Mathematics consultants in film

SUMMARY: Some actors, screenwriters, and producers are also mathematicians or consult with them.

Mathematical scenes can be found in many scripted and unscripted productions. Some of these references are created by mathematically educated people, including writers, producers, or mathematical consultants. Mathematical references can shape society’s views of mathematics, and some writers or producers have noted that they have this goal in mind during the creation process. Other times, mathematics and mathematicians serve purely as entertainment value and so stereotypes, such as the nerd or mad scientist, proliferate. Actors and actresses may also have mathematical training, and some use their popularity to encourage students to succeed in mathematics. Mathematicians and educators showcase these people and their mathematical references or accomplishments in order to interest and motivate students and to highlight the importance, beauty, and usefulness of mathematics, as well as the diverse career options that are available to mathematically talented individuals. Mathematicians also work with writers, producers, and actors to increase the realism of the representations. 

Similarities Between Production and Mathematics

Numerous writers and producers have likened their work to mathematical processes. As theatrical producer Oscar Hammerstein described:

A producer is a rare, paradoxical genius: hard-headed, soft-hearted, cautious, reckless, a hopeful innocent in fair weather, a stern pilot in stormy weather, a mathematician who prefers to ignore the laws of mathematics and trust intuition, an idealist, a realist, a practical dreamer, a sophisticated gambler, a stage-struck child. That’s a producer.

A producer oversees the script, the hiring process, the budget, editing, music, and advertising. Ronald Bean is a hip-hop producer who uses the name Allah Mathematics. Jeff Westbrook has a bachelor’s degree in physics and the history of science from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in computer science from Princeton University. He was an associate professor at Yale University and also worked at AT&T Labs before becoming a television writer and producer for the shows Futurama and The Simpsons. He noted the similarity between working with a team of people on computer science and mathematics problems and writing:

Solving story problems is very similar in some ways. Given a problem, how can you fit all the pieces together to make it work? There are a lot of analytical parts to writing and analytical ability is as useful in that as in any field. That’s the plus about mathematics. Nothing trains you better and gives you more analytical skills than mathematics. That skill is useful in the craziest places you might imagine: writing a TV show, writing a cartoon, and lawyering perhaps.

Actress Danica McKellar

Actress Danica McKellar is well-known for her role on the television show The Wonder Years (1988–1993) and her other acting projects since then. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1998. She continues to be interested in mathematics and mathematics education, saying:

I’d like to show girls that math is accessible and relevant, and even a little glamorous! Math is a fabulous mind strengthener—it’s like going to the gym, for your brain.… I want them to feel empowered; if they can do math, they can do anything! Math is the only place where truth and beauty mean the same thing.

With that goal in mind, she has written three mathematical books as of 2010: Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail, Hot X: Algebra Exposed, and Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss. Her books have achieved a wide readership and appeared on best-seller lists like the New York Times’ children’s books category.

Other Mathematician Writers, Producers, and Actors

In addition to Danica McKellar and Jeff Westbrook, there have been numerous other mathematically trained writers, producers, and actors. Stewart Burns obtained a master’s degree in mathematics and has worked for The Simpsons. Shane Carruth was an engineer with a degree in mathematics who wrote, produced, directed, and acted in the movie Primer, which won numerous awards including an Alfred P. Sloan Prize, which is awarded for science, technology, or mathematical content. David X. Cohen received a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in theoretical computer science, and he published an article on pancake sorting before working for The Simpsons and co-developing Futurama.

