Welcome to Buffalo State’s Post Production Diversity Initiative (PPDI), a collaboration between Buffalo State University, the Motion Picture Editors Guild – New York, the media company Avid, and Buffalo FilmWorks. PPDI is funded by a New York State Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant.

PPDI is a one-year program that prepares 18 participants from diverse backgrounds for entry-level careers in video editing and audio mixing in the highly competitive music, video, and media industries.

Student sitting in front of monitor

About PPDI

  • Build industry-focused knowledge of post-production methods, standards, and practices through virtual workshops with professional editors and sound mixers from the Motion Picture Editors Guild.
     
  • Create a professional profile through career-development workshops and portfolio development.
     
  • Increase technical competency through AVID courses in video editing and sound mixing and the opportunity to earn an AVID Media Composer or Pro Tools certification. 
     
  • Expand professional skills through networking opportunities and one-on-one mentorship with media professionals.

Call for Participants

PPDI is currently looking for 18 people who would like to participate in this application-based program. We are looking for 

  1. Media Production, Television and Film Arts, and Digital Music Production students at Buffalo State who are at least in their second year and have a special interest in the post-production and/or audio mixing field, and
     
  2. Community members (including students from outside of Buffalo State) with a background in sound mixing or video editing who would like to increase their professional opportunities 

Buffalo State students who are accepted to the program can receive 6 advanced-level course credits to count towards their degree. Community members will receive a certificate upon completion of the program. Altogether, participants receive over 270 hours of instruction and mentorship. Childcare reimbursement provided. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

PPDI is scheduled to start in November 2024 and has an anticipated ending date of August 2025. Planned activities include: 

  • Monthly or twice monthly workshops at Buffalo State University from November 2024 to August 2025
  • An in-person 40-hour Avid Media Composer or Pro Tools certification training course in Summer 2025
  • Field trips across Buffalo and a weekend in New York City to visit post-production houses, with opportunities for portfolio review with professionals in Summer 2025 

Apply for This Program

Deadline for application: Friday, October 18, at midnight.

SUNY Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Diversity Statement

Diversity can be broadly defined to include all aspects of human difference, including but not limited to, age, disability, race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression and identity, language heritage, learning style, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, social-economic status, status as a veteran, and world-view.

Robin Lazzara

Meet Project Manager Robin Lazzara

Robin Lazzara is a filmmaker and entrepreneur with a deeply held belief in the importance of diversifying the film industry. In 2020, she co-founded the Film Neighbor Network, an initiative created to diversify the film workforce in Western New York by making education in industry practices free and easily accessible. She is also the founder of Glow Video, a Buffalo-based woman-owned business that produces media for a diverse client base. She is thrilled to be part of PPDI and is looking forward to hearing from anyone interested in this initiative.

Contact: lazzarrc@buffalostate.edu