About The Science & Entertainment Exchange

The Science & Entertainment Exchange (The Exchange) is a program of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), a private, non-profit institution in Washington, DC.  Launched in late 2008, The Exchange has facilitated more than 4,000 technical consultations between the entertainment industry and experts in science, technology, and medicine.  Think of us as a Hollywood hotline that direct-connects you to the STEM expert of your dreams, someone who can answer all your questions and give you bonus content you’d never even thought to cover because, yes, scientists are that smart, and creative, and interesting.  We know all the best people.  We promise.  And because we know them, you can know them.  Oh, and that hotline?  It’s 1-844-Need-Sci.

But we’re more than just a matchmaker.  The connections we make between the entertainment industry and science are not merely transactional.  For more than 15 years we have building and incubating a community.  We maintain a lively calendar of events throughout the year, primarily in Los Angeles but also in New York City.  These invitation-only gatherings are designed to introduce incredible scientists and showcase compelling, cutting-edge science.  So much better to get your science while eating tacos, sipping on some California Chardonnay, and hanging out together for a while than reading the journal article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.  To date, The Exchange has hosted more than 350 events and exclusive tours, actively guiding the entertainment industry in discovering the wealth of stories and characters that reside in science.  Additionally, we have curated more than a dozen high-level retreats for small groups of filmmakers and scientists.  These long weekend getaways jumpstart the creative process and provide a deep-dive into a magical mixtape of science topics.  They are also super fun.

Taken together, the work we do is meant to enhance the portrayal of science and scientists in film, television, and new media, and to make science more accessible and inspiring for all audiences.  But the real focus is making the job easier for the creative community to incorporate science in their work.  That’s really Job #1.  We’re provide the raw materials of science (translated into plain English!) that the creative community shapes into stories and characters that are by turns captivating, engrossing, poignant, and powerful.  From a quick fact check to an in-depth brainstorming session, The Exchange will assess your requirements and then hand-pick the experts from the appropriate scientific discipline.

Science is imaginative, and creative; it brings new possibilities to light. At its best, science is an adventure, an ongoing search for what is new and engaging. And in both film and television, the compelling nature of science is shaping storylines. Science is allowing filmmakers to sharpen narrative focus, build new realities and portray the astounding capacity of our existence, without dulling credibility.

The Exchange assists the entertainment industry in harnessing science as a creative means. By connecting industry professionals with scientists and engineers, The Exchange can help bring the reality of engaging science to the creative arts.