For over 35 years, Sean McNamara has written, directed, or produced 45 feature films and TV shows. His latest effort, the six-part limited series “Shadrach,” begins streaming July 25 on Pure Flix, and is available through YouTube.com. Mr. McNamara directed the first four episodes.
Last week, I had the opportunity to interview Mr. McNamara to discuss “Shadrach,” as well as a few of his past and future projects.
The Epoch Times: What is the connection between the series and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, (SMA) the three men who survived the fiery furnace in the Book of Daniel?
Mr. McNamara: It’s about the Wilson family living in Atlanta. The father’s business goes under, and they need to relocate to the country and live with in-laws. During a church service, the family’s 12-year-old daughter is taken by the SMA story, which helps in getting her to accept her modest surroundings. She encounters a magical, Black Beauty-inspired horse and names him Shadrach, allowing her to fully embrace her new lifestyle.
The Epoch Times: What drew you to this project?
Mr. McNamara: I’ve been making TV series since the 1980s, and I’m drawn to projects with family appeal. I grew up on “The Waltons,” “Gilligan’s Island,” and “The Brady Bunch,” shows that were safe for everyone. TV then was something everyone would watch and discuss afterwards. Nowadays people eat their meals in separate rooms while on their various devices.
The Epoch Times: Why do you think there has been an uptick in Christian-themed, faith-based, and family-friendly productions?
Mr. McNamara: [pauses] I think there’s a need for it. What’s out there now is insane, not only the movies and TV but the music as well. I grew up on the Beatles, the Eagles, and Michael Jackson, and they would use poetry to get their themes across. Now we live in a world that’s extreme. I think what “Shadrach” will do is bring people back to basic morals, and have them realize there’s more to life than video games.
The Epoch Times: Your filmography is heavy with young adult titles. Was that planned or by chance?
Mr. McNamara: It’s interesting because I got my start with kids programming, but as I’ve gotten older, so have the stories and the audience. With “Soul Surfer,” it was for older teens, and the upcoming “Reagan” and “On Fire” are for adults. I think everything I’ve made is, in some way, upbeat and inspirational.
The Epoch Times: Two of your most well-known titles, “The Miracle Season” and “Soul Surfer,” were discounted by critics but adored by audiences. Why do think there is such a wide difference of opinion?
Mr. McNamara: The critics are generally 50/50 with their opinions. I think some don’t like them because I make films with a certain level of wholesomeness and sweetness that again, appeal to the whole family. Movies don’t always have to be so edgy.
The Epoch Times: You’ve now made three movies starring Dennis Quaid. What is it about him that appeals to you?
Mr. McNamara: First of all, he says “yes” every time I call him [chuckles]. He’s one of the best actors I know. He’s likeable, and ever since “The Right Stuff,” he’s had that big smile. He’s had his ups and downs, and now he’s into [making] music, and people seem to like that as well. With “Reagan,” he went all in. He learned all the speeches, even if I only needed a line or two from each. He’s a consummate professional.
The Epoch Times: Did he have to use a voice coach during pre-production?
Mr. McNamara: It’s interesting you asked that. We had to find just the right timbre, so we knew that it was Reagan; we didn’t want an imitation or a “Saturday Night Live” skit. Also, we did nine periods of Reagan’s life: When he was a child, then teen, then young adult. Dennis took over from the late 20s when he had a higher pitch, until his 90s where it was much lower in tenor.
The Epoch Times: Have you received any feedback pro or con from the Reagan estate?
Mr. McNamara: Those who work at the Reagan Library that saw it liked it, and the same for the Young Americans that run the Reagan Ranch, also Reagan’s son Michael. His son Ron stated his father would have never been president without his mother Nancy, who is played in the movie by Penelope Ann Miller. Like Dennis, Penelope did a lot of research and just nailed the part.
The Epoch Times: What can you tell us regarding your upcoming release, “On Fire?”
Mr. McNamara: It’s about a man named John O’Leary who accidentally caught himself on fire as a child. His body was covered [87 percent] in third degree burns, and he was given a less than one percent chance of surviving. Through God and prayer he made it through, and as an adult became a well-known author who has given over 3,000 public speeches.
The Epoch Times: If given the opportunity to direct a movie based on any historical figure, which would it be and why?
Mr. McNamara: [long pause] Wow. I’d have to say JFK. I would approach it like “Reagan,” meaning a complete life story. I'd include the early years so we can see how he became the man he became. We’re working now on what I hope will be a biographical film about Mary, mother of Jesus, so we can see his life through her eyes.
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