When it comes to gaining relevant, hands-on experience and making connections to the industry, Full Sail University’s Show Production students are in good hands.

According to David Dean, the Program Manager for Show Production, students are exposed to a wide range of techniques designed to align with this ever-evolving industry.

“We’re not just sending audio roadies out there,” David emphasizes. “We’re serving a market that requires expertise on lighting and other visual elements, from sports production to TV shows to podcasts. Live event production covers an immense territory.”

As part of their project-based courses, show production students get hands-on opportunities to assist with live productions at on-campus venues like The Treehouse and Full Sail Live, along with large-scale events like Hall of Fame and Behind the Scenes (BTS). They also collaborate with sportscasting students to help put on esports events.

“We have built this wonderful, fertile territory [on campus] for collaboration. When you look around, you see really impressive-looking lights with color beams, laser effects, and video walls with digitally-developed content, and of course the impactful sound system,” he says.

As the field has evolved, the Show Production curriculum now incorporates a course on information technology so students learn how to manage communications systems through computer networking techniques.

“You cannot operate a sophisticated lighting, audio, and video system if you don’t understand computer networking, fiber optic interfaces, cat 5, all that infrastructure,” David adds. “Show production has become a highly sophisticated emerging technology.

”In terms of industry connections, there are countless opportunities for students studying show production. The Career Development department has hosted networking events with leading companies like Disney Cruise Lines, Bandit Lites, NEP, and Game Creek Video. Full Sail also has a long-standing relationship with Meyer Sound, one of the world’s leading audio manufacturing companies.

“[Meyer Sound] will do onsite trainings on campus for professionals, and students can also attend these trainings,” David says. “They sit side by side with our students, allowing them to interact with professionals who eventually could hire them.

”Many alumni come to campus or stop by while in the Orlando area for performances.

“It often starts with a text and is completely spontaneous at times,” David explains.

One example is James McDermott, the Front-of-House Engineer for Dierks Bentley.

“I’ll put him in a console room and he’ll throw up some tracks, and a few students will come in and he’ll go through compression techniques with them,” David shares.

Jay Yochem, a grad who has worked on Billy Joel’s touring crew for many years, often invites Full Sail students and staff to shows when the tour is in town. Eric Price, another grad who does lighting for Alkaline Trio and other big acts, has invited students to spend time with his crew.

“We have an open-door policy for alumni,” David says. “Our alumni are like family. They are always so encouraging.

”Aside from their faculty, some of the most influential industry connections for Show Production students are the members of the Show Production Program Advisory Committee (PAC). The group is made up of Full Sail alumni and others with top-level roles in the field. PAC members include Chris Murphy, CEO of Murphy Lighting; Glenn Levine, CEO of NEP Group; and Robyn Bykofsky, a Training and Education Manager with Meyer Sound. PAC members meet with faculty and students, provide input on the curriculum, and can offer a pulse on the latest trends in the show production field.

According to Brad McDonald, the Associate Director of Career Development at Full Sail, all of these impactful connections and opportunities are paying off for Show Production grads.

“When I think about the Show Production [area of study], the first thing that comes to mind is success,” Brad says. “Our grads are successful in finding opportunities in the field, and once they’re working, they’re finding success in the industry.”


Several grads credit Full Sail for helping prepare them in various ways. Ryley Esler, a 2019 Show Production grad, has worked on tours for Jason Aldean and Lee Brice. Initially studying recording arts, he discovered he enjoyed the faster pace of live events and switched to show production. While at Full Sail, he assisted with educational panels and WWE's NXT shows. He also learned how to use a Ross Carbonite video switcher.

“When Full Sail was building [on-campus esports venue] the Fortress, I was programming the [Ross] switcher and I actually got to do a full Ross training. I think I was one of three students that got that opportunity,” he recalls.

He adds that his education prepared him for the rapid pace of setting up and taking down equipment during live events.

“Being able to experience [loading and unloading] at Full Sail and how it works in the real world was pretty valuable,” he says.





Another grad, Rob Prager, had dreams of becoming a Front-of-House Engineer for metal bands. However, he is grateful to Full Sail for opening his eyes to additional opportunities. He initially did lighting installs for Universal Orlando events and Disney on Ice, then toured with the Blue Man Group as the Head Electrician. He later ascended to a role as the Automation Crew Chief for The Weeknd.

Grads Brian Carico and Brian Bogovic exemplify the networking and peer mentorship opportunities Full Sail has to offer. The two connected during their Lighting Concepts & Design course. When Bogovic graduated, Carico helped him get a job as an LED 4 and Front-of-House camera operator on one of Blake Shelton’s tours.

Carico served as the tour’s Video Director and Crew Chief. He took Bogovic under his wing, and the two worked closely together during every stop on the tour. As an LED 4 and Front-of-House Camera Operator, Bogovic helped Carico build an LED wall for each show.

“[Carico taught me] to do things the right way while doing them the easiest way possible… It was just a lot of small things that make you a good tech,” Bogovic says. “He has still remained a close confidant of mine and has still helped me get jobs and get gigs and given advice to me when I've needed it. And he's been amazing in that.”