Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Shaw.
Hi Anna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our journey began with a shared love of storytelling. In 2016, my husband Troy and I co-founded Shawtime Productions, a Texas-based film company rooted in the belief that stories have the power to educate, connect, and transform.
Troy brought years of experience in visual media and music, and I brought my background in academia, cultural studies, and social justice work. Together, we envisioned a space where documentary filmmaking could be both artful and impactful—where visuals and narrative could intersect to shine a light on powerful themes like identity, resilience, and environmental responsibility.
Since its founding, Shawtime Productions has evolved into a dynamic company producing documentaries, short films, music videos, branded content, and commercial promos. We focus on meaningful, character-driven stories—often centered on real people whose lives reflect larger social and cultural movements. Our projects aim not just to entertain, but to spark conversation and inspire action.
What drives us is authenticity. Whether we’re capturing a story about a forgotten musician, a cultural movement, or an environmental cause, we approach each project with curiosity, care, and integrity. We’re especially proud of the ways our work has resonated with audiences both locally and internationally, and we’re excited about the stories still ahead.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but it’s been a meaningful one. Like many independent filmmakers, we’ve had to navigate the challenges that come with turning passion into production. Funding passion projects is never easy, especially when the stories you’re telling don’t follow a commercial formula or when you’re working outside the traditional studio system.
There were times when we had to wear every hat, while juggling jobs, kids, and responsibilities. And as artists who care deeply about the subjects we feature, there’s an emotional weight that comes with trying to do their stories justice.
But through it all, what’s kept us going is our deep belief in the value of the work. We’ve learned to be resourceful, to build strong partnerships, and to keep showing up—day after day—with resilience, grit, and a lot of heart.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Shawtime Productions, we specialize in meaningful, character-driven storytelling—most often through documentaries that explore themes of identity, resilience, and cultural legacy. Our work is rooted in a desire to honor underrepresented voices, and we are especially drawn to stories that have flown under the radar but deserve to be heard.
We’re probably best known for our recent documentary, Z: The Story of David Zychek, which premiered at the Waco Hippodrome Theatre in 2024 and was later featured in Texas Monthly. The film traces the life and legacy of Texas musician David Zychek, a brilliant guitarist who never received the recognition his talent warranted. Narrated by Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz of Widespread Panic, and featuring interviews with artists like Ted Nugent, Brett Tuggle, Kelly Keagy, and Beau Hill, the film is a testament to the power of music—and to the many gifted individuals who never get their due.
We’re proud that this project sparked such a powerful emotional response from audiences and brought long-overdue attention to Zychek’s contributions to the music world. It was an incredibly personal project for us, built on 30+ hours of interviews, rare archival footage, and months of digging through personal archives. The film isn’t just about one artist—it’s about all the people like him whose impact isn’t always measured by fame.
What sets us apart is our hands-on approach. We are a small team—just myself and my husband, Troy—and yet we manage the full creative process from ideation to distribution. We do it all in-house: research, filming, editing, scoring, outreach, and promotion. Our work is deeply personal, and we are committed to creating films that not only inform, but also resonate on a human level.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
hat it might take a while—but keep going.
Some stories take longer to tell. Some projects take longer to finish. And some doors take a little extra time to open. But if you’re doing work that matters to you—work that comes from a place of honesty and heart—you have to trust the process and stay with it. Persistence, especially in creative work, is everything. What you’re building might not look like much in the moment, but over time, it becomes something powerful. You just have to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shawtimeproductions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawtimeproductions
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shawtime-productions-llc
