MAPLEWOOD, Mo. — For the first time in a decade, a major film is shooting in Missouri.
After an open casting call for background actors, shooting for the feature film "On Fire" started this week. Filming runs between Nov. 6 and Dec. 9. It's being directed by Sean McNamara, known for previous films "Raise Your Voice" and "Soul Surfer," and will feature actors William H. Macy and John Corbett.
"There had to be a first and 'On Fire' is that first," film subject John O'Leary told 5 On Your Side, "but now that we have proven that it can be done, we're going to see more and more movies around our state."
O'Leary was 9 years old when he almost died in a house fire. O'Leary's biographical book, "On Fire," reflects on his survival story, recovery and the people who surrounded him during that time.
Director Sean McNamara toured St. Louis and decided the film had to be shot here.
"One of the central characters in this movie is not John O'Leary or Jack Buck or my family or the nurses at Mercy, one of the primary characters is the Arch," O'Leary said.
Crews will be filming at the following locations in Maplewood:
- The Crow’s Nest
- Tiffany’s Diner
- Saratoga
- Former Casa Maya
- Shock City School
They will also be filming at three homes in the area.
O'Leary said he is on set during filming. He advocated for using the actual locations where events occurred.
"As folks go to the movie and observe it, they're going to see this biography be told almost like in real-time, almost like a documentary, but portrayed by actors," O'Leary said.
The movie still has to be shot and edited, but in the meantime, O'Leary is hosting an event at Chaminade on Nov. 25. to share his story with St. Louis. The event is called On Fire For Good and O'Leary promises more movie details will be shared live with the audience.