Scott Z. Burns [The Wordsmith]

By: Julian Chavez | December 21, 2009 | Ten by Ten

Scott Z. Burns’ big break into the entertainment industry was slightly … Inconvenient. After producing Al Gore’s 2006 documentary on the effects of global warming, Burns moved on to directing a few projects along with writing screenplays for such films as, The Informant! and The Bourne Ultimatum. He is currently producing and writing for three movies set to debut in 2011, and the atmosphere for this triple threat looks to be less “polluted,” than it was only three years ago. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve ever learned?
Do not touch anything metal with your tongue when the temperature outside is below freezing. Age 6, the zipper of my parka. Golden Valley, Minn.

Who is your favorite contemporary artist and why?
Jack White. Because of “Ball and Biscuit,” “Truth Doesn’t Make a Noise,” “Girl You Have No Faith in Medicine,” “Consolers of the Lonely,” “Intimate Secretary,” “Treat Me Like Your Mother” and because he plays the piano like it’s the drums and the guitar like he’s trying to wrestle the song to the ground.

What characteristics constitute intelligence?
Curiosity, a sense of subtlety, the ability to listen and keeping your tongue away from frozen metal objects.

How would you describe the current state of American Politics?
Democracy in the absence of an educated electorate is a comedy or a tragedy depending on which network you watch. Sadly, it’s like Yeats said, “The best lack all conviction and the worst are filled with a passion and intensity.”

What do you think is the biggest threat to world peace?
Either climate change or religion. Maybe Twitter.

What is your definition of success?
Having the freedom to fail with integrity.

What do you consider your greatest professional achievement?
Getting paid to do what I would most likely get up in the morning and do anyway.

Which five people do you admire the most and why?
Gwen the Teacher, Esteban the Hospice Nurse, Simone the Aid Worker, Steve the Poet and The Anonymous Donor. I figure Gandhi, Jesus, Einstein, Mark Twain and Da Vinci are getting enough admiration elsewhere.

What is the best advice you ever received?
My dad told me not to worry about what I might do with my life, but just to think about what I want to do next.

How would you define love?
I have some theories. I know some songs. I think with a little help from the right person I could come up with a good answer.

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