The Team
The best creative always comes from solving “human” problems before “business” problems.
SEAN SLOBODAN – PARTNER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Sean grew up making films as a kid on Vancouver Island BC and just never stopped. Known by some as The Big Maple, the Canadian filmmaker’s instinct for genuine human stories has sent him out on documentary and brand work across the globe. Sean moved to Utah in 2005 and has since made this his home. He’s recently become a dual citizen, just as he’s become a dual threat director and cinematographer. In more recent years, his love of the outdoors has turned into a passion for protecting it and inspiring others through his work to do the same. He has been a key player and director in campaigns for companies such as, Visit Utah, HBO, The Zion Forever Project, Mammut, Outside TV, Nike SB, and Mountain Dew.
SHANDI KANO – PARTNER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Shandi is a Creative film and commercial producer known best for her reliability, passion and positivity. She brings ease and confidence to a wide range of work and finds joy in organizing the moving pieces of each project she touches. Shandi is known, connected, trusted and relentless in her pursuit of a job well done. She prides herself on her robust and inspiring network of creatives to pull from as some of the world’s largest outdoor and commercials brands have relied on her to bring productions into focus. Shandi is a leader in the Utah film community and a driving force, known for bringing people together, uplifting others and sharing her network and knowledge. She started her career at ESPN and the X-Games and has become of the most sought after producers of her generation.
BRYCE VAN LEUVEN – PARTNER, DIRECTOR OF CONTENT
Bryce is a storyteller at heart, and has been creating in the outdoors for well over a decade. With a solid background in both corporate marketing, where he served as the Director of Marketing for Lumio Solar, and his extensive freelance work for outdoor brands such as Black Diamond, Outside TV, History Channel, and Visit Utah, Bryce has an extremely valuable and experienced creative skillset. He’s won awards for both his directing, campaign creation, and his work as a cinematographer. Having already frequently collaborated with Local for the last 7 years, Bryce is a welcome asset to the content team
DEVEN STEPHENS – DIRECTOR OF BRAND STRATEGY
Deven is a vision centric brand and creative leader with a deep background in design and multi-disciplinary team direction. He is passionate about solving unusual problems and works with Founders, CEO’s and Business Leaders of all kinds to bridge the gap between brand vision and creative expression with an emphasis on long term customer loyalty and future-proofing brands. He has worked in critical brand and creative roles and/or consulted for companies including, Backcountry.com, DCShoes, Sitka Gear, Gorewear and Fox racing. Being given the opportunity to live anywhere, he chooses to live with his family of 6 here in Holladay Utah.
SANDRA SALVAS – CONTENT STRATEGIST
Sandra has worked with Local Studio as a contractor and client for the past 8 years. She was the visual content producer for the Utah Office of Tourism leading creative conception and directing ideation of photography and video execution across multiple digital and print platforms. Co-developed strategy and creative direction for multiple award winning video series and campaigns. Led development of photography and brand guidelines for outdoor brands and organizations. Contributed to planning the Utah Avalanche Center’s leading fundraising event where the backcountry community came together to socialize, eat, drink, and bid on a silent auction.
ROSIE GOCHNOUR SERAGO – CONTENT STRATEGIST
Rosie has spent the last decade leading content strategy efforts for public entities with a focus on marketing and communications. Projects range from printed publications to editorial articles to long-form video productions and multi-million dollar advertising campaigns. In her storytelling and strategy efforts she’s collaborated with everyone from tribal elders and canyoneering guides, to state government leaders and ranchers. In her work she advocates for long-lasting positive impact for people and place.
CODY HOPKINSON – DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
After owning two small local businesses in his teens and early twenties, he decided to go back to school with the goal of making his weaknesses his strengths by becoming fluent in the “language of business” and obtaining a degree in Accounting. Pairing this new skill with a natural gift for operations and process management, complimented by a passion for data and analytics, Cody spent the next decade helping companies to “do more with less, but better”. As a Business Consultant that specializes in data-driven decision making for executives and business leaders of companies large and small, he ensures that Local Studio makes the most of any budget we’re working with. Cody has helped to build strategies and monitor performance with the likes of Philips, TripAdvisor, Skullcandy, Olukai, Stance, Six Flags, and hundreds of SMB’s.