Martin Scorsese - NYU's Goodfella

Directors Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee at the 2005 NYU Tisch Gala 

Martin Scorsese began his college education as a clergy in training however after serious deliberations he decided that he was more passionate about film and enrolled in New York University's Tisch school of the Arts. While still a student he directed and filmed many short films. His first short film was called "What's a Nice Girl Like you Doing in a Place Like This?". It was the first of numerous films that he filmed in school. By the time he graduated NYU in 1964 he had already created over 6 films.  

NYU's lack of a real campus allowed Scorsese to get out and appreciate the city of New York.  His experiences during his college years served as the inspiration for what has now become known as the "Scorsese style" film: New York settings, loners struggling with inner demons, rock meets opera soundtracks and unrelenting cathartic violence. 

After Scorsese graduated he did not immediately head to Hollywood. He instead chose to remain at NYU as a teaching assistant and then a tenured professor of Film. He had many film students and among them were aspiring directors like Oliver Stone and Jonathan Kaplan. After teaching Martin Scorsese went on to direct such famous films as Goodfellas and The Departed.