Full Sail University student Tara Davis has been selected as a finalist for the South region of the Red Bull Doodle Art competition and will represent the United States in the global finals.

The Red Bull Doodle Art competition challenges individuals to put pen to paper and create their best original doodle to submit for consideration. A winner from each of the four regions within the United States is selected as finalists to earn a trip to a Virtual Reality art experience where the final winner is selected. Finalists of the competition are coached on how to take their 3D artistic skills to the next level, and have a chance to have their original artwork in a Global Virtual Gallery.

Not only was Tara the first Red Bull Doodle Art submission in the United States, but she is also now one of four individuals chosen out of 1,800 applicants to have her art displayed in the global gallery. Tara’s art will be created with the Google Tilt Brush, which she will learn how to use as part of her prize in Las Vegas, Nevada.

You can see Tara’s work, as well as the other finalists, on the Doodle Art website.

After graduating from Full Sail’s Show Production degree program in 2013, Brandon Blackwell got his start working as a production assistant for musician Ray Chew, who has served as the music director for shows like Showtime at the Apollo and American Idol. Ray was instrumental in helping Brandon build a name for himself in the audio world. When Ray left his home base in New Jersey for a few months to work on Dancing with the Stars, Brandon had an opportunity to take a one-off gig mixing monitors for Ne-Yo on The Ellen Degeneres Show. That one job was enough to get Brandon hooked on freelance. So, with just his reputation and a few industry contacts, Brandon left his job as Ray’s assistant and moved to working freelance full time in 2015.

Since then, he’s amassed an impressive roster of clients including TLC, A$AP Rocky, Puff Daddy & the Bad Boy Reunion Tour, and more. Most recently, he mixed monitors for Big Sean’s performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. We caught up with Brandon the week after the awards to talk about his success. Here are his best tips for live engineers looking to strike out on their own.

It’s not enough to build bridges, you have to maintain them.

That gig on Ellen allowed Brandon to build a relationship with Ne-Yo’s production manager, who also works with a bunch of other artists. Brandon stayed in touch, and eventually got a call saying that TLC was looking for someone to run monitors and act as an assistant production manager. From there, he managed to keep working by making himself a commodity.

So I usually don't like to take photos with the artist I work for but these two are very special to me. Spending the last few months with these two was such a breath of fresh air and I am totally going to miss them. For my first arena tour you can beat mixing for such an iconic group. Totally blessed!! Thanks for everything @therealchilli @therealtboz Hope to see you guys again!! Mama Chilli and Aunt TBoz. #teamaudio #teamshowpro #fullsailuniversity #fullsail #fullsailgrad #fullsailalumni #maineventtour #nkotb #tlc #music #concert #livemusic #livesound #tour #tourbus #touring #tourlife #monitorengineer #monitorworld #iem #jh #jhaudio #shure #digico #digicosd5 #sd5 #Foolies10K #blessed #imixforaliving #tlcmtb

A post shared by Brandon Blackwell (@brandonblackwell23) on Jul 5, 2015 at 3:39pm PDT

This type of chain reaction is typical of the industry, but Brandon takes it a step further. Whenever he meets someone he vibes with, he stays in touch and helps them out.

“I’m at the point now where I have to turn down gigs, because once I’m booked on something, I’m locked in,” he says. “Whenever I turn something down, I make sure to pass along the name of someone who I think might be a good fit.”

By recommending other engineers he trusts, Brandon has created a network of friends who will recommend him in turn. “As a result, we all stay working,” he says.

Know exactly when and how to provide creative feedback to an artist.

“My first job was with Ne-Yo, an A-list artist who knows what he wants,” says Brandon. “Same with TLC. Then I worked with [singer-songwriter and former American Idol contestant] Tori Kelly.”

Tori was just starting out, and she wasn’t well-versed in the lingo artists use to talk to their monitor engineers. Whereas Brandon looked at the work he was doing with Ne-Yo and TLC as more of a service, he approached working with Tori as an educational experience for both of them.

“She would ask me to make her guitar sound prettier. I didn’t know what that meant exactly, so we started trying things. Through trial and error, we came to understand that ‘pretty’ meant reverb,” says Brandon.

“As a monitor engineer, you’re building a relationship with an artist based on their tastes,” he adds. “Once you figure out what a newer artist likes, you can define terms and help shape what they ask for in the future.”

What an amazing couple of months it has been on the Where I Belong Tour. I'm really gonna miss my TK family! #torikelly #whereibelongtour #monitorengineer #monitorworld #teamaudio #teamshowpro #livemusic #livesound #imixforaliving #fullsailuniversity #fullsail #fullsailgrad #fullsailalumni #fullsailnation #fullsailing #fsnation #music #concert #tour #tourbus #touring #tourlife #goodmusic #tkfamily

A post shared by Brandon Blackwell (@brandonblackwell23) on Nov 9, 2015 at 12:06pm PST

There are no days off, especially when it comes to being your own boss.

Unlike some freelancers who hire outside help to run the business side of things, Brandon manages all of his invoicing and expenses himself, working under the company name Blackwell Productions. This means a lot of his downtime is spent cataloging receipts, writing up invoices, and making sure he’s putting away enough money for taxes.

“When I have a day off, all I want to do is catch up on sleep,” he says. “But the fact is, if you don’t submit an invoice, you don’t get paid. If you shove a receipt in your pocket and lose it, you can’t write it off.”

This means setting regular “office hours” for himself, even when he doesn’t feel like it. And he says he hasn’t ruled out the prospect of hiring on outside help in the future.

“My parents have offered to help me run the business after they retire,” he says. “I just might take them up on it.”

The quiet before the storm. Definitely my favorite part of the day. Charlotte better be ready for tonight because the Bad Boys Reunion Tour is here!!#teamaudio #teamshowpro #livemusic #livesound #imixforaliving #fullsailuniversity #fullsail #fullsailgrad #fullsailalumni #fullsailnation #fullsailing #fsnation #music #concert #tour #touring #tourlife #goodmusic #monitorworld #monitorengineer #waves #waveslive #digico #digicosd7 @digico.official @digicouk @wavesaudio @db_audiotechnik @sennheiser @tcelectronic @fullsail

A post shared by Brandon Blackwell (@brandonblackwell23) on Sep 20, 2016 at 5:13pm PDT

This month, All Access is taking it back: Back to the future, that is. We’ve got an exclusive interview with actress Lea Thompson! Plus, PJ Morton from Maroon 5 drops by campus, the Shot on Red Workshop gives students a crash course in making professional-looking videos, and students take to the Treehouse to perform their favorite Babyface and L.A. Reid songs. Check out all of these highlights (and much more) from the month of April:

Kipper Jones breaks down the power of a great song.

