Rule 23: Treat your crew like family
I directed an ad campaign for AAMI Insurance in Australia. The company loved Chevy Chase and in the tradition of his Vacation movies,...
Rule # 21: Casting can be euphoric but oh so painful
Since Spy Hard was a James Bond spoof, we needed to cast a female Bondian spy. I wanted a slightly-over-the-hill ex-sexpot who was...
Rule 20: Studio Movie? Be careful what you wish for
What no one could be prepared for are the politics of getting a film “green lit.” The process is heart ripping—it has the potential to...
Rule # 19: Hollywood fat cats never use their own money
My agent, Jane Sindell, later producer of Seabiscuit, was in the process of seeking out opportunities for me to direct another film. She...
Rule # 18: Working with kids or animals? Realize they're in charge…you're not.
The CityKids Foundation joined the Jim Henson Company to produce a television series for ABC TV. With great stories and music videos,...
Rule # 17: Be wary of trying anything new…then try it anyway
Most every tricky movie shot has been done before. But each new trick requires something never exactly done before. The opening scene in...
Rul # 16: No matter what the media says about you, be satisfied they spell you name correctly.
I have the dubious distinction of having directed music videos that Al Gore’s ex-wife,Tipper Gore, used to demonstrate to Congress the...
Rule # 15: Humility is a highly over rated virtue
Fans of movie and television celebrities would like to believe that their favorite artist is someone down to earth—someone a fan could...
Rule # 13: No six people laugh at the same joke
I directed six pilot episodes of a VH1 TV series called Shoot the Band, which was patterned on the popular cable show Mystery Science...
Rule 11: If you craft it well, they will come
Although there is great pain in casting, there is also joy. We had refined, acted, and knew every scene of the movie KGOD, a.k.a. (later...