Interview With Jack Perez

                                                             

Jack Perez is a 20-year veteran of the motion picture and television industry. He's directed nine feature films, two television movies, pilots for two hugely-successful series, second unit action sequences, network specials, behind-the-scenes documentaries and hit reality tv shows. He's written screenplays for television and film, is the recipient of awards for both writing and directing, and has received the critical praise of Roger Ebert,  Harry Knowles@Aint it Cool News, drive-in critic Joe Bob Briggs, Fangoria and Film Threat magazines, the LA WEEKLY, the Austin Chronicle and the New York Times.

Mr. Perez graduated with honors from New York University's Department of Film and Television. His senior thesis film was the most award-winning film at the 47th Annual NYU Film Festival, winning six categories including Best Director. After writing and directing the notorious cult feature film "AMERICA'S DEADLIEST HOME VIDEO" ( drive-in critic Joe Bob Briggs awarded it the Best Film of 1996), Perez was hired by Sam Raimi & Universal Studios to direct the pilot for the popular television series, "XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS".

Following, Mr. Perez directed two acclaimed feature films: "THE BIG EMPTY", a revisionist private eye tale which competed at the AFI International Film Festival (winning the W.G.A.'s Best New Writer Award); and the black-comic thriller, "LA CUCARACHA", which was honored with the Best Feature Award at the Austin Film Festival and was released theatrically to excellent reviews - incl. Harry Knowles' Aint It Cool News, the LA WEEKLY and Roger Ebert. Paramount Pictures released the special edition DVD.

In recent years, Perez directed "WILD THINGS 2" for Sony/Columbia, and wrote and directed the MTV horror send-up, "MONSTER ISLAND".  He also wrote and directed the camp sci-fi spectacular and internet sensation, "MEGA SHARK VS. GIANT OCTOPUS!"

He presently wrote & directed the hit Adult Swim video game, "POLAR BEAR PAYBACK" and directed his new comedy-thriller, "SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE", executive produced by John Landis.

What is the current project you are working on?

DEEP BLUE SEA 2 for Warner Bros. Writing and directing. It's an opportunity to do the kind of hyper-extreme shark action I would have done on MEGA SHARK VS GIANT OCTOPUS had I had a decent budget.

Did you always want to work in the film industry?

Always. I was a super 8 kid in the 70's. Pouring blood over my sister's head, making stop-motion animated monsters like my heroes, Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen. STAR WARS sealed it for me like so many others. Saw it the week it opened in '77 at the Chinese Theatre.

What inspires you?

Great writing. I can write, but I appreciate really fine writing. A great screenplay that I have a chance to direct (as it was with Ryan's script SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE) turns me into a maniacal movie-making crusader.

What is the best thing about working in the film industry?

Getting to work.

What is the worst thing about it?

Not getting to work.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

Fortunately quite a few since 1990, when I first came to Hollywood. Let's see - 9 feature films, 2 TV movies, 1 TV pilot (for XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS), 4 seasons of reality television (including the first two seasons of TEMPTATION ISLAND), 4 second unit directing gigs and innumerable behind the scenes documentaries (which is how I got my start).

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

I have 2 toppers: Sam Peckinpah and Alfred Hitchcock.

How has your life changed since you became a became involved in entertainment industry?

I've never been happier and never more miserable.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make it in the movie business?

Be certain it is the only medium or form of artistic expression that exists for you. If you can do your art any other way it'll likely be easier and a whole lot cheaper. Welles said at the end of his career, "Moviemaking is 90 percent hustling and 10 percent filmmaking - and that's no way to spend a life." Hard words, but true. Film has to be IT. Or don't pursue it.

What do you like to do outside of the industry?

Not much. Do work on the house, try not to drive my wife insane. Being a film director is like being a drug addict. You're ALWAYS hunting for your next fix.

Have you had any other jobs before you decided to work in film?

I was a clean-up boy at a local bakery and a busboy at Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

Hitchcock's NOTORIOUS, REAR WINDOW and SHADOW OF A DOUBT. Peckinpah's BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA. Robert Aldrich's VERA CRUZ (which made Peckinpah and Leone's westerns possible). Foreign Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI and HIGH & LOW; Fassbinder's ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL; Fellini's AMARCORD. TV?

No shows - we keep it tuned to Robert Osborne and Turner Classic Movies.

How would you describe your film education?

At NYU I was always shooting. Or watching great movies, either in class or at the revival houses in Greenwich Village. It was alive and inspired. But you can also do that without film school. Get a Netflix account - watch a ton of amazing movies and go shoot.

How would you describe the film "scene" where you live?

It's Hollywood. I don't really do the scene thing much.

What is the casting process like?

Super-important. Stressful. And joyous when you find the right actor for the part. Also, I've learned from experience that if you make a slip in casting, it'll haunt you forever - so cast carefully. The look of an actor is way less important than what's behind their eyes.

What is your opinion on movie remakes?

Nine times out of ten - utterly useless.

You could go back in time and see any classic film being made. Which film would it be and why?

THE WILD BUNCH. I'd love to observe Sam Peckinpah going through that incredibly intense process - realizing such a personal and epic vision. Also REAR WINDOW - would love to stand on that incredible set!

How does independent film differ from the mainstream?

Mainstream has more money, more shooting days and way more creative interference. But I'd rather have less money and time and more creative control any day of the week.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Jack for doing the interview. I'm a fan of "Mega Shark VS Giant Octopus". I'm sure I'll see "Some Guy Who Kills People" when it comes to a festival near me.