Today we’d like to introduce you to Meagan McCrary.
Hi Meagan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2021, I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Dance. After graduating, I took classes with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators and began working as an intimacy coordinator on various short film projects. Between projects, I worked as a bartender and managed social media accounts for Women In Film & Television Austin and Aduro Studios. In 2024, I interned with the Austin Film Festival, in their marketing department. It was an amazing experience and I got to see firsthand what it takes to bring a film festival to life.
In 2025, I began working at ShopLC, a live home shopping network, where I worked as a Studio Coordinator. I helped set up shows, prepare products and make sure the production team had everything they needed to keep things running smoothly. While working there, I applied for the Austin Film Society’s Creative Careers program. The program helped me discover a love for producing! I had always wanted to spend more time on set and be more hands-on with productions from start to finish, and this program gave me that.
Inspired by the AFS program, I applied for a TV Producer position at ShopLC. I spent six months in that role and absolutely loved it! The crew and hosts there are some of the most fun and interesting people I have ever worked with, and I learned a lot from that experience.
Eventually, an opportunity opened up in the marketing department at the Texas Film Commission, and I decided to go for it. I’ve been there since April, and I’ve loved every moment! The team is very passionate about supporting filmmakers and growing the film industry in Texas. I’m grateful to help in any way I can.
Outside of the Texas Film Commission, I’m also helping produce a new Austin PBS show called “Xaria Does It!” with a dear friend I met through the AFS’s Creative Careers program. It’s a documentary television show following comedian and Austinite, Xaria J’Stone Coleman, as she learns from experts in art and culture around ATX—culminating with a live event where she’ll show off what she’s learned. The show is set to premiere on Austin PBS in June 2027, and I’m so excited to help bring this to life!
Looking back, my journey has been a combination of taking chances, trying new things and saying yes to opportunities that have helped me grow. I’ve gotten to explore many different sides of the entertainment industry, and I’m excited to see where that journey takes me next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, the road was far from smooth. I graduated college during COVID and saw many theatre and dance studios struggle to recover and unfortunately shut down. I loved working as an Intimacy Coordinator, but I needed consistent gigs to pay my bills, so I decided to work as a bartender in-between shoots. While the money was fast, the experience was draining and unhealthy.
I think one of the biggest struggles during that time was finding a film community who was willing to teach/guide me in the right direction. Coming from a theatre background, I had no idea what to call certain pieces of equipment or set terminology. The Austin Film Society Creative Careers Program helped introduce me to some of the best filmmakers I have ever met and I was able to learn from people at various stages of their careers. I had many, many conversations with them about how they developed their craft and thankfully the instructors answered my million questions.
Everyone I met through the program was so welcoming and they genuinely want to see others succeed. It’s made a huge difference in my career to have a space where I can feel comfortable enough to ask questions, learn and grow in an industry that is still so new to me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently work at the Texas Film Commission as a Marketing Specialist. The Texas Film Commission helps support Texas Film, TV, Commercials, Video Games, Animation, VFX, and Extended Reality industries. I began working there in April and I mostly help run social media. It has been a pleasure to help get the word out about the free resources we can offer Texas creatives.
Outside of work, I am currently producing an Austin PBS show called “Xaria Does It!” This documentary television show follows comedian and Austinite, Xaria J’Stone Coleman, as she learns from experts in art and culture around ATX—culminating with a live event where she’ll show off what she’s learned.
I would say I am most known for helping people. I try to be the person on set who helps you find your next gig. I love learning about the kinds of projects people want to work on and what they are passionate about. I am a people person, 1000%. So I would say I’m most proud of helping people connect with other people and opportunities. If you tell me you want to build a career as a gaffer or set designer, I will give you five names of people you need to reach out to, or better yet, help set up the coffee meet. If you’re new to producing, let’s get coffee and talk about where you are in your project and what you need to get it moving forward. I would have given anything for someone to take an hour out of their day to help me navigate the industry or simply listen to what I was struggling with in my career. I know how overwhelming it can feel to find your footing in this industry. Hopefully I can be that person for someone else. If I can help someone make a connection, find their next opportunity, or feel a little less alone in their career, that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories are either playing Guitar Hero or watching movies with my family. My mom, dad and younger brother all have very different taste in music and movies, so there was always an opportunity to discover something new. I was very lucky to grow up in a house where it was encouraged to share what you are loving and someone would always give it a chance. Looking back, it taught me to be open-minded and curious about other people’s passions.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_meaganemily/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-mccrary-326890308
