Enrolled as a graduate film student at UCLA after considering attending New York's Columbia School of Journalism

Student film "The Passion of Martin" screened at Sundance Film Festival

Landed a job at Universal Pictures; while in the studio's employ, wrote unproduced scripts

Completed several shorts for Propaganda Films, aired on the Playboy Channel

Roomed in Los Angeles with frequent collaborator Jim Taylor

Turned down chance to direct "Romeo Is Bleeding" (released in 1994); began writing "Meet Ruth Stoops"

Made feature debut as screenwriter (co-written with Taylor) and director with acclaimed satire "Citizen Ruth/Meet Ruth Stoops"; premiered at the Sundance Film Festival

Helmed and co-wrote (along with Taylor) second feature "Election", a critically successful dark comedy starring Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon

Signed to a $1 million deal to write and direct "Sideways" for Artisan Entertainment

With Taylor contributed to the script of "Jurassic Park 3"

Directed and scripted "About Schmidt", starring Jack Nicholson; received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director

Helmed the critically acclaimed "Sideways" starring Paul Giamatti, Virginia Madsen and Thomas Haden Church; received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director; and was nominated by the Directors Guild of America for Outstanding Directorial Achievement