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Pentagon's New Goal: Put Science Into Scripts [Grant for scientists-to-Holllywood]
The NY Times - Arts ^ | August 4, 2005 | DAVID M. HALBFINGER

Posted on 08/04/2005 12:58:13 PM PDT by summer


Scientists ...at an American Film Institute workshop.

LA -Tucked away in ...Hollywood...an elite group of scientists from across the country and from a grab bag of disciplines - rocket science, nanotechnology, genetics, even veterinary medicine - has gathered this week to plot a solution to what officials call one of the nation's most vexing long-term national security problems.

Their work is being financed by the Air Force and the Army, but the Manhattan Project it ain't: the 15 scientists are being taught how to write and sell screenplays.

At a cost of roughly $25,000 in Pentagon research grants,
the American Film Institute is cramming this eclectic group of midcareer researchers, engineers, chemists and physicists full of pointers on how to find their way in a world that can be a lot lonelier than the loneliest laboratory: the wilderness of story arcs, plot points, pitching and the special circle of hell better known as development.

And no primer on Hollywood would be complete without at least three hours on "Agents & Managers."

Exactly how the national defense could be bolstered ...may be a bit of a brainteaser. But officials at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research spell out a straightforward syllogism:

Fewer and fewer students are pursuing science and engineering. While immigrants are taking up the slack in many areas, defense laboratories and industries generally require American citizenship or permanent residency. So a crisis is looming, unless careers in science and engineering suddenly become hugely popular, said Robert J. Barker, an Air Force program manager who approved the grant. And what better way to get a lot of young people interested in science than by producing movies and television shows that depict scientists in flattering ways?...

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: California; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: hollywoodmovies; pentagon; scientists; screenwriting
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This is a very interesting article, and I think the Pentagon is correct in their thinking. However, I have two additional suggestions for the Pentagon, to come, below.
1 posted on 08/04/2005 12:58:14 PM PDT by summer
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To: summer

Let's hear 'em.


2 posted on 08/04/2005 12:59:56 PM PDT by brivette
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To: All
And what better way to get a lot of young people interested in science than by producing movies and television shows that depict scientists in flattering ways?...

One way is to help students remain interested in science by having elementary teachers and middle school teachers who can actually teach science.

Right now, science is probably the most beloved of subjects by young children, along with art, because teaching both subjects requires a lot of hands-on activities for kids, which kids love.

But, most elementary school teachers are female -- and, if they are being honest, they will tell you they hate science. Well, that needs to change. Yes, there are some elementary teachers who like science, but they are few and far between.

I really think American elementary schools need to treat science as a separate subject, and have experts come into the classroom to teach it, so that kids' natural interest in science can be nurtured and maintained.

That's suggestion #1 from me to the Pentagon. Suggestion #2 is coming, below...
3 posted on 08/04/2005 1:02:38 PM PDT by summer
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To: brivette; All
Suggestion #2 involves changing our current Hollywood/actor-celebrity obsessed culture into a culture that places a higher value on scientists, by including scientists more in other forms of popular culture, beyond movies -- so that more parents are encouraging their kids to become scientists.

The only time I ever see a scientist on a tv talk show as a guest is, well, never. Unless there's a space launch, then, maybe, an astronaut is invited on a talk show.

I would much rather hear more from a scientist on a popular tv or radio talk show, than from yet another actor about that actor's latest movie or tv show.

Just my two cents.
4 posted on 08/04/2005 1:17:32 PM PDT by summer
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To: summer

Even if he WAS a Liberal, I kind of miss old Carl Sagan, for JUST that reason: he was the scientist they ALWAYS interviewed, and he never came off as nerdy or uncool. . . which is critical for getting kids to watch.

Likwise, more shows like "Bill Nye the Science Guy", and perhaps an update of "Mr. Wizard" for the 21st Century. . .


5 posted on 08/04/2005 1:21:32 PM PDT by Salgak (Acme Lasers presents: The Energizer Border: I dare you to try and cross it. . .)
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To: Salgak

That's right. I also like that one guy on Food Network, Alton Brown, who does a lot of science in his cooking show.


6 posted on 08/04/2005 1:22:38 PM PDT by summer
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To: Salgak

BTW, I hate to say this, but it is actually true, that many kids, having listened to rap lyrics for so long, now want to grow up and become a "hoe" [whore] or a "pimp." These are actual career choices I have heard kids say in school. Very disturbing to me.


7 posted on 08/04/2005 1:24:03 PM PDT by summer
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To: summer

Great idea...wonder if hollyweird will adopt it...


8 posted on 08/04/2005 1:25:13 PM PDT by brivette
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To: brivette

Thank you, brivette! :)


9 posted on 08/04/2005 1:26:02 PM PDT by summer
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To: summer

For all us science-geek accuracy purists, the Millennium is at hand. We're being joined in our nitpicking crusade by the mightiest military force in history!

