-== DIRECTORS GET U. REPORT CARDS ==-

Quentin Tarantino's fast-forward rise from video-store clerk to blood-and-guts auteur (Pulp Fiction, True Romance) has already entered movie-land mythology.  And following in his gory footprints is former co-worker Roger Avary, who wrote and directed the gun- happy bank heist Killing Zoe.  We know what kind of directors they are (Pulp Fiction is drawing raves, Zoe mixed reviews), but what kind of clerks were these guys?  "Quentin was no slacker - he always showed up because he loved film," reports Lance Lawson, owner of the Video Archives in Hermosa Beach, Calif.  "There was always a problem with him, though," says longtime co-worker Jerry Martinez, "because he wanted to play these totally inappropriate movies - like Scarface and assorted '70's exploitation films - during family rental times.  He always felt like, 'If they can't take the F-word, too bad.'"  Both seem to have made a lasting impact, though.  Tarantino instituted the Tribute section ("Women in Prison" films were a particularly big hit) and also worked on the Farewell section - "until he mistakenly though filmmaker Akira Kurosawa died, and a package of his movies was offered for a week," says Martinez.  The first collaboration between Tarantino and Avary was a package of videos called "Feed Your Head" (an homage to drug pictures), and they've continued to work together: "Roger helped Quentin with the True Romance script," notes Lawson, who adds that both directors have been known to drop by the store.  Looking to rent a few ideas for their upcoming projects?