Sam Mercer did not become a producer until he had spent many successful years working as a studio executive. He started out at KCET-TV in Los Angeles, working as an associate producer and a unit production manager, including on a live production of the San Francisco Opera performing La Giocanda. He gained his first experience with feature films as a location manager working on the likes of The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Swing Shift (1984), and The Escape Artist (1982). Mercer made his debut as a full-fledged producer with Congo (1995). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide