The Science and Entertainment Exchange: A Resource for All Filmmakers

As a storyteller, aren't you constantly amazed by the real-life science out there? And don't you wish you had the ear of top scientists to help you distill fact into fiction? Well, that's the entire mission of the Science and Entertainment Exchange -- a recent program unveiled by the National Academy of Sciences. 

Check out their Web site at www.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org. 

Here is some information from the Exchange: 

The portrayal of science "its practitioners, its methods, its effects" has often posed a challenge to the entertainment community. Though it has inspired some of the most intelligent and compelling storylines, science's many complexities have confounded even the most talented writer, director, or producer, time and again pitting creative license against scientific authenticity and clarity.

Likewise, the scientific community has struggled to find an effective conduit through which it can communicate its story accurately and effectively. Though many of the world's biggest problems require scientific solutions, finding a way to translate and depict scientific findings so that they can reach a wide audience has required a sounding board that has often been missing.

The Science & Entertainment Exchange bridges this gap and addresses the mutual need of the two communities by providing the credibility and the verisimilitude upon which quality entertainment depends -- and which audiences have come to expect. Drawing on the deep knowledge of the scientific community, we can collaborate on narrative and visual solutions to a variety of problems while contributing directly to the creativity of the content in fresh and unexpected ways.

What Does The Science & Entertainment Exchange Do?
Spanning the range of science topics, The Exchange can find experts that will work with you to identify and effectively portray the science details that complement a storyline. We can help flesh out ideas that depend upon accurate details relating to insects, extraterrestrial life, unusual Earth-based life forms, or the mysteries of oceans. We can refine concepts relating to emerging science concepts in areas such as space travel, multiple dimensions, nanotechnology, computer technology, and engineering. We can find experts in environmental and ecological issues, health, medicine, and disease, and U.S. educational practices. We are also well positioned to work with you on public policy issues that relate to science such as stem cell research, global climate change, and teaching about evolution and the nature of science.

The Exchange also has a blog called The X-Change Files: http://blog.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/

They supplied consults for WATCHMEN and TERMINATOR: SALVATION during their pilot phase and since consulted on TRON-2, IRON MAN 2, Marvel's forthcoming THOR, a new Discovery Channel series called "Science of the Movies," numerous development projects (both TV and film), and FRINGE. They also supplied scientists for DVD extra bonus features for Season 5 of LOST and Season 1 of FRINGE, too.

So check them out and don't forget to use them for your science-based project. It's an invaluable resource!