As an assistant cameraperson for over six years, writer-director Patty Jenkins learned the ropes of the entertainment industry the hard way: through long hours of toil. But unlike most first time directors, Jenkins knew the ins and outs of working on set before directing her first feature, “Monster” (2003), the true-life story of Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute executed in 2002 in Florida after being convicted of murdering six men. Despite her inexperience as a director, Jenkins elicited a bravura performance from her lead actress, Charlize Theron, who created a tremendous amount of Oscar buzz.
Worked as an assistant cameraperson for six years on commercials and music videos in New York
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Moved to Los Angeles to attend the American Film Institute's Directing Program
2001
While at AFI, made five short films including "Velocity Rules"; selected in the shorts program at the 2001 AFI Fest
2003
Directed first major motion picture "Monster," with Charlize Theron playing Aileen Wuornos. Based on the true story of a female serial killer executed by lethal injection in 2002
