Worked for a year in the audio-visual department of Campbell-Mithun, an ad agency in the Chicago area

Left his job and traveled, working along the way in various capacities as a jewelry maker, sailboat builder, carnival pitchman, among other jobs

Returned to Chicago and began working in video production; also handled occasional projects such as producing laser light shows and remodeling hamburger stands; met and befriended Steven A. Jones, then a producer of commercials

Designed an animated logo for MPI Home Video, a company formed by friends from college

Spent all his money on video equipment; directed a syndicated TV series on famous gangsters, narrated by Broderick Crawford and titled "Dealers in Death"

McNaughton and Steven A. Jones engaged by MPI Home Video to produce a low-budget horror film about a serial killer

Began co-writing the screenplay for "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" with Richard Fire

Production completed on "Henry", McNaughton's directorial debut (which he also produced and composed the score)

Arranged to make second feature film, "The Borrower", for the financially strapped Atlantic Releasing Co.

Filming on "The Borrower" completed in December two weeks after Atlantic Releasing went under

"Henry" chosen by filmmaker Errol Morris, guest director of the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado, as one of his two personal picks to be screened there

Distribution on "The Borrower" held up after it was acquired by Cannon Pictures; exhibitor at Chicago's Music Box Theater finally offered to pay to have a print struck for his theater to use; film became modest cult success

Directed four episodes of the latenight TV police drama, "The Street"

"Henry" finally received (reasonably) widespread US distribution

Shot third feature film, "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" in four days

"The Borrower" finally received (reasonably) widespread US distribution

Helmed the quirky "Mad Dog and Glory" which teamed Bill Murray and Robert De Niro

Directed episodes of the NBC primetime crime drama series, "Homicide: Life on the Street"

Directed first TV-movie, "Girls in Prison"

Reteamed with Murray (in a supporting role) for "Wild Things"

Helmed "Speaking of Sex"; premiered at Chicago Film Festival