The Entertainment Business and Music Business bachelor’s programs welcomed singer-songwriter Kipper Jones. Kipper spoke about his journey through the music business, starting with his early career as a performer and leading up to his work writing songs for artists like The Game, Ice Cube, Chaka Khan, and MC Lyte.

Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton speaks to students.

Thanks to @pjmorton of @maroon5 for stopping by campus! #FullSail

A post shared by Full Sail (@fullsail) on Apr 5, 2017 at 5:00pm PDT

Keyboardist, singer, and songwriter PJ Morton visited Full Sail’s campus and held a Q&A with two groups of students in the Audio Temple. In addition to answering questions, PJ shared music and stories from his new album Gumbo.

Pure Motivation celebrates Earth Day.

On April 8, Full Sail students in the Pure Motivation organization joined Orange County’s Environmental Protection Division on a mission to plant trees near the Callahan Neighborhood Center in Orlando, FL. All told, volunteers planted over 600 trees, spread 168 bags of mulch, and removed over 400 pounds of litter and debris.

Game development students share their midterm projects with the Full Sail community.

Every month, Game Development students in the Project & Portfolio III class have the opportunity to present their games to the public at the SGP Expo. This month featured two teams of students and their games: The puzzle-based game ‘The Adventures of Kid-Bot’ and the action-based fighting game ‘AGENT S.M.I.T.H.’ Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the process of making games and to ask the developers about specific choices they made for each project.

Universal Orlando’s Director of Marketing and Global Promotions Visits Campus

Guest speaker Ursula Uelze dropped by campus for a lecture and Q&A session. She shared highlights from her personal career as well as tips related to the different areas of marketing, including licensing, which she did for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter from 2007-2010.

Recently, Full Sail graduate Shannon Kiser joined members of the Pre-Law Society for an online discussion about his time as an undergraduate, his subsequent tenure at law school, and his work as an Assistant Attorney General for the state of West Virginia, Appellate Division.

A musician since high school, Shannon began his Full Sail journey in the Recording Arts program before enrolling in the Entertainment Business bachelor’s program. He’d grown up in the Washington D.C. metro area, in proximity to the Library of Congress. Initially, he thought he might want to become a literary agent. But he says his time at Full Sail opened his eyes to other possibilities in the world of media and beyond.

“One of the cool things about studying Entertainment Business is seeing all the machinations that make the entertainment industry function,” says Shannon. “There are all these rules and processes that fuel how movies or games or albums get made.”

After graduation, he worked in finance for a couple of years before enrolling in law school. The curriculum was different from what he’d experienced at Full Sail, but Shannon found a lot of the cognitive processes to be similar. For instance, both industries require creative problem solving, mental agility and stamina.

“Coming from a creative business background has also allowed me to make unique arguments in law school and in court. It’s a refreshing point of view that I have by virtue of my education, and it enabled me to stand out in my practice,” he says.

Now, Shannon works as an appellate prosecutor for the State of West Virginia, which means he represents the state in appeal cases that reach the state Supreme Court. It’s a position held by only a handful of people in West Virginia, which means about a fifth of all cases go through Shannon.

“I had the opportunity to work for a law firm right out of school, but my wife is a nurse and seeing the social gratification she got out of her job inspired me to work for the state,” he says. “Since I didn’t come from a pre-law program prior to law school, I get to shape the law in my current job with a more diverse perspective based on my past experiences.”

As for advice for students thinking about law school, he says research is key. “Going into it with realistic expectations, from applying to getting through a program, will make it much easier to get through law school,” he says. “That’s why I wanted to talk to students in the Pre-Law Society, to give them a better idea if this is something they want to pursue.”

From celebrating the 40th anniversary Star Wars to a week of Adobe events, May was another busy month at Full Sail University! We also had notable guests drop by campus, including hip-hop legend MC Serch, R&B singer K. Michelle, and social media superstar and Full Sail alumni Wuz Good. Check out all of these highlights (and much more) from the month of May:

Anthony Perez discusses data-driven sports business

Executive Vice President of Strategy for Orlando Magic Anthony Perez met with students to discuss how he established a data-driven culture in the business of decision making, evaluating corporate partnerships, tickets sales and retention, and marketing.

Get the scoop on the NSCS ice cream social

The Full Sail chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) hosted an ice cream social on campus for its student members. NSCS is an honors organization that recognizes outstanding academic achievement among college students.

Jay LeBoeuf talks careers in music technology

Executive Director of Real Industry Jay LeBeouf spoke with students about the wide variety of roles among different music and technology companies, and how the skills they are currently learning may assist them in unexpected ways. “The industry needs you and wants you,” Jay said. “You might not have known before this talk all the roles you might have in the entertainment media and tech industry, but now hopefully you have a few additional ideas.”

Award-winning R&B singer K. Michelle meets students in the studio

Chart-topping and award-winning R&B singer K. Michelle dropped by Full Sail to meet with a specially selected group of students to answer questions and talk about her upcoming studio album.

Career Developments hosts speed interview workshop

Career Development opened their doors to all Full Sail students during their speed interview workshop. Participants had the opportunity to practice their interview skills without the pressure of having a job on the line. Advisors from Career Development advised students on best practices as well as techniques to sell yourself to potential employers.

Fernando Delgado shares entrepreneurial and industry insight

Full Sail grad and Emmy winner Fernando Delgado talked to students about his professional audio background and provided insight for individuals hoping to work in business and music.

For Fernando Reyes, it’s all about vibes.

Take the building he works out of in New York City, which just so happens to be one of the most iconic recording studios in the world. Founded by Jimi Hendrix and built by renowned studio architect John Storyk in 1970, Electric Lady Studios is a Greenwich Village institution.

“There’s such an energy to the building itself that you can’t get anywhere else,” says Fernando. “Jimi had a vision for a creative space for artists, and that’s how we operate to this day. We put as much thought about placing lamps and rugs as we do about the technical side of recording.”

Good vibes also helped Fernando get and keep a job.

