Erica Travia: ARCADE, Mental Health, and 2-D Animation

Jared Milrad sits down with filmmaker and visual development artist Erica Travia to talk about her animated short film, ARCADE, winner of our 2023 A Show For Social Change Film Festival’s Creativity Award. 

ARCADE explores the topic of mental health through its protagonist, Milo (Gabe Richardson), a college student experiencing anxiety and panic, who is relentlessly pursued by a manifestation of his anxiety, Annie (Mackenzie Shaye Murray). When Annie overtakes the arcade, Milo’s only reprieve from her torment, it soon becomes a psychedelic nightmare. The film asks: will Milo ever be able to break free of Annie and the madness she instigates?

Erica specializes in environmental design and concept art. She has obtained her bachelor's degree at Savannah College of Art and Design, pursuing animation with a concentration in storytelling and concept development. Erica opens up about her journey as a visual development artist and filmmaker, how the pandemic impacted ARCADE and its making, and the importance of creating dialogue surrounding mental health.

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