DVD Features
M&C Interview: 'Full Metal Jacket' Rafterman Kevyn Major Howard talks to M&C
By April MacIntyre
Oct 5, 2007, 16:31 GMT

"Full Metal Jacket" has been retooled in HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, with hours of new and rare features hitting stores October 23. 

The release of the Director's series of "Full Metal Jacket" on Warner home video provided an opportunity to talk to one of the actors, Kevyn Major Howard, who played Joker's right hand man in the field, Rafterman. 

The acting experience in Full Metal Jacket, through Stanley Kubrick's brilliant direction, gave Howard insight into how war can affect one physically and emotionally.

"Although I haven't been in a war, I have a much clearer understanding of patriotism, and the pride and courage it takes to serve your country. Many of the Marines that I have met have seen 'Full Metal Jacket' and I believe that although I have never been to war, my work on this film continues to serve as a bridge that allows them to come face to face with the personal sacrifices they have made.  It also allows me to stand in silence beside them and bear witness to their own personal tribute to their fallen comrades," said Major Howard.

M&C: Was there truth to the story that Stanley Kubrick, casting director Leon Vitali and Warner Bros. studio placed ads throughout the US for actors to send in audition tapes for the film?

KMH: "Yes. Mr. Kubrick had sent ads throughout the US to high schools, colleges and a host of other outlets. Most actors in Los Angeles were making their audition tapes to send back per this media blitz campaign Stanley had generated.

To share how Mr. Kubrick and I first were in touch was when Mr. Kubrick had sent a personal letter to my agency. He had mentioned that he had noticed my work in three different films.  Arnold Shapiro's "Scared Straight," "Another Story," Clint Eastwoods' "Sudden Impact," and Charles Bronsons' "Death Wish II."   The letter then went on requesting a return response that if I were interested in working in "Full Metal Jacket" with him, that all I had to do was write back and answer yes. When we actually had our first conversation, he admitted he was a huge fan of Mr. Eastwood.

So at this juncture may I thank Mr. Eastwood for forwarding my career and giving me the opportunity to work with yet another great artist, Mr. Stanley Kubrick.  Thank you to both.

M&C:  The first 44 minutes are set exclusively in Parris Island Marine Corps basic training camp, while remaining 72 minutes revolve on the events surrounding the 1968 Tet Offensive and skirmishing in the devastated city of Hue.  In the film we see the same sets from so many different angles that "Jacket" seemed smaller scaled than most Vietnam films, do you remember how many exterior sets were utilized in England?

KMH:  "The exterior sets were set in an area east of the Thames River in a place called Beckton Gas Works. It was an area that had been devastated by an earlier war and had never been rebuilt. The city of London I believe was to continue building the M1 highway through it, but let it remain in its destroyed condition and permitted Stanley the use of the area.

Stanley went in and re-created his set through additional demolitions until he mastered his vision. I would say that the set was not small by any means. There seemed to be a couple miles in any direction where the set could be seen and used. Let's say perhaps 2-3 square miles of set. I know that given the chance we could have run serious tank races and had plenty of room left over. No the set was not small and had tremendous personality thanks to Stanley's talents.

M&C:  How did you model the Rafterman character, was he a composite of a person(s) you knew, or did he organically come forth?

KMH:  "Through conversations with Mathew Modine I realized that Stanley selected his cast through a 'type casting of sort'. He knew how he felt he wanted his characters actualized and I believe that I recognized Stanley's need for why I was chosen to play Rafterman. In my world I don't seem to naturally fit in with the norm. Rafterman had that quality being examined constantly as the new guy.

He was sort of the odd man out always trying to prove himself. That seemed to be in my nature as well. Always wanting to be a part of the in crowd but just never fit in. Rafterman always seemed determined. Rafterman always wanted to be recognized and so I chose to stick close to home in portraying these facets of Rafterman.

M&C: There is a funny tale in town that Kubrick was quite frugal to say the least, and used a very small crew, which he would then send to his home for repairs and such.  One story goes that after the Gaffer finished lighting a set, Kubrick told him, "Okay, this is how I want the scene lit and I'm not going to change it." Kubrick then sent the man to fix some wiring in his house.  True story or balderdash?

KMH:  "I don't know that particular story per say, but I do know of other stories. I imagine there are quite a few of us who knew stories of sort that could attest to that frugal Kubrick reputation.  However, out of respect and admiration for Mr. Kubrick I will refrain from making them publicly known. Not that they are horrible stories, they are not. In fact they are complex shades of his humor and his brilliance.

