Creative editor Carrie Shanahan has signed on for exclusive Midwest representation at ditch, a Minneapolis-based postproduction studio. Her arrival marked the first of several staffing additions, and a brand new, expanded studio that opened at the end of September.
“It’s tremendous to have talent of Carrie’s caliber exclusively at ditch,” said company founder and editor Brody Howard. “Her energy, experience and creativity make her a top notch editor in any market, so I’m very excited that Carrie is calling ditch her new home.”
In the few months since joining the company, Shanahan has worked on a steady stream of projects with agencies including mono, Carmichael Lynch, Hiebing, NE Pictures and Quiet Island Films. Recent clients include Subaru, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN, UnitedHealth Group, Hendricks, Kwik Trip, and Dean Healthcare.
With great international experience and a background in art and anthropology, Shanahan loves to collaborate, and she contributes her perspective and insight to every project.
“Carrie’s editorial chops, sense of humor, and laid-back attitude make her a perfect fit for ditch,” executive producer Rick Zessar said. “Clients and colleagues adore her, and we’re thrilled to have her as part of the team.”
A diverse array of longer format projects, mentorship and teaching help to keep her commercial work fresh. In her fairly limited spare time, she’s also working on Small Green Fields, a documentary piece about the artisanal food movement in Ireland with Imen (Wozney) McDonnell, formerly of Campbell Mithun. She recently cut a short film for the Hendershot Gallery in New York focused on the issue of human trafficking. In 2011, she mentored for the IFP Fresh Filmmakers grant recipient, and this is her eighth year teaching video storytelling at Miami Ad School.
“I’m tickled pink to be in on the ground floor at a facility with an ironclad focus on good creative editorial and truly stellar service – we share the same values,” Shanahan said. “It was as though everyone knew Brody and I should be working together before we did. The team here is providing me and my clients with an inspirational environment and everything we need to produce our best work. From up-to-the-minute technical details to rotating exhibits to the family-style gathering table, it’s the place you want to be- an art and science nerd’s paradise.”
Shanahan launched her career at Edit Sweet and Optimus in Chicago, working her way up working on projects including the initial “Army of One” brand campaign, Nintendo, Secret, Heinz, and Delta Airlines, and then cutting high-profile national spots for clients such as BBDO and Leo Burnett. She made the leap to New York, where she freelanced at some of the city’s top facilities, including JWT and Brand New School, cutting projects for clients including MTV, the Discovery Channel, and Ammirati.
She signed with Uppercut in Minneapolis in 2004, and fell in love with the city. After dividing her time between Minneapolis and New York for a year, she decided to move to the Twin Cities, and joined with Minneapolis-based post facility Crash+Sue’s. She has maintained her presence in the New York market as well, and recently cut a film for the American Heart Association gala. In recent years she has also edited spots and videos for Subaru, Macy’s, Citi, Ronald McDonald House/Coca-Cola, Blu Dot, Culver’s, and GOOD Magazine.
