Full Sail’s Show Production Degree Program prepares students to work and thrive in the wide-ranging world of live entertainment. The 20-month curriculum begins by introducing the basics – Audio Workstations, Principles of Electronics, Mixing Techniques – and then transitions into specialized courses like Automated Lighting Technology and Audio Measurement Systems.

Throughout the degree program, explains Project and Portfolio VII Course Director John Sheldon, students learn in and around live environments. “They learn a lot of pre-production at what we call ‘Live Labs.’ So they’ve already worked with bands. And up until this point, we’ve helped them. We’ve been right next to them. ”

In the twentieth and final month of the degree program, however, students show off their chops by producing an entire live event themselves, from start to finish.

“We give them the freedom to make decisions, to really expand what they’re responsible for,” says John. And they’re responsible for all of it – from carefully transporting gear to recording multi-track mixes for subsequent video and audio projects.

A typical show day begins with the organization of gear – assembling the right pieces, arranging them safely in a truck, driving them to the venue, and loading in. “We start with a fresh building,” John explains. “They set up lights, they set up all the audio, all the consoles, all the video cameras, wire everything, and check it all. We bring a band in, they set up all their gear, we run line checks, sound checks, and then hopefully start a show on time.”

Each person plays an important role in the process – and the work doesn’t stop once the show gets going. Justin Walker, for instance, serves as the Front of House Engineer, and mixes the audio for the audience during the performance. Newton Hall, the Broadcast Audio Engineer, prepares the audio mix for the video room and for recording. He sets up the recording software, various plug-ins, and organizes files for multi-tracking.

As the stage manager, Allana Duyungan is in charge of overseeing the crew. “The stage manager makes sure everyone’s on time. If there’s any problems, I’m the last resort. So if I don’t hear from anyone, everything’s going well. If I hear from someone, there’s a problem that has to be addressed.”

Working in a live environment is a learning experience like no other, John explains. “Teaching theory only goes so far. There’s pressure now, because there’s an artist performing. You can’t simulate that. And with this being the final project, they have more creative control. Really it’s their show. I’m just here to guide them.”

Want to see the students in action? Check out the video below for an inside look at Show Production’s final course: Project and Portfolio VII.

Everyone knows that good work takes time, and that’s especially true for individuals working in the entertainment industry. Movies, games, and albums can sometimes spend years in development, and often require huge teams of people to bring them to completion. But what if you were challenged to create a fully finished project in just 24 hours? During this year’s Sixth Annual Hall of Fame celebration, a number of Full Sail students pushed their creativity to the limits by participating in 24-Hour Projects spanning four areas of study– graphic design, audio remixing, film, and game design.

Each project kicked off with an information session where faculty representatives set parameters for participation. Some categories, like design and film, presented participants with a central theme or prop to work around, while audio and game students worked on songs or premises of their choosing. Students then had a single day to bring each project to life from start to finish. Winners in each category were chosen by a panel of faculty and distinguished alumni, including past Hall of Fame inductees.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s 24-Hour Projects. You can check out some of the participants and their work below.

Film

 “The Experiment” by The Sneaky Raccoons (Winner: Best Film and Best Cinematography)
Zach Gavin, Anthony Gizzi, Shawn Lawhead, Justin Diaz, Mitchell Poljak, Dustin Power

“Post Paradise” by Atlas (Winner: Best Actor and Best Actress)
Christian Allen, Trent Arant, Bailey Norman, Chris York, Sarah Salaverria, Nathaniel Tucker, Ryan Borel, Julian Velez, Nicholas Ruggles, Alexander Seith, Grant Mitchell, Scott Anderson, Katelyn Springman, Thomas Kalament, Rick Ramos, Christina Keller

“Insignificant” by Double A (Winner: Best Writing)
Scott Neal, Yudhistira Israel

“The Station” by The Fellowship (Winner: Best Use of the Prop or Line of Dialogue)
Justin Olsen, Danny Pyle, Michael Tilley, William Piscotta, Charly Vandedrinck, Natalie Ayers, Ross Bogden

“No Ideaz” by BanHammers (Honorable Mention)

“Remember” by 1509
Alex Pfander, Victoria Yurillo, Benjamin Scribner, Sebastian Rossel, Tyrone Evans, MAria Gonzalez, Gerry Newsome, Gabe Gerhardt

Special congratulations to The Sneaky Raccoons. As a result of their win, the team was treated to dinner with a faculty member. They selected Film Lab Instructor and Hall of Fame inductee Larry Katz, who described the experience as “a privilege.”

“Breaking bread with this group of talented, creative young filmmakers really reaffirmed why I decided to come back to Full Sail as an instructor,” said Larry. “Together they make a formidable team, and I’m thrilled that they found each other. I’m really looking forward to the content that The Sneaky Raccoons will create the rest of their time at Full Sail and beyond.”

Game Design

Minions of Fenrir

Planespiration

Simulacrum

Graphic Design

Cierra Woodard
Timothy Long
Daniela Sora
Andrea Sanchez
Rachel Ferguson
Nicholas Perreault
Laura Noriega
Senpia Mizore
Joshua Meyer
Karly Estes
Juna Macellari
John Bainter
Jennifer Price
Imagi Mana
Joseph Gasco
Jose De La Vega
Dee Walkins
David Werling
Aaron Fisher
Christina Ortiz
Kyle Lindsey

 Audio Remixing

Danielle Drucker
William Hirsch (Winner)
Marcelo Martin
Avery McFarland
Sudeep Sinha (Winner)
Bryan Taylor

Over 400 graduates and soon to be graduates attended a hiring event Tuesday, June 9th at the Full Sail Live Venue. The event, sponsored by Full Sail’s Career Development department, featured 31 employers from all over the country, including ESPN, Universal Creative Group, FilmScapeProductions, and more. Two of the companies, Bunim Murray Productions and Bisk Education, conducted virtual interviews with online students in addition to in-person interviews.

Graduates and students within three months of their graduation date were eligible for participation, and were instructed to dress to impress and bring along a resume. Dozens of hopeful grads filled the lobby of the Live Venue in anticipation as small groups were let in in order to manage the flow of interviews. According to Career Development, a total of 1,310 interviews were conducted over the course of the six hour event. Companies represented a wide array of industries including web design, mobile development, computer animation, public relations, creative writing, film production, audio arts, show production, and entertainment business.

