In July 2013, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of Empire Visual Effects, a postproduction and visual effects company based out of Buffalo’s Tri-Main Center. The announcement was a major milestone for New York’s burgeoning post-production industry, representing an expansion upstate by a dynamic, growing sector. Empire Visual Effects was part of Governor Cuomo’s “Buffalo Billion” initiative, which will ultimately invest $1 billion in Western New York, aimed at the economic revitalization of the area. As part of the agreement, Empire Visual Effects has partnered with nearby Daemen College to mentor students and forge a true post-production community in Buffalo.

One year after the initial announcement, business is booming at Empire Visual Effects, and projects continue to roll in, benefitting the company itself, students at Daemen’s International Center for Excellence in Animation, and Buffalo at large. One recent triumph was Pepsi’s Grammy Halftime Show, which aired earlier this year. Empire was tasked with making the relatively modest crowd of 150 extras seem like a stadium-full of screaming fans – a challenge it passed with flying colors, and for which it received glowing, well-deserved press coverage.

Since then, it has been a busy few months for Empire Visual Effects — from the rotoscope and paint work it has done on series like HBO’s The Leftovers and the CW’s The Tomorrow People to similar post work on major films, including Darren Aronofsky’s Noah (a participant in the New York State Film Production Credit Program), and the upcoming thriller A Most Violent Year from acclaimed director J.C. Chandor. “The projects have been getting larger as our team has grown steadily,” said Managing Partner Ben Porcari.

Additionally, the partnership with Daemen has become one of Empire Visual Effects’ greatest strengths. Students at the college receive training geared towards the company’s needs and work on high profile projects. “Our partnership with Daemen College has been fantastic,” said Porcari. “The skill level of the artists graduating from their VFX Certificate program is outstanding. Daemen’s recent $2,000,000 investment in technology will definitely make it one of the best equipped schools in all of New York State.” This unique partnership offers an unprecedented opportunity to budding VFX artists in Western New York, giving them a “foot in the door” in one of the most exciting up-and-coming industries the state has to offer...

For the entire article, click on this link to read it on the NY Loves Film site.