Jack McRee, LMC alum and current Senior Integrated Producer at Disney’s Yellow Shoes, discusses with Madison Steinau the details of working in production and marketing. They trace the pathway LMC built for McRee’s career and connect the GT liberal arts magic with the spark of Disney’s mission.
MS: Hey! It’s great to finally meet you. What’s your journey been like since being an LMC student to your current role at Disney’s Yellow Shoes?
JM: I initially started in CM at Tech during my freshman year and then shifted to LMC. During my second year, I participated in the Disney College program, where I got to work in the parks. I was stationed at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, Florida, for a semester, which was a dream come true for me. My family's frequent visits to Disney World inspired my love for filmmaking, and this opportunity felt like coming full circle.
After the program, I continued as a seasonal cast member while taking other internships back in Atlanta. These internships spanned different areas, including marketing and production. By the time I graduated, I had about 6 internships working in these different fields, all of which wouldn’t have been possible without the community at GT. In 2017, I joined Disney's Yellow Shoes, their in-house marketing agency, as an intern. I like to call it Disney’s best-kept secret, haha.
Following that, I worked my way up to becoming a senior integrated producer, overseeing various media projects for Disney vacations, from commercials to social media campaigns. It's a dream job that perfectly combines my passions for marketing, film, and Disney, and it's been an incredible journey so far.
MS: Hmm, that’s cool! I have also never heard of Yellow Shoes until I was looking more into your background, but it is such a cool gem within Disney.
JM: I get that a lot. Some people think we are contracted, but no, totally 100% Disney. *laughs*
MS: So tell me about your day-to-day in your current role right now.
JM: Yeah, my work schedule varies. 75% of the time, I'm immersed in the logistical planning and coordination of productions, working closely with our partners to bring creative ideas to life. It involves extensive collaboration with production companies and overseeing the editorial process. That part feels like a standard 9-to-5 office job, you know, lots of behind-the-scenes work.
The remaining 25% is the exciting stuff, being out in the field, whether it's at Magic Kingdom at 4 AM or on a new cruise ship in Germany. Right now, I'm in Chicago, overseeing an edit. It's a good balance for me, you know, the structured routine of office work and the thrill of being on set. I'd say it's about a 75/25 split between the two.
MS: Sounds exciting. I also really like structure. I feel like when things are radically different every day it feels very *gestures wildly* chaotic.
JM: I’m the same way. Some of the internships I did had me working 12 hours every day, sitting in the middle of the woods and watching deer while working on a traditional TV set. That’s fun, but that was not what I wanted my every day to be. That led me more toward producing for sure.
MS: Hmm, wow, I feel that. You mentioned that GT’s name helped you open some doors. Can you talk more about that?
JM: Georgia Tech really shaped my perspective, especially with the community of innovative and driven people around me every day. Even in liberal arts, I learned to view things through a scientific and technological lens. Now, in production, I'm constantly thinking about how to infuse technology with what we do. We're diving into virtual production and exploring AR and VR, embracing the future with some of my old CM side and GT spirit.
MS: That’s one of my favorite things about being an LMC student for sure. Whenever I talk to people who have a more traditional communications or journalism degree, it feels like their education is inside the box. There’s so much more to it than that, and it’s cool to see this play out at GT.
JM: Yup.
MS: What do you think is on the horizon for how technology is merging more and more with production?
JM: I 100% think virtual production is going to change the way that film, TV, and movies are made. It’s great. Basically, in a nutshell, virtual production, in a nutshell, means that you can film on an LED volume now. It’s wwhat they used for the Mandalorian. It means that ou're filming in front of a giant LED screen. I think is going to be special and kind of change the way so much of what goes into live-action production.
MS: Okay, wow.
JM: Being able to do this in one space and location is going to save time and money. Overall, it’ll just open so many creative possibilities that weren't possible before. I think that's definitely the next kind of big thing. That's it's already here, but I sense it is going to keep expanding over the next few years.
Of course, there’s also the AI thing *laughs*. Everybody wants to talk about AI and how that's gonna affect creativity. So that's something that we're keeping an eye on and kind of the biggest thing in the headlines right now and how that's gonna affect creative and marketing for sure.
MS: Nicole Dial and Erika Becerra from Disney Animation Studios said similar things about AI in animation as well, so that’s interesting. In regard to the future, what advice do you have for GT students in LMC who are beginning to prep for a future in a similar industry?
JM: Totally. I'd say getting your hands dirty with internships is key. It not only adds valuable experience to your resume but also helps you figure out what you enjoy. Co-op experiences in different fields give you a diverse perspective, even within the same industry. At Georgia Tech, make the most of the resources and the unique culture. The network here is one of a kind, so connect with peers, faculty, and alumni. It's a support system you won't find anywhere else. So, make sure you take advantage of that.
MS: For sure, thank you for saying that. I feel like just talking to people within LMC is major. Looking back on my college years – I’m graduating this December – I am seeing just how supportive LMC professors and advisors are. There’s so much to learn from them. You’re so right, at least from what I’ve experienced.
JM: Right. Do you have anything lined up after December? Still open?
MS: I'm in the process of applying to grad school for human-computer interaction and design. It's kind of in that realm that I'm aiming for. After December, I'm planning to take a gap year to relax and unwind, maybe work a bit, but mostly just focus on recuperating from everything.
I'm also putting in some job applications, but I don't want to stress myself out about it. I'm passionate about strengthening the connection between people and design. Human-computer interaction seems like the perfect way to delve into the specifics of how that relationship works. How do we truly understand people and create designs that genuinely cater to them, you know?
My threads are communication and social justice, and I think good design is a tool that can actively benefit communities in need. I don't just want it to be an abstract concept; I want to see it manifest in the real world more and more.
JM: And that’s so perfectly LMC too. That human side of technology? That’s exactly what it’s all about. I love it.
MS: Thank you! That’s kind of where I’m hoping to go, but we will see. You can always plan as much as you want, but sometimes there are other things in store for you.
JM: Yup exactly.
MS: What are some of the most rewarding parts about working as a Senior Integrated Producer at Yellow Shoes?
JM: For me, the best part of my job is that we're not just selling a product, we're selling joy and memories. It's about creating those irreplaceable moments with family, you know? Some of my fondest memories are from Disney World.
Making commercials that bring a smile to people's faces is still special. It's not about promoting a new toothbrush – no offense to people who sell toothbrushes; it's about showcasing the fun and magic of the place.
Shooting in front of the castle or with Mickey Mouse never gets old. We might not be saving the world, but we can definitely bring a little bit of light to it. Especially now, in these times, if our 6-second commercial can bring a bit of happiness, then that's mission accomplished. It's a rewarding part of my role, and I never take it for granted.
MS: For sure. My STEM friends joke with me about how “LMC doesn’t really matter; you’re not curing cancer”. But my response is always, well what do you do after a long day at GT trying to cure cancer? You flip on your favorite TV series, listen to your favorite playlist…. You gravitate to all of these things that are different forms of storytelling and essential for humans to thrive too.
I love Disney, but I used to have a friend who was *super* into Disney and seeing her light up singing a song or Disney-bounding made me feel so much joy to see her glow in that way. We need these things.
JM: Yup, making the magic! We always tell ourselves we’re just making magic.
MS: Yeah. 😊 This conversation’s inspired me just a little to plan another trip to Disney World, you know. I haven’t been in over a decade.
JM: Yes! That’s my job. Love to hear that. I am so willing to send recommendations, because you totally should.
MS: *Laughs* I honestly will be reaching out soon on that for real. Thanks so much for chatting with me.
JM: Of course, I am always open to giving some insight back to LMC. I would not be here without the people or the program.