It’s very well organized,” said Rebecca Graham, a Computer Animation grad. “I like the fact that you could schedule interviews with the companies ahead of time, and you could also get on standby lists if you didn’t get to preregister or if you just had some time to kill.”

Film grad Auturo Rios agreed, and said that he found the face to face aspect of the event to be helpful.

“It definitely gives you an opportunity to seek out new employment options,” he said. “I’ve recently been trying to apply online, and I find it difficult not being able to speak with someone in person, so this definitely gives you a chance to see someone from the company and really make a connection like hey, this is my name and this is me.”

By the end of the day, over 30 grads walked away with job offers, with many others going on to a second round of interviews.

2015 Show Production grad Natasha Fearnow flew in from Lancaster, Pennsylvania to attend the event. Over the course of the day, she participated in a whopping 16 interviews. She said several companies showed interest in her, and overall she really appreciated the opportunity to network with so many different people at once.

“It was a really good experience. It was great practicing my interview skills, and talking with other grads who are also looking for a job.”

Check out a few more photos from the event below.

Last month, Full Sail’s International Student Society (ISS) hosted a cultural fair and music festival in the Treehouse. The event featured informational booths and student representatives from nearly a dozen countries, including Colombia, India, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, and more. Students from all degree programs and backgrounds were encouraged to mingle with their peers and celebrate culture and diversity through the universal language of music.

Andres Obelmejas, a current Computer Animation student and member of the ISS, said that the event was a chance for him to share things about his native country of Venezuela that people might not often consider in light of recent political strife.

“I want people to focus on the good stuff,” he said. “We have an amazing culture, and a vast variety of climates. Mountains, snow, deserts, beautiful beaches— it’s a very pretty country. Also, the food is amazing and something I miss dearly.”

Nana Tanaka, a Mobile Development student originally from Japan, agreed that the event was a good way for those outside of the ISS to learn more about diversity on campus.

“It’s cool because so many local students are coming in and asking about us. We don’t often get a chance to communicate with people in other degree programs, and I’m enjoying the chance to represent Japan.”

Patrick Tunga-Lergo is a native Floridian and Web Design & Development student who attended the event as part of the Student Community Association.

“It’s a great way to get more insight into where others are coming from,” he said. “And it’s a good way to tighten up the community here at Full Sail.”

Entertainment Business Department Chair Heather Torres with Full Sail’s President Garry Jones. 

Two members of the Full Sail’s faculty were recently recognized by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC) for their outstanding contributions to education.

Dr. David Franko, who serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs, won the Administrator of the Year Award for his commitment to improving the lives of both students and faculty. David’s work focuses on uniting faculty and support staff in a mission to support student achievement, especially those who are considered at-risk due to circumstances beyond their control. He has been instrumental in ensuring a variety of support systems are in place for such students, including academic counseling services and an on-campus food pantry. David is also an advocate for faculty development, and has been essential in building an online training platform to better serve the professional training needs of faculty and staff.

Entertainment Business Department Chair Heather Torres won Faculty member of the year. Heather was honored for her work as a personal mentor to hundreds of students during her tenure at Full Sail, as well as her extraordinary leadership skills.

Eric Saperstein, Education Director of Full Sail’s undergraduate business programs, says, “Heather brings energy, enthusiasm, commitment, creativity, and an unparalleled attention to detail to all her activities. She is responsible for many of the finest initiatives produced at Full Sail.” Those initiatives include the development of a new career module for all undergraduates, and the implementation of a year-long Climate Change project sponsored by the United Nations.

In addition to David and Heather’s achievements, FAPSC honored 2014 Music Business grad Valencia Bromell with the Graduate of the Year Award. Valencia is a former Marine who has served in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Egypt. In 2011, Valencia was diagnosed the the chronic autoimmune disease lupus. Complications from the disease nearly landed her in the hospital the week she started Full Sail, but Valencia overcame this challenge through sheer will and determination, and was able to start the program as planned.

Music Business graduate Valencia Bromell and Full Sail President Garry Jones

During her time in the Music Business program, Valencia was an active participant in Full Sail’s Global Professionalism Standards (GPS) program, accumulating 105 GPS points over the course of her undergraduate career. She regularly volunteers at Harbor House of Central Florida, an organization devoted to providing resources to survivors of domestic abuse. Since graduating, Valencia has worked in radio as an Assistant to the Promotions Manager of ESPN 580, and is learning to produce her own shows on News 96.5. She is currently enrolled in Full Sail’s Entertainment Business master’s program.

FAPSC is a non-profit organization providing leadership, support, and advocacy for quality career education. Honorees were recognized at the organization’s annual conference in late July. Congratulations to all of the winners, and special thanks to David, Heather, and Valencia for their continued contributions to our community and its surrounding industries.

We’re just days away from kicking off Hall of Fame Week, and this year’s celebration is shaping up to be our biggest and best one yet. In addition to dozens of panels, workshops, and meet & greets, we’ve added a bunch of exciting opportunities for online and campus students to get in on the action—including scavenger hunts, a photo content, and more. It all builds up to the Seventh Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where we’ll welcome six amazing grads into the Hall of Fame. It’s all happening February 15-19. You can head on over to Connect or the official Hall of Fame website for all of the latest details. In the meantime, check out a few of the week’s best offerings.

• The week’s festivities kick off on Monday, February 15 with a Grammy Viewing Party in the Full Sail Live venue.
• The Career & Technology Expo happening from 3pm-7pm on Tuesday, February 16 will feature vendors and industry leaders ready to connect with students, including IBM Design,Royal Caribbean, Reel FX, AV Media, Hangout Music Festival,EdgeFactory, and more.
• Brand strategist and graduate Phil Pallen breaks down how to harness the power of the internet to maximize your personal branding potential in You.com: How To Create a Powerful Personal Brand.
• Join graduate and veteran producer, mixer, and engineer Demo Castellon as he lays out real-world tips for success (and holds nothing back) in Real Talk With Demo Castellon.
• 2010 Digital Arts & Design grad Dina Rodriguez is presenting two workshops this year, where she’ll demonstrate techniques for creating awesome hand lettered designs.
• Want to give yourself an edge in the job market? A panel of experts discuss how they branched out beyond their specialty fields to broaden their professional horizons in The Multi-Tool Mentality.
• Game developers have more tools at their disposal than ever before to draw players in. But a good game is more than the sum of its parts. Grads and industry leaders discuss the new golden age of video games in Beyond Mechanics: Designing a More Powerful Game.
• Industry professionals tackle strategies for making a start-up stand out above the crowd in Check Your Tech: Starting Up and Throwing Down. 
• In a digital age, how people watch movies is as important a consideration for cinematographer as framing and visualization. The Reframe: How Digital Distribution is Changing Cinematography panel delves into the nuances of how transmedia is changing the industry.
• Recent grads discuss their experience breaking into the industry in Next Steps: An Open Conversation with Leslie Brathwaite and Recent Grads.
• On Friday, February 19, students and staff are invited to watch a live feed of the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the 7^th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Viewing Party. Join us in front of the FS3B Entertainment Business Building for a block party-style viewing of the ceremony complete with food, contests, and special guests. The red carpet kicks things off at 4 p.m., and the event will also be streamed on YouTube for online students who would like to watch at home.

Stay tuned to the blog, Connect, and our social channels for updates, and as always, you can join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hash tag #FullSailHOF.

It’s finally here! The best week of the year has officially begun, and we’re bringing you the latest coverage from the Seventh Annual Hall of Fame all week long to ensure you don’t miss out on a single moment of the action, including dozens of panels, workshops, and special events for both campus and online students. It’s all leading up to the Seventh Annual Hall of Fame Induction Viewing Party, where we’ll welcome six new grads into the Hall of Fame. Join the conversation on social media using the hash tag #FullSailHOF—and check back in right here for updates, news, and recaps. In the meantime, here are a few highlights from the first two days:

On Monday night, the whole shebang kicked off with a live viewing party to celebrate the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Students, faculty, and staff donned their sharpest looks as they walked the red carpet and were treated to prizes and giveaways. And of course, plenty of Hall of Famers were on hand to talk with students in between categories. 

“It was an amazing experience getting to celebrate one of the biggest nights in music with students and some of my fellow inductees,” said brand new Hall of Fame inductee Frank Scheuring. “If this is any indication of what we’re in for this week, it’s going to be crazy fun.” 

You can check out a full list of of grads who worked on nominated projects here. Congrats to all the nominees, and special congratulations to the following grads, who were associated with winning projects:

Album of the Year

Taylor Swift- “1989”

• Brendan Morawski (Recording Arts, 2010) Assistant Engineer

Best Pop Vocal Album

Taylor Swift- “1989”

• Brendan Morawski (Recording Arts, 2010) Assistant Engineer

Best Dance Recording

Skrillex and Diplo with Justin Bieber- “Where Are ü Now”

• Joshua Gudwin (Recording Arts, 2006) Vocal Engineer

Best Dance/Electronic Album

Skrillex and Diplo – “Jack ü”

• Joshua Gudwin (Recording Arts, 2006) Vocal Engineer

Best Urban Contemporary Album

The Weeknd- “Beauty Behind The Madness”

• Ben Diehl (Entertainment Business; Recording Arts, 2005) Producer, Composer
• Jeremy Lertola (Recording Arts, 2011) Assistant Engineer

Best Rap Performance

Kendrick Lamar- “Alright”

• Andrew Coleman (Recording Arts, 1995) Engineer

Best Rap Song

Kendrick Lamar- “Alright”

• Andrew Coleman (Recording Arts, 1995) Engineer

Best Rap Album

Kendrick Lamar- “To Pimp A Butterfly”

• Andrew Coleman (Recording Arts, 1995) Engineer
• Hart Gunther (Recording Arts, 2000) Engineer

Best New Age Album

Paul Avgerinos- “Grace”

• Michael Fossenkemper (Recording Arts, 1989) Engineer

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

Tobymac- “This Is Not a Test”

• Jerricho Scroggins (Recording Arts, 2011) Assistant Engineer

Best Blues Album

Buddy Guy- “Born To Play Guitar”

• Seth Morton (Recording Arts, 2005) Assistant Engineer

 Tuesday’s Career & Technology Expo featured representatives from IBM Design,Royal Caribbean, Reel FX, AV Media, Hangout Music Festival,EdgeFactory, Universal Studios, Purple Rock Scissors, the Orlando Magic, and more. Hundreds of students were on hand to network and connect with industry leaders and vendors. Recent Music Production grad Ryland Underwood made the drive all the way from Charleston, South Carolina to attend the event.

“I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to network, whether that means actually securing a job or meeting people who can help me secure a job.” he said. “You can feel the competition in the air, which I like. It’s a great motivator.”

After the Expo, attendees were treated to the high voltage musical stylings of AC/DC tribute band ThunderJack. Presented on the stage in front of the Full Live Venue, it was the first of many performances scheduled throughout the week, and a killer way to kick off the festivities.

For more information, head on over to the official Hall of Fame website for the full schedule of events.

We’re already three days into Hall of Fame Week, but we’re just getting started when it comes to the biggest celebration of the year. Today kicked off a slew of panels, workshops, and meet & greets. Events spanned every degree program, creating an exciting interdisciplinary atmosphere underscored by live music, opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to flex their individual creativity, and of course, plenty of chances to mix and mingle with industry heavyweights. Online students were able to follow along on our YouTube channel, where many of the events were live streamed and archived. Overall, we witnessed so many incredible moments today, and it’s only the beginning. Check out a few highlights below.

