After college, worked in L.A. as an architecht

Went to work as set designer at Universal Studios

Worked as freelance art decorator on productions like "Violets Are Blue", "Swing Shift", "Mommie Dearest"

First TV credit, the ABC movie "Heart of Steel"

Earned first Oscar nomination, as art director on Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple"

First credit as production designer "The Lost Boys"

Served as production designer on "Beetlejuice"; first collaboration with Tim Burton

Was 2nd unit director for "A Little Princess"; also designed the production; earned second Oscar nomination

Garnered third Oscar nod for "The Birdcage"

Received another Academy Award nomination for "Men in Black", directed by Barry Sonnenfeld

Designed "Primary Colors" for Mike Nichols

Reteamed with Sonnenfeld for the outlandish "Wild Wild West"

Reunited with director Mike Nichols as production designer of "What Planet Are You From?"

Had been announced to make feature directorial debut on "Sprockets", starring Mike Myers before Myers abandonded project

TV directing debut with episode of "Secret Agent Man" (UPN)

Directed two episodes of "The Tick" (The WB); also served as production designer on the pilot

Again teamed with Barry Sonnenfeld as production designer of "Men in Black II"

Feature directorial debut with "Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat" (lensed 2002), starring Mike Myers