$12 million. Four weeks. 1,500 extras. No storyboard.◆ ◆ ◆
Spielberg didn’t storyboard the D-Day sequence in Saving Private Ryan. He wanted spontaneous reactions — from the cameras, from the actors, from the chaos itself — and refused to plan it the way a conventional blockbuster would.
Cinematographer Janusz Kamiński removed the protective coating from the camera lenses to mimic the blurred look of 1940s newsreel footage. Spielberg drained 60% of the color from the film — television broadcasters later turned the saturation back up after viewer complaints that something was wrong with their sets. Matt Damon was kept completely isolated from the rest of the cast during production so the squad’s resentment of Private Ryan would feel real. The opening D-Day sequence cost $12 million — nearly 20% of the entire budget — took four weeks to shoot on a beach in Ireland, and used 1,500 extras including members of the Irish Reserve Defence Forces.
When the film opened, many WWII veterans described the Omaha Beach sequence as the most accurate depiction of combat they had ever seen. Some had to leave the theater. Spielberg later received the Distinguished Civilian Service Award — the U.S. military’s highest civilian honor. He described the film as a tribute to his veteran father.
✦ DID YOU KNOW?
The opening scene of the film — an elderly man collapsing in grief at a Normandy cemetery — was based on something Spielberg witnessed in real life. He saw a stranger walk into the cemetery, spot the flags, and collapse sobbing. His family had to help him to his feet. Spielberg used the exact sequence to open the film.
I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis.
I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God.
I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree.
Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons.
I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA.
While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon..
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987).
From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018.
Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi
View all posts by RJ Hamster
RJ Hamster 