Gioia De Cari is an actress and playwright who has a master’s degree in mathematics. She wrote and performed the autobiographical play Truth Values: One Girl’s Romp Through M.I.T.’s Male Math Maze. Jane Espenson double-majored in computer science and linguistics as an undergraduate student and was a graduate student at Berkeley in linguistics. She has worked as a writer and producer for shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, and Caprica. Al Jean earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics and he has been the head writer for The Simpsons. Mike Judge was a graduate student in mathematics before developing shows such as Beavis and Butt-Head and King of the Hill. He has also performed as a voice actor in King of the Hill and as an actor in the Spy Kids movie franchise. Ken Keeler has a Ph.D. in applied mathematics. He worked for Bell Labs and published an article with Jeff Westbook. He wrote for David Letterman, The Simpsons, and Futurama. Writer Guillermo Martínez has a Ph.D. in mathematics and was in a postdoctoral position at Oxford University. His novel The Oxford Murders was a 2008 movie. There has also been a grant program designed to train mathematicians and scientists to become screenwriters. Robert J. Barker of the U.S. Air Force, who is noted as having approved the grant, justified the program by explaining that: “a crisis is looming, unless careers in science and engineering suddenly become hugely popular.”

Goals and Impact

Some writers, producers, and directors state as their motivation the desire to positively impact people’s responses to mathematics. Many people learn about mathematicians and scientists from representations in popular culture, and the importance of role models has been well-documented. Flatland the Movie film producer Seth Caplan noted, “Our goal is to create a movie that not only entertains, but also inspires. Flatland will help create the next generation of innovative mathematicians and scientists by demonstrating the wonders hidden throughout our universe.” Nick Falacci and Cheryl Heuton, writers, producers, and creators of NUMB3RS explained: “Our goal first and foremost is to intrigue and tantalize the non-math people out there in TV land. We want people who have never given mathematics a second thought to stop and consider the role that math plays in society and day-to-day life.” David X. Cohen hoped that those that appreciated the mathematical references would become die-hard fans of Futurama. He also has expressed concern that some of the popular culture portrayals of genius mathematicians with floating numbers that make it look like a magic power could discourage children who need to see that it takes hard work to become good at mathematics. Research has shown that stereotypical representations of mathematicians can discourage students from pursuing more mathematics. Cohen also apologized for inaccurate references:

One thing I worry about is that when we purposely present inaccurate science in Futurama in the name of entertainment, that viewers may hold it against us. We do have genuine respect for science, and we’re trying, when we can, to raise the level of discussion of science on television. If we fail sometimes, I hope people still appreciate the frequent attempts to bring real science into the show. I apologize in advance for any failures in the future, because I’m sure there will be many more, hopefully entertaining, failures.

Consultants

Writers or producers sometimes elicit help from mathematical consultants on mathematical references in a script or a blackboard scene. Some consultants are credited as such or acknowledged in interviews or DVD commentaries, while others remain anonymous. Some consultants provide feedback for just one line or scene while others work with a producer or writer for years. Producers, directors, and writers have used consultants in a wide variety of movies, plays, and television shows with mathematical content, including the following examples:

Antonia’s Line. In the 1985 movie, the main character’s granddaughter was a mathematics professor who lectured about mathematics and homology theory. Wim Pudshoorn was listed as a mathematical consultant.

Arcadia. Teenage mathematics genius Thomasina Coverly worked on Fermat’s Last Theorem, named for Pierre de Fermat, Fourier’s heat equation, named for Joseph Fourier, and chaos theory in this 1993 play by Tom Stoppard. Mathematician Manil Suri was listed as the production mathematics consultant.

A Beautiful Mind. The 2001 movie explored the life and work of Nobel-Prize–winning mathematician John Nash. Mathematician Dave Bayer was a consultant and his hand appeared in the movie for written blackboard scenes.

Big Bang Theory. The television series debuted in 2007. Young physicists and engineers often discuss their work as well as mathematics. Physicist David Saltzberg has been acknowledged as a consultant.

Bones. The television series first aired in 2005 and the forensic team sometimes engages in mathematical discussions. In addition, the main character was listed as belonging to both a chemistry club and mathematics club in high school. Donna Cline has been acknowledged as a forensic consultant.

Caprica. The television series debuted in 2009 as a spinoff of Battlestar Galactica. Among other references on both shows, Dr. Philomon obtained a bachelor’s in applied mathematics in addition to other degrees. Physicist Kevin Grazier was a consultant on the original show, and engineer Malcom MacIver has been a consultant on the spinoff.

Cube. The 1997 movie explored the escape attempts by those trapped in interconnected cubes, and some of the plot twists in the movie were also mathematical. Mathematician David Pravica consulted.

Contact. In this 1997 movie based on the novel by Carl Sagan, the main character explained how prime numbers could be used to communicate with aliens. Mathematician Linda Wald and physicist Tom Kuiper were consultants.

Donald in Mathmagic Land. In the 1959 short film, Donald Duck entered a mathematical world filled with references to numbers, geometric objects, and the connections between mathematics and music, architecture, and nature. Physicist Heinz Haber was the chief scientific consultant to Walt Disney productions.

Eureka. The television series began airing in 2006 and focused on scientists in a town where almost everyone worked at a research facility. There have been numerous mathematical references, including mention of a Nobel Prize by scientist and mathematician Nathan Stark, and work by his mathematical savant stepson. Physicist Kevin Grazier consulted.

Futurama. This animated science fiction television series aired 1999–2003 and was brought back to life beginning in 2007. There have been hundreds of references to science and mathematics, written mostly by the scientific writing staff. Astrophysicist David Schiminovich and mathematician Sarah Greenwald consulted on some scenes.

Flatland the Movie. This 2007 movie was based on the well-known work on dimensions by Edwin Abbott. Mathematicians Tom Banchoff, Jonathan Farley, and Sarah Greenwald and mathematics educators L. Charles Biehl and Jon Benson consulted.

Fringe. The television series first aired in 2008. The team sometimes discusses mathematics such as in the episode titled “The Equation.” Neuroscientist Ricardo Gil da Costa has consulted.

Good Will Hunting. The main character in this 1997 movie was gifted in mathematics and worked as a janitor at MIT. Physicist Patrick O’Donnell and mathematician Daniel Kleitman were consultants.

Hard Problems: The Road to the World’s Toughest Math Competition is a 2008 documentary about the 2006 United States International Mathematical Olympiad Team. The idea for the video was credited to mathematician Joseph Gallian, who also served as an executive producer.

House. Although the television show debuted in 2004, intern Martha Masters, who also had a Ph.D. in applied mathematics, joined the medical team in 2010. Internist Harley Liker has been a consultant.

It’s My Turn. In the 1980 romantic comedy, the main character was a mathematician and she proved what is known as the “snake lemma” in the movie. Mathematician Benedict Gross was a consultant.

Madame Curie. Physicist Rudolph Langer consulted in this 1943 movie about physicist Marie Curie.

Medium. This television series aired from 2005 to 2011. The husband of the main character was an applied mathematician. Mathematician Jonathan Farley consulted.

The Mirror has Two Faces. One of the main characters in the 1996 movie is a mathematics professor. Mathematician Henry Pinkham was a consultant.

N is a Number: A Portrait of Paul Erdos. This 1993 documentary listed Donald J. Albers, Gerald L. Alexanderson, Ronald Graham, Reuben Hersh, Charles L. Silver, and Joel Spence as mathematics consultants.

NUMB3RS. This television show aired from 2005 to 2010. Charlie Eppes was a mathematics professor who consulted for the FBI. Each episode featured mathematics as a significant part of the plotline. The mathematics helped with the crime solving. The producers used many mathematical consultants but the most well-publicized were mathematician Gary Lorden and a team from Wolfram Research: Michael Trott, Eric Weisstein, Ed Pegg, Jr, and Amy Young.

The Price Is Right. The television game show aired from 1956 to 1965 and again starting in 1972. Some of the games involved mathematics and mathematicians Bill Butterworth and Paul Coe consulted.

Proof. The 2005 movie was based on David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize winning play. The lead character and her father were both talented mathematicians who also wrestled with the notion of mental illness. Mathematician Timothy Gowers was a consultant.

The Simpsons. This long-running animated television series debuted in 1989. The show’s many mathematically talented writers and producers created most of the mathematical references, which have often connected to astrophysics, number theory, geometry, innumeracy, or women in mathematics. Physicist David Schiminovich consulted on some blackboard scenes.

Square One. The mathematics educational television series aired from 1987 to 1994 and featured popular culture parodies. Edward T. Esty was a mathematical consultant.

