Episode

Key Takeaways

Keeley Companies introduced "Kiwi Green," their seventh cultural pillar, focusing on sustainability.
Young actor James McCracken, 9, was cast as young John O'Leary in "On Fire" from 800 applicants.
Filming "On Fire" involved extensive prosthetics for burn effects and a non-chronological shooting schedule.
James's mother, Becca, managed the unique role of "set mom" while balancing family and career demands.
The "On Fire" cast demonstrated exceptional generosity and community, deeply moved by the story's importance.
The film "Soul on Fire" encourages viewers to use their lives for good and recognize their potential.

James McCracken, age nine and from Elmhurst, Illinois, was introduced as the youngest cast member in the "Voices of Soul on Fire" series.
He was selected to portray young John O'Leary in the film "On Fire," chosen from over 800 child actors.
James enjoys theater, baseball, and soccer, living with his brother Hayes and parents.
His father, Michael, owns Vagabond School of the Arts; his mother, Becca, works as a casting director.

After filming "Christmas Again" at age six, James McCracken auditioned for "On Fire," which included a screaming audition and intense competition.
He was chosen for the role of John O'Leary from approximately 800 applicants.
His father's advice to be authentic and his natural spirit were cited as factors in his casting.
The casting aligned James's qualities with the character of John O'Leary and the older version, Joel Courtney.

Filming "On Fire" required James and his father to leave home for an extended period, an emotional adjustment from his first film.
Preparing for the role involved portraying a St. Louis Cardinals fan experiencing a burn event, requiring quick emotional transitions.
Extensive makeup and costume processes included prosthetics to simulate severe burns and missing fingers, which initially felt unfamiliar.
The cast and crew participated in a table read to collaboratively review the script before principal photography.

Key cast members included John Corbett as the father, Stephanie Shostak as the mother, and Devon Franklin as the doctor.
James McCracken was particularly excited to meet actor William H. Macy, who played Cardinals commentator Jack Buck.
Filming took place in St. Louis; James's favorite scene involved riding a bike through trees before more intense events.
The non-chronological filming sequence, initially confusing, became clearer as the narrative of "On Fire" developed.

Becca McCracken, James's mother, joined the podcast to discuss balancing her son's acting career with family life.
She expressed pride in James's performance but noted the difficulty of leaving her younger son, Hayes, for extended periods.
Her role evolved into "set mom," prioritizing James's comfort and needs over her professional identity during production.
As an extrovert, she consciously stepped back to allow James to shine, despite finding every scene deeply meaningful.

Becca McCracken connected deeply with the film's family, finding their generosity and genuine care surprising and welcoming.
She noted a lack of ego and an abundance of generosity among the cast members, fostering a strong sense of community.
Shared living arrangements and frequent interactions at the hotel contributed to this close-knit environment, encouraging for the industry.
The collective passion of the cast and crew, deeply moved by the subject's story, was identified as the driving force behind the film.

James McCracken recommends the books 'Oddfire' and 'Alone,' the latter about a girl's three-year wilderness survival.
Becca McCracken found 'On Fire' and her mother's poetry collection most impactful, reminding her of life's sweetness.
Becca wishes she maintained more childhood playfulness, while James describes himself as adventurous, loving zip-lining and sports.
If their home were on fire, James would save his bed, and Becca would save her mother's poetry book.

The host praised James McCracken's performance, noting he carried the book's energy into the film.
The film, "Soul on Fire," is being promoted, with audience demand for theater bookings.
Viewers are directed to soulonfiremovie.com to reserve or rent theaters for showings starting October 10th.
The film's message emphasizes using one's life for good, letting go of hindrances, and recognizing one's potential.