Who We Are
Whether you need a commercial, a marketing, training or music video, narrative film or documentary, StudioChunky is fully equipped. The ChunkyTeam are writers, directors, cinematographers, art directors, sound designers, music composers, animators and editors. The ChunkyTeam works closely with you through every step of production.
Owner, President
Kristen Cobbs
As Owner and President, Kristen is responsible for strategic planning, financial decision making, and business development. Her career began in Los Angeles with architect Frank Gehry during the creation of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. Kristen then attended the University of Paris where she earned master’s degrees in French and Art History. Since she’s returned to the U.S., Kristen has worked for the Ansel Adams Trust overseeing the usage and creative rights of the photographer’s works, curated for auctioneers Butterfield and Butterfield, and worked for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art during its formation, development, and opening. Kristen’s unique background combining visual arts and the business of creativity make StudioChunky a vibrant company and a great place to work.
Senior Producer
Barry Cobbs
Barry Cobbs is a Writer, Director, and Producer of film and television. He began his career at 20th Century Fox Television on shows including In Living Color, King Koopa, and The Arsenio Hall Show for Fox, Three Blind Dates for MTV, Mama's Family and Hollywood Squares in syndication, and Double Dare for Nickelodeon. Barry’s Producing credits include Totally Hidden Video for Warner Television, pilots, and specials for NBC Productions, TV.COM for USA, CNET Central for CNBC, and concert broadcasts of The Zac Brown Band, Blink 182, Gym Class Heroes, My Morning Jacket, and KISS for AT&T. StudioChunky is a proud sponsor of the Rogers Short Film Festival, where Elizabeth McCurdy and Barry serve as Co-Directors.
Production Manager
Elizabeth McCurdy
Elizabeth McCurdy is Production Manager at StudioChunky. In this role, she is responsible for staff, crew, scheduling, and supervision of physical production and post production. Lizzie is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Production and Film. While at Florida State, she worked for Seminole Productions on multiple broadcasting platforms backed by ESPN, was a student guest of the Sundance Film Festival, and worked for the American Pavilion at the Cannes International Film Festival. Since joining the StudioChunky team, Lizzie has headed production management on all projects and operations, was editor for the short film, One Hand On The Wheel, is Co-Writer and Producer of the short film, Hermit Kingdom, and Production Manager on the feature film, Resurrectified. Lizzie founded and is Co-Director of the Rogers Short Film Festival.
Production Designer
Kinya Christian
Kinya started her art career in 1998, working for a yearbook publishing company in Kansas City, Missouri. Over the course of twenty years, Christian has worked for a commercial offset printing company, a sign shop, a trade show exhibit company to a full-service advertising/marketing agency. In 2010 she started her own creative marketing company, 4209 Creative. Her branding work and fine art has been seen all over the country, from Broadway Publishing and HGTV, to public installations and private collections. Christian opened her own art gallery and studio, Into+View Art Gallery in the heart of downtown Rogers, Arkansas. Into+View focuses on under-represented and emerging artists of color, and women, and serves as a vehicle for establishing a sense of community for the artists by means of exhibitions, shared art experiences featuring culinary arts. She is a Mid America Arts Alliance Artist360 grant recipient, and a 2022 Dr. Margaret Sirman Clark Leading With Excellence Award for the Art honor from the Black Action Collective. She's also a talented graphic designer and artist. As Production Designer at StudioChunky, Kinya is critical in the development of the visual concept and aesthetic of our productions.
Director of Photography
Luke Braswell
Luke graduated from Oklahoma State University, where he studied photography and cinema technologies. While in school he studied various forms of lighting for both photographic and cinematic application. His talent earned him a Teaching Assistantship in which he taught undergraduate courses in lighting and camera techniques. After graduating, Luke moved into marketing and commercial production as Director of Photography. Beginning with projects for HILTI and Hard Rock Casino, Luke’s client list has grown to include The University of Arkansas, BOA, Sam’s Club, UNX, and Synchrony Financial. Luke is director of both still photography and cinematography.
Director
Olia Oparina
Inspired by the Soviet Propaganda and Siberian fairy tales, Olia writes and directs stories that explore primal emotions and tap into the human psyche. As a multi-linguist (Russian, Mandarin Chinese) with a diverse background, Olia focuses on thrillers and psychological dramas that break stereotypes and entice audiences to see the world’s diversity and mythology. Olia is currently a member of the Disney Inclusion Initiative and The Blackmagic “Future Directors of Studio Features” program. Her first feature film “Snowbound” was completed within nine months and screened at the Marche Du Film during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival. “Snowbound” got the US and international distribution: both on TV and streaming platforms such as Amazon, Tubi, iTunes and others. Her most recent short film “I Am Normal” has been at numerous festivals, including the Oscar qualifying ones such as Cinequest and LA Shorts. “I Am Normal” won “the best short film” at LA International Film Festival and Fusion Film Festival in London. Olia’s works have been mentioned in Variety, Hollywood Reporter and Voyage LA. Most recently she helped establish and promote a new scholarship for female cinematographers to honor the memory of Halyna Hutchins - Olia’s best friend and a collaborator on all of her projects. Olia also created several immersive theatrical shows which received recognition in the art community. Today she continues her journey as a filmmaker and content creator with a strong leadership mentality. She uses her childhood experiences, cultural knowledge, and insight into human psychology to create stories that will live on through the ages. She is the director of the StudioChunky production Hermit Kingdom. As Director at StudioChunky, Olia is the driving force behind the creation of commercials and films.
Editor
Nathan Roberts
Nathan Roberts is a videographer, editor, husband, first-time father, and proud resident of Bentonville. Although a Southern California native, Nathan, and his wife quickly fell in love with the area, and within a short time of living here, have adapted to calling Northwest Arkansas "home." He loves exploring the local trails and the culinary scene. While living in California, Nathan obtained both a bachelor's and master's degree and worked in a variety of creative roles, the most recent of which was in the music performance industry. With his undergraduate degree in communications and a background in music, Nathan understands the complex integration of imagery and sound design that makes for a compelling and entertaining film. As Editor at StudioChunky, Nathan brings the rhythm, pace, continuity, and final polish to all of our productions.