"I'm sorry, Mr. Director -- that line in the shooting script about crystal energy has no foundation in reality. I'm calling in an air strike on your house in Malibu."


10 posted on 08/04/2005 1:29:03 PM PDT by Trimegistus
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To: summer

Easily the best "science" show on TV right now. Not flashy, very practical.


11 posted on 08/04/2005 1:29:23 PM PDT by leoncaruthers
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To: summer
So they think if they pay Hollyweird to pretend that science is cool, then kids will be fooled into studying science more?

Hello, McFly!

Why are they wasting our tax dollars on Hollyweird, who is out of ideas and boring their ever-dwindling audiences.

Kids know what is interesting and what is not.

Let businesses do interesting projects,

and Hollyweird and everyone else will take notice.

Lead and people will follow.

Trying to gin up interest in a ever-constrained career field will only waste time and money.
12 posted on 08/04/2005 1:30:14 PM PDT by anymouse
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To: summer
One way is to help students remain interested in science by having elementary teachers and middle school teachers who can actually teach science.

That is very true. Unfortunately, there are conservatives that would love to cut science funding at all levels, including research and college teaching. There are some Creationsist/evolution threads where this really comes out. Have to get rid of the liberals science professors that teach evolution. We need to change science to fit religion.

13 posted on 08/04/2005 1:33:15 PM PDT by doc30 (Democrats are to morals what and Etch-A-Sketch is to Art.)
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To: summer
One way is to help students remain interested in science by having elementary teachers and middle school teachers who can actually teach science.

That is very true. Unfortunately, there are conservatives that would love to cut science funding at all levels, including research and college teaching. There are some Creationsist/evolution threads where this really comes out. Have to get rid of the liberals science professors that teach evolution. We need to change science to fit religion.

My point is that kids get turned off of science by the 'rap' and 'hip-hop' type mentality and by the religious zealots that see it as a threat to the morality of our nation. I'm glad to see that the pentagon understands this threat to national security and has formulated a counter strategy. I just hope sceince education is not further eroded by both the etreme left and right.

14 posted on 08/04/2005 1:34:25 PM PDT by doc30 (Democrats are to morals what and Etch-A-Sketch is to Art.)
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To: summer
One way is to help students remain interested in science by having elementary teachers and middle school teachers who can actually teach science.

That is very true. Unfortunately, there are conservatives that would love to cut science funding at all levels, including research and college teaching. There are some Creationsist/evolution threads where this really comes out. Have to get rid of the liberals science professors that teach evolution. We need to change science to fit religion.

My point is that kids get turned off of science by the 'rap' and 'hip-hop' type mentality and by the religious zealots that see it as a threat to the morality of our nation. I'm glad to see that the pentagon understands this threat to national security and has formulated a counter strategy. I just hope sceince education is not further eroded by both the etreme left and right.

15 posted on 08/04/2005 1:34:52 PM PDT by doc30 (Democrats are to morals what and Etch-A-Sketch is to Art.)
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To: doc30
I'm glad to see that the pentagon understands this threat to national security and has formulated a counter strategy.

They really need to get into the public schools, too. Thanks for your comments.
16 posted on 08/04/2005 1:38:22 PM PDT by summer
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To: anymouse
Kids know what is interesting and what is not.

Yes, you're right -- young kids LIKE science, and like it very much. The problem is their elementary teachers don't.
17 posted on 08/04/2005 1:41:29 PM PDT by summer
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To: leoncaruthers
Thanks. :)


Alton Brown, host of Food Network's "Good Eats"
18 posted on 08/04/2005 1:46:43 PM PDT by summer
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To: anymouse
From elsewhere in the article:

...Later, over meatloaf, the workshop participants batted around their favorite depictions of science and scientists (the television show "Numbers" and the films "Starman" and "Deep Impact," among others) and what they considered the most odious ("The Day After Tomorrow," hands down).

And then there was one they could not agree on: "Falling Down," the 1993 film starring Michael Douglas as a downsized defense-industry engineer who has a violent breakdown in Los Angeles. "Why'd they have to make him look like that?" said Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, a physics professor at the University of Nebraska, of Mr. Douglas's crew cut, black-rimmed glasses and pocket protector. "He's a good-looking guy. None of my friends look like that."

But Mr. Marcu, who works at a defense-industry plant, begged to differ. "I hate to say it, but people inside those defense plants look like that," he said. "You should see the people at my company."...

19 posted on 08/04/2005 1:52:22 PM PDT by summer
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To: Rocket Scientist

FYI.


20 posted on 08/04/2005 1:53:11 PM PDT by summer
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