TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
WHY?
Chapter 1
EXODUS FROM EGYPT AND COMING TO AMERICA
Chapter 2
EXISTENTIALISM AND “THIS AIN’T NO TOBACCO, MAN!”
Chapter 3
BUMPY ROAD TO FILMMAKING AND THE MAFIA
Chapter 4
FALLING IN LOVE AT FILM SCHOOL
Chapter 5
A HALF-TON OF SMELLY, SWEATIN’, WRESTLIN’ BEEF
Chapter 6
BRING IT! HOLLYWOOD OR BUST
Chapter 7
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, RETURN TO EGYPT, AND PRODUCER X
Chapter 8
TELEVISION DIRECTING AND MY BREAK-IN WITH BUCK ROGERS
Chapter 9
MEETING ZORBA AND ALMOST DERAILING JAMES CAMERON’S CAREER
Chapter 10
SOAP OPERAS AND LEPROSY
Chapter 11
OH HAPPY DAY! MEETING THE JACQUI
Chapter 12
THE A-TEAM AND “YOU’LL NEVER WORK IN THIS TOWN AGAIN!”
Chapter 13
DREW BARRYMORE, JAMAICAN WACKYWACKY, AND A CAMELOT WEDDING COME TRUE
Chapter 14
DARK MONDAY 10:10 P.M.
Chapter 15
CHEMO BEAR
Chapter 16
MAKING A FIRST FEATURE FILM: RETRIBUTION
Chapter 17
THE JOYFUL WONDERS OF STEM CELLS AND OF A SECOND PROPOSAL
Chapter 18
THE MAGIC OF FILM MUSIC AND SURVIVING MOVIE DISTRIBUTION
Chapter 19
THANK YOU, CITY OF HOPE
Chapter 20
FROM STEPFATHER TO ITALIANS TO CORN
Chapter 21
A NEW BIRTHDAY AND JACQUI’S SECRET
Chapter 22
ACTION/CUT, FILM FESTIVALS, AND FINAL MAGIC NOTES
Epilogue
MANDATORY: AN IQ TEST FOR POLITICIANS
Acknowledgments
About the Author