The 2015 Recording Arts grad always knew he wanted to work in New York City, so before graduation, he sent out his resume to as many studios in the city as he could. A few weeks later he flew to New York for an in-person interview, which landed him an internship. 

“The usual internship program at Electric Lady Studios lasts for three months,” Fernando explains. “I worked as hard as I could during my three months. I built good relationships with staff and made sure they could trust me with important tasks.”

At the end of his internship. Fernando expressed interest in staying on as an assistant. Unfortunately, there was no position open at the time, but since Fernando was willing to continue on as an intern, the studio managers let him stay. A month later, a position opened up and Fernando was officially hired on as part of the staff.  Through Electric Lady Studios, he eventually started working with Michael Brauer, a GRAMMY Award-winning mix engineer who has worked with artists like Coldplay and John Mayer.

“For Michael, it’s about personality. Sure, I have experience in ProTools, but it was really important for him to get someone with the right attitude since we spend so many hours in the same room. Attention to detail is everything. Whether I’m doing something in the console or mailing a package out for him, I have to be aware and in control of my surroundings at every moment,” says Fernando.

Over the last two years, Fernando has worked his way up from general assistant to become one of Michael’s personal mixing assistants, where he’s had the opportunity to work with artists like Beth Ditto, Big Boi, and Phoenix, the latter of which was a huge deal for Fernando.

“I used to listen to their first record, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, non-stop in 2009. When we received the session for their first track on their new album, I started preparing the mix session on my laptop in my living room. That was a surreal moment for me.”

As far as advice for new grads, Fernando says it’s all about making people comfortable.

“Work as hard as you can to make yourself stand out,” he says. “It’s all about finding that right balance with people, where you’re building good relationships without overstepping. And be patient. Timing is everything.”

Traditional advice holds that you should never give up, especially if the thing you’re considering giving up is in some way connected to your passion. But what if giving up meant leaving a place, only to find your way back?

Keylan Laxton knows all about that. Currently, he works at one of the most unique recording studios in the country. More than a mere recording facility, Dauphin Street Sound is a recording studio that actors a complex of creative spaces – including a live venue, band house, and fully-functioning ranch – owned and operated by Major League Baseball star Jake Peavey and his brother Luke.

Nearly a decade ago, Keylan was a new Full Sail grad interning at Jada Entertainment, a small studio in his native Mobile, Alabama. Soon, he was promoted to the position of assistant engineer. But the situation wasn’t ideal. Changes in technology meant the studio’s equipment was quickly becoming outdated, and the owner wasn’t willing to invest in updates.

“It was right at the time when ProTools was shifting to a new interface,” recalls Keylan. “It would have been tens of thousands of dollars in upgrades, and it just wasn’t possible. So I started collecting my own equipment.”

Eventually, Keylan left to open his own small project studio called Fade Out Entertainment. At the same time, he got a freelance gig as a production manager for Soul Kitchen Music Hall, one of the largest venues in Mobile. There, he had the opportunity to run sound for artists like Seether, Shinedown, J. Cole, and CeeLo Green.

“That was huge in terms of growing my reach beyond being just a regional engineer,” he says. “I started getting gigs all over the southeast.”

Keylan’s success caught the attention of local guitar player and studio manager Ben Jernigan, who put him in contact with professional baseball player Jake Peavy. Jake was fresh off a World Series win with the San Francisco Giants in 2014. A guitar player himself and a native of Mobile, Jake and his brother Luke were looking to start a recording studio catering to up-and-coming artists, and they wanted Keylan to come on board.

Recording spaces are rare in Mobile, but as luck would have it, one was for sale around the time Jake and Luke were looking to buy. In a particularly meaningful twist for Keylan, it was the same studio he’d worked at all those years ago when he was a struggling college grad living with his parents.

The brothers did a complete overhaul of the building, and Keylan’s prior knowledge of the space and the existing equipment was a valuable asset to the team during the planning stages. Jake and Luke also brought in GRAMMY Award winning producer Trina Shoemaker, and together she, Keylan, and Ben acted as consultants on what would become Dauphin Street Sound.

A premier destination studio offering recording and post-production services, and even field and live recording packages, Dauphin Street Sound is meant to be a fully-inclusive creative experience. Instead of staying in a hotel, bands and artists are encouraged to post up at Dauphin Street’s band house located just a few blocks away. Or they can try out new material at the Cedar Street Social Club, the Peavy brothers’ live venue. Those looking for a more solitude can head to Southern Falls, Jake’s creative retreat located on a 5,000 acre ranch.

Today, Keylan serves as Dauphin Street’s chief engineer. When he walks through the doors to come to work, he sometimes thinks about walking out all those years ago, and how sometimes you have to leave a place in order to find your way back under the right circumstances. He continues to work live gigs and take smaller projects through Fade Out Entertainment. Not bad for a quitter.

“It all came together,” he says. “Living in Mobile, I always thought I’d be a big fish in a small pond. It wasn’t that straightforward. What we did at Dauphin is create our own pond.”

Digital Cinematography grad Sady Paulson approaches video editing head first. That’s not a metaphor, although she does go into every project with a clear vision and purpose. But unlike other editors, Sady controls FinalCut Pro using a switch access scanning system.

Here’s how it works: Sady, who was born with cerebral palsy, has two switches situated on either side of her wheelchair headrest. She controls those switches by moving her head left or right to make a selection on her main computer, a Macbook Pro. The system is hooked up to all of her devices – from her wheelchair to her iPhone. Once she selects which device she wants to control, she’s presented with a “board” – basically a list of functions and keyboard shortcuts that allow her to control each device or program. Using this system, she can text, email, talk on the phone (through automated voice software), and much more.

Sady was introduced to scanning systems by Mark Coppin, a 2012 graduate of Full Sail’s Education Media Design & Technology master’s degree program (which has since evolved into our current Instructional Design & Technology master’s degree program) and the Director of Assistive Technology at the Anne Carlson Center in North Dakota.

“Everything you and I can do with a keyboard or a mouse, Sady can do with those two switches,” says Mark. “She has a very select keyboard that makes her as efficient as possible. So something that might take you or I 25 keystrokes and a couple of mouse actions, she can do in one macro action. She’s able to edit faster than most people because of the shortcuts she’s developed.”

“When I was going through the Digital Cinematography program, nobody on the other end knew I had a disability,” says Sady, who attended classes online. “All they saw was my work, and as a result, my ability.”

