Jim Burnstein managed to beat the odds and make it as a successful Hollywood screenwriter without moving from his home in Plymouth, Michigan. Mr. Burnstein's screen credits include Renaissance Man, the 1994 comedy directed by Penny Marshall and starring Danny DeVito; D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996-1997); and Love and Honor, the 2013 drama starring Liam Hemsworth, co-written with Garrett Schiff of Los Angeles.

In 1995, Burnstein returned to his alma mater, the University of Michigan, to build one of America's top undergraduate screenwriting programs in the Department of Film, Television, and Media.

Burnstein was appointed by Governor John Engler and reappointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to serve on the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council from 2003 until 2011. As the Council's Vice Chair, Burnstein was one of the leading proponents of the Michigan Film Incentive program that was passed in 2008.