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Having successfully utilized Full Sail University students for several on-site productions at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, the university and ESPN’s emerging technology team began collaboration discussions. This evolved into the launch of the Full Sail University Sports Lab Powered by ESPN on the university’s campus in Winter Park, Florida.

Full Sail University and ESPN are the initial stakeholders. This group has expanded to include the students who have the opportunity to gain real world experience by working on material that will be incorporated into ESPN telecasts.

The mission of this joint collaboration is to not only develop new technology enhancements such as virtual applications, but to provide students at Full Sail University the opportunity to work alongside ESPN’s emerging technology team to gain real-world experience. Students who are selected to work in the lab will have the ability to design and execute new studio and remote technologies for ESPN. They will also get the opportunity to work along ESPN production personnel on large-scale shoots and the taping of shows.

Dozens of Full Sail students spanning several degree programs including: Film, Game Development, Show Production, Digital Arts & Design and Computer Animation have been able to assist on projects including the production of the College Football Gameday opening sequence, which was shot on the Hollywood-style backlot located on Full Sail’s campus, and BCS virtual interstitials and features. In addition, several students have been able to become ESPN employees based on their work at the Full Sail University Sports Lab Powered by ESPN.

This is a mutual collaboration between both entities.

How was the partnership formed?

Who were the initial stakeholders and how have the stakeholders evolved?

What are the objectives for ESPN? Full Sail?

How have they been fulfilled?

Who led the charge?

About the ESPN/Full Sail University Partnership career

development

ESPN + Full Sail University

Full Sail University’s Career Development department works as a liaison between Full Sail graduates and employers to facilitate job and internship placements. The relationship between ESPN and Full Sail University has led to careers at ESPN for several graduates – due to initial student opportunities, as well as ESPN’s outreach to Full Sail in search of qualified graduates.

Recently the Sports Lab held a shoot for a 2012 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) virtual preview. The segment is part of ESPN’s popular College GameDay show, and featured host Desmond Howard providing a rundown of the upcoming game, as well as a recap of past highlights. The production ran for five days, and was developed with the help of Computer Animation graduate Jason Black and Digital Arts & Design graduate Erik McGrew, who are concept developers for the network.

Jason and Erik got hired in the summer of 2011 specifically to learn Brainstorm, a proprietary software program that allows manipulation of live game footage. They were tipped to the opportunity by Full Sail’s Career Development department when the network came looking for ideal candidates. After an intense two-week training period, they joined the College Gameday team, and spent this year’s season traveling the country to featured games, where they handle the camera-tracking and program virtual graphics into shots during a live show.

Career Spotlight: Erik McGrew & Jason Black

Location:Full Sail’s virtual set facility.

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College Football Gameday was shot on

the Full Sail Studios backlot.

COLLEGEGAMEDAY

ESPN + Full Sail University

‘ESPN College GameDay’ Video Shoot on Campus

College football fans across the country are very familiar with ESPN College GameDay’s opening sequence, featuring multi-platinum country superstars Big & Rich. Full Sail students and staff recently had the opportunity to take part in the filming of a new introduction sequence, shot on campus on the Backlot.

The all-day event found students, faculty, and guests playing the role of concert-goers during a performance of “Comin’ To Your City” from Big & Rich and country-rap artist Cowboy Troy. As the film crew orchestrated the onstage festivities (assisted by Full Sail student production assistants), the crowd showed their team spirit with handmade signs and the type of energy that is now synonymous with the GameDay opening sequence.

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DRAFTCONFIDENTIAL

Bill Parcells’

Location:The Draft Confidential was shot inside of Full Sail’s Sports lab powered by ESPN.

ESPN + Full Sail University

Full Sail University’s Sports Lab was transformed into an NFL draft room, as the school paired up with ESPN to shoot the Bill Parcells’ Draft Confidential special. Hosted by SportsCenter commentator Mike Tirico, the 90-minute program will air on Tuesday, April 26 at 9:30 p.m. and features two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Parcells sharing his draft strategy as well as wisdom he’s gained throughout his 30 years in the NFL.

Students and staff pair up with ESPN crew to shoot ‘Bill Parcells’ Draft Confidential’

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major leaguelacrosse

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The spots featured the band Go Radio and performances were shot onstage inside the Full Sail Live venue.

ESPN + Full Sail University

Since the launch of the Full Sail University Sports Lab, there have been many sports-related happenings that have occurred on and around campus. ESPN returned to campus recently to shoot music video elements for their upcoming Major League Lacrosse broadcasts. Produced by ESPN, the brief spots featured the band Go Radio onstage inside Full Sail Live, and Full Sail students got the chance to appear as extras in the concert crowd.

The spots for Major League Lacrosse broadcasts were shot inside the Full Sail Live Venue

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summerX GAMES

The X-Games project originated from ESPN, with the initial concept being that Full Sail University students would create animations and visual effects for the July, 2011 X-Games in Los Angeles. Produced by ESPN, the production featured the creative ideas of students from Full Sail from several different degree programs — EBBS, EBMS, DAD, CA, and GRD. The X-Games project was the ----- production developed by the Sports Lab powered by ESPN.

X-Games 3D Project

Location:Full Sail’s computer animation facilities.

ESPN + Full Sail University

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BCSVirtual Playbook

The BCS Shoot at the Full Sail University Sports Lab, Powered by ESPN, was the first ever project conducted by ESPN within the Sports Lab Space, following the public ceremony opening the lab on November 18, 2010. At the time of this event, ESPN signage was erected on the exterior of Full Sail Building 2, at the South End, while signage was erected on the interior on the motion capture room, (Room 108), though ESPN had the ability to utilize other spaces on campus, including exterior venues, interior labs, classrooms and studios.

BCS Virtual Presentation Shoot

Location:Full Sail’s virtual set facility.

ESPN + Full Sail University

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ESPN + Full Sail University

ESPN WIDE WORLD of SPORTs

Full Sail University alumni and students have been a vital part of the ESPN Wide World of Sports facility operations since the time of its 2010 technology upgrade and rebranding. Full Sail students and alumni are working with the ESPN team in positions day in and day out, including: Camera Operators, Editors, Graphics Designers, Audio Technicians, Marketing Designers, Technical Directors, Producers and Production Manager.

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ESPN + Full Sail University

knowledgesharing

Full Sail recently hosted David Saphirstein (ESPN Director, Creative Technology) in a guest lecture and presentation held inside the Full Sail Live Venue. As the former Creative Director at ESPN’s Bristol branch, Saphirstein managed the design and animation for properties including NFL, NASCAR, Baseball, Football, College Basketball, Golf, Tennis, and ESPNEWS. Saphirstein has since relocated to Florida and played a pivotal part in the implementation of the Full Sail University Sports Lab powered by ESPN here on campus.

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Full Sail Live played host to the “Behind the Game” lecture.

ESPN Director of Creative Technology David Saphirstein gives students a look behind the iconic company’s brand

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ESPN + Full Sail University

Winter park, fl.bristol, ct.

Executive team members from both organizations travelled to each others home bases of operation on fact finding and cultural bonding trips.

ESPN executives Anthony Bailey and Rick Piva on the Full Sail University campus for the opening of the Full Sail University Sports Lab powered by ESPN.

Full Sail executives Isis Jones and Chris Marconi on the Sports Center set in Bristol, CT.

Full Sail and ESPN travel to each others home base

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