Podcasting is the new-ish form of listening to the radio before there was television. With all of the technology in the modern world, podcasts have still become a top go-to for entertainment. Today everybody and their mothers have a podcast. Well, just about everyone. I was a part of one a couple of years ago, and we (Film Threat) have one – it’s a plug and a fact – so, go check that out. A short documentary has been made to discuss the popularity of podcasts – that documentary is One Voice, One Mic.
One Voice, One Mic explores the obsession of podcasts, what makes them so popular, and how they work as a way to make money, and if the podcast world has become over-saturated. The official synopsis says “particular focus on the UK podcast scene,” but, I would have to make an argument about that statement.
The documentary opens up with archive footage from Joe Rogan’s podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience” featuring Kevin Smith, and footage from “Podcast Answer Man.” The way it started out made me think that the entire documentary was just going to be a bunch of podcast clips put together. It was the first four minutes of a sixteen-minute and some change documentary.
“…explores the obsession of podcasts, what makes them so popular, and how they work as a way to make money, and if the podcast world has become over-saturated.”
These two clips have the podcasters discussing podcasts and how it has become a top form of entertainment. So, they do fit in with the topic, but I wish that the clips were more spread out.
Now, the point I need to argue is its claim to “focus on the UK podcast scene.” The UK podcast scene definitely is a good chunk of this documentary, but the U.S. podcast scene is discussed just as much if not, maybe more. The documentary goes back and forth with interviewing people from the UK but is usually followed by clips or interviews of podcast personalities from the US.
With that being said, the documentary is made up of interviews with people in the podcasting industry. These interviews are actually very informative and can help someone that is considering starting a podcast by giving them the pros and cons that come with it. I would suggest this documentary for anyone looking to start a podcast.
One Voice, One Mic (2019). Directed and written by Ben Gummery. Starring Scroobius Pip, Ben Gummery, Stuart Bannerman, Jason Byrne, Matt Lees, Stuart Goldsmith, Doctor Squee.
6.5 out of 10
