Meet Isdel Perez | Wind turbine blade technician & actor / filmmaking

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

Hi Isdel, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My idea of work-life balance really started to shift when I changed careers. I used to work at AT&T as a wire technician—solid job, but I didn’t have the flexibility or space to pursue anything outside of it. Eventually I made the jump into wind turbine blade technician, which is more physically demanding and involves travel, but it also opened up something I didn’t have before: time. Time to focus on my own creative work—especially filmmaking, which I’d always wanted to take more seriously.

Now my balance isn’t about keeping everything perfectly even—it’s about making sure I’m building a life that lets both sides exist. The work can be intense, but I get these pockets of freedom during slower seasons to create, collaborate, and develop projects that matter to me. That’s what balance means to me now: not just surviving work, but shaping a life that supports the stuff I care about, even if it doesn’t always follow the “traditional” timeline or structure.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At my core, I’m an actor who’s passionate about storytelling and the process of bringing ideas to life on screen. Acting is what I love most, but over time I’ve started to learn what it takes to make films come to life—from cinematography to the technical side of things that keep a production running smoothly. I’ve always been drawn to the full picture, not just performing but understanding how everything fits together.

After switching careers from AT&T to working as a wind turbine blade technician, I’ve been able to travel and use the slower seasons to focus on film. It’s been a learning experience—full of trial, growth, and figuring it out as I go—but that’s also what I’m proud of.

What I want people to take from my story is that you don’t have to wait for the perfect conditions. You can build your own path, piece by piece, and create something meaningful while you’re still becoming who you want to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Where we go really depends on where I am in the country—or where we feel like going. I’m all about exploring the best each place has to offer, so I’ll usually find the most popular or unique restaurants in the area—even if it means taking a drive to another city just to try something worth it. We’d definitely hit a cigar lounge or two and check out local attractions, especially the ones that are a little off the beaten path.

The rest of the week would be built around outdoor adventures—riding four-wheelers or side-by-sides, getting out on boats, hiking trails, or finding spots with amazing views. Whether it’s a mountaintop, a canyon, a forest, or the top of a high-rise, I’m always chasing those moments that make you pause and appreciate where you are. I’m down for anything that looks fun—airboat rides, small planes, the zoo—whatever cool experience we can find, we’re doing it.

And in between all the movement, we’d make time to chill, reflect, and create. Maybe brainstorm a project, film something spontaneous, or just enjoy the time. For me, the perfect week isn’t about cramming in activities—it’s about being present, having real experiences, and making memories that last.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe a lot to my best friend, Levon Gray. He’s a singer and songwriter, and watching him chase his vision and actually make it happen had a huge impact on me. I can’t sing to save my life, but seeing him create and stay true to what he loves pushed me to pursue my own path—in acting, cinematography, and learning the tech side of filmmaking. His drive made me realize I could carve out a niche that made sense for me.

Through that journey, I also met Vashawn Dixon, who really helped me understand the filmmaking process from the inside. Getting to learn from someone actively doing the work gave me direction, structure, and a clearer picture of what it actually takes to bring an idea to life. Both of them showed me what it looks like to bet on yourself—and that’s what I’m trying to do now.

Instagram: https://isdel.perez

Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm11644287/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk