Meet James Perez | Actor and Film Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with James Perez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in New York City. When I was 18, I joined the military, and was deployed to Iraq. When I came home, i knew I had a desire to go to film school so i used my GI bill and received an associates degree in digital film. Throughout the years, I had many different jobs, but I primarily worked as a public servant for the city until 2018. In early 2019, a car accident made me re-evaluate my life and propelled me to move to Colorado with my now wife and two German Shepherds.

The values I learned growing up in the city, the hardship, the overall “grind” taught me the importance of perseverance and hard work. But the military taught me a discipline that I needed to be able to achieve my goals. Living in Colorado, I became part of a flourishing film community and discovered my love for acting. With all of my life experiences, I learned that in order to achieve your goals, you have to stick with it and never give up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The art i am most proud of are the films I have had the pleasure of working on since becoming an actor. When I first moved to Colorado, I was making short films in my small apartment with 2 other people. Acting, writing, directing, producing – I wore all the hats and learned just how challenging film making can truly be especially with a small crew. Doing these small films taught me patience and the willingness to see the big picture through to the end.

Coming from a background of diversity, from growing up in the city to traveling with the military, gave me many unique perspectives that I brought with me when starting my acting journey in Colorado. At first it was challenging being a small fish in now a small pond. I had to make connections and start all over again, which felt really daunting at the time. But I soon learned that Colorado Springs was bustling with hard working and motivated artists who just love the craft of movie making like I do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If we’re talking local Colorado Springs, I’d definitely take them to Doug’s for breakfast – they have the best pancakes around! There’s still so much of Colorado I have yet to explore, but if I were to take them to see the sites, I’d probably drive in to the mountains and see all the cool mountain towns such as Manitou Springs and Woodland Park. There’s something very charming about the small mountain towns that I love so much. Once we experience some local fun and food, would take them on a drive up to Denver to see the city – and get some Hot Pot at my favorite spot. Then check out Empower Field for a Broncos game if the it’s the right time of year. Maybe at night we could hit up a concert at the Red Rock Amphitheater. That’s just a small taste of some of the things I’d want to do with my friend if they were visiting, but the list is endless!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I have to give a big shout out to Alexander Pimentel, whom casted me in my first independent film as a featured actor. He believed that I could embody the character for the story that was near and dear to his heart. Because of his belief in me, I felt like i owed it to myself to take the art seriously and starting taking acting classes. Since being in his film, Duffle Bag Boy, I have been in three features and have only grown more as an actor. I’ve even gotten to work along side big actors such as Anthony Mackie as a featured extra. Working with Alex really jump starting my career and I will forever be grateful that he saw in me what I had yet to see in myself.

Instagram: @modern_samurai_

Youtube: https://youtu.be/VRnB0dHLXu8?si=2hyDn81faeVFeIm5

Other: Duffle Bag Boy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CPV8X89F/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Seraphim, a John Wick Fan Film: https://youtu.be/5qGdr3tJOzA?si=10GTnLeXWF1DLI-U