While attending film school, wrote and directed "The Noah's Ark Principle"; film opened the 1984 Berlin Film Festival

Formed Centropolis Film Productions (now Centropolis Entertainment) with his sister, producer Ute Emmerich

Helmed (also wrote) the West German feature, "Joey" (aka Making Contact)

Met future writing/producing collaborator Dean Devlin (then an actor) on his West German sci-fi film "Moon 44"

Executive produced the German feature, "Eye of the Storm"

American film debut, "Universal Soldier"; replaced Andrew Davis who left the project deep into pre-production

Commercial breakthrough feature, "Stargate"; co-wrote with Devlin

Helmed (co-wrote and co-produced) the sci-fi blockbuster "Independence Day"; became the first film to gross $100 million in less than a week and went on to become one of the most successful films of all time

Scripted and executive produced (with Devlin) the short-lived FOX drama "The Visitor"

Co-scripted (with Devlin) and directed the big screen remake of "Godzilla"

Signed (with Devlin) a multi-year deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment for productions from Centropolis

Helmed (also executive produced) the American Revolutionary War drama, "The Patriot"

Dissolved his company Centropolis, after not renewing with Sony Pictures Entertainment

Executive produced the horror/comedy "Eight Legged Freaks"

Returned to directing with the big-budget, visual effects-laden, "The Day After Tomorrow"

Produced "Trade" a film based on a The New York Times Magazine article "The Girls Next Door" about sex slaves

Helmed the big-budget, prehistoric era drama, "10,000 BC"