Out of My Mind on Disney+: A Groundbreaking Film About Inclusion, Identity, and Finding Your Voice

The team behind the Disney+ original film Out of My Mind — producer Peter Saraf, director Amber Sealey, writer Daniel Stiepleman, and rising star Phoebe-Rae Taylor — came together for a special Gold Derby “Making Of” panel to discuss how they brought Sharon Draper’s beloved novel to life. The result is a heartfelt and empowering story that speaks volumes about identity, empathy, and authentic representation.

A Story That Began With a Book — and a Daughter’s Recommendation

Producer Peter Saraf discovered the novel through his daughter. “She read it in school and told me I had to read it,” he shares. The story immediately struck him as special — not just because of its emotional power, but because of Draper’s personal background. “She’s a teacher, a mother of a child with cerebral palsy, and a phenomenal writer. That lived experience is what makes the story so genuine,” says Saraf.

A Personal Project for the Writer

When Saraf brought the idea to screenwriter Daniel Stiepleman, it struck a deep chord. “Before I was a writer, I was a teacher. I was never Melody, but I’ve been Mr. Dimming — sometimes doing it well, sometimes not,” he admits. The opportunity to write the screenplay was more than a job; it was an act of reflection and redemption. “I told Peter, ‘You have to let me write this.’”

The Search for Melody: Casting with Purpose

Central to the adaptation was casting the right actor to portray Melody, a nonverbal girl with cerebral palsy. Saraf recalls, “We searched the world for someone who was the right age, had CP, and could act.” That person was Phoebe-Rae Taylor. “Phoebe-Rae was just perfect,” Saraf said. Director Amber Sealey adds, “Even Sharon Draper told us, ‘Cast that girl before she grows up!’”

A Dream Role for Phoebe-Rae Taylor

For Taylor, the role was deeply personal. “I read the book at 7 or 8 and I remember shouting to my parents, ‘There’s a character like me!’” Years later, that moment led her to the performance of a lifetime. “This has been the most unreal and best three years of my life,” she shares. “I’ve grown so much. I’ve found a confidence I didn’t know I had.”

Giving Melody a Voice: Jennifer Aniston’s Unexpected Role

One of the most creative challenges was translating Melody’s rich internal monologue from the page to the screen. Saraf posed the central question: “What is the voice of a character who has never heard their own voice?” The answer came from Phoebe herself: Jennifer Aniston. “She’s always been my favorite actress,” Taylor said. Aniston ultimately lent her voice to Melody’s inner thoughts — adding both warmth and familiarity.

The film also stars Rosemarie DeWitt and Luke Kirby as Melody’s parents, and Judith Light as a close family friend.

An Inclusive Set and a Powerful Message

Director Amber Sealey emphasized that the production was defined by a shared mission: authenticity and inclusion. “This film has been a gift,” she says. “Phoebe set the tone with her bravery and talent. She brought the heart of this story to life.”

Awards and Critical Acclaim

Out of My Mind has received widespread praise, earning:

• Peabody Award

• Critics Choice Award for Best TV Movie and Best Limited/Movie Actress (Phoebe-Rae Taylor)

• Directors Guild Award for Amber Sealey

• Writers Guild Award for Daniel Stiepleman

But for the creators, the most meaningful recognition comes from the audience. “I get messages from kids almost daily,” says Sealey. “They tell me, ‘Thank you for making this movie. That’s me up there.’”

Out of My Mind is now streaming on Disney+.