Catherine Hardwicke trained as an architect at the University of Texas and started in film as a production designer. She designed over 20 films, including Tombstone, Tank Girl, Three Kings, and Vanilla Sky. Hardwicke's debut as a feature film co-writer and director was the Sundance award-winning Thirteen. Made for under two million dollars, it garnered an Academy Award nomination for Holly Hunter. She has since directed Lords of Dogtown, The Nativity Story, and most recently, Twilight. She lives in Venice Beach, California, with Jamie Marshall and her cat, The Black Velvet Luxury Item.