Executive Producer. Director.
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EDUCATION
2023 M.A. Communication, Media Arts & Studies, Wayne State University
2002 Lighting, Screenwriting, The International Film and Television Workshops
2001 Camera in Action, Directing, The International Film and Television Workshops
1996 BA, Women's Studies, Michigan State University
1994 Directing Workshop, New York University
1993 BA, Interdisciplinary Humanities; film, English, theatre, Michigan State University
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
One of Us Films, Producer and Director
February 1994 - Present
Contract production work for political clients, businesses and non-profits. Developed independent documentary films working with community members, securing funding and working through distribution.
OIC Movies Executive Producer and Marketing Manager
OIC Movies is a unique video database of information and stories told in American Sign Language, captioned in English. Managing the development, strategy and marketing of the website, LeZotte helped create a go-to website producing more than 2000 videos for educators and interpreters.
Detroit Public Television Executive Producer, Content & Community Engagement
May 2011 – May 2014
Provided management support to the digital media team, taking content beyond the broadcast, including digital distribution of video assets, website development, social media, and email engagement. Oversaw budget and productions of educational resources for the State of Michigan Early Childhood Investment Corporation and created production proposals for content partners.
Comerica Bank Manager, Corporate Communications
Supervised all aspects of internal communications video production and live event production. Worked closely with executive management and led corporate-wide project teams on initiatives, including new hire orientation, diversity, compliance, and security training. Succeeded in producing award-winning, memorable video productions and events.
GRANTS/FUNDING
2022 Danielle Karmanos Journalism Grant Wayne State University $4000
2019 Kickstarter Campaign for The Mackinac $5000
2014 Kickstarter Campaign for Lean, Mean & Green
2014 Detroit Energy Foundation for Lean, Mean & Green $50,000
2013 Kellogg Foundation for Lean, Mean & Green, $75,000
2013 Michigan Humanities Council for Lean, Mean & Green $15,000
2010 Michigan Humanities Council for Regional Roots $15,000
1993 State Walk Grant for One of Us $3000
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RECOGNITION
2018 National Pollie award for Beyond Basics, television campaign for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
2018 Capturing Childhood Zarey on Her Bike $250
2015 1st place Saving Old Growth Lumber, I want to be recycled contest $1000
2014 2nd Place A Path to College, SCA: Awe-Inspiring Women $6,000
2014 2nd Place, Ms. Gwen's Edible Garden, Create a Brighter Future $10,000
2013 2nd Place Factory to Fish Farm, IBM: People for Smarter Cities $5,000
Emmy Nomination for Lean, Mean & Green
Emmy Nomination Regional Roots
Michigan Humanities Council
2010 Voice of Victims Award Recipient from HAVEN of Oakland County
2009 Vanguard Honoree, recognizing professional leadership and service in Detroit
2002? Diversity at Work, what award?
Commissioned work
2011 Excellent News for Excellent Schools Detroit
2014 Be Bold for Girls Plan International USA
Daisy Tells a Secret
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SCREENINGS
2022 The Detroit Musical premiere, Planet Ant, Hamtramck, MI
2022 Regional Roots and Lean, Mean & Green, Planet Ant, Hamtramck, MI
2021 The Mackinac, work-in-progress, The Detroit Film Festival, Detroit, MI
2019 The Mackinac, work-in-progress screening, Bayview Yacht Club, Detroit, MI
2014 Lean, Mean & Green Premiere, Detroit Film Theater
2014 Lean, Mean, & Green, Free Press Film Festival, Detroit, MI
2014 Lean, Mean & Green, Detroit Public Television Broadcast
Regional Roots Premiere
Regional Roots, Detroit-Winsor International Film Festival, best documentary
2009 Hunting Blind, Lunafest, Royal Oak, MI
2011? Regional Roots, East Lansing Film Festival
2010? One of Us, East Lansing Film Festival
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PRESS
2022 'Detroit Musical Movie' uses satire to recount 320 years of Detroit history, Detroit Free Press
2022