Five Questions with ONE at Optimus Exec Producer Dave Buehrle

What do the iconic TV series Lost, Oscar nom Diane Lane, and one of the most acclaimed restaurants on the planet have in common? They’re all right here as ONE at Optimus Executive Producer and Head of Production Dave Buehrle stops by for a thoroughly entertaining round of Five Questions with SCREEN. Let’s get to it!

SCREEN: So Dave, you’ve been chosen for the new season of Shark Tank. What are you pitching to the Sharks? 

DAVE: A way to make the CTA faster, cleaner, and more reliable. I haven’t figured out how yet, but I’ll put the money to good use. I promise.

SCREEN: Most famous person you’ve ever met?

DAVE: I’m lucky enough to have worked on several big studio films as a crew member where I rubbed shoulders with many A-listers, but I’d say the two folks I had the most kind and genuine interactions with are Diane Lane and Will Smith.

That said, my biggest fanboy moment happened at a bar in Koreatown one night. I was a huge fan of the TV show Lost, and spotted this jackal across the room…

(that’s Eric Lange who played Radzinsky on Lost)

I went up and chatted with him, and he was very accommodating; much nicer than the character he played. 

And for good measure, here’s a mashup of some of Diane Lane’s most memorable movies…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmKT3lYzhYo

SCREEN: Best advice you’ve ever been given?

DAVE: Pretty quickly after the mouse warehouse job, I was working as a PA in the production office on a film for Paramount, and I overheard the UPM tell a vendor “I don’t want to be your friend; I just want good service at a fair price”. While of course I always try to be friendly, I’ve really tried to embody the last part of that: do good work, and treat people (and budgets) fairly.

SCREEN: One restaurant, one meal, anywhere you want, and we’re buying. What will it be?

The answer must be Alinea, right here in Chicago. I’ve wanted to go forever, but haven’t been able to justify the cost. Since you’re paying, I’m assuming we’re good on the wine pairing too, right?

Until our dinner date, Dave, here is a video tour of Alinea for you to savor…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwDV-WEKH7M

SCREEN: Your favorite project you’ve ever worked on?

DAVE: I’m really proud of a spot we did for the West Virginia Department of Health for opioid use disorder & treatment. The agency wanted to use a double exposure photography technique, and our director shot beautiful landscapes and aerials to integrate with real-people interviews. The Optimus Design team blended the two artfully into a powerful message. 

Click here to watch this impactful spot.

BONUS QUESTIONS!

SCREEN: Favorite American city? Favorite International city?

DAVE: I gotta say Chicago for the US. I enjoy the seasons, it’s a beautiful city, has a unique history, and it’s nice to have family nearby. 

Internationally, Paris. Everywhere you turn could be a photograph. The food, the joie de vivre. Paris enchants me.

SCREEN: Worst job ever? 

DAVE: I started my career in LA, and when I first moved there, I was the second personal assistant to a movie producer who had some hits in the 80’s and 90’s. He hired me to help organize a toy collection being donated to a museum. We worked out of a warehouse deep in the valley. My wife and I only had one car at the time, so she would drop me off super early before her long commute to her job. It was so early I would nap on broken down cardboard boxes with a furniture pad over me as a blanket while I waited for everyone else to arrive. In the dark I could hear mice scurrying around me. Thankfully, things got better after that gig.

Thanks for playing, Dave! For more from Dave and his team at ONE at Optimus, click right here.

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