Shaun Michael Colón’s ‘Age of Audio’ film features interviews with such podcasting giants as Ira Glass, Marc Maron and Kevin Smith — just to name a few.
DALLAS — After seven years of filming, editing and hustling, Dallas filmmaker Shaun Michael Colón is finally seeing his latest project hit the big screen.
His independent documentary about the rise of the podcast, “Age of Audio”, will make its world premiere at 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, at the Texas Theatre as part of the Oak Cliff Film Festival.
“I’m over the moon,” Colón said earlier this week while gearing up for his film’s debut. “I’m very excited.”
There was a time, just two years ago, where Colón worried he’d never reach this point, that his vision would never become reality. Even with interviews already secured with big-name podcasters including Marc Maron, Ira Glass and Kevin Smith, the funding he’d set aside for the documentary had dried up.
Then, he and his film earned a surprise boost from another set of Texas film lovers.
“At one of our lowest points in 2023, where the film felt like it was kind of coming to a halt, we actually applied for an Austin Film Society grant — and ended up getting it,” he said. “And we really invigorated a lot of new life into the film. Not only the financial side of it, but actually the confirmation that we were on the right track with the film.”
With new financial backing secured, the director — best known for “A Fat Wreck”, his 2016 punk rock documentary that chronicled the rise of legendary label Fat Wreck Chords and told its story at least in part with puppets — doubled down on his efforts.
“I am am ADHD, hyperactive person that really, once I get an idea, I really stick with it,” Colón said. “My superpower is I don’t give up.”
“Age of Audio” is an 80-minute documentary chronicling the rise of podcasting from its DIY roots to its present-day billion-dollar industry. At its center is Ronald Young Jr., an independent podcaster struggling to stay afloat as the medium evolves. The film features interviews with major voices of the medium — not just Glass, Maron and Kevin Smith, but names like Kara Swisher of Vox Media’s “On with Kara Swisher” and Roman Mars of “99 Percent Invisible — offering insight into how audio storytelling has transformed the media landscape.
“To speak with Marc Maron about having the first sitting president on a podcast, where Barack Obama came and sat in his garage for a podcast episode… that was pretty a pivotal moment in podcasting,” Colón said. “[Maron] told us no, actually, multiple times. But we were lucky; Ellen Horn, our producer, had some connections reached out, and then we got a yes.”
Colón’s journey in finishing the film reflects the very story it tells — the clash between passion and industry, creativity and commerce.
Shot across multiple cities over seven years with his fellow Dallasite, bandmate and director of photography Joel Herrera, the film was an ambitious effort powered by Colón’s Dallas-based production company, [open-ended] films, in collaboration with Cleveland’s Substance studio, and backed by executive producers from documentary powerhouse XTR.
“The biggest thing is not giving up,” he said. “I hate saying that because sometimes there’s a thin line between insanity and dedication. But yeah, there’s still people out there that support film and want to see cool things get made.”
That it’s having its debut at the Texas Theatre — an iconic hub for indie film and a landmark in Oak Cliff — makes the hometown premiere even more special for Colón.
“I would love you to come see our film,” he said any potential viewers who might be interested in attending the screening. “I would love you to come out to the Oak Cliff Film Festival and see any number of the amazing films that are going to be available.”
There’s additional reason, too, for Texas-based filmmakers to be increasingly optimistic these days. Colón is excited about the future of Texas film after legislature passed Senate Bill 22, a measure that expands state incentives for filmmakers.
“Hopefully, it brings a lot of bigger productions to Texas, which will make Dallas and other places in Texas a go-to for film,” he said. “I hope that, because the way the grant system will work, that more independents will get access.”
Still, Colón emphasized that grassroots support of film will remain critical to the growth of the Texas film community.
“If you know someone who’s making something, you should support them,” he said. “Especially if you love what they do. If there’s an artist that you love, what they do, support them directly.”
Age of Audio premieres Saturday, June 29, at 3:15 p.m. at the Texas Theatre in Dallas. Tickets and details are available through the Oak Cliff Film Festival’s official website.