Episode 254: “Saving Private Ryan”: Corey Johnson’s Cameo & Our WWII Documentary Journey – Part 1

In this special Documentary First episode, Christian steps off the beaten path to share an exciting guest appearance on the Movie Rob Minute podcast. Christian is joined by her college friend and actor Corey Johnson to dive into a Saving Private Ryan minute, making it even more special since Corey played a role in the film! Christian thought it would be a lot of fun to bring Corey along, and she was right.

In Part 1, Corey shares his story of landing a part in Saving Private Ryan, working with Hollywood legends, and experiencing the chaotic D-Day scenes firsthand. Christian also opens up about her documentary filmmaking journey, especially with The Girl Who Wore Freedom, and how her conversations with veterans have shaped her understanding of gratitude, storytelling, and the healing power of sharing war stories. The episode takes some fun tangents as they explore the impact of WWII films on veterans and their families and dive deep into the culture of storytelling as a tool for healing.

Timestamps:

• 00:35 – Christian introduces the episode w/ special co-host, Rob of MovieRob Minute.
• 04:00 – Rob introduces the episode and welcomes Christian Taylor and Corey Johnson.
• 05:12 – Corey Johnson’s surprising role in Saving Private Ryan is revealed.
• 07:20 – A fun backstory on how Rob connected with Christian and Corey through Hollywood veterans and mutual friends.
• 13:02 – Discussion about how military veterans sometimes find it hard to share their stories, including insights from Christian’s work on The Girl Who Wore Freedom.
• 20:08 – Corey shares his views on WWII and the importance of telling veterans’ stories.
• 26:04 – How Saving Private Ryan impacted veterans and helped them open up about their war experiences.
• 29:02 – Corey talks about how he got his role in Saving Private Ryan and the luck involved in landing the part.
• 39:41 – Behind-the-scenes of Saving Private Ryan filming, including the gritty realism of the D-Day scenes.
• 44:56 – The filmmaking genius of Steven Spielberg and how his directorial decisions made the film stand out.
• 47:50 – A final reflection on the lasting impact of WWII films like Saving Private Ryan and The Girl Who Wore Freedom on veterans and audiences.

Key Takeaways:

• Corey Johnson shares the story of how a small part in Saving Private Ryan became a milestone in his career, thanks to sheer luck, perseverance, and talent.
• The importance of WWII films in shaping cultural perceptions of war and heroism, and how they help veterans open up about their experiences.
• Christian Taylor discusses how her documentary The Girl Who Wore Freedom offers a unique perspective on D-Day from the French civilian’s point of view.
• How Steven Spielberg’s filmmaking techniques captured the chaos and intensity of war, making Saving Private Ryan an unforgettable experience for both actors and audiences.

Additional Information:

• You can learn more about Christian Taylor’s documentary The Girl Who Wore Freedom at thegirlwhoworefreedom.com.
• Part 2 of this conversation will dive deeper into Corey Johnson’s filming experiences and his perspective on working with Hollywood legends.