Reel Notes: Culture Writing on the Margins of Music and Movies

by Dylan Green

Reel Culture Writing on the Margins of Music and Movies is the debut essay collection from culture critic, podcaster, and DJBooth alumnus Dylan Green. Aligned with the mission of the Reel Notes podcast, the book explores the connection between film and music, particularly hip-hop, with an emphasis on how their similarities appeal to critics interested in covering both. From early Disney animation to underground rap, all sorts of pop culture references aid Green in this collection as he considers the attraction most critics have to auteurs; demystifies jargon and practices aspiring writers may run into early in their careers; and addresses the personal, professional, and communal responsibilities of those young writers who happen to be Black.

Featuring three original pieces introducing the themes and theory of the essays that follow, this collection is essential reading for journalism students, early career critics, or hobbyists looking to learn more about how to write and think about the music and movies they love. Though Green has since become a Contributing Writer at Pitchfork, Reel Notes compiles writing from his days at DJBooth, honoring the website at which he first enjoyed the freedom of practicing multifaceted criticism. Edited by former Vibe Magazine Senior Music Editor Austin Williams, Reel Culture Writing on the Margins of Music and Movies is a representation of what’s possible when emerging cultural voices are encouraged to apply their skills across verticals early in their development.

85 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2024