Don Shanahan
Verified
(He/Him)
- Film Critic, Content Supervisor, and Host, Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast, 25YL
- Founder and Writer, Every Movie Has a Lesson
- Editor-in-Chief, Film Obsessive
- None, 25YL, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Film Obsessive
Chicago
As seen in:
25YL,
Every Movie Has a Lesson,
Film Obsessive,
Medium,
The Lancet,
Letterboxd,
Feelin' Film
Covers:
Film, TV, Classic Film, Physical Media
Doesn't Cover:
Reality TV
🍅-approved Critic and Editor-in-Chief at @FilmObsessive_ HOST: @CinephileFit; VOTER: @CriticsChicago @CriticsChoice @theastraawards @NAFilmCritic @ofcs
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
The Devil's Advocate
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes indeed! I'm that old!
How is social media changing news?
It's splintering it from being accurate and on-point in order to be first and fast.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Jack Taylor
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Telling the truth and doing it professionally and with seasoned talent.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Via email
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Squarespace, Wordpress, Google Docs, Discord
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook
Who do you wish followed you?
Leonard Maltin
Why did you become a journalist?
I love writing and the challenge to create.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did their movie reviews, sports articles, and news parody column.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Reviewing "Casablanca," my all-time favorite movie.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Constantly work and improve your writing, even between gigs and pitches. Self-publish and climb the ladder.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any day that ends in "Y"
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Reviewing a "Ghostbusters" Cookbook
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Every single website redesign pitch that hypes SEO improvement.
What's your favorite drink?
Mojito
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
At school teaching
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Variety
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That film critics are paid by studios to give them good reviews.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.