It was at film school where Lucas first met the established producer-director Francis Ford Coppola.

With Coppola as his mentor, Lucas created his first short film THX-1138: 4EB, which went on to win first place at the 1967 National Student Film Festival.

That year, Lucas was awarded a prestigious internship with Warner Brothers, where he was watched Coppola in action.

But, after graduating from USC in 1966, Lucas was still unsure of what to do next.

He attempted to join the Air Force then the Army but his reckless driving record and diabetes stood in the way.

In 1967, with his love of film and few other career options, Lucas decided to commit himself to a career in film and re-enrolled in USC in the graduate film production program.

"Suddenly everything came together in one place. All my likes, everything I actually seemed to have talent for was right there. After that, I didn't do anything but films."
George Lucas