• In You.com: How To Create a Powerful Personal Brand, grad Phil Pallen defined personal branding as digitally recreating the in-person experience as closely as possible. “Find something you love that lines up with something others need,” he said. “That’s how you position yourself to succeed.” 
• During Film Production Pipeline, panelists agreed that workflow runs best when all of the elements are effectively communicating with one another. Rob Scribner also told students, “Plan for failure and embrace it. Own up to it, and don’t be afraid.” 
• Students shared their experiences working in France on the United Nations Climate Change Project in Creativity as a Catalyst for Change. Topics ranged from best practices for crafting activism-related media to how to navigate an unfamiliar country. 
• What are The Ingredients for a Successful Pitch!? Be careful when crafting a pitch; if you can’t explain it simply, it may come across that you don’t understand the concept well enough. A small amount students will also be selected from today’s event to present a three-minute pitch to panelists and course directors this Friday.
• Students received tips from professional photographer and Full Sail grad Alex Menendez during the Photography Workshop in topics ranging from posting your photos on Getty to how to get the most out of your gear. Think outside the box: wrap some spare gaff tape around a Sharpie or use a garbage bag to shield your camera from rain!
• Hall of Fame inductee Frank Scheuring hosted a screening of his documentary “Blood and Steel: Cedar Crest Country Club.” After the film, Frank took questions from the audience about the making of the film, the history of skate punk, and his transition from post-production audio to documentary filmmaking. 
• In From File to Full Bleed: Designing for Physical Media, panelists discussed how handmade items are becoming a hot commodity in the design industry. Many clients are drawn to the imperfections in the work. “There’s something about these handmade projects that move slower through time,” said Mama’s Sauce Founder Nick Sambrato. “It’s a good escape from the digital world.”
• During Real Talk with Demo Castellon, the Hall of Famer regaled students with tales of advice and inspiration from throughout the journey of his career. Demo urged students: “Focus on what drives you and keep pushing toward your goals; attitude is everything.”
• Life on the Road is full of surprises! In order to be prepared in some of the more precarious situations, the panelists recommend keeping items with you such as hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and even toilet paper. “I used to use my days off to do laundry!” said Hall of Famer Leon Hopkins. 
• Hall of Fame inductee Keith Guerette shared his tips for deepening story through dynamic environments in The Desired Effect: How Visual Effects Are Essential to Video Game Storytelling. In a moment that really captured the essence of Hall of Fame, Keith continued to take questions from students long after the panel was over, even moving into the hallway at one point in order to clear the room for the next panel. 
•  Hall of Famer Laurie Brugger shared an in-depth look at the digital rigging, modeling, and animation process in Paddington: Building the Bear. Attendees were treated to behind the scenes footage and stories from the 2014 animated feature Paddington, which Laurie contributed to as Lead Rigger. 
• Full Sail grad Jack Geckler shared his advice with future film animators during Working the Crowd: Animating the Big Scenes. “You learn really fast that if you want to stay employed, you need to keep your eyes open and learn new things to make yourself valuable.” Jack started his career as an animator and has been highly sought after for his skills in crowd simulation. 
• Students lined up to pick the brains of an iconic producer and 2015 Hall of Fame inductee during No Secrets: A Conversation with Bruce Swedien & Ashish Manchanda. One student was called to the stage after he explained that Bruce inspired him to pack up his car and move to New York to follow his dreams. “Can I shake your hand?” asked the student. “Better yet, come give me a hug,” replied Bruce. “It’s great to be able to change peoples’ lives for the better.” 
• The Multi-Tool Mentality panel hit on tons of practical advice for building interdisciplinary strengths, among them the idea of keeping your priorities in order (panelist Brice Helman sets calendar reminders to ensure he replies to emails). Along with Brice, panelists Jeff Unay and Joey Morelli also spoke about embracing a cultural shift away from specialization by cultivating a lifelong love of learning. 

Head on over to Connect or the official Hall of Fame website for a full list of events. As always, you can join the conversation using the hash tag #FullSailHOF on social media.

We’re deep into Hall of Fame now, but we’re definitely not slowing down. Day four completed another round of exciting panels, workshops, and meet & greets that gave students the chance to brush elbows with tons of industry rockstars. This week is a marathon, not a sprint, and we’ve been gearing up for the biggest blow-out party of the year: the induction ceremony and block party. Students attending the block party tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the outdoor stage in front of the Live Venue can look forward to free food, excellent prize giveaways, and plenty of other surprises throughout the evening. In the meantime, check out these highlights from earlier today.

• In Those Who Do, Teach: Why Mentoring and Education Are Important Throughout Your Career, 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Keith Guerrette encouraged students to mentor each other. “Teaching is always the best way to learn. You will get questions phrased in different ways that you may not have thought of before. That passion is contagious.”
• There were so many excellent moments during This Is Not A Panel About Women in the Entertainment Industry, it’s basically a whole blog post in itself. Behind the scenes, we were really excited to see a fairly even gender split in both attendance and online engagement. When one student asked whether she should act more like a man in order to be successful in the industry, Hall of Fame inductee Kim Alpert shut it down. “Don’t act,” she said. “Just be yourself.”
• With the undeniable Rising Tide of E-Sports, Founder and CEO of Gaming Inc. Alex Jebailey explained that in order for a game to be successful in the E-Sports realm, a game “…needs to have people playing it; it needs to be easy to access, spectate and compete in with short rounds.” Full Sail grad Grant Shonkwiler added, “From the development side you really want to make sure you have that tiered system in place where people can rise through the ranks; you have to have a way for people to grow through the sport to become that top five percent of people being watched.” If you are interested in getting involved in E-Sports, keep an eye out on Connect for the Full Sail E-Sports team tryouts.
• During Post-Production Tips, Hall of Famer Joey Morelli shared that you never really know when a project is finished. “The director is making the call on whether [a project] is finished or not. When they say ‘I love it!’ that’s when I know I’m done.”
• “I’m like a shark,” said the eminently quotable Kim Alpert. “I have to keep working or I die.” During Keep It Together: Organization is the Key to Productive Creativity, Kim and the other panelists provided tips for balancing workloads and keeping moving pieces in order. Apps like Harvest and Calendar.ly were especially popular suggestions for streamlining some of the more mundane processes that come with running a business.
• In Engineering a Business: The Modern Economics of Recording, panelists weighed the pros and cons of tying yourself to a brick and mortar studio. “Ultimately, this is the age of the engineer,” said panelist Jason Ross.
• The Concert Production Manager Challenges panel provided a packed room with lots of practical strategies for a number of headaches production managers encounter in their day to day. The big takeaway? Always be prepared! “You have to get ahead of every possible scenario,” said Hall of Famer Charity Lomax.
• Full Sail grad Phil Pallen was a wealth of information during Optimizing Your Personal Brand: Asset Review. “Position, build, and promote,” encouraged Phil. “Use visuals so that people know who you are. People think branding is just making something pretty and handing it off; branding is business.” He also noted that Twitter and LinkedIn are vital social profiles for students to create to assist in developing their own personal brand.
• Full Sail grad Elbert Perez and Hall of Famer Chance Glasco assisted students with their current projects in the Asset Management for Game Development workshop. “Asset management is everything from your code, to your art, to your sound; it’s how everything is stored in the server and how you access and communicate with your team,” said Elbert. “Having the discipline to put the right thing in the right place is important, because it will help you in the long run.”
• Check Your Tech: Starting Up and Throwing Down tackled some of the pitfalls that befall new businesses. Rather than get discouraged, panelist Danya Shea suggested start-ups “look for ways to fail and fail fast.”
• During We’ll Do It Live: What Live Sound Mixing Is and What It’s Not, Hall of Famer Tike Santos reminded students that sound is more than just a auditory experience. “So much of sound is tactile, especially when you’re experiencing it live,” he said. “We’ve all been to shows where we can feel it in our joints.”
• Our very own Stephanie Rizzo served as moderator for The Power of Storytelling panel, which delved into the mechanics of a good narrative. Each of the three panelists offered insight into various modes and methods of translating emotion to the viewer. Speaking to the dilemma of staying truthful in a moment versus capturing an emotional essence, Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Unay said, “I don’t give a sh*t about truth. All I care about is emotional honesty.”
• Elbert Perez and Chance Glasco joined forces again to give some insight into How AR/VR Will Change the World. “A lot of people are telecommuters, but now you can do that and be in the same office,” said Chance. “You can put anyone anywhere; you could literally walk over and talk to someone in India.” When asked about simulation sickness Elbert explained, “When you have a lot of jitter because of low frame rate, your audio and visual senses aren’t aligning properly. If you have the proper frame rate it shouldn’t be an issue.”
• During Reframe: How Digital Distribution is Changing Cinematography, Hall of Famer Tom Boyd noted some challenges facing the industry with these changes. “We have to adapt to creating content for much smaller screens,” Tom said. “The story is going to be king, though, and that’s what’s going to hopefully prevail.” Cinematographer James Neihouse added, “You have to grab your audience’s attention very quickly and hold it; you have to be different from all of the others.”
• When learning the art of Decoding Your Audience, President of Digital Brew Mike Cardwell recommended that students research previous projects when developing their own for Kickstarter. “Take a look at the ones who have been the most successful, and follow what they did.” Marketing Division Manager for Orlando Venues Kirk Wingerson agreed, “You need to determine what resonates with your audience.”
• Google’s Design Thinking Lab was an innovative, hands-on workshop that asked students to improve the general airport-goer’s experience. Four teams were given seven minutes to brainstorm and come up with 30 ideas, then vote on a favorite and proceed to the prototyping phase. One stand-out project was a zip-line that would have first-class flyers zoom across the airport to get to their destinations faster, and in a very fun way. Students used objects such as Play-Doh, popsicle sticks, and pipe cleaners to create their prototypes.
• Google Career Expeditions with Google Cardboard gave students an inside look to the day in the life of Hall of Famers Nathaniel Howe and Dylan  Dresdow that was filmed prior to Hall of Fame. The Google Expedition experience is designed to give users a virtual look into the life of a professional so that they can better visualize themselves fulfilling the same position.

