Phil and Kathleen Cooke
Founders
As the founders of Cooke Pictures, Phil and Kathleen Cooke have assembled a remarkable team of forward thinking media professionals that span every phase of traditional and emerging media. CNN's Paula Zahn has called Phil the only working producer in Hollywood with a Ph.D. in Theology. Kathleen's experience in front of the camera as a commercial actress, casting director, and interviewer bring balance to their media perspective. As producers and media strategists, Phil and Kathleen lead a team that advises many of the largest and most effective non-profit and faith-based social media organizations in the world. The Cooke's enjoy educating others with the power of niche media and speak nationally and internationally at workshops, seminars, and conferences. Cooke Pictures' consulting clients include a virtual "who's who" in the faith-based and non-profit niche markets.
Matthew Phillips
Chief Operating Officer
As the COO, Matthew Phillips is responsible for Cooke Pictures' day-to-day operations and Digital Media Strategy. On the creative side, as Executive Producer, Matthew leads all our secular and 'bridge' projects.
Matt's expertise involves interactive media trends and the convergence with traditional media production. His career has been established converging digital media with television and film for companies like Digidesign, Avid, Loudeye, Warner Bros, Disney, Universal Studios, Paramount, NBC, ABC, and CBS. Past digital media successes include opening and operating the Santa Monica office for $500 million dollar startup Loudeye Technologies (now Nokia) as General Manager and Director of Production, and nearly 7 years with Avid Technology, managing Support Engineering Operations and Critical Accounts with responsibility for the West Coast/Hollywood Studios, Asia, and Latin American efforts.
Phillips holds a Masters Degree in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University. He spent four years researching and developing online social media networks, blogs, and user generated search: Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management. Matt continues efforts to bridge physical communities with social interactivity on the Internet. He is quickly becoming a leading thinker and speaker in the creation and distribution of social media.
Kimberly Robinson
Production and Financial Account Manager
Kimberly Robinson's fascination with working in the entertainment industry was sparked at the age of sixteen through an opportunity to personally interview Celine Dion. Wanting to combine her faith in God with her desire to work in entertainment, she landed the lead role in a community theater production while obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from North Greenville College in Tigerville, SC. As a student, her three-year involvement as a volunteer at the National Religious Broadcasters Conference moved her interests more toward faith-based media. Kimberly demonstrated her passion for developing quality programming by creating NGC Vision, North Greenville's Campus Television Station.
Kimberly completed her college with an internship through the Los Angeles Film Studies Center as an assistant for the popular television shows Extra and Celebrity Justice. Since then, she has worked for Audiences Unlimited on such shows as Everybody Loves Raymond, That 70s Show, The Peoples Choice Awards, The American Music Awards, and The Oprah Show: After the Oscars before joining the Cooke Pictures Team.
Brad Knull
Senior Producer | Director
It’s been more than fifteen years since Brad Knull first cut his teeth in the fast-paced world of music videos. Since that time he has become a seasoned creative professional with extensive experiences in all facets of production from feature films to commercial spots, live events, political work, national television specials and everything in between. His deep expertise in creative development, emotional storytelling, and innovative approaches have made him a writer/producer/dp/director/editor that is in high demand with a variety of Fortune 50 companies as well as high profile faith based clientele. As a founding member of Blue Yonder Films, Brad produced the Sundance Festival feature film selection Chillicothe and continues to explore the craft of filmmaking through his current Documentary project, “House of Love” shot on location in Thailand.
Gary Dowd
Writer | Producer
A New England native, Gary Dowd relocated to Central California after serving in the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Service where he held a Secret classification. Following that, he attended California State University at Fresno, majoring in Radio/Television/Film. Faced with the decision to relocate to Hollywood, Gary chose instead to work in the nonprofit world and accepted a position as Television Creative Director with “Feed The Children” in Oklahoma City. He also spent 10 years as Senior Producer/Writer for “Samaritans Purse” and “The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.” Gary then became the Senior Producer/Writer for The Russ Reid Company based in Pasadena, California, putting his fundraising, infomercial, and direct response experience to work for organizations such as World Vision, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, & The Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. A veteran producer, Gary is a multiple Telly Award winner and he has produced, written, directed, photographed and edited television specials, commercials, documentaries, corporate films, telethons, training programs and dramatic presentations for television, educational and theatrical release on six continents and in more than 75 countries.
