Kaufman is an American film director and screenwriter. His greatest blockbuster success was a film called The Right Stuff, a screenplay he wrote and directed. Although he is not widely recognized for directing a large number of films, the films he has worked on have received recognizable praise for exuding intelligence and independence. Many have considered the San Francisco-based Kaufman a risk taker, and the eclectic subjects he portrays in his films often incorporate satire and subtle humor that are synonymous with his artistic signature style.