Biography
A Nashvillian, and internationally recognized Emmy Award® winning director/producer, Steven has been obsessed with the moving picture since first grade. It is extremely rare to find an artist that is both creative and executive, but being a visual artist and creative entrepreneur means he frequently uses his left and right brains. Steven's love for the moving picture is influenced by some of the 20th century's most successful producers and directors; Spielberg, Kubrick, Lucas. He grew up playing in the school band which created an affinity for music. As a result, he seeks projects which have an integration to all types of music.
In 2008, the loss of a broadcast journalism job proved to be a pivotal moment. To couple his love of visual media, storytelling, and astonishing technical knowledge, he started knapptimecreative, a hybrid multimedia creative agency and production company working in the entertainment, advertising, and live event industries.
Most recently, Steven had the honor of working with iconic multi-platinum recording group Kansas via their agency APA. He directed the music video for Rhythm in the Spirit, the first cut off their first album in sixteen years. Shortly after, an anti-sex trafficking campaign he directed featuring prominent Tennesseans, including Nashville's Mayor, Megan Barry, received an Emmy Award® nomination for outstanding public service campaign. The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce selected Steven as a finalist for the prestigious 2017 Nashville Emerging Leader Award in Arts & Entertainment.
In February of 2016, Steven was honored to receive an Emmy Award® for his short form directing work with emerging independent country band, McKenzies Mill. His work with Big Machine Label Group and their artists Steven Tyler, Nick Fradiani (American Idol), and Thomas Rhett have garnered multiple Gold and Silver Addy Awards. A feature-length anti-bullying documentary he co-produced, called Hear Me Now, won two Silver Telly Awards, their highest honor, and is currently being distributed through Amazon Prime and Green Planet Films.
In 2015, his documentary about the Nashville in Harmony LGBT chorus was a nominee for the Nashville Film Festival's coveted Tennessee Horizon Audience Choice Award and placed fourth for all Tennessee short films. The following year, he was invited by Artistic Director Brian Owens to become a producing partner with the highly prestigious festival. Steven is a frequent live event producing partner for some of Nashville's most venerable institutions like the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, The Entrepreneur Center, and NSAI (Nashville Songwriter's Association International). NSAI's 50th Anniversary event at the Ryman Auditorium will feature his filmmaking talents in the show. He has also produced on-site content for major sporting events like the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship.
Some of the brands and clients that have sought his visual talent include Stetson, Roper Apparel, Big Machine Label Group, Warner Music Nashville, Nashville Songwriters Association International, Nashville Film Festival, March of Dimes, Virgin Hotels, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Professional Golfers Association (PGA), William Morris Endeavor and the Country Music Association.
Steven enjoys being as awesome as possible.
