Biography: Joe Perez

Since boyhood I have always had a strong affinity for film. I grew up going to the movies with my original intent to work in special effects. Following this, I picked up the guitar & pursued music with a fervor. I taught myself lead, rhythm & music theory, roadied for bands, wrote my music & enjoyed the music scene of my hometown of San Francisco. From 1983 onward I also became intent on training in the Bujinkan Dojo, so I studied the grandmaster's book at the time & also others within the art. In 1990 by chance (fate) I located an instructor in the art in the bay area, so I finally began dojo training. I will celebrate twenty years training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu this year. As a supplement to my training I also went to the Amma Institute of Traditonal Japanese Massage where I studied Shiatsu. Most of my life I was a fine-dining waiter & bartender, but being tired of the restaurant business, I put myself into community college in 2001, where I earned my A.A. in General Education Studies with an emphasis on film and last year I graduated University with a B.A. in Film & Electronic Arts - Film & Electronic Media. I became the first person in my family to graduate from college. I just completed work on a feature film that went to theatrical release within my first year of graduation. Now I am earnestly working towards my career as a filmmaker. In addition, I have been continuing my studies of the Japanese language & just began to learn Italian. As part of my college coursed I took a semester of Pilates training & this supplements my martial arts Junan Taiso stretching routines. I practice zen meditation, and live, eat & sleep movies. I hope to travel international in the pursuit of my warrior training & filmmaking goals.
My Website http://www.intent.com/shinobi-warrior/blog