L to R: Mark Coppin, Simulation and Visualization Program Director Rob Catto, and Sady Paulson

Mark has spent over two decades working with students like Sady, assessing their unique access issues and building accessibility solutions based on their needs. He’s seen accessibility technology evolve in every way imaginable. In 2009, he was named an Apple Distinguished Educator, and currently gives workshops and presentations all over the world on the latest accessibility solutions. He says the biggest change he’s seen over the years is the demand for accessibility technology to be adapted to other industries, like gaming.

“In a lot of ways, people like Sady are driving the industry. But I also love seeing what’s happening in the gaming community,” he says. “Their hands slow them down, so they’re looking at eye movement technology that tracks players gazes, and things that allow them to go hands-free like voice activation. All of these technologies have been around in the accessibility community for years, but now they are being priced at an average consumer level.”

Tech companies are also making big changes to their operating systems to include accessibility functions right out of the box. Apple’s latest OS includes switch control, voice activation, and a slew of other accessibility features built right in.

“I use everything Apple in my life, and each device has a dedicated purpose. My set-up includes an iPad for social media, two MacBook Pros and an iPhone for schoolwork and general communication, and a 27-inch iMac for video editing,” says Sady.

“The integration is seamless,” adds Mark. “All technology should feel organic and transparent. And that’s what these companies are doing. They’re enhancing not just the user experience, but people’s lives.”

Apple’s focus on increasing the accessibility of their products was highlighted by a film about the topic shown during the company’s October 2016 media event announcing new products. That film’s editor? Sady Paulson.

More recently, Sady and Mark had the opportunity to visit Full Sail’s campus and tour tech facilities like the FabLab and the AR/VR Lab.

“In looking at the technologies that Full Sail is developing, we begin to see how some of those solutions can be applied to problems of accessibility,” says Mark. “For instance, if we have a student who is medically fragile, a simulation might allow them to visit the Louvre. And with a virtual environment, you can make the experience even richer beyond what even you or I might experience if we visited in person. You could get closer to the Mona Lisa than ever before.”

“It’s about going farther,” he says. “At it’s best, technology removes all kinds of barriers.”

For more information on Mark’s work, visit the Anne Carlson Center’s website. You can find Sady online at sadypaulson.com.

Earlier this year, Full Sail launched a brand new Behind the Scenes tour offering visitors an in-depth look at our campus and curriculum. The monthly tour now includes more interactive programming, such as degree-specific workshops and info sessions on everything from financial aid to housing. It’s also a great way to explore our facilities from top to bottom, with campus tours running throughout the day.

One of the highlights of the new tour is a Guest Speaker Panel, presented by Full Sail’s Career Development department. Each month, they invite distinguished alumni, members of our Hall of Fame, and leaders from the Orlando community to contribute to the panel. During the hour-long presentation, speakers share personal insights and expertise gleaned from their time working in the industry. They cover topics such as how to make the most out of your time as a student, advice for breaking into the industry, and how to get (and keep) a job. The panel culminates with a Q&A session designed to give attendees a chance to steer the conversation based on their unique interests.

Our next Behind the Scenes tour is July 16, 2017. Visit us online to reserve your spot today. 

We are excited to welcome the following four panelists to this month’s tour:

Sebastian Krys (Recording Arts, 1991)
President, Rebeleon Entertainment and Arju Productions
Hall of Fame 1 Inductee

After graduation, Sebastian landed a job at the renowned Crescent Moon Studios in Miami (owned by Gloria and Roger Estefan) and embarked on an award-winning career as an engineer/producer that has seen him work with superstars like Shakira, Marc Anthony, the Black Eyed Peas, and more. He’s won five GRAMMY and twelve Latin GRAMMY Awards, including the coveted Producer of the Year trophies in 2007 and 2015. In his 15-plus years in the industry, Sebastian has amassed a resume that’s made him well known and respected in both the Latin and pop music markets.

Now a freelance producer/engineer based in Los Angeles, Sebastian is the President/CEO of Rebeleon Entertainment and Arju Productions, where he continues to produce music and develop the careers of up-and-coming talent in the industry.

Sheena Fowler (Entertainment Business, 2007)
Director of Business Development, Orlando Economic Partnership

As Director of Business Development at the Orlando Economic Partnership, Sheena works to aggressively attract, retain, and grow jobs in Orlando with a focus on Innovative Technologies. This sector includes software development, game development, mobile app development, digital media, virtual reality, augmented reality, and technology that has yet to be explored. The Orlando Economic Development Commission offers a full range of services to businesses looking to locate or expand in the Orlando area with a staff of business development experts who can assist in everything from site location analysis to evaluation of financial assistance.

Prior to joining the Orlando Economic Partnership, Sheena worked in the public relations department of Orlando’s Downtown Art District where she was responsible for the organization, promotion, and implementation of special events. Sheena started her career as a freelance production assistant and worked with such powerhouse companies as Go Film, Transition Productions, iNEXTv.com, CNN’s Captain Planet Foundation, HBO Boxing, and Warner Brothers.

Larry Katz (Film, 2000)
Second Assistant Director
Hall of Fame 5 Inductee

While many of his classmates in Full Sail’s Film program dreamt of being the next Spielberg or writing an Oscar-winning screenplay, Larry Katz had a more direct goal in mind – to be an assistant director. Larry was drawn to the role of AD because of the level of involvement assistant directors have – in every shot of a movie. After graduating from in 2000, Larry moved to Los Angeles and set his sights on the Director’s Guild of America Training Program. He didn’t get in the first year, but remained encouraged and landed the coveted internship in 2002. His experience in the program proved rewarding. Every 50 days he was rotated to a new TV show or feature film, meeting a whole new group of ADs on each set. These relationships became the foundation of Larry’s professional network, leading to incredible opportunities. His credits range from blockbusters like War for the Planet of the Apes and Captain America: The First Avenger, to television shows such as Californication, Desperate Housewives, and Seventh Heaven.

Peet Cooper (Computer Animation, 2004)
Art Director, Riot Games 

A self-proclaimed lifelong gamer, Peet Cooper was hooked on his first game at age five. Since then, he has played, collected, and analyzed thousands of games across every console and PC. As a game art generalist, Peet’s skill set encompasses concept art, 3D characters, UI, environments, illustrations, and level design. He has had the opportunity to work on titles ranging from Nintendo, EA, and Activision – on franchises such as Star Wars, Call of Duty, Diablo, World of Warcraft, and League of Legends. As an art director at Riot Games, Peet is currently helping to define the studio’s visual quality and style. He also serves as VP and co-founder of the non-profit organization Gamers for Good.

