Burnie Burns

Michael Justin "Burnie" Burns, born in 1973, is a Texas-based independent filmmaker renowned for his pioneering work in machinima as well as live-action projects. He gained widespread recognition in April 2003 when he co-created the groundbreaking machinima series *Red vs. Blue: The Blood Gulch Chronicles*, which utilized the popular Halo video games for its unique storytelling. The series quickly garnered acclaim for its clever humor and innovative approach, propelling Burns to Internet stardom and establishing him as a key figure in the machinima genre.

Leveraging his newfound fame, Burns founded Rooster Teeth Productions, one of the few successful production companies dedicated to machinima. His work caught the attention of Electronic Arts, leading to the creation of a promotional series for *The Sims 2* titled *The Strangerhood*, which received mixed reviews. In addition to these projects, he launched *P.A.N.I.C.S.*, a mini-series crafted using the F.E.A.R. game engine, showcasing his versatility as a creator.

Burns has showcased his work at various prestigious film festivals, including Sundance and The Sydney Film Festival. Residing in Austin, Texas, he balances his professional life with family, living with his wife and two sons, while continuing to influence the evolving landscape of digital storytelling.