Madeleine Burnett (Rising Above)

Born at a drive-in movie theater, Alan was destined to tell stories. He is a two-time combat veteran and an award-winning writer, filmmaker and director. Sometimes working under the nickname, Johnnie Sprinkle (from his Army days), Alan has written, directed or acted in films for competition at festivals around the country. In 2014 his script, Fishing Trip (later renamed Turtle), won Best Alabama Screenplay at the Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham. That same year, Alan put his cinematographer skills to work for Joshua Sheik's bid at Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Project Greenlight. Team Sheik made it to the Top 20 with their short elevator film, Excuse Me. A former Army photojournalist and now a retired warrant officer, Alan continues to serve U.S. Army Aviation as a civilian helicopter instructor pilot. He teaches new officers to fly the UH-60 Blackhawk at Fort Rucker, AL.