Bill Breithaupt had the realization that photography and filmmaking were what he wanted to do in life. By age 10 he was enrolled in classes, and made his first film "Trick or Treat". This film was screened at the Mill Valley Film Festival.  With a competitive streak ever-present in his character, as well as a high level of energy, Bill was involved in many sports including swim team, soccer and 

With a competitive streak ever-present in his character, as well as a high level of energy, Bill was involved in many sports including swim team, soccer and skateboarding.  Skateboarding became his passion. As his skills grew, followed by his trophy collection, he decided to attract the attention of sponsors by filming his incredible t

    Bill Breithaupt thanking his Mother             Thrasher's in Ocala, FL Skatepark           Winning "Best Director" for AquaBurnttbd 

As his skills grew, followed by his trophy collection, he decided to attract the attention of sponsors by filming his incredible tricks.  Bills idea worked, and under the sponsorship of such companies as Independent Trucks, Skate Rags Clothing Co., Stylized Sun Glasses and Walker Skateboards, Bill went on to win more skate competitions, bigger trophies and even more sponsors         

Director Bill Breithaupt with Burning Man creator Larry Harvey            Burning Man Selfie from Director Bill Breithaupt                 Burning Man Selfie from Director Bill Breithaupt   

He then returned to his earlier passion of filmmaking. Apprenticing under the photographer Mike Voorhees in Newport Beach, CA he improved his framing techniques.  

                       Burning Man 2001 film crew                                                     Brawley, CA 35mm film shoot 

 Burning Man: TimeBlur (2012) Directed by Bill Breithaupt - (Not included on AquaBurn DVD)

He studied graphic arts at the Art Institute of So. California, film/audio techniques at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, FL computer animation under Pixar animator Jimmy Hayward at the Academy of Art San Francisco.

He began his career making videos: music, modeling, wedding, corporate and extreme sports, you name it, he has probably caught it on film. None of that compared to the footage he began capturing in 1999 when he was invited to by a friend to attend and film the annual Burning Man Festival held in Black Rock City, Nevada.

What started off as fulfilling a friend’s request for a souvenir video of the event became a passion for Bill. He passed out the edited footage to friends, who passed it to friends, who gave it to their friends,