Award-winning filmmaker, playwright, and novelist Severo Pérez was recently a guest on Texas Public Radio’s Book Public podcast to discuss his memoir, Filmmaker’s Journey. Hosted by Yvette Benavides, the episode explores Pérez’s experiences growing up on San Antonio’s West Side, his move to Los Angeles in 1972 to pursue a career in film, and the challenges he faced in adapting Tomás Rivera’s novella, …and the Earth Did Not Swallow Him, into an acclaimed 1994 feature film.
During the conversation, Pérez reflects on his 45-year career producing programming for PBS, network, and cable television. He also shares insights into his creative process and discusses the significance of his film’s nomination to the National Film Registry by Congressman Joaquín Castro, recognizing its cultural and historical importance.
Filmmaker’s Journey is available through The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.
Award-winning filmmaker, playwright, and writer, Severo Perez grew up in Westside San Antonio and graduated from the University of Texas, Austin. For over forty years, he produced films for PBS, network and cable television, corporate sponsors, and the educational market. His feature film adaptation of the novel …and the earth did not swallow him (1994) by Tomas Rivera won eleven international awards, including one for Best Director and five for Best Picture. His first novel, Willa Brown & the Challengers, is historical fiction based on the real-life African American aviation pioneer, Willa Beatrice Brown. Odd Birds is his second novel. His third book, Filmmaker's Journey, was published in 2024.