Through connections fostered by our grads, faculty, and staff, Full Sail’s campus serves as a hub for industry professionals looking to share their knowledge and experience with our students. Each month, we host special events and lectures by people actively shaping the world of entertainment and media. Many of these events are streamed, so online students have an opportunity to participate along with their campus peers. These events, often sponsored by student clubs or degree programs, provide our students with additional growth and networking opportunities, and serve to supplement our project-based curriculum.

Over the years, we’ve welcomed hundreds of visitors. Here’s a small sampling of a few of the people we’ve recently spotted on campus.

Thanks to @pjmorton of @maroon5 for stopping by campus! #FullSail

A post shared by Full Sail (@fullsail) on Apr 5, 2017 at 5:00pm PDT

When Chuck D and @therealchilli stop by your school on the same day… #FullSailHOF #FullSail #ChuckD #PublicEnemy #TLC #Chilli

A post shared by Full Sail (@fullsail) on Feb 17, 2017 at 3:00pm PST

ESPN SportsCenter anchor Kevin Negandhi dropped by Full Sail’s Eighth Annual Hall of Fame Celebration.

Andy Grammer Performs Live on Campus

Cam Newton Plays in a Madden NFL 15 Tournament on Campus

Vans Warped Tour Founder Kevin Lyman spoke to students before revealing the 2017 Vans Warped Tour line-up in a special concert event on campus.

#Repost from that time @mariamenounos whipped it on the #FullSail backlot. ・・・ #whipit @wwe @wrestlemania33official @susangkomen

A post shared by Full Sail (@fullsail) on May 17, 2017 at 7:52am PDT

Steve Helling, a freelance journalist, television host, and staff writer for People magazine, is a frequent visitor to campus.

Thanks to @jodyhighroller for stopping by #FullSail campus today!

A post shared by Full Sail (@fullsail) on Jan 13, 2017 at 1:45pm PST

Christopher “Play” Martin and Friends Film Pilot on Campus

The @setitoff #UpsideDown album release party is tonight in #FullSail Live! #SetItOff

A post shared by Full Sail (@fullsail) on Oct 4, 2016 at 2:21pm PDT

That "random" time @g_eazy stopped by campus. #FullSail

A post shared by Full Sail (@fullsail) on Dec 28, 2015 at 9:30am PST

Falling under the umbrella of the Regional Emmy Awards, the Student Production Awards are designed to recognize and honor film projects created by university students in the regional area. Full Sail University is categorized in the Suncoast Chapter of the Regional Emmys, and is well represented among the winners of the 2017 Student Production Awards.

Congratulations to the Full Sail grads who received this high honor!

Winners

Long Form

Magic Mouse – Annie Bravo, Luke Zammit, Austin Brown

A Beautiful Trip – Larry Hardnett, Jr., Louie Rosa Alicea, Michael Harris, Anthony Navarro, Anthony Collins, Nancy Alonso, Amyyadira Lopez, Ulysees Turner, Brittney McPherson

Editor

Hush – Genesis Lopez, Glorybell Lopez, Adriana Li Mandri

Honorable Mentions

Editor

Laundry – Tatiana Martinez, Carlos Echevarria, Kitzia Dan, Yao Pan

Full Sail’s newest degree program is looking ahead to the future of sports broadcasting, preparing students for careers in an ever-evolving media landscape.

According to a recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center, six out of ten young adults (ages 18 to 29) identify streaming services as their primary source of television. While there are always going to be traditionalists who resist the allure of cord-cutting, the facts lead to one undeniable conclusion: the internet has forever altered the way we consume media.

No matter how people choose to tune in, the percentage of Americans who identify as sports fans remains steady, with averages hovering around 60% – that’s around 180 million people – since 2000. Furthermore, those millions of people are looking to professional leagues, franchises, and content purveyors to provide 24/7 content on a more personalized scale than ever before.

In an effort to address this new sports media landscape, Full Sail has partnered with legendary sportscaster Dan Patrick to launch Full Sail University’s Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting. In developing the curriculum, they looked at current trends and made smart predictions designed to give students an edge in a rapidly evolving industry. Speaking to students during a recent campus visit, Dan discussed why Full Sail is uniquely suited to take on the task.

“It’s important to be adaptable,” says Dan. “How people are consuming sports is changing almost daily, and we have to change as well. That’s the beauty of Full Sail: We adapt in accordance to what the marketplace is doing.”

It takes an experienced eye to spot a trend, which is why Dan worked with Full Sail administration to bring in ESPN veteran Gus Ramsey – a Program Director whose level of experience in front of and behind the camera matches his own. Gus worked at ESPN for 21 years,” he says. “As a producer on SportsCenter, Gus worked closely with new college graduates on the multi-faceted layers of studio production every day.” Dan felt strongly that Gus’s experience in working with management and entry-level talent would be a key skill set that would help the new program be successful.

In addition to a well-credentialed permanent faculty, Gus and Dan plan on using their industry connections to bring a host of recognizable guest speakers and associate faculty to campus. The curriculum will cover traditional topics such as content production, broadcast writing, and media best practices. It’ll also include a heavy emphasis on emerging technology as a medium for telling better, more customizable stories. In addition to production fundamentals, students will receive vocal training and introductions to new media tools, which they can use to enhance the viewer experience.

The implication of technology into the curriculum is especially meaningful when considering the globalization of sports culture. Executives are turning away from traditional broadcast deals in favor of more open access solutions, such as mobile and streaming options, as well as contracts with non-broadcast media players like Yahoo and Amazon. This year, Verizon made headlines when they obtained exclusive streaming rights to a single NFL game, at an estimated cost of more than $20 million. Around 3.2 billion people tuned in for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Social media has opened up a dialogue between players and fans, providing unprecedented access to a community of fans the world over. And as access increases, so does demand.

The umbrella of what constitutes a sport is also expanding to include more tech-based offerings. Worldwide, more people watched last year’s League of Legends finals than the NBA finals. And the eSports industry is projected to surpass $1 billion by 2019. Gaming commentators, known as “shoutcasters,” are becoming celebrities in their own right.

