Sean McNamara joins John O’Leary on the Live Inspired Podcast to kick off the Voices of SOUL ON FIRE series. Hear the director share his 7-year journey of bringing SOUL ON FIRE to life, his path from production assistant to Hollywood success, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
As we begin The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE series, it only makes sense to start with the man who’s been with this story from the very beginning: Sean McNamara.
Sean McNamara is the director behind beloved films like Soul Surfer, Spare Parts, The Miracle Season, Reagan, and many more. Known in Hollywood as an “actor’s director,” he’s celebrated not only for the powerful performances he brings to the screen, but also for the humility, kindness, and joy he brings behind the camera.
More than seven years ago, Sean first read the script that would become SOUL ON FIRE, and he never let it go. From the earliest drafts to its upcoming nationwide release, his vision, passion, and persistence have been at the heart of bringing this story to life.
Today, Sean shares about childhood in a big Irish family, how his parents challenged him to dream big and do mighty things, his journey from delivering scripts as a production assistant to directing box-office hits, and what it meant to shepherd SOUL ON FIRE from page to screen.
My friends, if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to hold onto a dream, to pursue it with persistence, and to create with both excellence and heart, this conversation is for you. You’ll walk away reminded that great stories aren’t just told on screen… they’re lived out by those who refuse to let them go.
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SHOW NOTES:
- You can do anything. By his parents providing a positive upbringing, Sean started making short films at 12 years old on their family trip to Ireland.
- Starting as a Production Assistant (PA) delivering scripts, Sean took pride in learning his position before taking on more responsibilities.
- While shadowing John Landis on the television show Topper, Sean admired his energy he brought to his craft and the care for the actors.
- “I am a cheerleader for my actors and my crew, trying to bring out the best of the best that they have.”
- Genius! Brilliant! Savant! After wrapping a scene, Sean frequently says “genius!” or “brilliant!”. In filming Reagan with Dennis Quaid, Sean adopted a new word: Savant!
- Struggling for six years to find another movie to direct, Sean worked for Candid Camera where he learned how to get a real performance out of people — even if they didn’t know it!
- In filming, and more importantly in life, things don’t go as planned. Sean reminds that no matter how bad things can get, let it be bad for awhile and then move on.
- “I read it for sport.” – Sean McNamara on reading the good (and the bad!) reviews of his work.
- “It doesn’t come to you. You have to set out to follow your dreams and go for it.”
- “Life is challenging and there are miracles everywhere. You have to keep recognizing that you can follow your dreams and follow your passions.”
- Are you struggling to follow your dreams? Sean reminds us that it’s normal to struggle and encourages us to acknowledge that not every day is going to go perfect but to try do a little bit every day or every week.
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SEAN MCNAMARA'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A. I used to play more. - Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be?
A. Photo albums. - Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
A. John F. Kennedy. - Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. Forgive and move on. - Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A. Enjoy the freaking ride. - Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. He came into this world. He surfed a lot. He wiped out a lot, but he always got back up on the board and went for another ride.
