Michael J. Burke
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Cinematographer
- Producer
Michael J. Burke is a highly accomplished camera operator, Steadicam and Ronin owner/operator, and cinematographer based in New York. A member of IATSE Local 600 International Cinematographers Guild, the Society of Camera Operators (SOC), and the Steadicam Operators Association (SOA), Michael most recently worked as a Steadicam operator for Mona Fastvold's film "Ann Lee' starring Amanda Seyfried. Before that, Michael worked on "Sirens" for Netflix, collaborating with cinematographers Greg Middleton and Zoe White and a remarkable cast that includes Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, Milly Alcock, and Meghann Fahy. This project marked Michael's second television show of 2024 as a Steadicam/Ronin operator, following his successful work on "Long Bright River" with DPs Pepe Avila Del Pino, Tari Segal, and William Rexer, featuring Amanda Seyfried.
In December 2023, Michael was the cinematographer for the feature film "The Wake," directed by Brian Brightly and filmed in Syracuse. The project showcased a talented cast, including Rob Yang, Ross Partridge, Michael Chernus, and Ryan Miller from the band Guster. "The Wake" premiered at the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival.
Michael has established himself as a key player in the industry through his memberships in the SOA and SOC. In the fall of 2023, he took on the role of Steadicam operator for the feature film "The Dutchman," filmed in New York under the SAG interim waiver. In spring 2023, he demonstrated his versatility as a B camera operator and Steadicam operator on "Dr. Death" Season Two.
In 2022, Michael made his mark as a B camera operator on the AMC show "Dead City," working alongside cinematographer Terry Stacey. He also excelled as a B camera operator and Steadicam operator on the Showtime series "Let The Right One In," collaborating with DPs Eric Branco, Jay Feather, and Tim Norman. In spring 2022, he operated the camera and Steadicam for the Darren Le Gallo film "Sam & Kate," featuring the talented Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek, under the expertise of cinematographer Frank G. DeMarco. In the fall of 2021, he worked as a camera operator for the HBO series "And Just Like That" alongside cinematographer Tim Norman.
With over twenty-five years of experience in the film industry, Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Photography, Studio Art, and Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont, which he earned in 2002. He launched his career as a camera loader in 1996 on the film "A Stranger in the Kingdom." In 2000, he further honed his skills at the Sundance Filmmaker's Lab as a camera assistant, establishing a lasting professional relationship with cinematographer Tim Orr. His experience as a camera loader includes significant projects such as "Raising Victor Vargas," "All the Real Girls," "Undertow," "The Baxter," "Imaginary Heroes," and "Little Manhattan."
From 2004 to 2005, Michael joined the International Cinematographers Guild/IATSE Local 600, advancing his career as a first assistant cameraman. He collaborated with renowned cinematographer Bobby Bukowski on films including "The Hawk is Dying," "The Guitar," "Phoebe in Wonderland," "The Messenger," "Very Good Girls," "The Iceman," and John Stewart's "Rosewater." Additionally, he worked with Frank DeMarco on "Short Bus," "Rabbit Hole," and "The Winning Season." As a first camera assistant, Michael contributed to major productions such as "John Wick" with DP Johnathon Sela, "This Is Where I Leave You" with DP Terry Stacey, "Spider-Man: Homecoming," "Life of Crime," and "Red Oaks." He was instrumental during the first season of "Girls" with Jody Lee Lipes and played a significant role in the pilot and first two seasons of "White Collar" with Russell Lee Fine. He also contributed to "Winter's Bone" with Michael McDonough.
Throughout his career, Michael has collaborated with William Rexer on "Friends with Kids," "Public Morals," "The Get Down," "The Tick," "The Village," and "Hunters." He made a significant impact as a camera operator and cinematographer on the award-winning feature film "A Fighting Season," directed by Oden Roberts. Michael also served as the cinematographer for the TV pilot "Urban Teach Now," directed by Heather Fink, featuring S.J. Son and Ginny Leise. He was the cinematographer for the TV pilot produced by Stephen Girasuolo, titled "The Hold Outs," which starred Kevin Corrigan and won the Best Actor in a Comedy award at SeriesFest in Denver. Additionally, Michael was the cinematographer for the TV pilot "Night Tales," directed by Randy Rubin.
In December 2023, Michael was the cinematographer for the feature film "The Wake," directed by Brian Brightly and filmed in Syracuse. The project showcased a talented cast, including Rob Yang, Ross Partridge, Michael Chernus, and Ryan Miller from the band Guster. "The Wake" premiered at the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival.
Michael has established himself as a key player in the industry through his memberships in the SOA and SOC. In the fall of 2023, he took on the role of Steadicam operator for the feature film "The Dutchman," filmed in New York under the SAG interim waiver. In spring 2023, he demonstrated his versatility as a B camera operator and Steadicam operator on "Dr. Death" Season Two.
In 2022, Michael made his mark as a B camera operator on the AMC show "Dead City," working alongside cinematographer Terry Stacey. He also excelled as a B camera operator and Steadicam operator on the Showtime series "Let The Right One In," collaborating with DPs Eric Branco, Jay Feather, and Tim Norman. In spring 2022, he operated the camera and Steadicam for the Darren Le Gallo film "Sam & Kate," featuring the talented Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek, under the expertise of cinematographer Frank G. DeMarco. In the fall of 2021, he worked as a camera operator for the HBO series "And Just Like That" alongside cinematographer Tim Norman.
With over twenty-five years of experience in the film industry, Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Photography, Studio Art, and Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont, which he earned in 2002. He launched his career as a camera loader in 1996 on the film "A Stranger in the Kingdom." In 2000, he further honed his skills at the Sundance Filmmaker's Lab as a camera assistant, establishing a lasting professional relationship with cinematographer Tim Orr. His experience as a camera loader includes significant projects such as "Raising Victor Vargas," "All the Real Girls," "Undertow," "The Baxter," "Imaginary Heroes," and "Little Manhattan."
From 2004 to 2005, Michael joined the International Cinematographers Guild/IATSE Local 600, advancing his career as a first assistant cameraman. He collaborated with renowned cinematographer Bobby Bukowski on films including "The Hawk is Dying," "The Guitar," "Phoebe in Wonderland," "The Messenger," "Very Good Girls," "The Iceman," and John Stewart's "Rosewater." Additionally, he worked with Frank DeMarco on "Short Bus," "Rabbit Hole," and "The Winning Season." As a first camera assistant, Michael contributed to major productions such as "John Wick" with DP Johnathon Sela, "This Is Where I Leave You" with DP Terry Stacey, "Spider-Man: Homecoming," "Life of Crime," and "Red Oaks." He was instrumental during the first season of "Girls" with Jody Lee Lipes and played a significant role in the pilot and first two seasons of "White Collar" with Russell Lee Fine. He also contributed to "Winter's Bone" with Michael McDonough.
Throughout his career, Michael has collaborated with William Rexer on "Friends with Kids," "Public Morals," "The Get Down," "The Tick," "The Village," and "Hunters." He made a significant impact as a camera operator and cinematographer on the award-winning feature film "A Fighting Season," directed by Oden Roberts. Michael also served as the cinematographer for the TV pilot "Urban Teach Now," directed by Heather Fink, featuring S.J. Son and Ginny Leise. He was the cinematographer for the TV pilot produced by Stephen Girasuolo, titled "The Hold Outs," which starred Kevin Corrigan and won the Best Actor in a Comedy award at SeriesFest in Denver. Additionally, Michael was the cinematographer for the TV pilot "Night Tales," directed by Randy Rubin.
