No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

‘Don’t Look Up’ features Westover Air Reserve Base

Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep among those on base filming for 8 days

Bethaney Phillips
by Bethaney Phillips
February 8, 2022
Don't Look Up

A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, departs from Travis AFB, Calif., Feb. 28, 2019. The C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest aircraft in the world and is featured in the Netflix movie 'Don't Look Up.' Photo by Heide Couch

A Massachusetts air reserve base was one of several locations used for Netflix’s star-studded December release, “Don’t Look Up,” giving Hollywood stars and film crews a glimpse into how the Air Force works. 

Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts, saw the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, and Jennifer Lawrence as they filmed various scenes on base over the course of eight days.

Production and film crews, set designers and more were all in tow, helping make the set process a reality, said Lt. Col. Rodney B. Furr, chief of public affairs for the base.

Furr was in charge of coordinating with the film’s production crew, ensuring the process went as smoothly as possible, which included security and escorts for everyone associated with the film; coordinating background actors; and scheduling flight plans. 

“My team and I were working so hard … while one scene was filming, we’re planning the next, trying to scramble quickly,” he said.

The Westover Public Affairs Office worked directly with the film’s location manager and producer to facilitate their requests, whenever possible. This meant carrying a phone, radio, and checklist at all times, with eight, 18-hour days for Furr and his crew.  

As for stargazing at the multiple Academy Award winners on site, Furr said there simply wasn’t time. They were busy working and the team of Air Force members was busy planning logistics for scenes ahead.

“It was very rewarding knowing my team and I executed this task,” he said. “And very educational for us.” 

‘Don’t Look Up’ lets Air Force show diversity

Furr said crews would come in to create scenes from scratch, and plan detailed tasks, just like they do in the military. 

“It was astounding at how similar the fields are and out planning processes,” he said. 

Don't Look Up
A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, departs from Travis AFB, Calif., Feb. 28, 2019. Photo by Heide Couch

Meanwhile actors came in to perform their role, then were off doing something completely different at a new location the next; their versatility was outstanding, Furr said. 

In a similar light, Furr said the opportunity was a great one to education the film crew on how the Air Force works on a daily basis, and the ability they have to cover a broad range of talents. 

“We wanted to show them how diverse an air base really is,” he said. “A lot of people know the Air Force from what they see in the movies, fighter jets moving around and flight control boards, but it’s also so much more than that.”

That public relations aspect, he said, was the most rewarding part of the gig. 

“We are extremely empowered and diverse, which helps us take care of business and execute our mission,” Furr said. “The Air Force offers so much more than most realize.”

Part of that meant using authentic air men and women in the film, both as paid and unpaid background actors.

RELATED: ‘One Shot,’ Scott Adkins’ latest action flick, centers on military realism

The film features multiple shots with a C5 Super Galaxy, one of the largest, most capable transports in the world, Furr said. (It’s the largest aircraft in the Air Force arsenal, dubbed for strategic transporting.) Just one is large enough to fix five Greyhound busses. This opened many opportunities for interior shots that aren’t usually possible in smaller planes.

Exterior shots of the C5 include the soaring plane, with take offs and landings. 

DiCaprio and Lawrence are among those featured alongside the plane. 

“Netflix was able to use a real military base and genuine equipment without an additional cost. We really wanted to pay it forward,” Furr said. “The fact that a lot of our other airmen were out there supporting it allowed to show us how our airmen are empowered.”

“Don’t Look Up” is available for streaming on Netflix. The Westover Reserve Air Base scenes, including the C5 Super Galaxy, are at the beginning of the film, starting at a minute in, airing for six minutes.

For more information on “Don’t Look Up,” visit Netflix.

Read comments
Tags: Air forceDon't Look UpEntertainmentNetflixoff dutyWestoverWestover Air Reserve Base
Bethaney Phillips

Bethaney Phillips

Bethaney Phillips is a freelance writer and digital marketing entrepreneur. She has been featured on Insider.com, Business Alabama, and Military.com, among others. She is a veteran spouse and mother to two boys. When not working, she enjoys reading historical nonfiction titles, outdoor walks, and coffee.

Related Posts

Reserve Marine foils DC-area human trafficking ring hours before fitness test

by AmeriForce Exclusive
2 weeks ago
0
Marines of Marine Advisor Company A, Force Headquarters Group, take part in a military awards ceremony on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., May 5, 2023. One of the four Marines being recognized thwarted a transnational criminal human trafficking organization while drilling with his unit that weekend by identifying the signs of exploitation and ultimately freeing a handful of young teenage women with the Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force. Provided by MCAC-A

A Reserve Marine officer saw what he believed were indications of human trafficking & helped save girls allegedly forced into...

Read more

Project 33 leads effort to teach Americans about lives of the fallen

by Jessica Manfre
2 weeks ago
0
Project 33

Project 33 Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to honoring one Special Operations soldier on Memorial Day who has died...

Read more

MLB legend Dusty Baker talks Marine roots

by Christopher Adams
4 weeks ago
0
MLB

Arguably the most successful MLB manager, Houston Astros’ Dusty Baker, also served in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Read more

YogaFit’s warrior’s program aids those dealing with trauma

by AmeriForce Exclusive
1 month ago
0
YogaFit

YogaFit for Warriors is a trauma-informed program designed for those who have PTSD or a desire to help those with...

Read more

USO National Guardsman of the Year comes from legacy of heroism

by Nikki Davidson
2 months ago
0
Guardsman

As the USO honors Spc. Solomon J. Doss as the 2022 National Guardsman of the Year, the name might seem...

Read more

8 ways to spend spring break with young children

by Emily Solberg
3 months ago
0

The groundhog might have seen his shadow this year, but spring break is right around the corner for many American...

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Results
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2022 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW