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NASHVILLE — Whether you're an aspiring artist, filmmaker, architect, surgeon or musician you have someone you idolize in that field.
A young pianist and an animator had the chance to impress their idols and receive special recognition.
Vanderbilt University student plays with Billy Joel
Music legend Billy Joel made a student's dream come true during a show at Vanderbilt University called "An Evening of Questions and Answers and a Little Bit of Music" back in January.
Student Michael Pollack asked The Piano Man if he could accompany him on the piano while Joel sang "New York State of Mind." Joel was a bit stunned at first by the question and then waved Pollack to the stage.
Pollack played a fantastic rendition of the song as Joel sang and wowed the crowd. When the song ended Joel gave a hand to Pollack and said, "The guy's got chops." Joel then said, "Good luck Michael, I think you're gonna be just fine."
Joel seemed to enjoy the opportunity and Pollack likely didn't stop smiling for weeks.
Spielberg reaches out to 19-year-old filmmaker
Steven Spielberg is literally a living film legend. The three-time Oscar winner directed classics like "Schindler's List," "Jaws" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and produced huge films like "True Grit," "Super 8" and "Men in Black."
Aspiring filmmakers see Spielberg as an inspiration and a genius, and 19-year-old Krishna Bala Shenoi of Bangalore wanted to make sure the world knew he adored Spielberg.
Shenoi made a short animated film, just over a minute long, paying tribute to Spielberg. The beautiful animation captures iconic scenes from Spielberg classics like "Jaws," "Schindler's List," "E.T." and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."
Shenoi is a special correspondent for the Chicago Sun Times and posted the short on the newspaper's website. Spielberg's make-up designer, Lois Burwell, saw the film and shared it with the famed director. Spielberg was so impressed he reached out to Shenoi personally.
Here's the text from the letter Spielberg wrote to Shenoi:
"I read the story about you in the Chi Sun Times and then I watched your sweet and respectful short movie. Your image choices and clean transitions gave your tribute film a real narrative.
"I was impressed to say the least.
"I'll be looking out at the horizon to see where next you will emerge — and impress.
"Congrats."
Spielberg then personally signed the letter.
It's pretty great to see a heavy hitter like Spielberg reach out to a young filmmaker with genuine and sincere appreciation both for the tribute and the quality of work.
Watch the short above and see what Spielberg was talking about. The animation is impressive and the transition are clever and intriguing. Shenoi truly has a talent and I hope to see more of him.
