Born in Visalia, CA; educated at UCLA (theater arts) and Reedly College, CA. Leading modern cinematographer who collaborated on some of the most visually striking films of the 1980s. Burum learned his craft at UCLA while working with two undisputed giants of the field: ace cinematographer James Wong Howe (BODY AND SOUL, SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, KINGS ROW) and technological pioneer Charles Clarke. He developed a fruitful relationship with Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope Studio, beginning with an assignment as director of second unit photography for APOCALYPSE NOW (1979). Burum would later shoot two of Coppola's most lyrically stylized films, THE OUTSIDERS (1983) and RUMBLE FISH (1983). The former featured such rich color photography that this elemental tale played like a GONE WITH THE WIND for troubled teens. The even more stylish RUMBLE FISH reimagined a black-and-white 1950s juvenile delinquent flick as directed by Jean Cocteau. This unusual film has also been a significant influence on the look and feel of music videos. Burum headed up the second unit on Zoetrope's THE BLACK STALLION (1979) and lensed THE ESCAPE ARTIST (1982), the directorial debut of fellow cinematographer Caleb Deschanel (who shot THE BLACK STALLION). He has also shot several Brian De Palma films, including BODY DOUBLE (1984), THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987), CASUALTIES OF WAR (1989) and RAISING CAIN (1992). Other notable credits include ST. ELMO'S FIRE (1985), ARTHUR 2: ON THE ROCKS (1988), THE WAR OF THE ROSES (1989), HE SAID, SHE SAID (1991), CARLITO'S WAY (1993), THE SHADOW (1994), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996), FATHER'S DAY (1997), SNAKE EYES (1998), MYSTERY MEN (1999), MISSION TO MARS (2000), LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT (2002), and CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN (2004). Burum received the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Lifetime Achievement Award for 2008.  Nominated for Achievement in Cinematography 1992: HOFFA 1 nomination