renowned Making Faces Masterclass to a select group of Video Game students and alumni. Rob …

More creatives are producing incredible video games coast to coast than ever before. From 2017 to 2021, we’ve seen a whopping 80% increase in game studios in Canada. And yet, many gamers don’t know that talented Canadians crafted some of their favourite experiences on consoles and PC.  Tunic, Sea of Stars, and Dead Space Remake …

Whether you’re searching for the perfect holiday gift, a special birthday surprise, or the cherry on top of a loved one’s graduation, nabbing the perfect item for the designer in your life can be tough.  At Toronto Film School, we’re often asked by parents and friends of students on what would make an ideal gift …

“When in doubt, keep it simple.” That was just one of the pieces of advice imparted on Toronto Film School’s graduating Class of 2023 during their recent convocation ceremony – and it came from none other than Priscilla producer (and fellow TFS alum) Chris Hatcher, who acted as the ceremony’s distinguished speaker. Distinguished Speaker Chris …

Toronto Film School’s Rob Elsworthy recently delivered a keynote speech at Scottish Games Week 2023 (SGW23). Held in Edinburgh from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, SGW23 is an annual five-day conference bringing together the Scottish gaming community for a celebration of its successes, an opportunity to learn from its challenges, and a showcase of its …

In Canada, horror is about more than just entertainment; it’s a genre that has deep roots in our cultural storytelling.  From campfire ghost stories and narratives of isolation to Indigenous myths and legends of creatures in our wilderness, Canadians are no strangers to the art of fear; and sure enough, it’s Canadian game developers who …

If you’re considering learning video game design, then perhaps you’re an avid gamer. And lately, you may have been asking yourself: why not combine my passion for video games with a career?  Learning game design is an excellent place to start. This is because game design will teach you everything you need to know about …

For our money, the frontier where imagination meets innovation – a world where pixels come alive and stories unfold interactively – is video games. Making a video game is a journey that fuses creativity with technical prowess. It’s also a multi-billion dollar industry that overshadows film and television combined. So, if you’ve ever wanted to …

In the realm of digital entertainment, mobile games have carved a niche for themselves, captivating audiences across age groups. Whether you’re a budding game designer or an experienced developer, the process of creating a mobile game can be an exhilarating journey.  This comprehensive guide is designed to navigate you through the intricate steps of mobile …

Imagine immersing yourself in a world of your own creation, where every character, every quest, every pixel is a product of your imagination. This is the magic of game development, a field where creativity meets technology, and ideas come to life in the form of interactive experiences. If you’ve ever lost yourself in the captivating …

Toronto Film School went BIG for its 20th anniversary celebrations over the weekend – rolling out the red carpet to students past, present and future for an inspiring event that shone a spotlight on just how possible it is to start a career doing what you love. The TFS Showcase: A Journey in Motion event, which …

    The team of Video Game students behind the “intense” stealth shooter game Infestari took home one of the top prizes from the 10th Annual Level Up Showcase last month. “We are thrilled to announce that the Infestari team has won the Best Artistic Achievement award at Level Up 2023,” said Video Game Design …

Video game animators are officially in high demand, and it’s plain to see why.  The global video game market is expected to skyrocket to an astonishing $268.8 billion by 2025. And as of 2023, there are now 3.03 billion gamers worldwide, a figure that has risen by 1 billion in just seven years.  What’s more, …

Ever since the late 90s and early 2000s, Canada’s video game industry has seen rapid growth and development. And although the industry now contributes a substantial 5.5 billion dollars to Canada’s GDP, many still fail to connect the Great White North to the renowned games it produces.  Perhaps, this reluctance is tied to Hollywood’s dominant …

The definition of an “indie” video game has long been imprecise. It’s one thing to label a game as independent because it doesn’t have ties to a major studio. It’s a much more difficult process to pin down what elements make a game “indie” as a style and a genre, which is how the term …

“Don’t be afraid to try new things.”   That’s the ethos with which this term’s graduating class of Video Game Design & Animation and Video Game Design & Development students approached the creation of their capstone game, VoidSpoken.     The “action-packed” single-player game takes place on here Earth in a dystopian future in which …