MISSOULA — Injuries might have derailed the basketball career for Wes Knox, but it didn’t take the Dillon graduate long to find his passion away from the court.
After receiving his film degree from the University of Montana, Knox and business partner Chevy Reed started their own business, Capture Media Group, which does short documentaries, promotions, commercials and wedding videos. Knox is also a photographer.
Knox was a highly-touted recruit out of Dillon in 2012, ultimately signing to play basketball for the University of Montana. However, he broke his ankle in the Montana-Wyoming All-Star Basketball Series just before enrolling in Missoula.
“I kind of got a slow start here with the Griz, and it kind of kept me from keeping up at that level,” Knox said of the broken ankle. “I had a big setback and wasn’t really performing the way I wanted to. I just decided to quit, spend that spring exploring my other options at the NAIA level, and I landed back at home.”
Back home in Dillon at Montana Western, injuries once again threw Knox off track. A shoulder injury forced Knox to miss about half the season. The injury, coupled with not having any academic options at Western that Knox wanted to pursue, led him back to Missoula.
Knox took a few film classes in Missoula and ended up falling in love with what he was doing.
“It’s really rewarding work. It’s awesome to be able to travel around a little bit, meet new people, tell their stories and kind of show and bring to light the impact on their communities, or whatever work they’re doing,” Knox said.
Knox has had the fortune of working with locals in Montana to expand his business slowly. He’s learning what it takes to promote the business on social media, getting connected and starting a successful business.
He has worked with Montana Western and the University of Montana on promotional videos, such as his recent piece on Olie Else, the longtime rodeo coach at Western, and her impact over her tenure. These initial building blocks have given Knox and his company work for their portfolio to show future clients.
Another group Knox has had the opportunity to work with is Access Unlimited, which provides fishing trips and outdoor trips for disabled athletes.
“The pieces for Access Unlimited, we do profiles on each one of the athletes that they bring in — short little documentaries on those guys telling their stories,” Knox said. “Usually they’re injured or have some sort of paralysis, so we tell their story about how they’ve been injured, their recovery story, and how their trips through Access Unlimited are cathartic for them.”
Weddings, however, may be the most enjoyable part of the work for Knox.
“I like to sit down with the couple and interview them, have them give out a few tidbits about each other and what they mean to each other,” Knox said. “I can incorporate it throughout the video just so it’s a little more meaningful, get some dialogue and pull those heartstrings.”
While Knox’s career on the hardwood may have been shortened by injuries, it seems he’s found his other passion.
