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.”
Disney Pledges $15 million In L.A. Fire Aid As More Celebs Learn They’ve Lost Their Homes
The Pacific Palisades wildfires torched the home of "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia, perhaps most poignantly destroying the father-to-be's newly installed crib.
CBS cameras caught the actor walking through his charred house for the first time, standing in what was once his kitchen and looking at a neighborhood in ruin. "Your heart just breaks."
He and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, evacuated Tuesday with their dog and they watched on security cameras as the flames ripped through the house, destroying everything, including a new crib.
"There's a kind of shock moment where you're going, 'Oh, this is real. This is happening.' What good is it to continue watching?' And then at a certain point we just turned it off, like 'What good is it to continue watching?'"
Firefighters sought to make gains Friday during a respite in the heavy winds that fanned the flames as numerous groups pledged aid to help victims and rebuild, including a $15 million donation pledge from the Walt Disney Co.
More stars learn their homes are gone
While seeing the remains of his home, Ventimiglia was struck by a connection to his "This Is Us" character, Jack Pearson, who died after inhaling smoke in a house fire. "It's not lost on me life imitating art."
Mandy Moore, who played Ventimiglia's wife on "This Is Us," nearly lost her home in the Eaton fire, which scorched large areas of the Altadena neighborhood. She said Thursday that part of her house is standing but is unlivable, and her husband lost his music studio and all his instruments.
Mel Gibson's home is "completely gone," his publicist Alan Nierob confirmed Friday. The Oscar winner revealed the loss of his home earlier Friday while appearing on Joe Rogan's... Read More