Full Sail Stories

Since graduating more than 25 years ago, Full Sail Digital Media grad Daniel Corey’s career has been multifaceted – spanning published titles with Image Comics, original music, and short films.

In recent years, Daniel has found new ways to combine his passions through AI-driven short films, music videos, and even new instrument software. But a major career highlight for Daniel has been the opportunity to create an original music video for singer, songwriter, and musician Peter Gabriel.

Working with a combination of traditional digital design suites and new AI tools, Daniel builds projects from his own photographs, blending and animating them into surreal, original creations. “Everything comes from an organic place," says Daniel. "It all starts with things that I find, like in antique shops or from traveling to other countries.”

His work includes a music video for his song “Lift Me Up” and the short film Transcender. These pieces have screened at film festivals and opened the door to his collaboration with Peter Gabriel.

When the former Genesis frontman and art-rock icon invited filmmakers to develop original videos inspired by his music for his 50:50 platform, Daniel submitted his work, unsure if it would be selected.

“I woke up on the morning of my birthday… I had a message from Real World Records, and ‘Your 50:50 submission’ was the subject line. And I started reading it, and it said, ‘Thank you for your interest in our program.’ And I’m like, ‘This is it. Oh, I'm getting rejected on my birthday by Peter Gabriel. Oh no. And then it said, ‘Is there a Peter Gabriel song that you would like to make a video for?’ And I just fell on the floor. It was very special.”

When it came to which song to select, the choice was easy for the long-time Peter Gabriel fan.

“‘Secret World’ was the song that I chose, and I had to choose it. It's my favorite Peter Gabriel song. I was listening to that album [1992's Us] all through my time at Full Sail,” Daniel recalls. “That song was with me during some major heartbreaks and some things during my young adult life. And it had just always been there… I’ve been carrying that song with me for 33 years, and that's why I chose it.”

Even as his projects have reached larger audiences, Daniel still credits his ability to move fluidly across industries and adapt with changing tech to his time at Full Sail.

“I wouldn't have been able to do any Photoshop without Full Sail. I wouldn't have been able to do any of these videos. I don't know what I would've done without the education that I got at Full Sail.”

Daniel continues to give back to his alma mater, serving as a member of the Creative Writing Program Advisory Committee and as a regular speaker on campus.

“I find the most important thing is the students of Full Sail put so much pressure on themselves, and I did the same thing,” he says. “I hope to just bring them some peace of mind because they're all very focused on what they're doing.”