Robert Meyer Burnett is a prolific film and television director, writer, producer, and editor. He is best known for his work on the cult classics Free Enterprise, The Hills Run Red, and ST:TNG - The Next Level.
Born in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, Burnett was raised in the suburbs of the Windy City. He attended Southern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema and Photography. It was during his time at SIU that he first developed an interest in film.
Burnett’s first foray into the world of film was in the late 1990s when he wrote and directed the romantic comedy Free Enterprise, starring William Shatner and Eric McCormack. The film was a critical and commercial success and made Burnett an instant cult favorite.
In the early 2000s, Burnett wrote and directed The Hills Run Red, a horror film that was praised for its innovative use of practical effects. The film was a hit and established Burnett as an up-and-coming director in the horror genre.
In 2007, Burnett wrote and directed the fan film ST:TNG - The Next Level, which was released to wide acclaim. The film was a continuation of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series and featured the original cast members in new roles.
Burnett has since gone on to direct several other feature films and television series, including the Syfy Channel's Defiance. He has also produced several films, including the horror film Hatchet III.
Throughout his career, Burnett has been praised for his originality and his ability to blend elements of horror, science fiction, and comedy into his work. He is known for his creative visual style and his keen eye for detail.
Burnett is an outspoken advocate for independent film and has supported numerous causes, such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Cancer Society. He has also been a vocal opponent of censorship and the practices of the Motion Picture Association of America.
Burnett is currently living and working in Los Angeles, California. He continues to write and direct feature films and television series, and produce independent films. His latest project, the horror-comedy Freaks of Nature, is set to be released in 2015.
