Robert James Atton was born in Oak Lawn, Illinois, in 1982. The second of four siblings, he grew up with a father who was a police officer and a mother who was a registered nurse. His early interest in storytelling was evident in his fascination with movies and the horror genre, including works by R.L. Stine, Stephen King, and Wes Craven. This passion for narrative took a creative turn in the sixth grade when a teacher recognized and encouraged his imaginative storytelling.

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Atton's interest in production design began in childhood, when he would frequently rearrange his parents' home, developing an early appreciation for setting a scene and creating a specific mood. His formal exploration of special effects makeup started at age 14, when he helped create a haunted house for his church youth group. During his freshman year, he became a dedicated screenwriter after seeing the film Scream and the television show Dawson's Creek, prompting him to study screenwriting and compose his own short scripts. In his senior year of high school, he served as an officer for the school's Literary Magazine.

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After graduating from Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights, Illinois, Atton's diverse career path informed his creative work. His five years in the emergency room and nearly two years in the operating room exposed him to the devastating effects of violence and trauma. This medical experience provided him with a unique perspective on social disruption and allowed him to draw on authentic and compelling human experiences in his media projects.

 

He expanded his education, attending The Illinois Center for Broadcasting from 2012 to 2013 and later earning an Associate of Applied Science in Film from Flashpoint Chicago, a campus of Columbia College Hollywood, in 2020. Atton is an accomplished film professional with a strong foundation in storytelling and visual design.

 

                                                                Trade Marks
 
I am skinny and eat a lot. However, I do not gain weight because I crap like a cow. 
 
My hair color changes a lot from my natural brown to blonde to black. 
 
People used to say I have a hole in my chin because I always had it covered while eating.
 
I also get referred to as dumbo and Pinocchio mix breed, between my big ears and nose.
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Also, I have a scar on my stomach from a surgery I had when I was a baby; it has shortened over time as I grew. However, even the

feeding tube marks are still seeable.
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I had seven ear surgeries by the time I was 14 years old.
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                                                                    Trivia

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Originally wanted to be either a Respiratory Therapist or Radiology Tech but decided to pursue his Film career.
 
He worked in the hospital emergency room for five years at Advocate Christ Hospital as a Support Associate and for a short time

as an Emergency Room Tech. He worked as a Surgical Service Tech in the O.R for a year and nine months at Loyola University

Medical Center. 

 

The first movie he worked on was Black Creek in 2016.

 

I used to work at Chicago Ridge Movie Theater in Chicago Ridge, Illinois. He also was Baker for Dunkin Donuts in Orland Park, Illinois.

Dawson's Creek was my favorite television show. I hope to bring the show back to television one day and start the plot story years later. I think there is so much you could do and see how everyone ended after the actual outcome. I believe situations that happen to us when we are younger or certain conditions we go through have a significant impact on adult lives.
 
Scream was the movie that aimed me toward movie writing. I remember the summer between 8th grade and freshman year of high school going to my grandparents' house in southern Illinois. We took a trip to the video store. I saw the movie scream on the shelf and wanted to rent it so bad. My grandma had called my mom for permission; of course, the answer was yes. While watching it, I became obsessed with writing movies and making audiences feel the entertainment I felt. Now for my grandparents, well, that was a different story. I remember my grandpa saying sarcastically, excellent movie choice Bob. 
 
When I was younger, my younger sisters shared a room and had a bunk bed. We used to pretend it was a camper by putting blankets up for siding, and we used a yellow plastic baseball bat for a gun. My sister Christy and I took turns driving. We used my sister Donna's vanity plastic stool as a steering wheel. Only my sister Christy and I could climb up to the top bunk, which was the camper's roof, to shoot the bears. We did not allow my sister Donna to go up to shoot bears or drive. We said she was too young. We were highly creative kids.
 
I used to make my sisters sit on their beds while I cleaned up their bedrooms. Then, we used to sing the clean-up song. 
 
Once I was kicked out of my 8th-grade history class because I farted so bad it stunk up the whole class. Even the teacher was waving his lesson plan in disgust. My friend Jim ratted me out.

 

Some of my nicknames are Bob / Bobburt / Booter / Boo
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                                                             Personal Quotes

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[on woman] I'm 42.  I'm single. I have established myself in my career. I'm still waiting for the right woman to come along. 
 
[on criticism] I come from a very sarcastic and loving family; I am very thick-skinned. So, it does not affect me to an extent. 
 
A favorite Quote I say a lot is "Mother of Monkeys." (I love Monkeys, and I want one as a pet.)