ArtistDirect News
Buffalo State University Opens Applications for Third-Year Post-Production Development Initiative
If you’re ready to cut your first reel or mix your first track, Buffalo State University is inviting applicants to its third cohort of the Post Production Development Initiative (PPDI). The program, which offers a free, one‑year curriculum in video editing and audio mixing, is open to anyone 18 or older who lives in Western New York—college enrollment is not required.
PPDI will launch in late September 2024 and run through the summer of 2027, with classes held twice a month on Saturdays at the university campus. Twenty‑two community members will be selected each year, receiving hands‑on training that mirrors the workflows of today’s film and music studios. Students learn industry‑standard software, video editing techniques, and audio mixing workflows, and they work on short projects that replicate real‑world production pipelines.
The initiative is funded by a New York State Career Readiness Entertainment Workforce (CREW) Diversity Grant, whose mission is to broaden representation in the film industry. In partnership with the Motion Picture Editors Guild – New York, Get Fokus’d Productions, Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center, GCR Audio, and Buffalo State’s Career and Professional Education (CAPE) office, PPDI provides participants with mentorship, professional equipment, and networking opportunities.
Program managers emphasize that PPDI’s goal is to equip participants for entry‑level roles in post‑production. The curriculum builds on the successes of the first two cohorts: the inaugural class of 20 students reported increased confidence in job applications, while the second year added basic sound design and color grading modules.
Applications are accepted online via the PPDI website and promoted on the program’s Instagram account, @ppdiprogram. The deadline for submissions is September 4, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and application instructions carefully before submitting.
Buffalo State University, a public institution within the State University of New York system, has long supported arts and media education. Its media production major prepares students for careers in audio, radio, video, and television production, and PPDI extends that educational mission to the wider community.
The Motion Picture Editors Guild – New York, one of the program’s partners, represents freelance and staff editors across the United States. Its involvement brings industry expertise and networking opportunities to participants. Get Fokus’d Productions, Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center, and GCR Audio provide additional resources, mentorship, and access to professional equipment. CAPE coordinates the program’s logistics and helps participants connect with potential employers.
The CREW Diversity Grant is part of a broader state initiative to build a more inclusive entertainment workforce. By offering free training to community members who might otherwise lack access to post‑production education, PPDI aligns with state goals of expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Participants who complete the program receive a certificate of completion and may be eligible for advanced coursework credits if they are enrolled in Buffalo State’s media production program. The structure also allows non‑students to gain industry‑relevant skills without committing to a full degree.
PPDI is scheduled to run through the summer of 2027, providing a two‑year window for participants to complete the curriculum and begin pursuing post‑production roles. The next cohort will begin in late September 2024.
In short, Buffalo State University’s Post Production Development Initiative offers a free, community‑focused training opportunity for aspiring video editors and audio mixers. With state grant funding, industry partnerships, and a curriculum designed to meet current production standards, the program aims to diversify the local film and music workforce and equip participants with the skills needed to enter the industry.
For more information, applicants can visit the PPDI website or follow the program’s Instagram page, @ppdiprogram. The application deadline remains September 4.
PPDI will launch in late September 2024 and run through the summer of 2027, with classes held twice a month on Saturdays at the university campus. Twenty‑two community members will be selected each year, receiving hands‑on training that mirrors the workflows of today’s film and music studios. Students learn industry‑standard software, video editing techniques, and audio mixing workflows, and they work on short projects that replicate real‑world production pipelines.
The initiative is funded by a New York State Career Readiness Entertainment Workforce (CREW) Diversity Grant, whose mission is to broaden representation in the film industry. In partnership with the Motion Picture Editors Guild – New York, Get Fokus’d Productions, Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center, GCR Audio, and Buffalo State’s Career and Professional Education (CAPE) office, PPDI provides participants with mentorship, professional equipment, and networking opportunities.
Program managers emphasize that PPDI’s goal is to equip participants for entry‑level roles in post‑production. The curriculum builds on the successes of the first two cohorts: the inaugural class of 20 students reported increased confidence in job applications, while the second year added basic sound design and color grading modules.
Applications are accepted online via the PPDI website and promoted on the program’s Instagram account, @ppdiprogram. The deadline for submissions is September 4, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and application instructions carefully before submitting.
Buffalo State University, a public institution within the State University of New York system, has long supported arts and media education. Its media production major prepares students for careers in audio, radio, video, and television production, and PPDI extends that educational mission to the wider community.
The Motion Picture Editors Guild – New York, one of the program’s partners, represents freelance and staff editors across the United States. Its involvement brings industry expertise and networking opportunities to participants. Get Fokus’d Productions, Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center, and GCR Audio provide additional resources, mentorship, and access to professional equipment. CAPE coordinates the program’s logistics and helps participants connect with potential employers.
The CREW Diversity Grant is part of a broader state initiative to build a more inclusive entertainment workforce. By offering free training to community members who might otherwise lack access to post‑production education, PPDI aligns with state goals of expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Participants who complete the program receive a certificate of completion and may be eligible for advanced coursework credits if they are enrolled in Buffalo State’s media production program. The structure also allows non‑students to gain industry‑relevant skills without committing to a full degree.
PPDI is scheduled to run through the summer of 2027, providing a two‑year window for participants to complete the curriculum and begin pursuing post‑production roles. The next cohort will begin in late September 2024.
In short, Buffalo State University’s Post Production Development Initiative offers a free, community‑focused training opportunity for aspiring video editors and audio mixers. With state grant funding, industry partnerships, and a curriculum designed to meet current production standards, the program aims to diversify the local film and music workforce and equip participants with the skills needed to enter the industry.
For more information, applicants can visit the PPDI website or follow the program’s Instagram page, @ppdiprogram. The application deadline remains September 4.