Hello and welcome back to the director's cut, brought to you by the Directors Guild of America,

where each episode we bring you a fresh and insightful interview featuring one of the film industry's top directors,

conducted by one of their peers.

Remember to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode takes us behind the scenes of director Sean McNamara's new drama, The Miracle Season.

Based on a true story, the film follows a high school volleyball team and their coach,

who overcome their grief after the sudden death of their star player,

and band together in hopes of winning the state championship.

In addition to the miracle season, Mr. McNamara's credits include the feature films,

spare parts, movie, Soul Surfer, and Field of Lost Shoes, the movies for television,

Love in Paradise, and Just in Time for Christmas, and episodes of the television series,

Even Stevens, That's So Raven, and Chesapeake Shores.

Following a recent screening of the film at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles, Mr. McNamara spoke with director Helen Hunt about filming the Miracle season.

During their conversation, he discusses the fast-paced 33-day shoot, how his love of sports movies like Rocky influenced the miracle season,

and how he was able to translate the tension and intensity of a

volleyball game to the silver screen.

Thanks for coming out on a Saturday.

Nervous making to have your movie watched by directors or comforting, or both?

The most nervous I've ever been.

The most nerves ever.

Yeah. You know they feel your pain,

but after that, it's a steep hill. Exactly. I came in for the last 15 minutes because I've

...