Paul Thomas Anderson, director, writer and producer of hit films such as 'There Will Be Blood,' 'Boogie Nights,' and 'Punch-Drunk Love' didn't take the usual path into the film world. He started writing works at a young age and had some minor success before enrolling in NYU's film program.
Anderson would only stay at NYU for two days before dropping out and getting a refund. The reason? He handed in some of Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet's work as his own but only received a C.
Anderson took the money that was supposed to be from school, as well as some of his own and his girlfriend's, and made the short film 'Cigarettes and Coffee,' which he considered his own form of college.
The film was screened at the Sundance Festival Shorts Program, which resulted in him being invited into the Sundance Feature Film Program to turn his short into a feature-length film by the title 'Hard Eight.'
Anderson's film was reedited by Ryner Entertainment, with whom he had a deal, but Anderson remade his original vision which won out as the better version and propelled his career forward. He would go on to make numerous critically acclaimed films and cement his spot in the film industry.
