Video Symphony was better than I though it would be and I had a pretty good opinion after I toured. I graduated last year. One good thing is they keep high standards for instructors and equipment and advance course curricula since they train the editors from studios all over hollywood including the big ones, so they don't skimp. They have the same equipment as is in studios and LOTS of it! Its not the cheap equipment used in other schools to teach. I never once had to wait to get an Avid system in the lab anytime I wanted because they have tons of systems and equipment and lots of classrooms full of it. The teachers are amazing. They work on major film and tv productions- they're the real deal. They are good enugh to teach and get the respect from long time editors from the big studios - I know because I sat in the same classes as these proffesionals and you could tell they had a lot of respect for the teachers.

I went to a 2 year film school before Video Symphony and there's no comparison regarding the skills you get which are extremely advanced at Video Symphony which I discovered once I got into a large studio. I know more about the Avid technology than 95% of people I work with because they never took 800 hours of class instruction like I did. I got my job before I graduated from Video Symphony. Two of my friends got jobs before finishing too and I think almost all of my classmates got jobs right after graduating. Maybe not all of them because I lost touch with a few of them, but everybody else have jobs. The only bad thing about the school is they have to reschedule a class soemtimes because of an instructor caught up in a film release deadline. Other than that I recommend the school. Its was worth the tuition which I've made about double already in 16 months. Very advanced training. It made me competitive.

I think you'll be intrigued because I felt like you a month ago. Don't doubt it take the tour the staff are really friendly speak to Greg Catlett the lead Counselor he'll show you around and even introduce you to the students and explain their origins. Greg told me that many students come from different places around the World, including Brazil, Paris and even Germany. I came into the conlcusion that the place is great especially their advanced Avid Rooms and sound...you just cant help but wonder how these people can learn all this stuff in a matter of a year! I am starting on April 1st I am done with my paperwork Financial Aid and loan stuff. I recommend it!! Take the tour...don't hesitate!!! Or else you'll keep wondering.

A lot of production is in LA but there are editors everywhere..

W

I am considering the Mograph program at VS this fall. Can anyone give some unbiased opinions on the program? Thanks!

$28k for the professional program.

The instructors are great. Classes are sporadic. No set scheduling. Classes are on weekends, nights, weekdays. Not consistent so difficult to hold down any part-time job.

No guarantee of work at the end of the program. Professional Program is highly slanted towards Avid with only one or two Final Cut classes thrown in for good measure. Avid Equipment is old and obsolete. No HD equipment or teaching. Classrooms are not representative of a post production house i.e. a deck at every Avid.

My advice - take a few Avid classes either here or at another school and save your money.

Yes, VS is "expensive." But preparing for any career costs money. If you look at the length of the program and the cost compared to a first rate film school, you're actually saving about 80 thousand. You can't compare it to lesser programs, because VS is one f the best.

You also have to consider how many AVID units they have and remember those cost about 100 thou each. So really there is nothing unreasonable about the cost, it just depends on if you think it is worth it for you and what you would get out of it. Not every school is right for every one.

I personally think VS is a great school, with a first-class facility, and top instructors. I am not sure about Greg's email, but as far as I know he doesn't randomly email people telling them they will fail unless they go to VS. I met with him and of course he has a sales pitch (hello - it's his job to recruit students), but he also made it clear the VS is not for everyone and not everyone finishes.

I think if you're interested in the school, listen to other people's experiences, but also, check it out for yourself. Firsthand info and opinions are always the best.

Sounds like it gets most positive reviews, with some neutral.

Most of the comments above are about the AVID program, what about the ProTools program? I'm really interested in taking the path of Audio Production. I've graduated with a Audio/Video Production bachelor's degree and would really like some more training on ProTools. How is the program? The Instructors? The facilities?

They're very friendly and aggressive to get you signed up, but when they've got your money you'll find their instructors are mostly recycled program grads, too many of the classes are repetitive or vague (for a hefty price), they overbook their classes and "Hot Time" is more and more difficult to come by. They discontinued several classes I was sold on without any notice and are not terribly helpful or friendly with their support staff.

There are good classes at VS, but primarily the handful of Avid classes and one Final Cut certified class are all that's worth the money and you could get those other places for much less money. The promises of placement are garbage. Sure, you might get placed and it might have nothing at all to do with editing. They'll call it "placed". They qualify the heck out of their placement as well, which you don't really discover until you're already in.