Sneakers. In this 1992 movie, a mathematician lectures on cryptography. Computer scientist Leonard Adleman consulted.

Team Umizoomi. In this mathematics educational television program, which premiered in 2010, Christine Ricci is listed as an educational consultant.

Watchmen. In this 2009 movie, Dr. Manhattan discusses mathematics. Physicist James Kakalios consulted and is also noted for his Science of Watchman video, which also contains mathematical elements.

Some consultants have remarked that the producers and writers were very responsive to their efforts to make the mathematics more realistic. Others have commented that advice was ignored at times in order to focus on entertainment value. Mathematicians and scientists are also members of a Hollywood Math and Science Film Consulting firm and a program run by the National Academy of Sciences called the Science and Entertainment Exchange, which matches scientists with entertainment professionals. In addition to consulting, mathematicians Thomas Banchoff, Sarah Greenwald, and Gary Lorden appeared on mathematical featurettes on movie and television DVDs. In 2003, Scott Frank estimated that approximately 20% of the highest money-making films had scientific or technical consultants.

Connections to Education

Producers of NUMB3RS and Fringe worked with mathematicians and educators to create worksheet programs based on references in the show. The CBS Network, Texas Instruments, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics co-sponsored an educational Web site for NUMB3RS. Worksheet authors received a summary of all or part of an episode and designed lesson plans to complement them. Some critiqued the blurred line between entertainment and curricula and questioned the appropriateness of violent representations for middle-grade students or the relationship between the character of Amita and her thesis advisor Charlie. The Fox network partnered with the Science Olympiad organization to create a Science of Fringe Web site of lesson plans.

Actor Portrayals

Actors that portray mathematically talented individuals are sometimes asked about their portrayals in interviews and they have expressed a wide variety of viewpoints regarding mathematics. Flatland: The Movie actress Kirsten Bell, who played Hex, noted: “I really enjoyed math when I was growing up.… When you actually figure out the solution to a problem it’s very rewarding.” Martin Sheen acted as Arthur Square in the same movie and stated: “Nothing can happen without math. You can’t do anything. You can’t build anything. You can’t go anywhere without math.” NUMB3RS actor David Krumholtz, who played the main mathematician Charlie noted: “What’s great is that because math is such a universal language, really, our fans come in all shapes and sizes, all ages and genders and races and backgrounds and cultures.… I’ve been more than thrilled to meet a lot of younger people, even as young as 6 years old, who tell me they’re inspired by the math and they just think it’s a really cool concept.” Judd Hirsch, who played his father, stated: “I don’t think anybody has to understand all the mathematics in this in order to be interested in it.” Navi Rawat, who played a graduate student of Charlie and his eventual wife noted, “Having the chance to help to educate people about the importance of math through the character of Amita makes my job even more rewarding.” Lindsay Lohan, who portrayed a mathematically talented high school student in Mean Girls stated, “I’m not bad at math. It just wasn’t my favorite subject. I just did it just to do it.”

Professional Organizations

The professional mathematical community has interacted with writers, producers, actors, and mathematical consultants in a number of ways. They have invited them to speak at conferences or showcase their mathematical work. For example, there have been sessions on mathematics and Hollywood, on using mathematical references in the classroom, and some mathematical films like Flatland: The Movie and Hard Problems: The Road to the World’s Toughest Math Competition have held premiers for the mathematical community at conferences. Mathematicians have also written reviews, columns, articles, and books about the references.

Director Adept at Science

In 2023, Oppenheimer, a biopic focused on the career of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a leading figure in the development of atomic weaponry, premiered to audiences. The movie was directed by Christopher Nolan. Earlier in his career, Nolan had directed other films with advanced mathematics and scientific subject matter, including Interstellar (2014). David Saltzburg, an instructor of physics and astronomy at the University of California at Los Angeles, provided mathematical problems that supported movie scenes and dialogue. Regarding the complex quantum physics that were discussed during the movie, several scientists were on hand to consult with Nolan. Nolan had such a grasp for the scientific material that the scientists were reportedly not often consulted. 

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