Meet Madi Grisafi | Show Pipeline Technical Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Madi Grisafi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madi, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
What’s interesting is that initially, I didn’t—at least not consciously. Most people don’t know that I was in technical theatre for most of my middle & high school years. I loved the idea of creativity and the thought of being able to share pieces of ourselves through storytelling. At the same time, computers & technology really began catching my interest and I found myself looking for a way for both interests to thrive in the same breath. Emerging tech like virtual reality and augmented reality were on the rise and it allowed for artists, designers, and developers alike to create immersive experiences, opening doors to new ways to tell stories. For me, it was a way to bring two things I was immensely passionate about together, build an experience around it, and cultivate it for the masses. That’s what it means to me to be a creative, and I’m grateful I found a niche in which I can still tell my stories while using technology to enhance the audience’s experience.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I began my career in tech as a technical solutions specialist intern for a Fortune 500 company in June 2021. It was my first internship role and my first look into working in the corporate world. During this internship, I developed APIs and learned about technical sales and the end-to-end lifecycle of a technical sale. I loved the development portion, getting to ask the “why?” question, and getting first-hand experience creating software tools. The sales aspect of it was a bit of a struggle for me as the space didn’t offer the same creative space as development did. I found that in tech sales there was more of a focus on the presentation of the software over the development & technical aspects of the software and I quickly realized I wanted to be as close to software development as possible. So, following the conclusion of that internship, I sought out opportunities a bit closer to the code & it was there that I came across the DisneyTech Scholars Program. My recruiter was a fellow HBCU graduate and she introduced me to the Program which awarded HBCU students with technology internships at Disney and accommodated for their housing during the program. Over the following weeks, we built a relationship and she made sure I was prepared for my interviews. The first role I interviewed for I didn’t get but the second role absolutely changed my life. The role was perfect, and it fit the bill precisely for merging technology and creativity. I met with the team and within that same day I got the internship offer. That following summer, I flew out to Los Angeles and worked on site for Marvel Studios as a Production Technology Intern. Now, about 15 months later, I work full-time on the same team as a Show Pipeline Technical Director. Everyday I work with some of the most intelligent and inspiring people I am have crossed paths with and it’s amazing to see the creativity that exists here and continues to grow.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Houston is known for having the best nightlife and there truly is something for everyone out here. We have plenty of good food and lounges with great vibes, drinks and music. If you’re looking to have a good time in Houston, you can honestly drive up and down Westheimer alone and find so many good spots. Closer to the Galleria area, we have a lot of bars such a Kamp, Prospect and Playground. Make sure to get there early though because the function will be packed!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my village — thank you for encouraging to step up & step out on Faith & not fear. Thank you for teaching me art has bounds besides the ones we set ourselves. To my partner, thank you for pushing me to see my visions through no matter how blurry it may get. You are the fire that keeps me going forever more.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madigrisafi/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madisongrisafi

Twitter: https://x.com/madigrisafi?s=21&t=LVrPHGXMPGhFb9I7J77_8w