To describe these stories to your readers without meeting and knowing the man would be out of context and perhaps misinterpreted.  So, in honor of Mr. Kubrick, I will continue to enjoy those moments privately and say only that this man, this remarkable man of unmatched talents, should be seen in nothing but the best of light. I suppose it's all about how you look at things.

M&C:  Allegedly the filming took about six months and was shut down for 20 weeks from June 1985 to September 1986. How long were you in principal photography in character?

KMH:  “To my best recollection I was brought to the set the very first day of filming. It began with Rafterman's camera being stolen. I was on set until the very end. I believe it was approximately 17 months of filming with a 3-4 month delay due to Gunnery R. Lee Ermey's road accident.

M&C:  Kubrick's frequent cinematographer, the late John Alcott, was asked to shoot the movie but turned it down for the Costner film, "No Way Out," shot in the US, but he soon died of a heart attack at end of July 1986.  I understand it was Alcott's focus puller Douglas Milsome who took over his duties.  How did that work on set, and with Kubrick? Was it smooth or were there difficulties with communication and style?

KMH:  “I remember hearing the news of John Alcott and how it affected us all. More importantly how it seemed to affect Stanley. Stanley was known for generally having a quiet nature but particularly with that extraordinary news. You could see and feel in Stanley that he was quite saddened by the affair. As for Douglas Milsome, he was extraordinary to work with. He gelled well with the cast, crew, and Stanley. There were however a few moments on set when Mr. Milsome and Stanley would discuss albeit bravado about a particular shot.

Those were the creative juices talking and of course Stanley would inevitably win the battle and for good reason; he was the ships' captain. I sometimes run into Doug Milsome and over the past years we smile, laugh, and reminisce about the days gone past. He is a genuine human being who cares about his fellow men. It would be my pleasure to work with the 'gentlemen' one more time."

M&C:   Former US Marine Corps Drill Instructor R. Lee Ermey was hired as a Marine consultant, not as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman.  Legend has it his videotaped audition where he hurled abuse for 15 minutes without stopping, repeating himself or flinching - despite being pelted with tennis balls and oranges really impressed Kubrick.  I hear none of you actors were allowed to meet with him or fraternize at all, tell me about your first impressions and experiences acting with a real gunnery Sergeant from the Marines?

KMH:  "Yes, Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey was originally hired as our technical consultant. I remember a conversation where he approached a few of us and asked our thoughts about video-taping a casting session of extras on the tarmac so that he could point out to Stanley who may be the best to play Marines as extras for Full Metal Jacket. I heard that when Stanley saw the audition tape he tore the original script in half. Mr. Kubrick said just put the camera on Lee and let him run. Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey made Full Metal Jacket absolutely brilliant in tone which stands as a true testament to his talent. I believe he is the best DI ever filmed and probably will hold that title, permanently. Oorah Gunny!

M&C:  The Fueled by the Fallen is now your passion.  How has the acting experience from "Full Metal Jacket" translated into drawing out real veterans stories from the current war and Vietnam?

KMH:   "Thank you for introducing Fueled By The Fallen to your readers and yes I am that passionate about it.  'Fueled By The Fallen' is a non-profit foundation I spearhead.  I have built the Memorial Race Car Team which lists the fallen Marines by rank and name on a Memorial Race Car which has begun its 5 year American Tour. I am building out all branches of the military so that I may honor, pay tribute and educate our nation's people and children to never forget our important America Fallen Heroes. More importantly, I am hoping over the 5 year Memorial Road Tour to raise substantial funds for the families of our fallen, for our injured heroes, and for our 230,000 heroes that will suffer from post traumatic stress disorder when they come home.

The Fueled By The Fallen Foundation will give financial support to the families of our fallen heroes, our injured heroes, and to keep a promise that they are 'never forgotten'. We as a nation, whether we like it or not are in this together. The Memorial Race Cars were inspired while watching the news like so many of us do. We hear that 12 died today, 2 the day before, and five the day before that. I found myself hearing their names and yet when tomorrow came, another new day of my life, I realized I did not remember yesterdays' news.

That pulled at my heartstrings. I was taking for granted and saddened at how little time we as a fast paced nation retain the gift these incredible heroes gave; their lives. That was unacceptable to me. As an American I looked inward and realized I needed to stand up and be accountable as well. Our American Heroes enlist voluntarily, patriotically, and romantically. I believe they ask of only one request in return. Please do not forget me!!! This is why the Memorial Race Car Road Tour became.

They shall not be forgotten. I now ask of the American people and their hearts and let us all participate in the giving of thanks to our heroes. The best way I knew how was to give what they needed most in return; financial support so that their lives might be just a bit more whole."