Starting out as a radio writer, Rodney Amateau began his career as a dialogue coach and filmed screen tests for Fox Studios while working as a stunt dbl before directing 2nd Unit's, where he began his film career. He soon turned to directing TV series, which he did for many years before
returning to film directing in the 1970s.
[Talking about Las Vegas] Usually the reason a city exists is because
it is by a river. There's no river near Las Vegas. There is no reason
for Las Vegas to exist.