Family friend gave her a camera to distract her during a lengthy recuperation from surgery at age 11 (date approximate)

Ran away from home at age 17 (date approximate)

Worked as a stripper

Began career as prize-winning photographer in her teens

Worked for two years as assistant to Magnum photographer Eve Arnold

Traveled for two years before returning to England to study filmmaking

Directed first documentary film, "Carry Greenham Home" with Amanda Richardson while at film school

Made first fiction short, "Alex"

Worked for British TV where she directed the documentary "The Global Gamble"

Directed first feature film, "Vroom" (broadcast on Channel 4)

Directed "Used People," which starred Shirley MacLaine, Marcello Mastroianni and Kathy Bates

Directed Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo in the comedy "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar"

Directed the television movie "Cinderella," starring Kathleen Turner

Directed Renée Zellweger in "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason"