Mike Berg, who joined Optimus as an assistant editor in June 2007, has this month been formally promoted to full fledged editor at the integrated production and post house, which maintains shops in Chicago and Santa Monica.
Berg is no stranger to the role of editor, having cut a number of projects prior to his official promotion, most recently spots for American Family Insurance, CDW and UPS, all out of Ogilvy & Mather, Chicago.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Berg came to Optimus in 2007 from JWT, where he was an in-house editor. He also does improvisational comedy at the iO Theater, and still does his daily comic for the University of Wisconsin’s Badger Herald.
Berg related, “Optimus is a great fit for me, and editing is the perfect mixture of so many of my interests. I have always loved computers and electronics–earning my degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science–but I also am passionate about storytelling in TV and film. Additionally, I see many parallels between my improv and editorial work. Both require the ability to adapt quickly if something isn’t working in terms of telling the story.”
“Since joining Optimus, Mike has proven that he has the talent, personality and perseverance required to be an editor,” said Optimus editor/partner Randy Palmer whom Berg has assisted in the past. “Moreover, he has the unique combination of creative and technical talent that makes him a great editor. It’s clear to us–and our clients–that Mike is doing what he loves.”
“Overnight Success” Has Been More Than A Decade In The Making For Meghann Fahy and Eve Hewson
Meghann Fahy and Eve Hewson, two of the stars of Netflix's whodunit "The Perfect Couple," have news for you if you want to call them breakouts: They've been working in this business for more than a decade.
Fahy made her TV debut in 2009 in an episode of "Gossip Girl." Hewson's first big film role was in 2011's "This Must Be the Place." They do concede, however, that it's recent TV roles — "The White Lotus" for Fahy and "Bad Sisters" for Hewson — that have led to new frontiers of opportunity.
Susanne Bier, who directed "The Perfect Couple," says both Fahy and Hewson are "going to be big stars."
"They certainly have proper, profound star quality, Both of them in very different ways," Bier says. "Both are incredibly creative, incredibly smart, and also have a impressive insight as to who they are. You can be a great actor or actress and not necessarily really know who you are yourself. And they do."
Hewson, 33, whose dad is U2 front man Bono, may have grown up in a famous family but she's now in demand in her own right. She will next be seen in a second season of "Bad Sisters, " out in November. She's in Noah Baumbach's next film, alongside Adam Sandler, George Clooney and Riley Keough. She's also been cast in Steven Spielberg's next production and is set to star opposite Murray Bartlett in a racing series for Hulu.
Fahy, 34, is in production on a limited series with Julianne Moore and Milly Alcock called "Sirens," written by Molly Smith Metzler ("Maid") for Netflix. She also has two films in the can with Josh O'Connor ("The Crown," "Challengers") and Brandon Sklenar ("It Ends With Us").
The two actors spoke candidly about this phase of their careers. This interview has been condensed for clarity and... Read More