Michael and I first connected when my team at Absolute Media Labs was producing elite national badminton championships in his home region. Initially, his veteran background opened the door, but it quickly became apparent that his technical proficiency was world-class. Since then, we have flown Michael across the country to key markets because, as a producer, having a crew member you can implicitly trust is everything. He didn’t earn his recurring role on our major broadcasts because he’s a veteran; he earned it because he is exceptionally talented, reliable, and skilled. Michael, it’s great to have you here. How are you doing today?

Michael Perez: I’m doing great, Dave. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this. Working with Absolute Media Labs and Vets On Set has truly been a cornerstone for my career.

Dave Rosen: The feeling is entirely mutual. I’m immensely proud of how you’ve expanded your mastery across the live broadcasting landscape. Take us back to when we first brought you on for live streaming—what was your technical focus at that stage?

Michael Perez: At the time, that badminton event was my first major national sporting broadcast. Prior to that, my background was anchored in high-end corporate conferences, live digital events, and complex multi-camera productions.

Dave Rosen: And on that first project, you stepped in seamlessly covering critical audio and stage management roles. Over the years—from our deployments in Iowa to Fullerton—your responsibilities grew exponentially. Looking at our major builds last year in Fullerton, what did your operational scope entail?

Michael Perez: At Fullerton, I managed the entire competition floor infrastructure. That encompassed full fiber distribution, high-end camera routing, complex lens configurations, roaming wireless camera systems, comprehensive audio staging, and rigorous signal path testing while coordinating directly with the lead engineers and technical directors.

Dave Rosen: Flawless execution from end to end. And since building that foundation with us, you’ve scaled your own enterprise, taking on major sports clients as a lead producer. Can you share how that expansion unfolded?

Michael Perez: It was a tremendous breakthrough. Shortly after our major multi-camera runs, I was approached by leadership at USA Karate to helm their national media packages. It started with photography and digital content, but I pitched them on elevating their production value with massive LED display walls and comprehensive live broadcasting.

It quickly scaled into a full-scale sports broadcast mirroring the scale of our badminton operations. Most recently in Spokane, Washington, even when the client preferred bringing in an in-house crew for logistics, they specifically requested that I step in as the lead producer to run the show.

Dave Rosen: Which highlights a fundamental truth in our industry: great technology requires elite leadership. Without a master producer driving the crew, high-end gear doesn’t translate to a compelling broadcast. The fact that major national organizations specifically trust your leadership speaks volumes about your capability.

Michael Perez: The karate broadcasts demand a unique, high-tempo approach with multiple simultaneous competition rings. Delivering a broadcast-quality viewing experience takes specialized industry know-how that standard in-house teams simply aren’t equipped for. Bringing my own specialized media and camera leads allowed us to orchestrate a seamless 15-person production workflow.

Dave Rosen: Looking ahead, what is the horizon looking like for you in sports broadcasting and professional media?

Michael Perez: I am heavily focused on expanding our footprint in elite sports broadcasting—especially our ongoing work with badminton and national karate championships, spanning team trials, national tournaments, and the U.S. Open. What started as an unexpected direction has become my primary passion, and we have an incredible slate of events lined up for the coming year.

Dave Rosen: And that is precisely the mission of Vets On Set. Military service provides an initial edge by instilling unmatched discipline, adaptability, and composure under pressure. But longevity and success in entertainment and live production require top-tier execution. In Michael’s case, once we provided access to high-level platforms, his talent took over entirely.

Our goal with Vets On Set—working alongside dedicated professionals and military families—is to continually open doors for graduates and veterans, building a legacy of excellence that veterans can pass down to the next generation of media talent.

Michael Perez: Working with Vets On Set completely transformed my trajectory. As a veteran, I’ve always embraced high-pressure environments where you have to adapt rapidly and execute. But having the platform and mentorship through your ecosystem gave my technical skill set the exact stage it needed. Overnight, my production career evolved into a premier fixture in national sports broadcasting.

Dave Rosen: If any organization or producer is looking for elite talent you can trust implicitly—whether for large-scale live streaming, national sports broadcasts, corporate engineering, or advanced media production—Michael Perez is a premier candidate, proudly endorsed by Absolute Media Labs and Vets On Set.

Before we wrap up, how can our listeners and potential clients connect with you?

Michael Perez: You can follow and reach out to me on Instagram at @beltxxfed (beltfed with an ‘x’ in place of the vowels).

Dave Rosen: Fantastic. I can personally vouch for his outstanding character and top-tier client-facing professionalism. Thank you for your time today, Michael. Let’s keep raising the bar.