As soon as the writers settled, we got the waiver. And I jumped in my truck with my,

my airstream, and I drove across the country to St. Louis. And I put in the audio version of his book.

And that did change everything because I heard him tell the story of his book. And I just started

cracking up the whole way to St. Louis, I was laughing. And as soon as I

landed there, I called up the writer Greg Porias and I said, we have to adjust the beginning to make it

funny.

I'm going to... Hello, and welcome back to the director's cut, brought to you by the Director's Guild of America.

In this episode, a victim of a tragic accident goes on to inspire millions and director Sean McNamara's biographical drama, Soul on Fire. The film tells the true story

of John O'Leary, who survived a tragic accident as a young boy that left him severely burned

all over his body. Recovering from his injury, he goes on to become a motivational speaker and inspire millions

of people to make the world a better place.

In addition to Soul on Fire, McNamara's other directorial credits include the feature films,

Reagan and the King's Daughter. The movies for television, Love in Paradise, and Just in Time for Christmas,

and episodes of the series That's So Raven and The Secret World of Alex Mack.

He is a four-time DGA Award nominee for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs

for 2006's The Cutting

Edge going for the gold, 2003 is the Even Stevens movie, and the Even Stevens episode's

Very Scary Story in 2001, and Easy Way in 2000. Following a screening of the film at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles,

McNamara spoke with director Dean Eliotto about filming Soul on Fire.

Listen on for their spoiler-filled conversation.

Um, you know, I did a little bit of research, which wasn't very hard because I've known this man, Sean, for 35 years.

We worked together on totally hidden video for Fox. And I remember the first time I met you because you'd replaced this senior director that was there.

...