Ever watch a movie and think, "That just could not happen! It's not scientifically possible!" If you're anything like me, you've not only thought those words, but actually said them out loud, voice laden with disgust, much to the annoyance of the non-scientists watching with you.
OK...so...do something about it! Become a scientific consultant in Hollywood. There are a number of companies devoted to this. Below are some examples:
http://www.hollywoodmath.com/
http://www.factualfootage.com/
http://www.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/
Check out the trailer for "Contagion." Contagion, released in 2011, is a film about the outbreak of a global fast-spreading virus. Characters include regular everyday people, members of government, and yes...scientists.
Next, check out this article in which real Hollywood scientific consultants are interviewed about their work on "Contagion."
Pretty neat, huh?
Are there any other movies or TV shows where you wish the producers/writers would have employed more realistic scientific plots? Which ones? What could they have done better?
On the contrary, are there any movies or shows that made you think, "Wow, they really did their homework"? What did they do well?
Please comment below.
I like this post. I think it will make students think more scientifically when they watch movies like these. I also never knew Hollywood has scientific consultants on sets. It makes sense.
ReplyDeleteThis post reminds of a post on Angela's. It does make me think if these things portrayed in the movies are scientifically possible. I read somewhere that a physics teacher was teaching engineering students about the suit in Iron Man and how it cannot be possible because of the issue of fuel for his propulsion. Someone asked me if the movie Inception is scientifically possible, and I said In your dreams haha.