He attended Columbia College in Chicago from 1982 to 1987, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, taking up film making as a profession before transferring to the AFI Conservatory, where he graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree. He worked under Cinematographer Phedon Papamichael, first as a gaffer, then as chief lighting technician, and eventually second unit DP. He shot numerous B-movies for Director Roger Corman and Director Katt Shea, as well as the romantic musical comedy Cool as Ice, starring Vanilla Ice.