By understanding and observing these trends, leaders like Gus and Dan will be able to prepare students for jobs that might not even exist yet.

“We want to make sure we’re giving our graduates a head start,” says Dan. “Our students are going to walk in [to their first job] knowing they’re ahead of the game.

Full Sail University’s Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting is the newest bachelor’s degree program aimed at students interested in sports media. As technology and fan culture continue to shift, more and more opportunities are becoming available to those passionate about broadcasting.

We’ve entered a new and exciting era of sports culture, one centered around the stories that occur both on and off the field. It’s these stories that deepen the bond between fans and the sports that they love. And for those looking to break into sportscasting, it’s created a steady flow of opportunity.

“The current state of the sports entertainment industry is heavily focused on specialization and personalization,” says Gus Ramsey, Program Director of Full Sail University’s Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting. Gus comes to Full Sail with more than 20 years of producing experience with ESPN, and he’s planning on using his deep ties to the industry to bring a host of broadcasting luminaries and experienced professionals with him to serve as faculty.

“It’s about making connections,” he continues. “The more personal you can get with someone, the more you’re able to connect with them. And they, in turn, will become more invested in the game.”

Full Sail’s newest bachelor’s program aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the sportscasting industry – from writing for broadcast to fundamentals of production. Created in collaboration with legendary sportscaster Dan Patrick, the program focuses heavily on elements of storytelling in an attempt to build those all-important connections with fans.

“I tell people to be curious,” says Dan, speaking during an exclusive on-campus Q&A with students. “If you’re curious, you’re never going to go wrong. But if you feel like you got all the answers, it’s not going to be a great interview. There are so many small, simple things in this business that I don’t think are taught. And that’s what we want to help you with.”

“We want to offer fans a 360-degree perspective,” adds Gus. “Fans want to know about all the issues, and those might be social, political, or health-related, in addition to what’s happening on the field.”

To that end, the sportscasting degree includes foundational courses in public relations and diversity in media. On one hand, the curriculum is decidedly journalistic, but there’s another aspect of it that is just as important when it comes to telling great stories: taking fans beyond the sidelines and immersing them right in the thick of the action.

Last year, The NCAA released a virtual reality app for the Gear VR in partnership with CBS, Intel, and Oculus. The app was so successful that they brought it back for the 2017 season. It’s a trend that we’re going to see more of, says Gus, which is why he and his team are embracing emerging technologies within the curriculum.

“We have the ability to put the viewer on the field inside the huddle at a football game. But what does that mean for the person who spent hundreds of dollars on a front row ticket to the game? How do we properly monetize and present these experiences? We as a program have a say in how that technology gets implemented.”

Ultimately, the goal of the program goes beyond preparing a new generation of sportscasters for today’s media landscape. It’s to empower them with the tools to evolve that landscape – and the lives of so many fans – for the better.

Full Sail University, in collaboration with legendary sportscaster Dan Patrick, is excited to announce the new Sportscasting bachelor’s program.

Available on campus and online, this bachelor of science degree combines the professional expertise of sportscasters with the production technologies that are shaping the world of sports.

Through project-based curriculum, students in this program will gain real-world experience as they focus on the constantly evolving needs of the industry. They’ll also get ongoing feedback from a team of faculty who are active professionals themselves.

Recognized as one of the industry’s top sports broadcasters, Dan Patrick was heavily involved with the development of this program.

“I’m regularly being asked how to get into the industry, and I was meeting college graduates who weren’t getting practical experience as part of their degrees. This program is designed to develop well-rounded grads who are just as strong on camera as they are behind the scenes.”

He cites Full Sail’s agile approach to curriculum as a deciding factor to partner up.

“How we consume sports is changing almost daily. What’s important is what’s important now. Is it going to be important in six weeks, six months from now? We have to be able to adapt. That’s the beauty about Full Sail. We adapt to what the industry is doing, and that helps the student,” he says.

WWE (NYSE: WWE), in partnership with Full Sail University is pleased to announce that it has awarded ten $10,000 scholarships to the following Full Sail University students:

• Eric Alvarez, a Media Communications student
• Brittney McPherson, a Film graduate and Entertainment Business student
• Natalie Morton, a Show Production student
• Ramon Olivares, a Show Production student
• Nate Pfitzer, a Recording Arts student
• Drenot Pierre, a Recording Arts student
• Darcy Ricotta, a Show Production student
• Malique Samuda, a Film student
• Mark Shaw, a Digital Cinematography student
• De’Niaya Thomas, a Show Production student

WWE Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events, Paul Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President of Special Events, John Saboor and Full Sail University President Garry Jones were joined by WWE Superstars at Full Sail Live during production of the Mae Young Classic Women’s Tournament to share the latest scholarship announcements. Since WWE began its partnership with Full Sail University in May 2012, WWE has awarded more than 35 scholarships to Full Sail University students, for a total of more than $350.000. These scholarships are applied toward the recipient’s areas of study within the university.

“On behalf of WWE, we are honored to celebrate the commitment and passion of all Full Sail Students with the award of these ten scholarships,” said John Saboor, WWE’s Executive Vice President of Special Events. “We are excited to further deepen our partnership with Full Sail University with the presentation of the inaugural Mae Young Classic.”

“WWE’s commitment to supporting higher education is demonstrated monthly on our campus through the hands-on learning experience provided to our students during productions of NXT at Full Sail Live, in addition to the numerous opportunities our students take part in on WWE events ranging from the epic entertainment spectacle of WrestleMania, to the latest world-class production of the Mae Young Classic Women’s Tournament,” said Garry Jones, President of Full Sail University. “We are humbled by the generosity of our friends and partners at WWE as seen through this latest scholarship announcement, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for their continued support of our students’ educational and career aspirations.”

WWE selected Eric Alvarez, Brittney McPherson, Natalie Morton, Ramon Olivares, Nate Pfitzer, Drenot Pierre, Darcy Ricotta, Malique Samuda, Mark Shaw, and De’Niaya Thomas to receive these scholarships for exhibiting exceptional professionalism, creative talent and maintaining good academic standing, while shadowing professional WWE staff and crew during the production of NXT® events at Full Sail University.

