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 22 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.
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 

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    Robin Lazzara, PPDI Project Manager, and Meg Knowles, Media Production Professor and PPDI Co-Investigator, at the Buffalo State 2024 Faculty and Staff Research and Creativity Fall Forum

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    Virtual Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG) class about Assistant Editing held in Bacon Hall.

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  • Students in class

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    Participants at orientation in the Stripes Media Lab.

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