Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmanuel Perez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Camarillo, California just 46 Miles north west from Hollywood. Back in the late 80’s early 90’s my father owned a Video rental store. Way before Blockbuster video. This is where my love for movies happened. Also growing up in the 80s and 90’s watching tv and playing Nintendo were my favorite pastimes. Movies like Star wars, Indiana jones and Goonies were my favorite. Shows like the A-Team and Knight rider also enjoyed watching Reruns Of “Three’s company” and watching “I love Lucy” with my Mom. Making movies and TV shows seemed so unattainable to me. I originally wanted to get into Audio engineering because I love music and I looked into some schools but they were way too expensive for me. Out of Highschool I was working three jobs and going to community college part-time. In 2001 I started taking some television courses at Oxnard College and thanks to my Brother-in-law in 2004 got me a position at an independent TV station KJLA that transmitted out of The Complex Studios in Santa monica.
I got to work with some very well-known Latin Artists and even got to Stage Manager a televised concert for the Mexican rock band Cafe Tacuba. While working there I met a Director who that is a great friend now who later would get me flown out to Mexico to stage manage The Latin Video Music Awards for MTV two years in a row 2007 and 2008. During those productions, I got to work directly with some amazing artists that I’ve grown up listening to such as Metallica and The Cure.In 2005 I was a Production Assistant on a game show called “Deal or No Deal” for NBC and made some great connections. It was my 1st real taste of Hollywood as the show was shot in Culver Studios where I came to learn was where they produced most of the “I Love Lucy” Episodes. I was amazed to have been standing on the lot where one of the most prolific and near and dear to my heart television shows was made.In 2009 I got my 1st big break on a major network television show for TRUTV on a reality show called “Bait Car” as a Field Producer and Camera Operator. I worked a few years for that show doing seasons in LA, San Francisco and Atlanta. It was dangerous and exciting work. I had to wear a bullet proof vest while shooting. I shot that show up until 2011.
Also in the Summer of 2009, I got to go on tour for the bands CREED, GODSMACK and CHICKENFOOT to shoot and assistant edit Documentary footage and a music video for CREED’s single released that same year “OverCome”. (My first Music Video credit). During that trip I got to hang with Sammy Haggar, Michael Anthony of Van Halen, acclaimed Guitar player Joe Satriani and Chad Smith drummer for the red hot chili peppers for a documentary for their hybrid band CHICKENFOOT. It was so much fun living the tour bus life.
In 2011 I was a Stage Manager on the production “MTV Unplugged: Los Tigres del Norte and Friends” which included guests such as Zack de la Rocha from The Band Rage Against the machine, Juanes and Calle 13. The Recording won a Grammy that same year. I felt so proud to have played a small part in that production.Also in 2011 I started working for the Latin Network ESTRELLA TV based out of Burbank for a Latin version of Dancing with the Stars Called ” Mi sueño es Bailar”. That’s what got me in the door over there later working on most of their shows.
In 2012 I began to work on a game show. The Latino version of “Minute to win it” for a new Latin network that FOX began called MUNDOFOX. I did one season then later moved into their National Newscast for 3 years. The Newscast only lasted to 2015 unfortunately. So I went back to work for Estrella TV. I worked on some of the highest-rated shows in North America for Estrella including “Estudio 2”, and “Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento” I was still there with them as a freelance even up until last year shooting the reality show “Rica, Famosa, Latina .
In 2014 I began working in Digital media which was a new medium for me for Maker Studios which Disney later in 2016 acquired and became a Director of Photography on some branded videos for them. One in particular for the movie Goosebumps and I got to work with the hilarious Jack Black.
In 2018 I started my own production company called Mannifest Media which focuses on photography and video for marketing.
In October of 2019 I began working on a show for E! network for Snapchat, another medium that was new to me. I never thought I would be getting paid to shoot stuff specifically for people to watch on their cellphones.
In January of 2020 I attended the Sundance Film festival with my Fiancee and was really inspired and found a movie script that is in the works to be made with my fiancee’s production company Varona Productions in which I am a partner.
The pandemic hit shortly after and I was affected tremendously as all of the productions I was on stopped completely and it was very hard. I got thru it doing BTS work on a friend’s feature film (which was the only feature film shooting at that time), some documentary work, Photography work, and creating videos for social media marketing for companies. It was a tough time but I got thru it.
