Ken Burns

 Ken Burns (in full Kenneth Lauren Burns) was born on July 29, 1953 in Brooklyn, New York. He is an American documentary filmmaker. His father, who is a professor at the University of Michigan, taught him how to direct films. He received a bachelor's degree (1975) in design and film studies at Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts. After graduation, Burns cofounded Florentine Films, a documentary film company, alongside cinematographer Buddy Squires and editor Paul Barnes.His first major project, Brooklyn Bridge (1981) was awarded an Academy Award nomination in the documentary category and established the foundation for a long and successful career as a producer of films that focus on American history and culture. The Shakers (1984), The Statue of Liberty (85) and Huey Long (85) were just a few of his films. Burns' 1991 television show The Civil War, which ran for 11 hours, established his standing as a master filmmaker. Burns used his trademark technique of zooming into specifics and panning still images to give the impression that they were moving. It won two Emmy Awards, and made record revenues.