Truett Hancock
Sr. Producer | Director
Truett has spent 29 years working almost exclusively within faith based television. Truett has been involved with several large ministries including Oral Roberts, Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, PTL Television Network, Trinity Broadcasting Network, Guidelines Television and most recently he served as Vice President of Television for Benny Hinn Ministries. Truett has travelled extensively and has directed production efforts in over 55 countries around the globe. He has been in charge of television production requirements for covering live events where crowds numbered at close to one million in attendance. He is also an accomplished studio director and as a former musician he has a keen eye and ear when it comes to covering live performance recordings.
Truett has also worked with ESPN covering various sporting events and has produced stories for CNN International. He has a played a key role in producing and directing literally thousands of hours of broadcast television that have aired globally.
Truett has a B.S. in Telecommunications from Oral Roberts University including a minor in marketing. He has written several articles concerning television production which have been published by National Religious Broadcasting magazine and Technologies For Worship magazine.
J. Brian Mead
Producer | Editor | Motion Graphics
Brian's television experience includes producing, directing, and editing numerous nationwide programs and music videos, as well as promotional and corporate projects both in the United States and internationally.
An accomplished Avid Editor, as Senior Producer, Editor, and Motion Graphics Animator at Cooke Pictures, Brian's primary responsibilities lie in Post Production. But he is also a primary member of the creative team and from time to time also works in the capacity of producer/director. While continually maintaining a high level of creativity he keeps projects visually diverse and stylistically innovative.
Joey Legé
Producer | Editor | Motion Graphics
Legé brings to Cooke Pictures over 14 years of production experience ranging from sports television, to broadcast news and corporate video. For the last 6 years he has worked in faith-based media as both an editor and videographer for such organizations as Life Outreach International (James Robison), God TV (based in the UK), and Jewish Voice Ministries in Phoenix. During that time he has produced programming in countries as diverse as Africa, India, South America, and China. Joey’s talent and passion is editing. He believes video and film can be the ultimate storyteller, and his gift is finding the heart of a story and telling that story through the power of images. His excellence and desire to always approach his work in a new and fresh way make Joey a consummate and lifelong student. Although a Texan at heart, he is excited about living in California and being a part of the Cooke Pictures team.
Chandra Hope
Producer | Editor | Motion Graphics
Chandra first got the taste for film and television while on a mission’s trip to Nepal and India. After shooting footage of the experience she sat (and slept) in an edit bay for weeks. That fun project turned into a life passion and a B.A. in TV/Film from Vanguard University. An Internship at BMG Entertainment introduced her to print and digital media design which she later used developing media content and promotional pitches for clients such as Cisco, GM, and Microsoft. Since that time, she has also worked with a wide range of religious ministry & humanitarian organizations. Chandra loses her car keys but will never lose her passion for post-production and design. She strives to be her best and eats, sleeps and dreams in RGB, and finds that a good render makes for a happy day.
CJ Casciotta
Social Media Writer | Consultant
CJ Casciotta is a, writer, consultant, artist, and cultural commentator with a passion for raising a new generation of innovative creators and forward thinkers. He works for ConversantLife.com, Cooke Pictures, writes for Relevant Magazine, and has been featured on MTV and VH1.com. Apart from being a social media junkie, CJ helps ministries, organizations, and individuals rethink "community" by using new media techniques to connect their passions to people where they live.
Chris Perry
Art Director
Chris is passionate about excellence in graphic design and its strategic application. A master at visually interpreting client aspirations, Chris has created identities for many large secular and christian organisations globally including Hillsong Church Australia. Chris' abilities ensure creative material conceived at Cooke Pictures are successfully translated across all aspects of our clients marketing activity. Having designed for print for 20 years and digital for 10, Chris brings a strong, fresh corporate approach to the design of logos, brochures, web sites, packaging, signage and corporate identity guidelines.
Benjamin Shell
Web Developer
Ben is the Internet guru behind Cooke Pictures' web presence, and has exceptional expertise in the design and coding of interactive websites. Ben assumes responsibility for the essential "behind the screen" details for the Cooke Pictures websites and PhilCooke.com. His work enables the Cooke Pictures team to easily publish blogs, send e-mail newsletters, distribute digital media, and move toward media convergence. In a world where “connectivity” is critical, he is also developing powerful web-based organizational tools that help the production and consulting team stay connected across the globe.
