Bringing History to Life Through Digital Art and Storytelling: A Conversation with Michael Burton, MFA

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I have had the privilege of knowing Michael Burton, MFA, for several years. We first met when I returned to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) for an alumni award ceremony. Michael had recently joined the faculty in the department where I completed my doctoral studies, but he came on board after I had already graduated. From that first meeting, I was impressed by his creativity, innovative thinking, and dedication to his students and craft.

When I invited him to join me on the iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, I knew we would have a rich conversation about how artistry, technology, and history intersect. What I did not anticipate was just how inspiring his journey would be—and how deeply it reinforces the power of multidisciplinary work.

A Multidisciplinary Career Rooted in Storytelling

Michael is an artist, filmmaker, and educator whose work spans acclaimed hybrid animation shorts like Gold Slipper by Willa Cather, Anna, and The Freedom Stories, as well as the feature film The Bell Affair. His projects have been showcased in major museums, including the Denver Art Museum and the RISD Art Museum, and he has developed immersive digital art exhibitions such as Dance Floor of the Sky.

What sets him apart is his ability to merge live-action performances, stunning 3D animated environments, and historically accurate costuming—often focusing on untold stories of marginalized groups. This is not just innovation for the sake of novelty. Michael’s approach invites viewers into the complexities of history while connecting them emotionally to the humanity within those narratives.

From Disney-Inspired Childhood to Digital Innovation

Michael’s love for storytelling began in childhood with a Super 8 camera and VHS recorder. While his brother handled directing and producing, Michael experimented with combining mediums—integrating toys, paper backdrops, and handmade elements to create miniature worlds.

Even during his MFA studies, when he was encouraged to focus solely on painting, he was drawn to animated art. Once he completed his degree, he embraced that calling, producing animated paintings and experimenting with technology in ways that were ahead of the curve.

Building Historical Worlds with Digital Art

One of the most captivating parts of our conversation was Michael’s process for creating historically inspired digital environments. In The Diary of Michael Shiner, for example, he used Unreal Engine and 3D modeling to recreate early-to mid-19th-century Washington, D.C., including the Navy Yard and the Long Bridge to Alexandria.

For Michael, digital filmmaking offers two distinct advantages: cost efficiency and the ability to create a visual “binocular rivalry.” The viewer sees imagery that looks like it could come from an old etching, yet the characters’ struggles, emotions, and relationships feel strikingly contemporary.

Expertise in 3D Digital Costuming

Before much of the apparel industry embraced 3D modeling post-pandemic, Michael was already integrating digital costuming into his films. His students at UNL learn to use platforms like Clo3D, Blender, and Adobe Illustrator, giving them adaptable skills across multiple tools. He not only teaches them technical proficiency but also the confidence to problem-solve across platforms—skills that are invaluable in creative industries.

The Challenge—and Reward—of Multidisciplinary Work

In academia, there is often pressure to specialize, but Michael has followed a different path. Through Animating History, his collaboration with historian Will Thomas and theater director/author Kwakiutl Dreher, he has produced films that delve deeply into the lives of enslaved families, freedom suits, and overlooked histories. These projects are grounded in meticulous research and built on trust within the communities whose stories they tell.

A Story That Reunited a Family After 200 Years

Michael shared one of the most powerful outcomes of his work: the impact of The Bell Affair. This film tells the true story of the Bell family’s 13-year legal fight for freedom, culminating in the largest escape attempt by enslaved people in U.S. history. After a screening, descendants from different branches of the Bell family—separated for over 200 years—met for the first time. They presented Michael and his team with a plaque of gratitude, an honor he considers the proudest moment of his career.

Educating Beyond the University

Michael’s Animating History Digital Fashion Lab provides students with real-world experience in animation, digital costuming, and storytelling. But the impact does not stop there—he has worked with high school teachers to develop K–12 educational resources that meet national standards, giving students across the country tools to explore history through creative media.

Looking Ahead: Perihelion and Beyond

When I asked Michael what is next, he shared details about Perihelion, a film blending science, history, and fiction. The story follows an astronaut whose journey becomes intertwined with the lives of astronomers William and Caroline Herschel. Like much of Michael’s work, it explores resilience, self-discovery, and the parallels between past and present.

How Michael Defines Innovation

Michael likens innovation to “navigating a boat in the fog by instrument”—using familiar tools to explore uncharted waters without knowing exactly where you will land, but trusting you are on the right course. It is an apt description for both his career and his creative philosophy.

Why This Conversation Matters

Knowing Michael personally, I have seen firsthand his commitment to telling stories that matter, empowering students, and embracing creative risk. His work is a powerful reminder that innovation is not just about technology—it is about vision, collaboration, and the courage to pursue ideas that challenge and inspire.

Our conversation left me energized and grateful to share his story. I hope readers and listeners alike will be as inspired as I am by his dedication to illuminating the past in ways that resonate deeply in the present.

Keep innovating!

Eulanda

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