After graduating with an undergraduate degree from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York, he gained experience as a television cameraman.

He made documentary films for PBS, and won a Peabody Award for Safe Haven in 1987.

Anderson made his feature film directorial debut in 2003 with The Big Empty starring Daryl Hannah and Jon Favreau.

He directed the documentary film Fuck, which features commentary by a variety of individuals, including Kevin Smith, Steven Bochco, Janeane Garofalo, Bill Maher, Drew Carey, and Alanis Morissette.

[2] One of these productions for PBS titled Safe Haven earned him recognition with a Peabody Award in 1987.