Catholic TV director says touchy topics can be made relevant to youth

Published: 2004-09-08

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Film and television director Sean McNamara has made his living appealing to young TV viewers and moviegoers. McNamara, a Catholic, said it's possible, despite the target age of 9-12 for most of his TV series and movies, to present relevant issues in understandable ways. He said he's been able to tackle prejudice, junk food and body image on different episodes of the current Disney Channel series "That's So Raven." In a telephone interview with Catholic News Service from his car in Hollywood, McNamara pointed out that TV and film can tackle sensitive subjects "by couching it in a way people can understand." One episode of "That's So Raven," he said, featured kids congregating in a mall's food court and chowing down exclusively on its fast-food fare. By episode's end, they were sick -- and sick of the fast food. McNamara said he was inspired by the recent documentary, "Super Size Me," in which its filmmaker-subject ate every meal for 30 days at McDonald's restaurants.

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