Conversation so far:
what happened to Gus van sant in 1982?
1982–1989: Early career
what did Gus Van sant do with Ken Shapiro?
Gus Van Sant secured a job as a production assistant to filmmaker Ken Shapiro, with whom he developed a few ideas, none of which came to fruition.
did Gus Van Sant stay working with Ken Shapiro?
Gus Van Sant went to New York to work in an advertising agency.
was the movie mala noche by Gus van sant popular?
The film earned Gus Van Sant almost overnight acclaim on the festival circuit, with the Los Angeles Times naming it the year's best independent film.
what else did Gus Van Sant play a part in making besides Mala Noche?
Drugstore Cowboy.
what did Gus van sant do with the money he saved?
Gus Van Santa saved $20,000, enabling him to finance the majority of his tale of doomed love between a gay liquor store clerk and a Mexican immigrant.
what was the movie gus van sant saved his money for called?
Mala Noche
was Gus Van Sant able to make the movie Mala Noche?
It was made two years after Gus Van Sant went to New York.
Are there any other interesting aspects about the Gus van sant article?
The film's success attracted Hollywood interest, and Gus Van Sant was briefly courted by Universal.

Question: what did he do with universal?
Self-contained rewrite: what did Gus Van Sant do with universal?