Achieve Cinematic Nerdvana When Science Channel Peers Behind the Actors to Explain the "Science of the Movies"
April 23, 2009
ACHIEVE CINEMATIC NERDVANA WHEN SCIENCE CHANNEL PEERS BEHIND THE ACTORS TO EXPLAIN THE SCIENCE OF THE MOVIES
-- Series Airs Tuesdays at 9 PM (ET/PT) Beginning Tuesday, May 26, 2009 --
(Silver Spring, Md.) -- Science Channel invites viewers on a geektastic journey to the cinematic intersection of art and science in the all-new series SCIENCE OF THE MOVIES, premiering Tuesday, May 26 at 9 PM (ET/PT). Appealing to the movie junkie in us all, the new series explores the remarkable - yet rarely celebrated - scientific world that exists behind the screen, spotlighting the visionary artists, entrepreneurial spirit, innovative technology and remarkable techniques responsible for creating unforgettable, edge-of-your-seat moments in blockbuster films.
SCIENCE OF THE MOVIES breaks down famous movie scenes to show viewers the inside science on how each sequence was strung together. In each episode host and self-proclaimed movie geek Nar Williams gets the inside scoop on the tricks of the Hollywood trade. Williams gets some much appreciated hands-on experience, acting as the guinea pig to show the technological creative behind the scenes. Highlighting the equipment used in creating the latest visual effects and computer graphics, coupled with interviews with the award-winning artists, stunt men and technicians responsible for using or sometimes even inventing the equipment, SCIENCE OF THE MOVIES celebrates the world of movie magic like never before. From motion capture film techniques and the science of perspective in chase scenes to state-of-the-art cameras and creating 3-D worlds, SCIENCE OF THE MOVIES features rare behind-the-scenes footage to help bring viewers to the cutting-edge of filmmaking technology.
"We're excited to introduce viewers to new host Nar Williams, who uncovers the secret world of the engineers, inventors and innovators creating mind-blowing movie effects," said Science Channel general manager Debbie Myers. "Nar's genuine enthusiasm for this series comes through in every episode and our viewers will love riding along with him as he immerses himself in the action."
In the first episode, Williams interviews Academy Award®-winning special effects pioneer John Dykstra who invented the Dykstraflex - a motion control rig used to blow up the Death Star in "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope." Williams then gets up close, and maybe a little too personal, with the most used modern motion control system in the business today: Milo. Milo captures precise shots so that two or more scenes can be composited together to create one fluid moment, and is most famous for creating the "spidysense" scene in the first "Spider-Man" film. Next, Williams moves on to Hydraulx, the company that created visual effects on movies such as "Terminator 3," "X-Men 3" and "Aliens vs. Predator 2: Requiem," for a crash course in how the latest visual effects and CGI are created. Finally, Williams stops at Doggicam Systems where Academy Award®-winner Gary Thieltges demonstrates an amazing inventory of camera mounts that have been used in movies such as "The Dark Knight." There Williams slips on a body-mounted camera to experience firsthand a simulated chase.
SCIENCE OF THE MOVIES creates an even greater sense of wonder for movie buffs everywhere. Future episode topics include: a sneak peek into creating the miniatures used in "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian;" demonstrating the camera crane technology that is used in "The Fast and the Furious" franchise; and even a lesson in crime scene reality simulation from Showtime's popular TV series, "Dexter."
So who is Nar Williams? Glad you asked. Williams is Geek-in-Chief of the blog AchieveNerdvana.com, where he blogs about sci-fi, sci-tech and geek culture. He also co-hosts the weekly video podcast Nerdbunker, and writes the weekly "Pulp Science" column for the online magazine Geekscape. Williams has hosted hundreds of hours of live, interactive talk shows as a producer at the online broadcaster NowLive, where he created, hosted and produced the shows "Nerdvana," "Goober & The Viking," "Pop Load," "The Surf" and more.
SCIENCE OF THE MOVIES is produced for Science Channel by Authentic Entertainment, Inc. Lauren Lexton and Tom Rogan are executive producers for Authentic Entertainment, Inc., and Jack Smith is executive producer for Science Channel.
About Science Channel
Science Channel is broadcast 24 hours a day and seven days a week to more than 56 million U.S. homes and simulcast on Science Channel HD. We immerse viewers in the incredible possibilities of science, from string theory and futuristic cities to accidental discoveries and outrageous inventions. We take things apart, peer inside and put things together in new and unexpected ways. We celebrate the trials, errors and brinking moments that change our lives forever. To find out more go to www.sciencechannel.com.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
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