For more information head over to official Hall of Fame website or join the conversation using the hashtag “FullSailHOF” on social media.

Another Hall of Fame week has come and gone, and in true Full Sail fashion it was bigger and better than ever before. “Full Sail is a microcosm of the entire entertainment industry,” said Department Chair for Entertainment Business and Music Business bachelor’s Israel Vasquetelle. Hall of Fame not only celebrates that statement, but magnifies it. This week was packed with amazing panels, meet & greets, and workshops for students to immerse themselves even deeper into their craft. Here are some highlights from the fifth and final day.

• Grads Joshua Foster and Bianca Pernice sat down with a Hall of Famer in After You Walk: Two Recent Grads Talk with Leslie Brathwaite About Their Experiences. The post grad experience isn’t always glamorous—more often than not it’s a downright struggle. But it’s important to remember that every opportunity (no matter how small) is a chance to prove yourself. During the panel, Bianca mentioned one of the engineers at the studio where she interns said she was the best at washing dishes. “What you do when you have a little is what you’re going to do with a lot. If he can trust you with the dishes, imagine what he can trust you with a few months down the line,” said Leslie.
• During Global Opportunities in the Entertainment Industry, Ashish Manchanda explained what he’s looking for when traveling abroad. “I’ve become a talent scout,” he said. “Everything is important, but talent is right on top.” Ashish then went on to share a story about a singer he found while vacationing on a cruise ship in Scandinavia. “The singer from the cruise band was fantastic,” he said. “She came to India the following week and we signed her and set her up with one of our music festivals.” 
• During The Best VFX Are The Ones You Don’t Notice, Creative Director for Steamroller Studios Jalil Sadool explained, “The problem is you forget about all of the other guys who get the animators what they need. Luckily the studios are seeing this and improving their rigs. It’s a golden age now in entertainment, because games and TV are trying to catch up to the movies.”
• In Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving for Games, Real-Time Effects Artist Keith Guerrette and Grant Shonkwiler discussed the changing practices in the game industry and how to go with the flow. “Developers are changing their process to frequently check in with their team,” said Keith. “It’s making things less risky, and making for better investments. If I’m checking in every week and you’re saying you like what I’m doing, that’s a better chance you’re to like the final product.”
• It’s no surprise that AR/VR Technologies are changing the world, but it goes beyond just a fancy piece of headgear. “Binaural audio lets you get the full 360 degree sound experience,” said HTC Vive Prototyper Elbert Perez. “The cool thing about binaural is it works with just headphones, so you don’t need an expensive surround sound system.” Hall of Famer Chance Glasco added, “Sound is just as important as visual elements. The goal is to make you feel like you’re there.”
• In 3300+Climbing: Behind Full Sail’s student-run artist development initiative, project coordinators for the initiative describe different challenges they’ve faced as entrepreneurs. “We were starting from the ground up and I’d never been involved in something from day one before. We had to carve out our own space on social media, make good decisions and then carry the weight of those decisions. It’s not a normal entrepreneurial experience because you have to take yourself out of that student mindset and actually become a professional in the industry right then and there. It was a challenge, but a great challenge,” said Full Sail grad Allison Struthers.
• Lots of grads begin their tenure in the entertainment industry by working for free, but at a certain point, you have to begin scaling your rates to your level of expertise. Grad and owner of Stickman Sound Fernando Delgado described the benefit of charging more in Your Work Has Value! Make Sure You Get Paid for It!: “My goal is to go out every day, gain more experience, and get better at my craft. If I’m doing my job, the quality of my clientele should also go up. Increasing my rates over time does more than make me a little more money, it also weeds out the clients who are no longer on my level.”
• Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be a challenge at any level, perhaps more so when you consider transitioning straight into a degree program. Grads and faculty with a military background discussed their personal journeys in A New Orientation: Transitioning from Military Life to College. “The military gave me a work ethic,” said grad Joshua Foster. “Full Sail gave me a focus, and a plan to reach my goals.”
• In Building and Deploying Apps with Docker, a panel of industry leaders explored the powerful ways Docker can be used to refine the development process.
• In Analyzing the Human Face for 3D Character Creation, facial rigger and Hall of Fame inductee Laurie Brugger broke down techniques for creating more expressive characters. She suggests starting with bony landmarks before moving deeper into the musculature of the face. From there, you can layer and add complexity. “Facial riggers tend to spend a lot of time looking at medical reference photos. It’s gross stuff, but really helpful to the process,” she said.
•  Solutions Specialist from Microsoft, Tony Franklin, showcased a new slew of technology to come during the Microsoft Azure Cloud lecture. “This cloud conversation is not going away,” said Tony. “Azure is a more intelligent cloud. We’re collaborating on every front (development operations, management, application frameworks, etc.) to help you develop the next best thing.” Tony touched features of the cloud including security, analytics, development, and integration features.

