M.F.A. Digital Filmmaking - University of Central Arkansas
M.S. Instructional Design & Technology - Emporia State University
B.G.S. Special Major: Digital Film & Computer Production - University of Kansas
Originally from Northeast Kansas, Jason Knowles is an award-winning filmmaker who teaches courses in digital media, video streaming and digital filmmaking, podcasting and sound design, game-app-web design, and animations and visual effects at Northern. At other institutions, he developed and facilitated in-person and online classes in video and multimedia journalism, screenwriting, film history and theory, promotional and corporate video production, and documentary filmmaking.
Knowles' media production interests include writing and directing screenplays with strong, complicated female lead characters whose journeys transcend the genres of action-adventure films, science fiction, and romantic comedies. Every November, he serves as executive producer and director of Northern's filmmaking team for the international Four-Points Film Project competition, which is open to all Northern students and employees as well as members of the Aberdeen community.
Knowles' research has involved documentary collaborations with visual history, investigating discipline-specific instructional design methods for adult higher education, and exploring and uncovering facts behind myths and folklore in the Ozark mountains. His current research is focused on modeling and animating photo-realistic digital human characters as well as developing and implementing integrated andragogy for media curricula (the fusion of media theory and history with production practices within each course).