What a Creative Director Actually Does (That No One Talks About) w/ Will Shanahan Ep. 013

Creative Director. It’s a title everyone wants—but few truly understand. In this episode of Frame By Frame, I sit down with Will Shanahan, VP of Creative at The Unlisted Company, to break down what this role really means in the world of branded content, advertising, and filmmaking.Whether you’re an aspiring CD, a freelance director, or just curious about how creative projects actually get made—this episode pulls back the curtain.📍 Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Why speaking your mind matters01:06 – What does a Creative Director actually do?03:38 – The difference between title and responsibility07:41 – Defining the role in one sentence08:00 – Creative Director vs. Head Coach vs. GM09:21 – Director vs. Creative Director collaboration11:10 – How to build relationships between directors and CDs12:32 – The one skill no one talks about—but every CD needs14:35 – Business lessons learned as a Creative Director17:06 – Navigating budget conversations with clients19:59 – Why the word “partnership” changes everything20:16 – The rare project that went exactly as planned22:47 – Will’s origin story: How he became a CD24:07 – Staying creative while managing meetings and chaos26:26 – The creative power of not trying too hard27:16 – Advice for new Creative Directors29:43 – Why pitching is more than just presenting ideas33:14 – How to make clients feel something during a pitch34:16 – Real pitch example: The New York Giants35:40 – Will’s favorite deck-building tools and resources36:33 – Making the leap: Why Will joined The Unlisted Co.39:34 – Trusting your gut in a creative career40:24 – Closing thoughts + why relationships create opportunity When You're Ready📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear ListCONNECT🐦 Connect on Twitter📸 Connect on Instagram💼 Connect on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe on YouTube👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with filmmakers, creatives, and industry insiders!SAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify