Science at the Movies
CrowdScience
BBC
4.8 • 1K Ratings
🗓️ 18 March 2017
⏱️ 27 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Can we really live on Mars? Or exist in a virtual world? And why does movie science sometimes have us shouting at the screen? Our panel of scientists and sci-fi experts reveal all in this special edition of CrowdScience recorded live at the South by Southwest Conference & Festivals in Austin, Texas, USA. To tackle all of our listeners’ questions about science in film, presenter Marnie Chesterton is joined by a team of specialists.
Prof Polina Anikeeva is an MIT materials scientist and engineer whose research focuses on developing devices that work directly with the human nervous system. A sci-fi fan, Prof Anikeeva knows just how realistic brain-computer interface movies such as Avatar and The Matrix are.
Former NASA astronaut Dr Mae Jemison is a medical doctor, engineer, educator and entrepreneur, and the first African-American woman to go into space aboard the shuttle Endeavour in 1992. She is leading the 100 Year Starship Project, which aims to take humans beyond our solar system by 2112.
Prof Clifford Johnson is a theoretical physicist at USC whose work leads him to think about space-time, black holes, and extra dimensions, making him a regular contributor to documentaries about science and sci-fi films.
Rick Loverd is Program Director of The Science & Entertainment Exchange at the National Academy of Sciences, which inspires better science in Hollywood by introducing entertainment professionals to scientists and engineers. The Exchange has consulted on movies including Star Trek: Into Darkness, Iron Man 2 and Thor.
Do you have a question we can turn into a programme? Email us at crowdscience@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producer: Jen Whyntie
Audio clip from Gravity Warner Bros. Pictures Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Audio clip from Interstellar Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures Director: Christopher Nolan
(Image: Matt Damon in The Martian. Credit: Getty Images) (Image: Zoe Saldana in Avatar. Credit: Getty Images) (Image: Matthew McConaughey in Gravity. Getty Images)
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | You're about to listen to a BBC podcast and maybe it's when I had a hand in. |
| 0:04.0 | I'm Tammy Walker and I produce podcasts for the BBC. |
| 0:08.0 | My role is to give new and diverse creators a voice with the opportunity to build a career. |
| 0:12.0 | That's the thing I love about podcasts. |
| 0:14.4 | You start with just a good idea, but then you have the space to see where it goes. |
| 0:18.4 | And doing that at the BBC means we can really run with the best stories |
| 0:21.9 | while developing the most unique audio talent. |
| 0:24.8 | So if you like what you hear, why not check out the huge range of podcast we've got on BBC Sounds? |
| 0:32.2 | Hello and welcome to this edition of Crowd Science from the BBC World Service, |
| 0:37.0 | which this week comes from the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. |
| 0:41.0 | I'm Marnie Chesterton. This is our first ever crowd science with an |
| 0:47.3 | actual crowd so can I get a whoop to prove to listeners that you're really |
| 0:51.1 | there. Thank you. |
| 0:55.0 | Since South by Southwest is in part a festival of both film and cutting-edge tech. |
| 1:03.2 | Crowd Science wants to tackle the subject of science |
| 1:06.4 | at the movies. |
| 1:07.7 | Joining me on stage, I have a panel of fascinating people. |
| 1:10.6 | And panel, I'd like you to introduce yourself, give me your name, title and your luxury item. |
| 1:17.0 | You are on a mission to Mars, like in the Martian, but with decent food and shelter. |
| 1:22.0 | You're going to be there a couple of years |
| 1:24.8 | you're allowed to take a small personal storage box in which you can put anything. |
| 1:30.2 | What do you take? |
... |
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