Phil Cooke

Phil Cooke is a writer, speaker, filmmaker, & media consultant who's work focuses on creating personal and organizational cultures where real change happens and creative ideas become reality. His expertise is change, and his canvas is the media. According to former CNN journalist Paula Zahn, Phil is rare - he's a working producer in Hollywood with a Ph.D. in Theology. Christianity Today magazine calls him a "media guru" and his Change Revolution blog at philcooke.com is considered one of the most honest and insightful resources on the web on issues of faith, culture, and media.

Phil speaks globally on the place of values and meaning in media, how people of faith should engage the culture, and much more. He brings a refreshing new perspective to the issues of faith in the media and public square.

He's appeared on MSNBC, CNBC, CNN, and his work has been profiled in the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Many of his projects have been placed in the permanent archive on the History of Broadcasting at the Newhouse School of Communication at Syracuse University, representing landmark work in family and inspirational broadcasting.

His production and consulting company Cooke Pictures, advises many of the largest and most effective non-profit and faith-based media organizations in the world. Also, as a founding partner in the commercial production company TWC Films, he also produces national advertising for some of the largest companies in the country - giving him a unique perspective on both religious and secular media issues. TWC Films produced two TV commercials for Super Bowl 2008 and unveiled the Chevrolet Volt in the national broadcast of the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in China.

 

Craig Detweiler

Dr. Craig Detweiler is director of the new Center for Entertainment, Media and Culture at Pepperdine University in Malibu. He's a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Davidson College and earned an M.F.A. from the University of Southern California's acclaimed film school. His documentary, Purple State of Mind, won Best Spiritual Film at the 2008 Breckenridge Festival of Film and the Audience Award at the 2009 Tallahassee Film Festival. His latest book, Into the Dark, searches for the sacred amidst the top-ranked films on the Internet Movie Database. Craig's cultural commentary has appeared on ABC’s Nightline, CNN, Fox News, NPR, and in The New York Times.

 

Brent Gudgel

Brent is a film director in Los Angeles who has worked in over 20 countries for clients including Ford, Saddleback Church, English Language Institute/China, Azusa Pacific University, and Fuller Seminary. A partner in the production company Chronicle Project, Brent co-directed an award-winning documentary “Dear Francis” which has been used by universities and churches around the world in addition to airing on Showtime television. The film is about the most HIV-infected nation in the world, Swaziland. Brent also directed the documentary “Hood Ranch” and an ongoing documentary series for Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row in Los Angeles.

Brent obtained his B.A. in film from Azusa Pacific University in 2002. Prior to producing films, Brent worked with youth at Lake Avenue Church and Young Life. Like his producing partner, Brent is a PK (Pastor’s Kid) who grew up in the church, which developed his strong passion for ministry and desire to spur people to action. Recently Brent also became a published author, co-writing the book Before You Get Engaged with his lovely wife Danielle.

 

Gregg Helvey

Student Academy Award® Winner, Gregg Helvey, has traveled the world to film in countries such as El Salvador, China, Kenya and England on projects ranging from National Geographic and BBC1 documentaries to independent fictional films. As a filmmaker, Helvey seeks to combine his passion for social justice with powerful story telling.

Helvey wrote, directed and produced "Kavi," the winning film of the 2009 Student Academy Award® gold medal in the narrative category. "Kavi" was filmed entirely on location in India and tells the story of a young boy who wants to play cricket and go to school, but instead he is forced to work in a brick kiln as a modern-day slave. Kavi must either accept what he's always been told, or fight for a different life even if he's unsure of the ultimate outcome. More information is available at www.KaviTheMovie.com.

Helvey's other award-winning work includes the documentary, "Overexposed," which examines how pornography affects men. Dr. Drew, Adam Carolla and other cultural pundits comment on the issue as the cameras follow two men trying to navigate the rocky road of love, sex and intimacy in the age of virtual fantasies. More information is available at www.OverexposedTheMovie.com.

Helvey received his M.F.A in film production from the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, and his B.A.s in English and French from the University of Virginia.

 

Dave Mahanes

A partner in the production company Chronicle Project, David has overseen the production of documentaries, promotional videos, and short films over the last six years, including the feature documentary “Dear Francis.” He has produced and filmed projects in countries such as Swaziland, Rwanda, Kenya, Mexico, Turkey, Thailand, and Morocco. Previously David worked with I-40 Films where he oversaw the production of commercials that included award-winning spots for Ford and the Carolina Hurricanes.

For three years, David provided leadership to a community outreach program for at-risk high school students in Northwest Pasadena. He worked at Lake Avenue Church as a high school small group director for four years. He continues to enjoy working with and mentoring college age students.

Prior to moving to California, David spent four years as the personal assistant to Governor George Voinovich of Ohio. He obtained his B.A. in history and political science from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.