About Full Sail University
Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in the entertainment and media industry. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has been recognized as one of the 2017 “Top Graduate & Undergraduate Schools to Study Game Design” by The Princeton Review, one of the Best Music Programs by Rolling Stone Magazine, and one of the 2016 “Top 50 Film Schools” by The WrapMagazine. Full Sail was named the 2016 “School/College of the Year” by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, and received the “21st Century Best Practices in Distance Learning Award” from the United States Distance Learning Association.

Full Sail University is a Graduate and Undergraduate degree-granting institution offering on-campus and online degree programs in areas related to Art & Design, Business, Film & Television, Games, Media & Communications, Music & Recording, Sports, and Web & Technology. Full Sail graduate credits include work on OSCAR®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, ADDY®, MTV Video Music Award, and Video Game Award nominated and winning projects. To learn more about Full Sail, visit fullsail.eduhttp://www.fullsail.edu/, or follow us at www.twitter.com/fullsailhttp://www.twitter.com/fullsail or www.facebook.com/fullsailuniversityhttp://www.facebook.com/fullsailuniversity

About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide in 20 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 180 countries. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/

On-the-job experience is one of the most valuable forms of education. That’s why Full Sail is excited to introduce a new program aimed at working professionals seeking online master’s degrees in Entertainment Business, Business Intelligence, or Internet Marketing. Starting now, new students have the option to test out of up to five courses in their chosen field of study.

“To better serve that population of students, we’re allowing students who have expertise in a particular class the opportunity to test out of the course, saving them both time and money when it comes to completing their degree,” says Dave Franko, Full Sail’s Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Here’s how it works:

• Students with at least five years experience in a related field are presented with a list of eligible courses. They’ll work with their program director and admissions representative to determine which tests best fit their work experience and expertise.
• Once a student determines which classes (up to five total) they’d like to test out of, they must submit a letter of intent, resumé, and their undergraduate transcripts.
• Each test is free to take, but may only be taken once and prior to the course start date.

• Students must demonstrate mastery of the course objectives by passing the test to be awarded credit for the course. This will reduce tuition cost by 3 or 3.5 credit hours, depending on the class.
•  Some courses are not eligible for credit by examination, such as Mastery and Capstone classes.

To find out more about this and other opportunities for online master’s students, contact your admissions representative at 800.226.7625 or visit us on the web.

Full Sail University student Tara Davis has been selected as a finalist for the South region of the Red Bull Doodle Art competition and will represent the United States in the global finals.

The Red Bull Doodle Art competition challenges individuals to put pen to paper and create their best original doodle to submit for consideration. A winner from each of the four regions within the United States is selected as finalists to earn a trip to a Virtual Reality art experience where the final winner is selected. Finalists of the competition are coached on how to take their 3D artistic skills to the next level, and have a chance to have their original artwork in a Global Virtual Gallery.

Not only was Tara the first Red Bull Doodle Art submission in the United States, but she is also now one of four individuals chosen out of 1,800 applicants to have her art displayed in the global gallery. Tara’s art will be created with the Google Tilt Brush, which she will learn how to use as part of her prize in Las Vegas, Nevada.

You can see Tara’s work, as well as the other finalists, on the Doodle Art website.

After graduating from Full Sail’s Show Production degree program in 2013, Brandon Blackwell got his start working as a production assistant for musician Ray Chew, who has served as the music director for shows like Showtime at the Apollo and American Idol. Ray was instrumental in helping Brandon build a name for himself in the audio world. When Ray left his home base in New Jersey for a few months to work on Dancing with the Stars, Brandon had an opportunity to take a one-off gig mixing monitors for Ne-Yo on The Ellen Degeneres Show. That one job was enough to get Brandon hooked on freelance. So, with just his reputation and a few industry contacts, Brandon left his job as Ray’s assistant and moved to working freelance full time in 2015.

Since then, he’s amassed an impressive roster of clients including TLC, A$AP Rocky, Puff Daddy & the Bad Boy Reunion Tour, and more. Most recently, he mixed monitors for Big Sean’s performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. We caught up with Brandon the week after the awards to talk about his success. Here are his best tips for live engineers looking to strike out on their own.

It’s not enough to build bridges, you have to maintain them.

That gig on Ellen allowed Brandon to build a relationship with Ne-Yo’s production manager, who also works with a bunch of other artists. Brandon stayed in touch, and eventually got a call saying that TLC was looking for someone to run monitors and act as an assistant production manager. From there, he managed to keep working by making himself a commodity.

So I usually don't like to take photos with the artist I work for but these two are very special to me. Spending the last few months with these two was such a breath of fresh air and I am totally going to miss them. For my first arena tour you can beat mixing for such an iconic group. Totally blessed!! Thanks for everything @therealchilli @therealtboz Hope to see you guys again!! Mama Chilli and Aunt TBoz. #teamaudio #teamshowpro #fullsailuniversity #fullsail #fullsailgrad #fullsailalumni #maineventtour #nkotb #tlc #music #concert #livemusic #livesound #tour #tourbus #touring #tourlife #monitorengineer #monitorworld #iem #jh #jhaudio #shure #digico #digicosd5 #sd5 #Foolies10K #blessed #imixforaliving #tlcmtb

A post shared by Brandon Blackwell (@brandonblackwell23) on Jul 5, 2015 at 3:39pm PDT

This type of chain reaction is typical of the industry, but Brandon takes it a step further. Whenever he meets someone he vibes with, he stays in touch and helps them out.

“I’m at the point now where I have to turn down gigs, because once I’m booked on something, I’m locked in,” he says. “Whenever I turn something down, I make sure to pass along the name of someone who I think might be a good fit.”

By recommending other engineers he trusts, Brandon has created a network of friends who will recommend him in turn. “As a result, we all stay working,” he says.

Know exactly when and how to provide creative feedback to an artist.

“My first job was with Ne-Yo, an A-list artist who knows what he wants,” says Brandon. “Same with TLC. Then I worked with [singer-songwriter and former American Idol contestant] Tori Kelly.”

Tori was just starting out, and she wasn’t well-versed in the lingo artists use to talk to their monitor engineers. Whereas Brandon looked at the work he was doing with Ne-Yo and TLC as more of a service, he approached working with Tori as an educational experience for both of them.

“She would ask me to make her guitar sound prettier. I didn’t know what that meant exactly, so we started trying things. Through trial and error, we came to understand that ‘pretty’ meant reverb,” says Brandon.

