LMU television and film graduate Sean McNamara, who directed the music-driven feature film "Raise Your Voice" starring Hilary Duff, has not strayed far from his Catholic roots.

The 42-year-old St. Agatha Church (Los Angeles) parishioner, one of six children who grew up in a large Irish-American family in Burbank, says spirituality has played a big role both in his life and career as he has climbed up the competitive ladder of filmmaking.

"When I've had hard times, I've gone and prayed," McNamara told The Tidings during a cell phone interview between meetings in Los Angeles. In fact, a major theme of "Raise Your Voice," he noted, is that you can overcome adversity in your life with spirituality. Little touches in the film, such as the Celtic cross worn by Duff's character, "Terri," and church scenes where Duff is shown in prayer allude to the power of faith.

"This film is about music, inspiration and following your dream," described McNamara. The plot revolves around a musically gifted teenage girl who must overcome family tragedy and self-doubt to reclaim her talent at a prestigious Los Angles music school. The story resonated with McNamara, whose love of music goes way back.

"I was really fortunate growing up that my mother let me play in a rock band, and I just fell in love with music," said McNamara. It was his father's gift of a camera on a trip to Ireland when McNamara was 12 that stirred dreams of becoming a filmmaker. While attending film classes at LMU, he continued making music on the side, even playing Irish tunes as part of an Irish music duo in the early '90s.

McNamara, who had enjoyed classic television shows such as "Gilligan's Island" and "The Brady Bunch" growing up, gravitated toward producing shows for the family market. "Having a Catholic upbringing will influence what you make," he noted. He said he tries to weave a positive message in his projects, which have included directing several television programs for the Disney Channel, including shows for two of its most popular series: "Even Stevens" and "That's So Raven."

Interestingly enough, he "discovered" Hilary Duff when he cast her in Disney's "Casper Meets Wendy" movie when she was eight years old. By the time "Raise Your Voice" was ready to go into production, after two separate attempts to get the project off the ground failed, Duff was old enough for the lead part and jumped at the chance to work again with the DGA-nominated director.

McNamara hopes "Raise Your Voice" will be an inspiration to all, especially young people. "I want people to see this film and say, 'I could learn to play the guitar, the drums, the piano, the saxophone or any musical instrument,' because I think if there's music in your life there's happiness in your life," declared McNamara.