The festivities for the induction ceremony kicked off around 4 p.m. at the outdoor stage. All of the past and present Hall of Famers, panelists, and industry partners made their way down the red carpet which led them right past a staggering sea of students. The ceremony itself was full of amazing moments that highlighted each inductee and their individual creativity. Block party hosts Dave Franko and Troy DeVolld kept the party going outside by giving away prizes – 70’s gameshow style. Students walked away with items such as a GoPro HERO, bicycles, gift cards, and even a Fender Stratocaster guitar. Near the end of the evening, Full Sail President Garry Jones received an award for 35 years of service to the school—which he promptly celebrated by crowd surfing across the audience.

The pinnacle moment, though, was the final unveiling of the 2015 class of Hall of Fame. As Garry dropped the curtain to reveal their digital placards, fireworks shot off above the stage for everyone to enjoy. It was a monumental way to end an even more monumental week. Who knows what will happen next year, but one thing is for sure – it’s going to have to be pretty epic to top this!

For recorded lectures and video of the ceremony from the Seventh Annual Hall of Fame, check out the Full Sail YouTube channel and join us on social media using the hashtag “FullSailHOF.”

We are excited to announce that the Multi-GRAMMY award-winning gospel artist Hezekiah Walker will be joining us on campus for a historic 30-year retrospective anniversary concert and live video shoot at the Full Sail Live venue on March 10 & 11 at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

We invite all Full Sail University Students & Staff to attend this FREE event to enjoy a fabulous live concert through the awe-inspiring performance of this talented musician.

**TICKETS ARE REQUIRED:

Free tickets to this event are available for pick up at the Full Sail Live box office on:

• Tuesday, March 8^th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (these tickets will be for the Thursday March 10 performance), and again from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (these tickets will be for the Friday, March 11 performance)
• A limited number of tickets will be made available to the public beginning at 4 p.m. prior to each performance.

Seating is limited and will be made available on a first come, first served basis.

Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir were nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Best Gospel Artist, Traditional for the album Love Is Live!  The group has won GRAMMY awards for Best Gospel Album By Choir Or Chorus twice: once for Live in Atlanta at Morehouse College (1994), and once for Love Is Live! (2001). For his continued contribution and outstanding achievement in the gospel music genre, Hezekiah Walker will be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame this May.

For more information about Hezekiah Walker, please visit: http://www.mtv.com/artists/hezekiah-walker/

Full Sail Labs has announced its full schedule of camps for summer 2016. The biggest change from last year is that the camps will now offer classes for teenagers (ages 13-17) in addition to kids (ages seven-12), and the camp has also expanded its range of topics that students can study. Last year the camps offered were focused on Movies, Games, and Robotics; this year’s camps will also include Game Adventures, Game Design, Minecraft, Raspberry Pi, Music Production, 3D Games, and Music Videos.

Full Sail Labs was developed by Full Sail University with the goal of creating an engaging and open learning environment that allows children and teens to explore creativity through storytelling, art, and technology. Full Sail Labs provides young creative talent with the knowledge to become digital content creators. Through this experience, young students have the opportunity to explore the techniques used for filmmaking, coding, animation, gaming, robotics, and much more in a fun and collaborative environment.

Full Sail Labs is continuously working on updating their curriculum to reflect the needs of its participants. For 2016, camps are $600 per week. A $25 discount is available per additional sibling who attends, and Full Sail University employees receive a $100 discount as well. The current price increase reflects efforts to provide the most relevant and engaging camps possible, and allows for enhancements to the student experience, update technology, and expand class offerings.

Be sure to check out the Full Sail Labs website for more information.

Full Sail will be returning for it’s 13th year in a row as the primary sponsor for the 25th annual Florida Film Festival, which takes place from April 8 through the 17.

Celebrity guests this year include Sissy Spacek and Mark Duplass, who will both be showcasing their films Badlands and The Puffy Chair, respectively, and will also be available for a Q&A session after their films.

Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to see some of the films our graduates have created. A few of the films that will be featured are Best of Brouhaha: The Deaths of Jamie Smith, which was co-written by Film bachelor’s grads Steve Jean-Jacques and Jordan Loscalzo, and Steve also directed the film.

An international short I Thought I Told You to Shut Up!! was produced by Entertainment Business master’s grad Trevor Duwyn. A number of Full Sail students and faculty have also worked on the Locally Fresh documentary series, which is based on restaurants and businesses that grow their own food.

In addition to the film premieres, there will also be a host of discussion events which are free to all Full Sail students, faculty, and staff with their Full Sail ID. The Perseverance: Sisters Are Doing it for Themselves panel will be moderated by our own Anne Russell, Program Director for the Film MFA program. Full Sail will also be hosting a hands-on workshop along Kodak, which will take place on campus on April 14. 

Be sure to check the Florida Film Festival website for a full list of events and information.

This piece was written by Creative Writing for Entertainment BFA grad and Professional Development intern Cesirys Espaillat. The article was originally featured on our student community site, Connect. 

On Saturday, March 19, Pure Motivation volunteered with Keep Orlando Beautiful for the Waterway Cleanup.

