Ric Burns

Eric D. Burns is a documentary filmmaker and writer. Burns has been writing, directing and producing historical documentaries for nearly 20 years, since his collaboration on the celebrated PBS series "The Civil War", (1990), which he produced with his brother Ken Burns, and wrote with Geoffrey C. Ward.

Since founding Steeplechase Films in 1989, he has directed several programs for WGBH Boston's "American Experience", including "Coney Island" (1991). He also wrote and directed "The Donner Party" (1992).

In 1995, Burns wrote, directed, and co-produced "The Way West". In April 2002, Burns completed "Ansel Adams", a co-production of Steeplechase Films and Sierra Club Productions for American Experience.

New York: A Documentary Film

Burns is probably best known for his series "", which premiered nationally on PBS. The eight-part, seventeen and a half hour film chronicles the city’s rise from a tiny Dutch trading post down through its continuing preeminence as the undisputed economic and cultural capital of the world.

The first five episodes of New York were broadcast in November 1999; the sixth and seventh episodes in the fall of 2001; and the eighth and final episode in September 2003.

Recent Films

Burns’s most recently completed projects include, "Eugene O’Neill: A Documentary Film" (March 2006) which tells the story of the life and work of America’s greatest and only Nobel Prize-winning playwright.

In September 2006, "" aired as the premiere of PBS’ "American Masters" 20th Anniversary series.

Filmography

Burns's documentaries and films include:

*"Coney Island", in 1991
*"The Donner Party", in 1992
*"The Way West", in 1995
*"", in 1999-2003
*"", in 2002
*"", in 2003
*"Eugene O'Neill", in 2006
*"", in 2006

Upcoming films:

*"We shall remain", in 2009

Books

Burns has co-authored two books: New York: An Illustrated History (with James Sanders and Lisa Ades), and the companion book to the Civil War series (With Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns)

Education

Burns attended Columbia University and Cambridge University, breaking from his graduate work to join his brother on the production of the Civil War series

External links

* [http://www.ricburns.com/ Steeplechase Films]
* [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/oneill/sfeature/sf_film.html WGBH-Eugene O'Neill]
* [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/warhol_a.html Andy Warhol]
* [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/series/ New York: A Documentary Film]
* [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/donner/ The Donner Party: A Documentary Film]
* [http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/program/episodes/The Way West: A Documentary Film]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122849/ Ric Burns IMDb webpage]