Harvey Alexander (Alex) Buffalo, MFA
Bio
A student of mine once asked me if I had done any personal work. I had to stop and think about that for a minute. The answer was no, everything I have done in my career has been for a company or a client. The reason for that is I really like helping others, and in our world, that means helping others tell their stories. I really think of us as translators; we know a language, a visual language, that is used to translate a message into a commercial, an animation, or a feature film. That’s what we do. I like to help those who cannot do so, tell their story visually. While I have done work for some major clients, my favorite clients are the small mom-and-pop shops, the clients who do not have a Hollywood budget. When I can help them get their message out effectively and help them improve their business, that’s the greatest success.
Funny enough, teaching is very much the same. In all honesty, I began teaching years ago for extra money and to engage in some good old 2D animation, since I had gotten away from it in my career. I took a job teaching Animation Principles and 2D Animation for a college in the Washington, DC area. It brought in some extra dough, and I was able to draw… WOOT! What could be better? Then, something funny happened—I saw my students pick up on a principle, grow with it, and make something cool. The satisfaction and excitement they experienced in those moments filled me with joy. So, I have been teaching off and on for 23 years now.
I am the husband of one wife, the beautiful Jenny, a father of eight children, and a grandfather of two. More may be coming, I don’t know, all in God’s providence. I was born in the District of Columbia, but I have lived in many different places—Germany, Serbia, Russia, France, and a few places in the US. I am a family first kind of guy (after God, that is). I like to get my children involved in the things I do. Three of my oldest children have worked on projects I have produced as PAs, Camera Operators, and even TDs. I have served as an Elder and Deacon in the church, and I was the youth pastor at my prior church. My hobbies are all over the place, but I do love to work on cars and motorcycles. Currently, in my garage, I am taking the top end off an old GMC pickup and I am servicing a 2005 Harley Davidson Road King. I also love sailing and owned a Tartan 30’ sloop many years ago. I had to sell it prior to a move to Florida, but who knows, perhaps God will grant that a new sailboat is in my future. I am an avid reader. I would say voracious, but my wife and kids put me to shame in that department. I prefer sci-fi and fantasy genres, but I cannot turn down a good book on military or church history. Of course, I also love to watch movies and animation, especially since it’s part of our craft. My wife hates watching with me because I notice all the production errors. I do have a soft spot for bad B-rated films and anything with John Wayne. Maybe that gives too much away. Oh well.
Research Interests
“Race to the Sun.” As the son of a sailor, and one myself, I have always been fascinated by the idea of racing on the open ocean. I am currently in development of, and pitching, a documentary about open ocean racing centered around the Regatta Del Sol a Sol, an open regatta for amateur sailors that takes place in April/May, racing from the St. Petersburg Yacht Club in St. Petersburg, FL, to the Isla Mujeres Yacht Club on the island of Isla Mujeres just off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. It’s a three/four-day race on open water. The documentary hopes to shed light on the rigor, strategy, and drive that calls men and women to engage in something that is so potentially dangerous.
“The Hearing of the Word.” Throughout the history of the church, ministers have carried the Word of God to the people, not waiting for them to come to church. Men like Charles Spurgeon, George Whitfield, John Wesley, and D.L. Moody stood in town squares and boldly preached God’s Holy Word. As church membership dwindles and people turn from God, is street preaching a way to take God’s word out to the public? This documentary aims to look at the biblical call to share God’s word and the impact that men, beginning with the Apostle Paul, had on sharing God’s Holy Word in the public forum.
Commercial Work
Producer/Director IMAG/Live Feed Clearwater Jazz Holiday – 2013 – 2024
Editorial Videographer Detroit Tigers – 2023
Line Producer University of South Carolina Ad Campaign 2022 – 2023
Line Producer University of Illinois Health Ad Campaign 2023
Casting Director University of Florida “Gator Good” Series 2018
Produced and directed PSA and Training Videos for McDonald’s Corporation – 2014-2016
Produced and directed Ad Campaign Series for Landmark Homes – 2014
Produced and directed various campaigns for University of South Florida, 2013-2018
Awards
8 Telly Awards, International Monitor Award Nomination, Faculty of the Year 2010, Shine Award 2014. Member Chi Beta Phi, Science Honors, and Psi Chi, Psychology Honors.