“As a monitor engineer, you’re building a relationship with an artist based on their tastes,” he adds. “Once you figure out what a newer artist likes, you can define terms and help shape what they ask for in the future.”

What an amazing couple of months it has been on the Where I Belong Tour. I'm really gonna miss my TK family! #torikelly #whereibelongtour #monitorengineer #monitorworld #teamaudio #teamshowpro #livemusic #livesound #imixforaliving #fullsailuniversity #fullsail #fullsailgrad #fullsailalumni #fullsailnation #fullsailing #fsnation #music #concert #tour #tourbus #touring #tourlife #goodmusic #tkfamily

A post shared by Brandon Blackwell (@brandonblackwell23) on Nov 9, 2015 at 12:06pm PST

There are no days off, especially when it comes to being your own boss.

Unlike some freelancers who hire outside help to run the business side of things, Brandon manages all of his invoicing and expenses himself, working under the company name Blackwell Productions. This means a lot of his downtime is spent cataloging receipts, writing up invoices, and making sure he’s putting away enough money for taxes.

“When I have a day off, all I want to do is catch up on sleep,” he says. “But the fact is, if you don’t submit an invoice, you don’t get paid. If you shove a receipt in your pocket and lose it, you can’t write it off.”

This means setting regular “office hours” for himself, even when he doesn’t feel like it. And he says he hasn’t ruled out the prospect of hiring on outside help in the future.

“My parents have offered to help me run the business after they retire,” he says. “I just might take them up on it.”

The quiet before the storm. Definitely my favorite part of the day. Charlotte better be ready for tonight because the Bad Boys Reunion Tour is here!!#teamaudio #teamshowpro #livemusic #livesound #imixforaliving #fullsailuniversity #fullsail #fullsailgrad #fullsailalumni #fullsailnation #fullsailing #fsnation #music #concert #tour #touring #tourlife #goodmusic #monitorworld #monitorengineer #waves #waveslive #digico #digicosd7 @digico.official @digicouk @wavesaudio @db_audiotechnik @sennheiser @tcelectronic @fullsail

A post shared by Brandon Blackwell (@brandonblackwell23) on Sep 20, 2016 at 5:13pm PDT

This month, All Access is taking it back: Back to the future, that is. We’ve got an exclusive interview with actress Lea Thompson! Plus, PJ Morton from Maroon 5 drops by campus, the Shot on Red Workshop gives students a crash course in making professional-looking videos, and students take to the Treehouse to perform their favorite Babyface and L.A. Reid songs. Check out all of these highlights (and much more) from the month of April:

Kipper Jones breaks down the power of a great song.

The Entertainment Business and Music Business bachelor’s programs welcomed singer-songwriter Kipper Jones. Kipper spoke about his journey through the music business, starting with his early career as a performer and leading up to his work writing songs for artists like The Game, Ice Cube, Chaka Khan, and MC Lyte.

Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton speaks to students.

Thanks to @pjmorton of @maroon5 for stopping by campus! #FullSail

A post shared by Full Sail (@fullsail) on Apr 5, 2017 at 5:00pm PDT

Keyboardist, singer, and songwriter PJ Morton visited Full Sail’s campus and held a Q&A with two groups of students in the Audio Temple. In addition to answering questions, PJ shared music and stories from his new album Gumbo.

Pure Motivation celebrates Earth Day.

On April 8, Full Sail students in the Pure Motivation organization joined Orange County’s Environmental Protection Division on a mission to plant trees near the Callahan Neighborhood Center in Orlando, FL. All told, volunteers planted over 600 trees, spread 168 bags of mulch, and removed over 400 pounds of litter and debris.

Game development students share their midterm projects with the Full Sail community.

Every month, Game Development students in the Project & Portfolio III class have the opportunity to present their games to the public at the SGP Expo. This month featured two teams of students and their games: The puzzle-based game ‘The Adventures of Kid-Bot’ and the action-based fighting game ‘AGENT S.M.I.T.H.’ Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the process of making games and to ask the developers about specific choices they made for each project.

Universal Orlando’s Director of Marketing and Global Promotions Visits Campus

Guest speaker Ursula Uelze dropped by campus for a lecture and Q&A session. She shared highlights from her personal career as well as tips related to the different areas of marketing, including licensing, which she did for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter from 2007-2010.

A great public relations team can make or break a company’s reputation. When you’re in charge of a company’s PR, you represent that brand – so you’ve got to make a good impression. “Public relations is about being an advocate and a voice for a brand,” says Ryan Kitelyn, Full Sail University’s Public Relations program director. “Your goal is to promote a business, idea, or company – and you do that via working with the media [and other stakeholders].”

Full Sail’s 12-month, online Public Relations master’s degree program prepares students to represent companies and brands, spearhead campaigns, manage events, and more. “In PR, you’re representing for a company; so you’re always going to need to put a good face forward,” Kitelyn says. “You’re the type of person that likes to be the face of an organization. If you’re in a group project and you want to be the speaker, this may be the right program for you.”

Here are some of the traits and skills you need to bring to the table – or in this case, the online classroom – to succeed in the Public Relations program:

Before entering the Public Relations program, you don’t necessarily need any direct PR experience, but you do need to have great communications skills, says Kitelyn. “You must like working with people,” he says. “And putting a positive spin on things.”

Be Ready For: Students can expect to spend 20-30 hours per week on their work, which includes courses in reputation management, event marketing and production, social media, and more. Throughout the program, you’ll work on a capstone project that involves creating a complete PR plan (with an online media room) for a real company; some entrepreneurial students have even used their own companies for this project.

Some other traits great Public Relations students have: the ability to handle criticism well, a conversational nature, and great time management skills, which is one of the most important elements of being a successful Full Sail student. The university’s accelerated track means you’re getting a master’s degree in one year instead of the typical two. It’s a huge benefit – you’ll get a head start in the industry while only focusing on one relevant course per month  – but it definitely requires commitment and organization.

Post-Graduation: Several Full Sail PR grads have opened up their own PR and consulting firms after graduation (such as Candie Price and Sam Ruiz), while others go on to work for larger companies in their PR and communications departments. Gina Lehe, for example, is the senior director of communications and branding for College Football Playoff. As these industries continue to develop and evolve with changes in technology, there continue to be a wide variety of opportunities for careers in PR and communications.

More questions? Check out the Public Relations degree page here or call an admissions representative at 800.226.7625.