Ric Torres II – CDPH Holiday Vaccine Awareness Stories

We were able to interview Ric Torres II, the filmmaker of CDPH Holiday Vaccine Awareness Stories which is an official selection in the Utah Film Festival. 

What is this project about?

These are collaborative animated stories by nationally syndicated cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz and the Office of Civic Engagement and Strategic Partnerships in the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health to bring vaccine awareness to the Latino community during the holiday 2021 season. This was an attempt by policymakers in CA to reach into the Latino Community through targeted commercials with a well known artist. These stories are Directed by Lalo Alcaraz; Created/Written by Lalo Alcaraz and Ric Torres II; and Produced by Pocho Villa Productions. Music licensed by Audio Network US, Inc. and Astros de Mendoza.

How did you get involved in this project?

We were contacted by the CA Governor’s Office to work with a small working group and develop commercials based on public health data concerning the coronavirus outbreaks. The data identified families being drivers to get their seniors vaccinated and also targeted young family members as carriers of the various into the households. Hence, the stories promoted families vaccinating together and exercising caution during the New Year’s Eve Holiday. The project was placed in television and digital ads and was seen by hundreds of thousands of Californians.

What was a challenge you experienced on this production that was unique and how did you overcome it?

It was unique working with state government. We were successful in eliminating the bureaucracy and getting a committee and the Governor’s Office to fast track approval so the messages could get the public to meet the ever-changing nature of the virus. With the small teams it kept in tact our campy approach to these messages and we were successful in producing commercials that looked unique and not State produced.

Looking back on the finished project, is there anything you would have done differently?

No. These first few commercials established our team process and set the stage for further collaboration that took place in 2022 and is planned for 2023. Our work has now moved to the Water Crisis in California and will likely address additional policy needs of the State Government.

What else do you have in the works?

Pocho Villa Productions has continued our work with the State of California and private foundations. We will likely continue providing animated commercials to the State for California’s large latino community. We are also developing episodic TV and feature film properties on unique, live action, latino stories.

How can our readers find out more about you and the projects you are working on?

Pocho Villa Partner Lalo Alcaraz leads our creatives. Follow him and you are following us.