Gary Burns is a prominent director and screenwriter born in Calgary. His work is known for its ironic take on everyday life. He explores urban life and themes that resonate with all of us. Thanks to his unique style, Burns has gained recognition both in Canada and internationally. In this article on calgary-trend, we delve into the filmmaker’s work.
Early Life and Education
Gary Burns was born in Calgary in 1960. The city serves as a major inspiration for his creativity, and his films are filled with references to life in Calgary.
He studied drama at the University of Calgary before enrolling in the fine arts film program at Concordia University at the age of 30. Before this, he had tried his hand at various things, searching for his path. This included a stint in construction, where he learned how to manage people—a skill that proved valuable in his work as a director.
His time in film school was incredibly beneficial. It gave him a great deal of confidence, and he managed to shoot three films while still a student. It was a very supportive environment for Burns.
A Look at His Films
Burns’s major works often explore themes of human potential and life’s disappointments. He believes that people can always find inspiration and that success is ultimately up to us. The director creates films that encourage people to be grateful for their lives.
Many of his films, such as The Suburbanators, have been named among Canada’s best. In 1996, Burns himself was included on a list of the ‘Top 10 Directors and Screenwriters to Watch’. This particular film delves into the boredom of twenty-somethings living in the suburbs.
His film waydowntown was named the Best Canadian Feature Film of 2000. It also won awards for Most Popular Canadian Film and Best Canadian Screenplay. It was described as “a listless, near-perfect comedy.” The movie centres on a group of office workers in an experiment to see how long they can last without going outside. This was also the first film produced by Shirley Vercruysse, who went on to produce all of his subsequent pictures.
In 2003, he released A Problem with Fear, a film dedicated to the anxieties and paranoias of urban dwellers. It wasn’t as positively received, perhaps because it came out only two years after the World Trade Center attacks. However, Burns’s willingness to explore such serious topics speaks to his courage as an artist.
Burns has been called the “Canadian king of surrealist comedy.” The surrealism in his work lies in his ability to tackle important social issues while entertaining the audience with quirky characters and stories. He teaches viewers in such a lighthearted way that they absorb the lessons effortlessly.
Early in his career, Burns had opportunities to go to Hollywood, but he chose to stay in Calgary to continue making the films he wanted to make.
The Filmmaking Process
For Burns, the screenwriting process is quite lengthy. He thinks for a long time, and eventually, the right words emerge. He keeps a personal journal where he jots down all his ideas. He writes every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but tries to take weekends off. Burns attempts to treat creativity like a simple, disciplined job, but he still often wakes up in the middle of the night to write down an idea.
Giving Back to the Community
Gary Burns dedicates a significant amount of time to teaching. He has served as a filmmaker-in-residence at the University of Calgary for film students across Canada. Additionally, he sits on the board of directors for the Calgary Cinematheque and actively supports filmmaking in Canada.
