Began his entertainment career as a film critic

Became a director of made-for-TV documentaries in Peru

With his cousin Mario Vargas Llosa, produced and directed "The Tower of Babel", a weekly investigative news program distributed throughout the Spanish-speaking world

Worked on several popular Latin American TV series including the youth-oriented "Carmin" and the cop series "Gamboa" (both shown in the USA on Spanish-language networks)

Served as an assistant to producer-director William Friedkin and also a dialogue coach on the set of "Sorcerer"

Filmed a documentary in Tokyo entitled "A Latin American Vision of Today's Japan"

Directed "Dia Domingo", based on a short story by his cousin, Mario Vargas Llosa

"Discovered" by producer Roger Corman (date approximate)

Produced and directed "Hour of the Assassin", a political thriller; the first of six collaborations with executive producer Roger Corman

Produced his first feature that he didn't also direct, "Welcome to Oblivion/Ultra Warrior", a sci-fi horror flick

Served as campaign manager for his cousin Mario Vargas Llosa during the latter's bid for the presidency of Peru

Directed his first Hollywood feature of note, "Sniper"

Directed his first major Hollywood feature, "The Specialist", a big-budget thriller starring Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone