Local graduates chasing their dream in the movie industry

Karson Knudsen and his friend, Javin Tilley, both graduates of Branson High School, recently co-directed a movie named, "In Our Image." Their movie has been noticed by several movie industries in California and New York, including Indie & Sundance Productions. 

I asked Karson if this has always been a dream of his. Surprisingly, the answer was no! Karson stated, "In high school it was all about football, then after school it changed." Karson had become an entrepreneur on his own. He started his own photography and videography business. He shot for several in the entertainment industry here in Branson and the Springfield area businesses. Then the "bug" hit to take it a step further. He basically locked himself up in his room for two years and studied film industry. He did online learning and was completely self-taught. He focused on video and film making. 

Karson and Javin decided after Javin completed college for acting in St. Louis to go to the next level. So along with that, they put out a word for actors amidst their friends and it formed. From start to finish, the film was completed here in the Ozarks. The young people that are in the film are all from this area and that is exactly what Karson wanted. They had to "live, know the dialects, culture and places of these Ozarks." He wanted that real feel of the place he called home. And boy did it work! All the actors/actresses are around the same age and "lived the Ozarks." 

Next came the debut: A teaser was launched on Instagram and in just a handful of days it had over 2 million views. The companies and studios took notice and came knocking! Karson and Javin have been attending film festivals and meetings. It got to be so much that the move to Los Angeles came. The meetings and attending festivals are easier.  They have had and still have test viewings, including here at Springfield. In the future, once it's picked up, they will have private screenings here in the area. 

Karson feels that the movie audiences are hungry for more "Life-Like event movies." That is why he feels this has moved so rapidly. He and Javin and the rest of the cast are so thrilled and excited to be on this journey. 

Karson shared with me about how they decided to make this about common place life incidents among the young adults of their age. Karson released a short film already titled, "Big Brother, Little Brother." This was based on the actual feeling of loss of a loved one. You see, Karson was in the 2018 Branson HS graduating class that lost five students in a car accident. So, this is an actual feel of that tragedy. 

I asked Karson, what are your future plans after “In Our Image” film is picked up? He answered, "I already am working on three separate films now!" Karson is not staying in just one genre either; these others are not similar to this one. But you will have to stay tuned to see what they will be. 

Karson wanted to "thank" his family, friends, locals, cast and crew for all the love and help along this journey. He hopes that this brings more interest to his home area; as with others, he wants to be an ambassador for the Ozarks through film!