Over the last
couple of weeks, I’ve had a few life-changing opportunities come my way
and I’m so excited to finally get some time to share them with all of
you! There have been so many extraordinary people come into my life, and
I’m forever grateful for each and every one of them. They’ve all taught
me something wonderful in life, school, and my professional career.
A
month ago, my dad came down to Florida to spend the week with me before
we headed up to Minnesota for the holiday season. Atom, one of my
previous instructors at Full Sail, took a good chunk of time out of his
day after class to meet with my dad and I, show us around some of the
studios (studios that I won’t ever use because of my degree program),
and share some wonderful opportunities with us.
After viewing all of the studios and wrapping up our little tour, we
headed over to the Dub Stage, a room that is set up like a movie
theater, Dolby certified, and has state-of-the-art technology. As we’re
visiting with one of the instructors in charge of the Dub Stage, Atom
says, “I might just have my next recommendation for the Dub Stage
internship,” as he points at me subtly. “I haven’t been able to
recommend anybody in a long time and I think I’ve found my next
recommendation.” I couldn’t help but smile. I was overwhelmed by the
fact that he wanted to recommend me out of all of the extremely talented
students that go through his course. Do I really stand out that much?
Is my hard work paying off? The #TLS (The Lennon Standard) is
finally paying off! After I finally internally regathered myself, I
turned to my dad and we both smiled. Oh, and did I mention that I would
be the first Full Sail Music Production student to go through this
internship? And I was told that
many students that go through this internship go right out to New York
or Los Angeles (where I want to go) and start working on feature films.
As my aunt Carmen usually says, “Awesome blossom!”
For those of
you who don’t know Atom, he truly is an amazing, talented, and an
all-around kind-hearted person; one of a kind, in fact. His musical
abilities have led him to write multiple singles and a few albums (one of which is in the works), a few songs have been released on Rockband,
and even covered by an American Idol contestant. Atom is originally
from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and attended the University of Minnesota.
He currently works closely with a label he and a friend started called Atomic Records. Full Sail got extremely lucky when Atom came on board!
A huge thank you to everyone who has been a part of my amazing journey! I could not have done it without you!
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| Atom and I sitting at the Neve 9098i. |
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| The Dub Stage |
A
few weeks prior to Dad coming down to visit, Atom was talking to me
about hooking me up with an internship at Atomic Records. “If you ever
need an internship, please let me know and I can hook you up,” said
Atom. “The guy hired the last Full Sailor I sent up there.”
That
being said, I’m so glad I have a few things sitting on my back burner
for after graduation because I was a little nervous when I first started
Full Sail. It’s a huge relief to know that things are slowly falling
into place. I didn’t have any connections in the music industry, unlike
quite a few of the students here at Full Sail. I held myself to high
standards by enrolling in Full Sail and not having any connections. I
knew I had to network, step way out of my comfort zone, and be professional. It’s nice to see that all of my hard work is paying off! I’m quite proud of myself!
"I knew I had to network, step way out of my comfort zone, and be professional."
The Dub
Stage internship is a six-week internship post-graduation. After I
obtain my Bachelor’s degree in Music Production, I would like to move on
and get my Master’s degree in Entertainment Business. But being that
things are quickly changing gears at a rate that I can’t even keep up
with, that may change. I’ve been told by the instructors at the dub
stage that I am able to take classes and do the internship at the same
time. However, I haven’t been able to decide if I want to do that. Both
the internship and my schooling are very, very important
to me, and I want to be able to focus on one or the other full-time so I
can fully immerse myself in every aspect. So, when it all comes down to
it, I should probably just stick with doing the internship after
graduation. Afterall, I can always come back and do my Master’s or do it
online. Coming back/staying here is definitely an option; I’ve met so,
so many amazing people here at Full Sail and I am excited to meet more!
I
remember FaceTiming Mom shortly after Dad and I arrived back at my
apartment. I had to tell her about the news I had just received from
Atom and a few other instructors. She immediately started crying, and I
couldn’t help but tear up a little bit myself. She was at a loss for
words, and I was, too. To see her tear up, smile, and tell me how proud
she is of me puts me at a loss for words. Making my parents proud is by
far my top priority in life, and I’m glad that I’ve done that and more.
I’m so lucky to have such wonderful and supportive parents!
"Making my parents proud is by far my top priority in life, and I'm glad that I've done that and more."
As I mentioned in a post on my Full Sail Journey blog, Facebook, and even Twitter,
I joined a student production agency called SPARK. SPARK is in charge
of a variety of technical projects in the Orlando, Florida area, such as
filming promotional videos for the City of Winter Park, various local
non-profit groups, and filming the Gradfest interviews. The interviews
are your standard interviews, containing pretty stereotypical questions,
such as “What’re your plans after graduation?” “What has your Full Sail
journey meant to you?” “Who would you like to thank?” This video is
then played at the graduation ceremony.
Last
month I signed up to be an editor for the Gradfest interviews. Scary,
right? Yes, it was, but I took it on and knocked it out of the park. My
supervisor (who is a lab instructor for the Film program) was so
impressed that he, too, told me about the dub stage internship. He said
that my rough cut was phenomenal and my final cut was superb; one of the
best they’ve had in awhile. I only
spent 12 hours cutting two hours of interviews into roughly 7 minutes.
It should not have been anything less than superb! To have not one, but
two Full Sail faculty members recommend this dub stage internship all
within a week is phenomenal. It’s almost too much for me to soak in. My
excitement levels are completely through the roof!
Before
I conclude this post, I would like extend a few thank yous to some very
important people in my life. To all of my friends: thank you for your
never-ending love and support. Your kind words mean so, so much to me,
and they keep me motivated to do my best each and every day. I love you
all!
Secondly,
to my Songwriting instructor, Atom. I know I’ve thanked you before, but
I feel that I should say thank you to you every day for everything
you’ve done for me in the last few months. You’ve taught me so much
about music, songwriting, and the music industry. You truly
are one of the most inspirational and amazing people that’s ever came
into my life. I continue to strive and do the best I can each and every
day because of the opportunities you have laid on the table for me.
You’ve reaffirmed that a good work ethic, passion for your career, and
professional image are key in a tough industry. With all of these
qualities and the right connection(s) (people like you, Atom), I’m
wiggling my way into an industry I thought I would have a tough time
getting into.
Finally,
I would like to say a thank you to Mom and Dad. You both are my rock,
my biggest fans, and biggest supporters. Your words of wisdom, support,
and love is truly the reason I wake up with a smile on my face and
remain so positive each and every day. When I wake up every morning, the
first thing I ask myself is, “How did I get so lucky?” I continually
remind myself that very few people are as fortunate to be able to do
what I’m doing and have such an amazing support system to get them
through it. Moving across the country was not easy, but you told me it
would be good for me and you were right, as always. It was the best
decision I could’ve made; my life has turned into everything I dreamed
it would be and more. Mom and Dad, thank you. Thank you for believing
me, supporting me, loving me, and giving me the opportunity to go out
and live out my dreams! I’m so lucky to have you as parents and I love
you both more than words can say! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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| Dad, Me, Mom |
Lennon Cihak
Student
Bachelor of Science, Music Production
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