Waterway Cleanup is part of Keep Orlando Beautiful’s initiative to prevent litter from entering our oceans. Full Sail’s Pure Motivation volunteers were ready for the mess at 8:00 a.m. Our students and staff car-pooled to Lake Fran where they received instructions and met other volunteers from the Orlando area.

The incredible volunteers geared up with gloves, nets, trash grabbers, and their positive attitudes on the shoreline of Lake Fran and got to work. Students picked up forgotten plastic bottles, candy wrappers, and even destroyed street signs that otherwise would have ended up on the Florida Coast and oceans.

The heat didn’t seem to slow down the awesome volunteers who maintained a great attitude and smiled while working together to remove any potentially harmful trash from the lake. After a few hours, the Full Sail volunteers gathered their sizable bags and celebrated their efforts alongside the other volunteers.

This event provided the students with the opportunity to make an impact in their community and become aware of the power they have in the preservation of our environment.

We want to thank all of those who participated; we simply cannot do it without YOU! Can’t wait to see you during our next Pure Motivation event.

– Cesirys Espaillat, Professional Development Intern

Marvin Cornish is a busy man: the 2011 Entertainment Business master’s grad and military veteran is the director of protocol for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center, the owner of The Cornish Group, and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee at Bowie State University. In a given week, he’s coordinating VIP visits to the VA’s Medical Center, giving a lecture on character development to college athletes, and introducing President Obama on national television. And when you ask him how he handles it all, he shows no signs of stress.

Marvin was a member of the United States Army, a radio DJ, and a director with the Department of Veterans Affairs before even enrolling at Full Sail in 2010. At the time, he was looking to get away from radio and into sports management.

“As I started going through my courses, I started focusing on the sports side of the entertainment business,” says Marvin, “because I started to grow tired of seeing athletes in the news for all of the wrong reasons.”

After graduating, Marvin founded The Cornish Group with the intent of teaching character development to middle and high school students. His belief was that the best way to build character in pro athletes was to work with them when they were younger. He also reconnected with his undergraduate alma mater, Bowie State University, and helped launch a similar character-building program there.

“I developed a method that highlights the four deterrents of students athletes: feeling of entitlement, social media misuse, relationship violence, and drug and alcohol use,” says Marvin, who works with Bowie State and other athletes on a regular basis throughout the year. “These can affect you personally, athletically, and academically, and they all seem to build off each other.”

Full Sail’s Entertainment Business master’s program gave Marvin a glimpse into how the entertainment and professional sports industries function, and he uses that knowledge today to help his student athletes prepare for a career in professional sports. He’s able to tell them what to look for in an agent, and adversely, what agents are looking for in a potential client.

If being a Director of Protocol and business owner wasn’t enough, Marvin also serves as an emcee for the Department of Veterans Affairs, thanks in part to his radio and broadcast background. His most recent gig: the host of the department’s annual Veterans’ Day Celebration, where he introduced President Obama.

Marvin introducing President Barack Obama to the crow at the Veteran’s Day Celebration held annually in Washington, D.C.

“Being a veteran myself, it’s nice to honor other veterans that have come before me,” says Marvin. “People ask me if I get nervous next to the President, but it’s kind of like being a professional athlete – you just focus on getting the job done.”

Marvin is passionate about every element of his professional presence: He loves working with athletes, teaching others about what the Department of Veterans Affairs does, and entertaining a crowd.

“When I was a radio DJ I felt like all the attention was on me. The minute I started doing more for others – focusing on character development – so many doors started opening,” says Marvin. “I found my niche – my passion – and when your work is something you really believe in, you’ll find the time to do it all.”

Walking around campus, it’s easy to feel inspired by all of the creative spaces, but it’s our extraordinary students, faculty, and staff that bring those spaces alive. With so much happening, you never know who might be sitting right next to you at any given time—a future employer, or collaborator. After graduating from the Game Art program, Drake Cummings had recently made the decision to enroll in the Game Design Master’s program when a chance encounter put him on the path to a career as an independent game developer.

“I was attending a speaking event on campus,” Drake recalls. “My teachers were always stressing the importance of networking, so I struck up a conversation with the guy sitting next to me, a stranger at the time. That guy turned out to be Micah Brown.”

Micah, also a Game Design student, was about a year ahead of Drake in his program, but they came together over a shared love of good stories in video games. Before long, Micah was telling Drake about his plans to start a gaming company with another friend and grad, Sir-Martinique Brown. In 2013, the three founded EPL Games.

“EPL stands for ethos (trust), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic), which are the three literary devices commonly used to persuade an audience. Storytelling is what brought me, Micah, and Sir together, and we wanted our company identity to reflect those values,” says Drake.

The thee immediately began planning out a sprawling, narrative-based epic reminiscent of the Final Fantasy games they loved as kids. Although they started out optimistic, the reality of what it takes to make that kind of game soon set in. “We just didn’t have the monetary resources,” says Drake.

What they did have were plenty of friends willing to donate their time and expertise. After re-evaluating their options, the company came up with Color Strike, a casual-style mobile game the company released last October. Along the way, they enlisted the help of several other members of the Full Sail gaming community to make their now scaled-back dream a reality. Game Development grad Daniel Stover worked on the development side, while recording Arts grad James Pendziszewski wrote and produced all the original music featured in the game.

Color Strike tests players reflexes by having them match a series of changing tiles to an objective color. Unlike many games of its kind, Color Strike is completely free to download and play, and it requires no in-app purchases to advance through to higher levels.

“We consider the game a portfolio piece, which is why we’re giving it away for free,” says Drake, who was able to integrate components of the development process into his Full Sail coursework.

The response to the Color Strike has been overwhelmingly positive. Now, Drake and his team are setting their sights on more complicated endeavors. The company just received its Playstation development license, and they currently have two games in the works, one that’s PC-based and another geared towards console gameplay. As Drake, Micah, and Sir move closer to their goal of crafting a game that also tells a great story, they’re able to rest easy in the knowledge that the timing is right.

“I think if you really want something, you have to be willing to pull back sometimes,” says Drake. “You have to be patient.”

Color Strike is currently available in the App Store and on Google Play.

April was National Poetry Month, and to celebrate, the library sponsored Creative Compilations: A Celebration of the Spoken and Written Word. The event featured members of the Full Sail student body sharing poetry, short fiction, and lyrics in a performance style reading at The Treehouse. Online students were encouraged to submit print and video pieces, which were then exhibited alongside their campus counterparts. Audience members were able to vote on their favorite pieces, with winners in three categories taking home prizes at the end of the night.

