Deacon Spotlight: Ethan Cushing

Ethan Cushing (2004, BA in Communication with a minor in Studio Art)

VP, Creative Director at Trailer Park Group in Hollywood, CA

Tell us about your current job role and employer. What are you currently working on?

I’m a Vice President and Creative Director at Trailer Park, a division of leading entertainment marketing agency Trailer Park Group in Los Angeles. In my role, I oversee the development of trailers, TV spots, and social content for film and television clients ranging from major streamers and film studios to live event productions. Most recently, I completed two very different, but equally exciting, projects. The first was the trailer and social assets for “Mentiras” for Amazon Prime, a high-energy comedic musical series that is an adaptation of a long running Mexican musical. The second was the theatrical trailer for “The King of Kings”, an animated feature for Angel Studios about the story of Jesus told by Charles Dickens to his son. No two projects are ever the same, which keeps things fresh and creatively fulfilling.

What key personal and/or career experiences led you to where you are today?

While I was at Wake Forest, I landed an internship at The Late Show with David Letterman, which was an incredible first taste of working in entertainment. That one line on my resume opened a lot of doors, giving me instant credibility and leading to future opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

After Wake, I earned my MFA in film directing from Chapman University, where I focused on filmmaking and storytelling. I spent the next several years producing a wide range of content from TV pilots to indie films to branded campaigns, and more. I came up through the production side, learning how to tell stories across different formats and platforms.

One of those projects was a Walking Dead commercial I produced for Trailer Park. While on set, I struck up a connection with the president of the AV department. She mentioned she needed someone to help produce the massive volume of AV marketing work coming in from YouTube Premium, and I jumped at the opportunity. That’s how I got my start in the trailer world—on the producing side.

As I got deeper into the work, I slowly realized this was an exciting art form all on its own. I doubled down and learned everything I could from an amazing roster of editors, creative directors, and executives. I worked hard, grew with the company, and have found a great place for myself in both the organization and the industry.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job? How do you navigate that challenge?

To me, the most challenging aspects of the job are managing tight client timelines and expectations, balancing budget constraints with the desire to give editors the creative freedom to explore and experiment, and constantly pushing for fresh ideas while maintaining a deep well of creative inspiration to draw from.

Navigating that requires a mix of structure and flexibility. I prioritize clear communication, both with clients so they feel confident in the process, and with my team so they feel supported and creatively empowered. I also make space for collaboration and experimentation wherever possible and I stay creatively fueled by consuming a wide range of content—films, music, design, writing—anything that keeps the creative tank full.

What advice would you give to Wake Forest graduates about developing their personal life habits after college (finances, health, values, work/life balance)?

Be intentional. Upon graduation, your most valuable assets are your energy and your time. If life feels like a field full of different bullseyes, take the time to figure out which slice of the field you want to aim at—and stay focused on that. How you do anything is how you do everything, so start building habits that reflect the kind of life you want to live long-term.

Financially: Save, save, save. I know it’s tough when you’re just starting out, but throw every dollar you can toward paying off loans and into savings vehicles. The sooner you start, the more your money will work for you.

Health-wise: Take it from a dad in his early 40s, find something active that you love and make it non-negotiable. Build it into your lifestyle the same way you’d show up to work each day. Your future self will thank you.

Lastly: I know the first question most people ask at a party is “Oh so what do you do?” And that’s fine and can be interesting…but make sure you have good answers to these questions as well: What are you passionate about? What makes you laugh? What is on your bucket list? What brings you joy?

We know that relationships are important for any kind of development. How do you build and maintain your network?

Honestly, networking can feel kind of gross if you’re not careful. It starts to sound transactional really quick, and people can smell that from a mile away. I try to treat it more like staying in touch with people I like and respect. If I’m reaching out to an old colleague or friend who might be in a position to send work my way, I never lead with that. I’m just genuinely trying to reconnect with a human being I had a good connection with.

To me, it’s all about showing up as a decent person, with no agenda. I’ll reach out to someone just to say I liked something they made, or to see how they’re doing. That’s it. The work and opportunities tend to come naturally when you build real relationships and lead with kindness.

Tell us about your mentoring relationships. What impact have these relationships had on your career and life?

I’ve had mentors who pushed me when I needed a nudge and listened when I needed space to talk things out. Those relationships gave me perspective I couldn’t have gotten on my own, and now I try to pay that forward. Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal; sometimes it’s just showing up for someone consistently, or giving honest feedback when it’s hard to hear. I also worked with a career coach recently which gave me a wealth of knowledge and new tools that have really helped me tap into my innate strengths and flourish as a leader.

What advice would you give to current Wake Forest students and/or young alumni who are interested in working in your industry?

Start making stuff. Don’t wait for permission. Say yes to every free gig on Craigslist. Make weird short films with your friends. Shoot sketches on your phone. Watch every trailer and movie you can get your hands on and dissect them; figure out what’s working, what’s not, and why.

In the beginning, it’s all about volume—getting reps, trying things, building your creative voice. Say “yes” a lot early on. But also know that down the line, learning when to say “no” is just as important. This industry runs on passion, but it’s sustained by boundaries. Keep showing up, stay curious, and put in the work.

What’s next for your career? What future goals or plans are you pursuing?

I am having a blast at the moment in my position at Trailer Park so I’m really focusing on that. And then I have a few creative projects baking that aren’t ready to come out of the oven yet!

Story published in June 2025. For current updates about Ethan, visit his LinkedIn profile.