Sydney Alford
Office Coordinator | Executive Assistant
Sydney Alford recently joined the Cooke Pictures team after “surviving” the 2009 Biola Media Conference as the Volunteer Coordinator and Assistant to the Conference Directors. Sydney is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Biola University with a B.A. in Film/ Television/ Radio. As a student, Sydney produced dozen of award winning student films, and was selected as the “Most Outstanding” Film/TV/Radio student of her graduating class. She brings over seven years of experience working with public television and non-profit groups to the Cooke Pictures table. Sydney is an expert at multi-tasking on her iPhone and doing everything Phil asks – before he even asks it.
Network
Coast to coast, Cooke Pictures has established a unique network of consulting producers and creative directors. Each an experienced industry professional, they are the "point people" for many of our media projects and client relationships. Their advice, consultation, leadership, and production expertise is a key element in creating the best program or project. More important, their award winning experience provides our clients with the breakthrough thinking and creative strategy that leads to success.
Dr. Thomas Parham
Screenwriter | Producer
Dr. Thomas Parham is a WGA screenwriter, script consultant, and partner in Dos Negros Entertainment. He has written for the CBS drama JAG and the Family Channel sitcom Big Brother Jake and served as a writers’ assistant on Touched by an Angel. Thom is a professor of Theater, Film, and Television at Azusa Pacific University and has directed stage productions of Dinner With Friends, Dracula, A Few Good Men, Return To The Forbidden Planet, and The Skin of Our Teeth. He has executive produced several award-winning student films and TV productions including American U, “Giving Her Away,” and “Jaded,” and he co-wrote Inside Out and Steeplechasers, stage plays APU's drama ministry team toured throughout southern California and Phoenix, Arizona. Thom is widely published and contributed chapters to Behind The Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture, The Gospel According to Super-Heroes, and Doing Good, Departing from Evil: Research Findings in the Twenty-First Century. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he received his doctoral degree from Virginia’s Regent University.
Darren Moorman
Producer
In 1997 Darren relocated to Los Angeles, after being invited to help start Second Image Studios, based on his business and investment skills as well as his talent for networking. Two years later he produced a feature length film, All Over Again, winner of the Santa Clarita Film Festival starring Craig T. Nelson and Robert Loggia.
Darren has worked for industry leaders such as: MGM, National Geographic, Shoreline Entertainment, and DIRECTV, and has gained the trust and respect of many key players and companies in the entertainment industry. He has been mentored by the acclaimed Producer Howard Kazanjian (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Return of the Jedi). He has also worked with some top actors such as Denzel Washington, Danny Devito, John Goodman, Marisa Tomei, Julia Stiles, Chris Evans, Robert Carlyle, and David Strathairn. Darren was a producer on the feature film “Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School” which was an official selection of the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and was released theatrically. Darren re-teamed with Morris Ruskin of Shoreline Entertainment, and Produced the “The Fifth Patient” shot in Mexico. His latest feature film to produce is called Sensation of Sight, starring David Strathairn, shot in New Hampshire, and is presently moving around festivals.
Graphic Animation and Design
Steve Taylor
Producer | Editor
Steve is one of our longest relationships for a reason - he is highly creative, and gets results. An award winning graphic designer and animator, Steve has been the a key creative element in some of our most talked about and remembered projects. His program openings, commercials, and graphic elements have taken our client's projects to new levels of visability, and he leaves a strong creative mark on everything he does. He is also founder and Creative Director of Digital Spatula in Los Angeles.
Our Mascots
Maggie Mae and Oakley
Co-Vice Presidents of Morale
Trusty, loyal, and slightly off center, Maggie Mae and Oakley give the office a much needed jolt of inspiration and are our Executives in Charge of Morale, Recreation, and Chewing. After all, every employee needs to throw sticks now and then, and Maggie and Oakley are there to bring them back without fail.
Sure they have a few weird habits, (although their salary and benefit packages are pretty cheap), but the best thing about this team is that they think every project is fantastic, and every client is their best friend.
...and where else can you find that kind of pal?
