We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Walt Perez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Walt , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Before I answer the question, I would like to thank Angela Rivera and the editorial staff of CanvasRebel Magazine for granting me this opportunity. I also want to thank my representative, Mr. Michael Abrams for his continued support in my career.
What has been the most meaningful project I’ve worked on? I don’t have a favorite, I’m proud of all of our creative endeavors. I say ours, because filmmaking is a team effort. Each project has brought a wonderful experience. I remember when I first started making the rounds in the film scene. I had a film and digital camera, a zoom recording microphone, and a light meter. My mentors were Dr. Jonathan Kuntz, Joni Varner, Christopher Rossiter, Hugo Pallete and the late Jean-Pierre Geuens. Determined to make an impact, I began doing photography work. Working with models for various fashion shows, doing headshots for actors, and photographing cities and landscapes. The earliest film work we produced were comedies inspired by the works of David Sedaris. Our first titles include; “The Elf Job”, “The Christmas Visit”, “Dinner Date”, “Hellmates”, “Give it to me Baby”, and others. While doing this, I was also auditioning for film & television gigs and acting in various Theater productions. Staying busy was the key. Learning my strengths, centering my goals and visualizing the ‘big picture’.
When the time was right, I felt the confidence to create an independent production company. Verloren Productions was created on March 10th, 2009. Since then, we have been moving forward with more ambitious film productions. Our latest titles include two Stephen King based films, “Into the Night” (2020) and “The Stationary Bike” (2022). Both films have been well received. They have been nominated and won awards in the film festival circuit. This year we were a part of the 76th Festival de Cannes, Court Métrage, with our film “Norjack” (2023). We also had the honor to screen this film at the classic TCL Chinese Theater as part of the Indie Night Film Festival. Our film will continue to play at this cinema and then return on special occasions, courtesy of the Theatre and the indie film festival curators.
A production that has been building momentum is a feature film we are developing titled, “Macho!”. This film is perhaps the most personal creative endeavor we have taken on. What this story means to us as artists. What it would mean to our culture. It’s a film that has been asking to be made. The cast and crew elements currently attached have felt the power of the story. At the Cannes Marché du Film, we introduced this production to many companies and investors from different countries. Here in the states, we have been in talks with Mayan Lopez, Ben DeJesus, Keli Price and other Producers in efforts to create a collaboration that will allow us to bring this production to the silver screen.
So yes, every project has a special meaning and a place in my heart. And like I said, I don’t have a favorite.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
For those who have read about me, please sit back and relax. For those reading about me for the first time, let this be love at first sight. (laughs)
My parents are from the State of Michoacan, Mexico. I was born on August 30th, 1987 in Los Angeles, California. According to reliable sources, it was a Sunday morning. I am the first generation of Mexican descent born in the United States. My earliest memories are of living in a small motorhome that was parked by a group of Houses in Azusa. A year after my sister Ivy was born, we moved to the Ramona Gardens public housing development projects in Boyle Heights. There in that apartment we celebrated different holidays, as my folks adapted to this country. It was Christmas 1989, when my uncle Walter (his full name is Walter “Hueta” Gomez-Hernandez), gifted me something that forever changed my life. It was a VHS copy of “Batman”. I remember the opening scene, a shield with two initials, WB, the music by Danny Elfman circling this dark surface that rotates into the Bat emblem. I was captivated. I watched the film from beginning to end. At the time, I had no concept of who “Batman” was, but the film was amazing to me. It sparked an interest. How does one create such a world… I was determined to find out. My love for cinema was born that Christmas eve.
As time passed, many ups and downs came along with it. Life altering moments that would shape the next years of not only my life, but the lives of my family members. The only constant goal in my formative years was to be a filmmaker.
I graduated High School in 2005. I honestly had absolutely no clue about how to begin a film career. I knew there were three Universities in California that prepared you for such a career. USC, UCLA and Cal State Long Beach. There was clearly more, but those were my dream schools. My grades weren’t stellar, so the odds were not in my favor. I attended East LA Community college for 2 years. I started to work as well in different jobs in order to build a resume and learn new skills.
In 2008, I began working on independent films and web-series, which were written, produced and directed by me. I took my first film class at Los Angeles City College, where I met my mentors; Dr. Jonathan Kuntz, Joni Varner, Jean-Pierre Geuens, and Christopher Rossiter. Dr. Kuntz saw my early 3 to 5 minute shorts. He saw my visual ambition and he helped me channel it. Joni taught me about all the cool film tech and equipment. Jean and Christopher showed me the beauty of cinematography.
By 2011, I became involved in the world of Warner Bros. Studios. I’ve had the opportunity to work in films & television shows which include; “Doctor Sleep” (2019), “Annabelle Comes Home” (2019), “Magic Mike’s Last Dance”, “Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom” (2023), “Two and a Half Men” (Season 9), “The Voice” (Season 2), “Mike & Molly” (Season 3), “The Kominsky Method” (Season 1-2) and “Perry Mason” (Season 2). I have also freelance for Walt Disney Pictures, Universal Pictures, Netflix Studios, Amazon Studios, Lionsgate, Macro and Bron Studios.
That’s something. I’m still here and ready for more.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I think being an artist is a gift. To have any talent is wonderful. The reward is having the ability to do what we love. My producing partners are my friends. I enjoy their company and we share a similar drive. Melanie Tirado and Søren Odom are individuals I respect and admire.
As filmmakers, we’re always pushing ourselves to strive above and beyond. The ability to create media is now more in hand. Harlan Lebo said it best, “There is no formula for cinema excellence, but the journey to create it can be chronicled.”
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I try not to dwell in the past. We cannot hide from our ghosts, whether they are real or not. We must make our peace with them. Where I find myself now has its merit. The foundation was laid and continues to be built day by day. I don’t like to rest on laurels, I continue to fuel my creative drive. There’s always work to be done. And we have to learn to pay it forward. To leave the door open for posterity. The world is changing and we must adapt.
I look more towards the future. What may I do to create resources and opportunities for the next generation of Filmmakers? That is where I find myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/VerlorenProductions
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walterpperez/
Image Credits
Oliver Endahl, Daisy Escamilla, Yana Petrova, Soren Odom, Verloren Productions, Cannes Film Festival, Film Independent.