The journey to create You Can Color Outside the Lines has been almost as wild as the story it tells. Production began in 2016, but after broken-down Winnebagos, thousands of miles on the road, and a global pandemic, the film is finally here.

Director Joe Salinas, an El Paso filmmaker with deep Austin roots, spent years traveling the country capturing more than 40 interviews with musicians, artists, skaters, and friends whose lives were touched by the Big Boys. A veteran of Austin bands My Golden Calf and Canoe, Salinas has created projects around the world, from commercials to music videos for artists including J Mascis and Spiral Stairs.

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In 2024, after years of hearing about the documentary and wondering when it would see the light of day, Austin filmmaker, editor, animator, and designer Andrew Leeper reached out to Joe. That conversation sparked a creative partnership that would bring the film across the finish line. Digging through thousands of flyers, photographs, videos, and archival treasures, Leeper helped uncover the connective tissue that made the story click.

Known for his work with Gentlemen Rogues, Black Books, And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, and Band of Bastards, Leeper brought a fresh visual energy and storytelling instinct that helped transform years of footage into a living, breathing portrait of the Big Boys.

Together they crafted a film fueled by passion, persistence, and a deep love for Austin's creative community.