personalities Travis Mills in Globe, Ariz., during the filming of Bride of Violence
F
ifty-two films in 52 weeks. This ambitious undertaking embodies indie filmmaker Travis Mills’ vision and drive. Mills was born in Ecuador, grew up in Africa, has lived in Europe and chose to launch his film company in Phoenix. Arriving in Arizona during his junior high years, the future filmmaker came to appreciate the state’s history and beauty. Through his films, he hopes to inspire others to do the same.
“ You need to practice and play a lot of games before you make it to the championship.”
The Filmmaker Text by Anita Sheih * Photo by Nick Fornwalt 38 / TRBM
Mills has been obsessed with film since he was young. At heart a storyteller, he has found the best way to tell stories is through film. After graduating from Arizona State University with a film degree, he kept in touch with Gus Edwards, his favorite professor. They partnered in 2010
to start Running Wild Films. Their goal was to help create a community of indie filmmakers in Phoenix and achieve success by highlighting Arizona stories. Mills likes to mix it up, exploring different genres, from comedy and crime to Western and horror. In 2013, he directed and produced 52 short films in 52 weeks, all based off public-domain stories by wellknown authors. The process forced him to “work consistently for a whole year,” encountering the myriad problems any filmmaker might. The project, he said, improved his craft. Likening filmmaking to a sport, Mills says, “You need to practice and play a lot of games before you make it to the championship.” Mills wants to tell stories that entertain, activate minds and connect with people. One of his films, Durant’s Never Closes, premiered in Phoenix in January 2016. The film was based on the life of Jack Durant, the notorious owner of the downtown landmark restaurant Durant’s, which opened in 1950.