“The idea to host this competition stemmed from a brainstorming session among library staff,” said Director of Library services Stephanie Maatta. “We were thinking about how we could celebrate our students and what they do, and we thought this would be a really nice tie-in to National Poetry Month. We wanted to do a complete celebration of the very creative environment that we’re in.”

Online student and Creative Writing MFA candidate Robert Rolon drove up from Miami for the event. He read a piece of flash fiction titled “To See Again,” which was inspired by something he experienced in class.

“I had just finished giving feedback to another student online, and in my feedback I told them I think compelling characters have some kind of duality to them, or a conflict that is intrinsically, emotionally charged. I posted some examples, and one of them was a painter who has gone blind. That was on my mind when I heard about the competition, so that’s what I wrote about,” he said.

Over 40 students submitted work to the competition. Based on the success of the reading, Stephanie said the library plans to host more events in the future, including a game tournament later this month and a comic books seminar in August.

“We’re very excited to provide a creative space for both campus and online students,” she said.

Full Sail University has asked Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota, to design, manufacture and install an outdoor LED video display on the university’s 210-plus-acre campus in Winter Park, Florida. The new display was completed earlier this year and features Daktronics tightest outdoor pixel pitch using 3-in-1 Surface-Mount Device (SMD) LED technology. To date, Full Sail University has the largest Daktronics display of this resolution in the world.

“With degree programs centered on visual arts, digital media, and technology, it is important for us to have a dedicated space to showcase and celebrate the tremendous talent found within the creativity of our students,” said Scott Dansby, Full Sail’s Director of Industry Relations. “The installation of the new outdoor video display is the latest upgrade to the Hollywood-style backlot on Full Sail University’s campus, and serves as a valuable resource to display messaging and visuals to our campus community. Many thanks to Daktronics for working alongside our teams to design and install this impressive display”

The display features 8 millimeter line spacing and measures 17 feet high by 25 feet wide. The SMD LED technology provides a tighter pixel pitch and increased resolution to show crisp, clear imagery with wide-angle visibility for broad appeal as viewers pass by. It’s used to showcase students’ work such as short films, animations, game art, graphic design, and more. In addition, the LED video display is utilized for special events on campus including live concerts, film festivals, gaming tournaments, and can be programmed to share important campus announcements.

“We are extremely excited and honored to have been selected by Full Sail University to provide their new LED video screen,” said Mike Kempany, Daktronics sales representative. “Their new 8 millimeter Daktronics screen, the largest of this resolution yet to be installed, will be a shining example of their commitment to stay at the leading edge of technology. Combined with our local service, we look forward to providing them the best support in the business for many years to come. I am personally excited to watch the ground-breaking content produced by Full Sail University students and staff displayed on their new high resolution screen.”

Daktronics LED video and messaging display technology incorporates industry-leading environmental protection for a long lifetime with consistent performance and low power consumption, providing value and excitement for years to come.

This summer, students who attend Full Sail’s campus tours will also get to take part in special hands-on workshops.

In July and August, Full Sail’s Behind the Scenes campus tours will be expanded to include an extra day filled with hands-on workshops and exclusive guest lectures from some of our most successful grads.

These special Behind the Scenes sessions will take place on the weekends of July 16-17 and August 13-14, with each Saturday dedicated to workshops, lectures, and general information sessions, while each Sunday will feature a behind the scenes look at the Full Sail campus.

On these weekends, students will get a taste of the Full Sail student experience by participating in workshops conducted by Full Sail faculty (see workshop details below), while their parents attend sessions focused on financial aid, the admissions and enrollment process, housing, career development, and more. After these sessions, all guests will have the opportunity to hear from some of our most accomplished alumni about their experiences in the industry. The next day, they will get an in-depth look at the Full Sail campus and Q&A time with faculty and staff during the Behind the Scenes tour.

Workshop details:

• 90-Minute Game Jam: Build a playable game in less time than it takes to watch a movie. Using the Unreal game engine – the same one used by major game studios – you’ll work with a team of Full Sail faculty members to create a game from scratch, learning about the various roles and processes that go into making your favorite games.
• Audio Fundamentals Workshop: Get your hands on the tools and software used by professionals – and Full Sail students – to create and sequence your own unique tracks.
• Show Time – Be Part of the Crew: A live production requires a number of specialized roles – from lighting to sound to monitors and more – and in this hands-on workshop, you’ll get the chance to try each position during a live concert.
• Quiet on the Set – Work on a Student Film: This unique workshop will give future filmmakers the opportunity to be embedded into the production of a real Full Sail student film production. You’ll be assigned a specific role and learn what goes into that job as well as how it fits into the bigger production.
• The Fundamentals of Animation: Learn about what goes into creating great animation by starting at the very beginning. This hands-on workshop will introduce you to fundamental concepts while you craft your very own animation.
• Simulation & VR Workshop: Get your virtual hands dirty with an experiential workshop focused on virtual reality and augmented reality.

Space is limited for these special sessions, so reserve now.

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and in keeping with tradition Full Sail hosted an event prior to the actual holiday to bring together students, staff, and faculty to celebrate those individuals who are no longer with us. As attendees entered the backlot, they were greeted with the smell of fresh popcorn, music blasting from the DJ’s stage, and possibly a spray of water from the dunk tank.

“In addition to remembering the fallen, this event is a great way for those who don’t understand the military lifestyle to talk to a veteran and get a better understanding of what veteran students go through [after life in the military]; it’s about bringing people together,” said Film bachelor’s student and Veteran’s Student Union (VSU) President Brenton Stowers. Brenton served in the Army for eight years, and has helped veteran students at Full Sail acclimate to civilian life through his involvement with the VSU.

There were many veteran students who attended the event, but it’s also a chance for the entire school to come together as a community and have a good time.

“We want our veteran student to know that we’re here for them. Whatever they face while they’re here and transitioning out of the military, events like this one is just our way of welcoming them and letting them know that we’re here for whatever they need,” said Military Admissions Representative Christina Carde, who is also a veteran of the Army National Guard.

Those who attended the event were able to relax with some free food, play a life-sized game of Jenga, or draw a memorial portrait with sidewalk chalk. “My favorite thing was dunking the First Sergeant in the dunk tank,” said Digital Cinematography bachelor’s student Marvin Welch.

Check out some photos of the event below.