student testimonials

Few educators possess the ability to teach a craft as practically and passionately as Jack Perez. Years of filmmaking experience enable him to guide and inform tomorrow’s filmmakers with knowledge, empathy, and resilience. I can speak from experience in saying that Jack has the uncanny ability to make the fast and ever-changing landscape of filmmaking feel digestible and possible. With the tools and insight he lends and the patience and understanding he expresses every day, Jack never ceases to inspire his students to express and push themselves creatively. 

-Joshua Rodriguez

Words alone cannot describe how unique and special Jack Perez is as a teacher. I have witnessed students bloom and surpass what they thought was their potential in every class that I've had with Jack. Not only is Jack extremely knowledgeable, he has a personality that spills positivity and motivation on his students. I have nothing but praise for Jack Perez, he is easily one of the best.

-Steven Halim

Good filmmakers aren't always good teachers or mentors. Good teachers aren't always good filmmakers. Jack Perez is both. This man is the best instructor, mentor, and filmmaker I know. He has single-handedly made every student he's taught better at what they do, and he's one of the coolest guys on the planet.

- Austyn Rubalcava

I was so fortunate to have Jack Perez as my Directing Instructor in film school. He was the star professor of the Department and I took as many classes as they would allow me with him. He became an instant mentor providing limitless amounts of inspiration. Being a consummate auteur in Hollywood, he knows the craft of filmmaking inside out and is an amazing storyteller, possessing an incredible gift for understanding the emotional tone of a scene. His feedback on students’ work was priceless and since he’s so well-versed in film history, I was always amazed at all the movie references he could remember off the top of his head. Without his teachings, I would never have been able to co-write my first feature film and get admitted to the prestigious filmmaker residency at the SFFILM FilmHouse in San Francisco, CA.  

- Paula Saslow

Jack is one of the few professors who keeps the entire room engaged and looking forward to each new class. He’s a huge reason for my confidence in directing and being on set in general. It makes a big difference learning from someone who’s walked the walk.  If everyone could have a chance to take a class from Jack, they’d walk out a more valuable filmmaker. 

-Ariel Ajimura

Jack Perez loves film and filmmaking. From the first of many days in the first of many of his classes, I felt his love for the art and artists of cinema.  This love translated directly to his teaching. If he saw you had a glimmer of a great story, he'd help build it into a streamlined, shining screenplay. If you were agonizing over getting a shot just right, he'd help you find your way to the solution. He's been in the industry, knows the pitfalls and heartbreaks, and while he'll point them out to you he's not afraid to let you find them and grow. Jack Perez is one of the finest instructors I had the pleasure of studying under while enrolled at AAU. And he's someone I refer to when I ask myself, 'Why do I want to make movies?' The answer is always, 'Because you want to, and because you can, now get to work.'

-Eric Reyes

If you ever have the chance to get Jack Perez as your instructor, don’t give it a second thought  Among the sea of instructors who try to teach you the technicalities of filmmaking, Jack offers functional filmmaking, how to control yourself in the hectic film workspace, while not forgetting the artistic essence of film. When I was in the Academy of Art University, meeting him is always a breath of fresh air and I truly learned a lot from him.

-Rionald S. Samuel

Over the years Jack has been an incredible teacher and mentor. His encyclopedic knowledge of cinema paired with his industry experience and mastery of filmmaking allows him to prepare his students for any situation that arises in each phase of the process. Overall, Jack has a profound passion for cinema and filmmaking that he brings to the table when teaching the art and craft of making moving pictures.

-Nick Powers-Gomez

There isn’t a person who’s had a bigger impact on my film career than Jack Perez. Jack has helped me find my voice as a filmmaker, encouraging me to be bold while always looking for ways to improve my craft. I’ll never forget the first day I was in his class how I volunteered to shoot my final in just 7 days. Jack gave me the tools I needed to succeed in what is still one of my best projects. The short film I shot in his class has helped me land plenty of gigs professionally and is still one of my best pieces. Jack Perez is both my friend and my mentor.

-Skylar Smith

Dear Jack:

Thank you for a wonderful class! I learned and grew the most in your class so far…and I’ve heard the same from other students. Only wish I took it first semester. :)

-Marisa Caplin

Dear Jack,

I am writing to sincerely thank you for being such an amazing teacher.  I have learned so much from you in such a small amount of time and your passion for filmmaking showed in every single lecture.  I do know I still have a long way to go but I’m grateful… for both the small details and big ones to be a better filmmaker. Thank you so much for the feedback and pouring all your knowledge and expertise upon us.

-Ana Pichardo

Hey Jack,

I’ve been thinking about you these last months. Just want to say that I think of your words a lot, and how grateful I am to have had you as a professor. Most impactful teacher that I’ve had. Thank you.

-Alex Fajardo

HI Professor Perez,

I am extremely excited to start your class. I was SHOCKED when I realized the director of Some Guy Who Kills People was going to be my professor, I love that movie. I am a Welsh filmmaker who moved to San Francisco for college! I am also a big fan of that interview you did with Film Courage about a year ago - It helped a lot with my writing at the time. Looking forward to meeting you!

-Elliot Slade

The directing class with Jack Perez is hands down the best class I have ever taken.

-Malinalli Lopez

Jack is indeed the most knowledgeable film professor that I have had a chance to learn from. He treats the act of teaching as a performance. His course content is profoundly rich and complex, which accentuates cinematic storytelling and gives the students a visual walkthrough the history of cinema. Jack’s humbleness lets his students feel an equal academic discourse and motivates them to think more critically and develop their own vision and skills.  He is my role model, not only as a filmmaker and artist but also as an inspiring mentor and even beyond that as an individual with the finest ethical qualities. Jack has motivated me to consider teaching film, and particularly visual storytelling, as a major career path.

-Niloofar Asadi

Jack Perez is the man. I feel lucky to have been his student, because I learned as much from his actions as from his lectures. I could say he's a super savvy filmmaking master, but that would be stating the obvious. Above all, Jack is generous in sharing his mishaps and insights on set as a learning tool. He is also very accurate although compassionate in his critiques, providing us with a safe space to grow and find our creative voices. In other words, HE CARES – and that’s what makes great directors and great teachers.

-Gabriela Egito

Jack made me fall in love with the art of directing and all that came with it. He teaches from the heart and you feel it. His words of wisdom stay with me in all my art.

- Keah Moffett