Meet Rocky Perez | Actress, Writer, Producer

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

Hi Rocky, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Hello! My name is Rocky Perez. I am a proud Dominican who grew up in South Florida in a small town called Coral Springs. I am 1 of 4 children and my parents are still happily married to this day. We’ve always been a very tight-knit family, the personification of blood is thicker than water. My parents took the responsibility of raising us very seriously. My father instilled in me that whatever I was going to do, whether it be a shoe clerk, mailman, or astronaut, I do it with pride. And my mother has a very philanthropic spirit so she taught me that whatever I was going to do, I do it with love and patience. I don’t have a defining moment where I realized I wanted to be in the arts but it seemed as though I was just meant to. Telling stories is what makes the world go round. Seeing someone who looks like yourself on screen, or going through the same experience you have, mends our hearts and makes us feel included. Which in the end is all we really want. To love and connect.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an Actor, Writer, and Producer. Acting was my first love – I’ve been acting professionally for about a decade now. I wasn’t the kid dancing in the middle of the room, performing for her peers. I was the shy introvert watching and listening. My gravitation to this art form came about because of my love for humans and their intricacies and complexities. My younger brother has Down Syndrome, Abby. He has taught me many lessons in life, some being patience, unconditional love, and how to not take life too seriously. I have been writing a script about growing up with him and taking care of him. Recently I was given the opportunity to make it into a short film titled “Take Care Zora” along with colleagues Amy and Tony and with the help of Dolby Labs and Ghetto Film School. It was a dream come true to see it come to life. I’ve been writing the feature since 2016 and hope to get it made soon. It has truly been the craziest, most fulfilling ride.

It’s a paradox, this industry – we have to remain soft hearted through all the rejection. But wow isn’t it a gift when we get the opportuntiy to heal, share, and connect. I remember looking up acting agencies at age 12 and writing them down in a binder along with their clients and what their clients have booked. By the time I got to NYC at 18 I was repped with a manager named Robert R. Blume who really took me under his wing. With him I got headshots, a demo reel, a website, and began audtioning for pilots to co-stars. That was almost 10 years ago. I remember one of my teachers, Scott Zigler, mentioned how this field is like a war – some will make it, some will not. Keep hustling and put your horse blinders on. It’s easy to get distracted by friends successes but what is theirs is theirs and what is yours is yours. Divine timing. Share your knowledge and mistakes with your peers.

I’ve learned that you will never master your craft – continuous education is paramount. Never take yourself too seriously. Don’t miss out on your life because you have to stay inside and memorize lines. Don’t not book the trip because you don’t want to “miss a big audition.” Life will keep going. Don’t miss it. Also, READ YOUR CONTRACTS, study the business side of acting so you don’t taken advantage of. If you’re creating something, read up on legalities and Intellectual Property rights.
Remember that leading with love and grace will get you further and to stay on top of it. This your business, you are an entrepreneur. Google is your best friend.

I want people to remember that we were put on this earth to love and be of service to each other. Don’t let people tell you your dreams are too ambitious or wacky. There’s only one You. We need it. And lastly, being an artist is a huge responsibility. On the surface it may look like a life of glitz and glamour but only the true artists knows how much blood, sweat, and tears goes into it and how what you create and put out there affects the world. Tell stories that are true to you and leads us towards a life of better understanding one another.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite thing to do in LA is to explore new places. I love little mom-and-pop shops. Anything skincare or health-related – I’m your stereotypical wellness gyal. I love a Moon Juice smoothie.

I also really enjoy a weekend away at Joshua Tree. We celebrated a best friend’s birthday there in March and it was packed full with sound baths, meditations, sunbathing, vegan cooking, and love.

LOVE ORGANIC CAFE – We would go here every day, lol. I order the beefless garlic green beans. You will not regret it, wow.

Griffth Observatory is a must – Here you can go for a hike, head inside and explore, or just stare at the Hollywood sign manifesting haha.

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?
There are so many people. My successes are an amalgamation of every person I’ve ever met. My high school Drama teacher Mrs. Lori Sessions introduced acting to me. Being in her class changed my life. She did a great job at preparing us for after high school, whether we wanted to take the BFA or conservatory route. She might’ve been the only one to take out time to teach us the business side of acting.

From there I’ve met numerous of people who’ve insisted I keep going and whom supported me through it all – My family, Priscila Perez, Brenda Estevez, Nadil Perez, Akuarella Letina, Elena Maria Garcia, Heather Oakley, Anthony Abeson, Ted Sluberski, Moises Acevedo, Justina Adorno, Paola Cordon, Silvia Dionicio, Jenn Rosado, Amy B. Tiong, Antonio Salume, Quantum Success by Sandra Anne Taylor, The Four Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Eddie Liriano, Robert. R. Blume, Maribeth Fox, Alexander Esteyatse, Tracey Goldblum, Josh Riley.

Robert R. Blume was my first manager in New York City. He took a chance on an inexperienced newbie and encouraged me to get my tools and education. I had the opportunity of auditioning for Casting Directors that I never would’ve imagined so early on.

Akuarella Letina was my first best friend in NYC and still remains to be. We’ve been through it all. Her passion and zest for life are contagious. I thank her for listening to all my crazy script ideas and for waking up at 7AM to help me with my audition tapes before work. Truly a gift.

Anthony Abeson changed the acting game for me. He made auditions approachable and introduced me to a technique that worked for me. Sometimes you’ll feel like a bad actor but in reality, the technique just doesn’t work for you. His way of teaching was customized to each actor’s way of receiving information.

I can’t thank enough the Casting Directors and Directors that have given me a chance, even after a terrible audition. They recognize that that also doesn’t make you a bad actor.

And the Perez family – I hope I remind you how much I love you. Your blind belief in me keeps me going. And thank you for letting me use our relationships to create art to heal other people’s trauma.

Website: https://rockyestperez.wixsite.com/mysite

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrockyperez/?hl=en

Other: Link to watch Take Care Zora – https://vimeo.com/704689312

Image Credits
Headshot – Vick Krishna