Things were beginning to look up in December 2020 I got to work with Snoop Dogg on a New Years eve special he was doing. Getting to work with Snoop Dogg was unreal for me. I used to bump his album Doggystyle when I was In highschool and now here I was giving him direction. Not sure my 15 year old self would ever believe it.
Another dream come true happened for me in November of 2021. I got the chance to work for the relaunch of G4 TV, a channel that had sparked me really wanting to get into television in the first place starting back in 2004. It was a dream come true for me.
To work on “Attack of the show” on G4 has been one of the highlights of my career. It was fun and exciting and I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed my job more than I did working at that show. Unfortunately, G4’s rebirth was cut short in October of 2022 due to poor ratings. It didn’t even make it to a year. So Sad.
I became an official member of The Society of Camera Operators in 2021. A distinction only given to experienced Camera Operators. I was even given a short spotlight in their magazine in last springs 2022 issue.
Now in 2023 things are looking very promising. My fiancee and I went back to Sundance as guests of The LATINO FILM NETWORK to reconnect with fellow filmmakers and to get some momentum on the script we acquired back in 2020. It was great to be back at Sundance.
In Feb I attended a screening of Steven Spielberg’s Film “The Fablemans” Through the PGA (Thanks to my Fiancee) and I got to meet the man himself, Mr. Steven Spielberg, We spoke, snapped a quick photo and he signed something for me. I could not believe what just happened. I was standing and talking with Steven Spielberg. He was everything I imagined he would be. Just the kindest and most down to earth person ever. Talk about a full circle moment. That little kid growing up in Camarillo watching all of Spielberg’s movies never in million years would have thought he would be conversating with the man so many years later. All I can say is WOW! What a moment.
As for the future, I am always open to new opportunities. I enjoy working with different networks and new types of programing. It keeps me fresh. I am also looking for new clients to help create content for their brands. I take much pride in crafting fun and appealing content.
I am also setting my sights on Directing more. A few Tv show pilots are in development. Photography is still a huge passion of mine. Hope to be published someday. Also, I am currently writing a children’s book and will be incorporating NFTs to it. The book will focus on the fun in using our imaginations. Something I believe most children are not practicing now in this digital age. So look out for that. I think grown-ups will like it too.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t like to focus on the negative but it has not been a smooth road. It’s been a constant Rollercoaster ride. Ups and downs. Rarely ever consistent. Shows get canceled or there just wasn’t enough work to go around. I had to adapt. I basically learned along the way. I didn’t finish college because I started working in the industry and my schedule was so sporadic I couldn’t keep a set schedule for school. This was before online courses could substitute for actually being in class. Also, I was commuting from my home in Camarillo to Los Angeles to work on anything and everything I could get. School took the back seat and it wasn’t until the pandemic that I was able to actually have the time to finish. I got my Degree in 2021, like a lot of people did at that time online. Only took a year and I got straight A’s!!
I didn’t go to a Film School. I took some courses at community college but I didn’t learn a lot of what I needed to learn in the actual Industry. I was fortunate to have some great and patient people around me who have taught me a lot. I made a lot of mistakes. I was the guy who would jump into a position and just learn along the way. I couldn’t afford to say no to an opportunity. That’s how I started stage managing and Producing. I’ve taken jobs where I was scared out of my mind but I would go into those jobs with the idea that I would just do the best job that I can do and 9.5 times out of ten I’ve come out victorious.Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Im a Television Camera Operator, Stage Manager, Also a Director of Photography, Editor, Producer, Director, and Photographer. I’ve been bouncing between all of these roles for over ten years but I am most proud of my Camera Operating Work. It’s taken me to the most places and It’s always a new adventure. Something about holding that camera and Looking thru the eyepiece or monitor that makes me feel like I’m creating something for the world to see. Something timeless. It’s pretty awesome. What sets me apart from others is my ability to anticipate the exact shot required when necessary and also my Creative eye.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I learned a lot during the Covid Crisis. I learned to appreciate the little things more in my life. To do the things I’ve neglected for so long that bring me joy. What the pandemic did for me was it highlighted the fragility of our existence, and how we must cherish every moment and make the most of our time on this planet. I learned my worth. My time is more valuable to me now and how I spend it. I am a lot more critical of the jobs I take now. I was also able to put aside all the distractions of Work, Friends and Family and sit with myself and discover who I have evolved into in this time in my life. I am still very much a work in progress but I know I am better every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emmanuelperez.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-f-perez-soc-9b78808b/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2633409/
