Why ONE at Optimus works.

ONE at Optimus is a singular, streamlined source for a

full spectrum of video communications. Combining

production and post-production under one roof, ONE

at Optimus is truly a one-stop shop.

We know how to help you take full advantage of today’s

dynamic media landscape. Our efficiencies ensure speed

to market. Our experience ensures that we know how to

stay on track with a brand’s integrated messaging. And

our expertise ensures that we’ll deliver work of the highest

standard, without compromise.

We’re focused on more than moving pictures.

We get the bigger picture.

How ONE at Optimus works.

We work strictly on a project basis, and your project

begins and ends in the hands of one team. No handoffs.

No communication gaps. Everybody’s on the same page,

sharing the same focus, start to finish.

john noble | executive producer, managing director

Began his career at 16, PA-ing on classic 70s Volkswagen spots

Collected numerous awards as an agency producer at DDB NYC, McCann, BSB, Chiat/Day, BBDO, GKV, and The Martin Agency

Added Chicago to his address book as head of Production & Digital Core at Element 79 overseeing Gatorade, Propel, Quaker, and Celebrity Cruises

gretchen praeger | executive producer, managing director

Started in the shipping room, catapulted up the ranks by her love/studies/knowledge of film

Elegantly blends creative savvy with effortless taskmastery

Responsible for popularity of the phrase “Ask Gretchen”

312 321 0880. This is the number that connects you to your

producer, your director, your editor, your designer—everybody

who’s working on your project. You don’t have to call around.

Just call.

Here’s another easy number for you. 161 East Grand Avenue

is our address– our ONE address – where the entirety of your

project begins and ends. Right in the heart of the Streeterville

neighborhood, our 44,000-square-foot home is easy to get

to and close to everything.

Whatever you (or your project) hunger for can be

whipped up in our full-service kitchen. Whether it’s

a complex food shoot or simply a round of espressos,

our sleek stage kitchen is fully outfitted to produce all

manner of edibles—and shootables—beautifully.

From your ultra comfortable front row seat, you’ll have

our brand-new, state-of-the-art stage at your command:

1400 square feet with a 16-foot ceiling. A 20’ x 28’ cyc

that stretches to 12 feet tall, covering exposed brick walls.

A crisp white sweep, perfect for a seamless background,

that can be painted any color you wish. Ready? Set.

Observe. Serve.

The epicenter of ONE at Optimus, our bright and

lively production office is equipped to run several

productions simultaneously. And smoothly.

Where there’s a buzz, there must be a hive.

Our plush respite from the action hovers at the very

top of our vintage factory building, featuring gorgeous

skyline views of the city and all the comforts of your

home-away-from-home: 55” Sony Bravia display, Blu-Ray

player, 5.1 surround sound.

Client lounge? Or client cocoon?

directorseditorialdesignvisual effectstechaudiofinishing

Talent. Name a specialty, and we’ve got the specialist.

From our in-house staff of production experts to our roster of

accomplished directors to our on-hand pool of copywriters

and art directors. Full service, at your service.

directors

We’re proud to work with some of the best emerging directorial talent

in the industry. Our current roster is diverse, original and supremely

creative, with histories spanning the globe from China to Rome to

Jerusalem to Minneapolis.

Driven and accomplished, curious and interested, encouraged to

explore new possibilities and to seek fresh perspectives. Brave, but

not reckless. All work, all play.

view reels at oneatoptimus.com

The ONE at Optimus reputation owes a lot to its roster of award-

winning editors in both Chicago and Santa Monica. As diverse

as they are, they’re all passionate about their craft, inventive

and tireless and, especially important, a pleasure to hang out

with. Hard work doesn’t have to feel like hard time.

editorial

randy palmer | offline editor, partner

Bought a camcorder instead of a car at 16

Gave up sleeping in 1992 when he started editing

Loves making 30-second movies

Hates saying no

design

mike “chick” ciacciarelli | creative director

New England native studied film history and screenwriting at Northwestern

Has worked with agencies of all kinds and directly with clients, including McDonald’s, Sears, Coca-Cola, Altoids, and Samsung, to name only a few

Believes good design is the custom creative solution to a unique communication problem

Has actually said above statement out loud

Our design group is tight-knit, cutting-edge and multidimensional.

Every designer’s style is individual, but we collaborate as a singular

unit, linked both digitally and creatively. Everybody’s versatile:

our 3D animator is equally skilled in stop-motion, and each of our

designers is more than capable of building a rough-cut and an

offline edit. We can do storyboards, concept frames, and any

other forms of “pre-vis.”

glen noren | effects director, partner

Modest leading talent of hotshot graphics crew

Channeled growth of motion graphics and digital compositing when they were coming into their own

Has practiced visual wizardry here since 1994

Claim to near-fame: extra in “Risky Business”

Flame. Smoke. Maya. Cinema 4D. (We could go on.) We have

all the latest, and we have all the talent who know how to work it.

We call them artists. Others call them magicians.

visual effects

craig leffel | senior colorist, partner

BFA in Photography, BMOC here since 1996

Beyond nationally renowned colorist, has covered the spectrum as DP and Director on commercials and music videos

A tech wiz, tests cameras for Fletcher Chicago and is intimate with the RED ONE

You’ve done the shoot. Now you need the look. Luckily, we

have one of the industry’s most talented visual artists in our

house. Senior Colorist and Partner Craig Leffel has seen it all –

and made it all look incredible. His vast visual vocabulary and

exacting standards mean you can trust him with the life of your

images. Food becomes tastier. Skies become moodier. Skin

becomes flawless. You’re in good hands with Craig’s eyes.

color

joel anderson | audio engineer

Ditched Cedar Falls for top film school University of Iowa

Landed internship here in 2004, fast-tracked to current position

Award-winning sound designer on in-house fringe film projects

Onstage rocker, backstage video producer of Pitchfork Festival

For VO recording and sound mixing, our ace engineers and

plush studio guarantee sure-fire sessions. We have partner

relationships with music houses for original tracks, and we can

help you in licensing existing music. Name that tune.

audio

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Before we even start your project, we anticipate how and where

it will end up. Does it need to be configured for mobile or Web?

Will there be multiple versions in multiple formats? What about

copy changes and product replacements? Consider it done.

Whatever works.

When you partner with ONE at Optimus,

you’ll get just that: a partner. We’ve built our

reputation on giving all we’ve got and not

stopping until everybody’s happy. We’ll never

leave you hanging. But we will do our best to

leave you with a production you’ll be proud

of and an experience you’ll happily come

back for.

tom duff | president, partner

President since 1996

Lifelong Chicagoan did time in production at Burnett, Riney, DDB

“ This place and our people mean everything in the world to me” (not counting family, White Sox)

Let’s work together.312 321 0880

Ask for John or Gretchen and we’ll get started.