Sean Fennessey On Spielberg, Simmons, and Getting Back to Music Writing
Sean Fennessey, known for his film commentary on podcasts like The Big Picture, is returning to writing through a Substack newsletter called Projections. He cites a personal desire for more precise, reflective expression and a shift in media consumption as key reasons for the move. Fennessey remains active in podcasting but sees writing as a vital, enduring form of cultural criticism.
- ▪Sean Fennessey hosts Spotify x The Ringer’s The Big Picture podcast and has been a prominent voice in film discourse.
- ▪He previously worked as a music writer at Vibe, Pitchfork, and GQ before transitioning to podcasting.
- ▪Fennessey launched the Substack newsletter Projections to return to written criticism and explore ideas with greater precision.
- ▪He was inspired in part by conversations with Bill Simmons about evolving media and the value of written content.
- ▪Fennessey believes writing offers a lasting, accessible medium regardless of physical or vocal changes over time.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
CultureSean Fennessey On Spielberg, Simmons, and Getting Back to Music WritingThe movie pod-gawd joins GQ columnist Frazier Tharpe for a conversation about the state of Hollywood.By Frazier TharpeMay 1, 2026Photo by Erika GoldringSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this storyFor the contemporary movie nerd who consumes films then consumes all the media dissecting and discussing those films, Sean Fennessey looms large. As a host of Spotify x The Ringer’s The Big Picture podcast and a frequent guest across the network’s other hugely proper programming such as The Rewatchables, Sean’s voice and opinion on movies past and present, and the state of the industry, carries heavy weight and travels far—especially at a time when—thanks to IMAX marketing, Letterboxd, and other recent vehicles…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at GQ.
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