Burns got his start in the film industry right after college as a production assistant on the Oliver Stone film, "The Doors". While working as a gofer at "Entertainment Tonight", he financed, produced, directed and starred in his first film "The Brothers McMullen" in his spare time, which was largely shot in his hometown of Valley Stream. Once he completed the film, he was able to get a copy to Robert Redford after an ET junket interview for "Quiz Show" at the Rhiga Royal Hotel in Manhattan. In 1996, Burns wrote, directed and starred in the ensemble drama "She's The One" with Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz and Amanda Peet, as well as "Sidewalks of New York" in 2001.