We’re on StarTrek.com!

In a stellar surprise today, my friend Jenn called into my office saying “Did you know Chasing Atlantis is on the StarTrek.com website today!?”

It took me a moment to realize what I was seeing. And there we are an article about Chasing and the awesome Trek family members that have been a part of our film including Rod Roddenberry, Wil Wheaton, and Michael Okuda! We have also spoken to Robert Picardo about his work at the Planetary Society. 

The article splash image features our visit to interview Bill Nye at the Planetary Society.

Chasing Atlantis on StarTrek.com

What’s super awesome about the timing is that today marks my Grandfather’s 90th birthday and it was he who got me into space to begin with. He’s also mentioned by name in the article on Trek.com. Happy 90th, Dziadziu!

Check out the article on Star Trek.com here!

Keep Chasing!

-Matthew

 

Remembering One of Our Most Incredible Interviews: Bill Nye

Facebook reminded us that it was 3 years ago today we were surprised by a phone call from Bill Nye The Science Guy which led to this amazing photo and an awesome interview for Chasing Atlantis.

I had finished a call with Bill’s agent thinking that there was no way this was going to actually happen. With the size of our team, budget, and Bill’s schedule I didn’t think we would be a serious consideration. I walked back inside, got lunch, sat down to eat, and the phone rang again. It was Bill’s agent’s number, but when I answered I heard ‘Matt. This is Bill.’ Here I am juggling salad at the Simon Fraser University dining hall getting a call from Bill Nye. He asked me about the film and, in that moment, I knew I had to give a legitimate “elevator pitch.” I recall saying something to the effect of ‘imagine that the science kids that you raised have now grown up and want to interview their science dad about the wonder of space and the retirement of the space shuttle.’ Silence for a moment. Then…’Sounds great. Let’s do it. Come down to California.’ Bill and I got to talking for a bit. We spoke about the Science Guy Show. I recalled parts of an episode about the circulatory system and he knew the exact episode number. I finished the call saying ‘Bill, talking to you is like a metaphysical experience’ to which he replied ‘No it’s not…it’s a physical experience.'” Of course he was right.

Our interview with Bill at The Planetary Society was amazing. After giving him a Chasing Atlantis themed bow tie (which he’s wearing in this photo) that we had custom printed he asked if we were hungry and if we wanted “Mars Cookies.” Bill explained that they were cookies that “replicated the surface colour and texture of Mars…but not the taste.” They were indeed the best planet cookies we ever had.

Bill Nye (Centre) with the Chasing team of Paul Muzzin (Right) and Matt Cimone (Left)

Catch us at the Canadian National Exhibition

Hey Chasers!

If you are in the Toronto area, you can check out the last weekend of the Canadian National Exhibition where Chasing Atlantis has its own display.

The CNE is an annual fair leading up the Canadian Labour day weekend that hosts about 1.5 million people each year at Toronto’s Exhibition Place. It is Canada’s largest annual fair which began in 1879 largely to promote agriculture and technology in Canada. The exhibits are accompanied by amusement park attractions, a band shell concert space with big name tickets and an air show.

Last year, we were contacted by the CNE’s Candice McCavitt to host a display as part of the CNE’s theme of looking toward the future. This year, one of the exhibits is centered on pop culture. We are featuring footage with Bill Nye the Science Guy, Ann Lemay of the video game series Mass Effect, and Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield. If you’re passing through, be sure to check out the Pop Culture display. If you find us, post a photo of the display on our Facebook Page or send us a tweet to @chasingatlantis

Thanks once again to Candice McCavitt for inviting us to be a part of the CNE two years running!

Keep Chasing!

Matthew

 

 

 

 

Help us get Bill Nye vs Neil deGrasse Tyson to Imgur’s front page!

Our Bill Nye vs Neill deGrasse Tyson vid has hit Imgur thanks to our friend and Chasing supporter, Siyavash Izadi.

http://imgur.com/gallery/IGLAu/new.

In the first 5 hours of it being posted earlier today, it hit over 4000 views and about 150 likes. If it hits 300, it will go to Imgur’s front page! Help us make the front page by giving us a like!

Keep Chasing!

Matthew

 

 

 

Neil deGrasse Tyson vs Bill Nye: Celebrating Cosmos

Hey Chasers!

Tonight is the last episode of Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey.

Over the last 14 weeks, with host Neil deGrasse Tyson at the helm, we have been treated to a journey that has spanned the formation of the Universe itself, the heroes of the great scientific discoveries of our civilization, an understanding of the eons of Earth’s history spanning generations of extinction and rebirth, and wrestled with important issues facing us in the present such as climate change.

Rebooted by producer Seth MacFarlane, and Carl Sagan’s wife Ann Druyan, the series revisited themes of the original Cosmos, hosted by Sagan, for a new generation of viewers. I’ve been watching the series from week to week with the staff here at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. The show has been truly inspiring; leaping beyond the scientific fact to studying the personal motivations and passions of the scientists who literally changed our lives, the dangers we face as a society belching carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and the wonders of discovery that could still await us. Tyson hosts the show from the Starship Imagination that can travel through both time and space effectively making Tyson a kindof Doctor Who but hosting a science show and without a British accent. Point is that the show is amazing and if you haven’t watched the series you should definitely pick it up on Blu-Ray! Be sure to tune in to tonight’s episode at 9pm EST/PST

As a light-hearted send off to Cosmos, we are posting this clip from our interview with Bill Nye who fondly talks about his friend Neil deGrasse Tyson and a “fight to control the universe.” This is the first footage we’ve released of our interview with Bill.

Enjoy Cosmos and Keep Chasing!

-Matthew

 

 

Science RULES…With Bill Nye! North America Tour 2 Continues

Hey Chasers!

We did it! BILL NYE!

Bill Nye (Centre) With Chasing Atlantis Team Paul (Right) and Matthew (Left)

Mind Blown! We literally just got back from our interview with Bill at the Planetary Society. First off, it was amazing to visit the society, a legacy of the great Carl Sagan. But then, to meet a childhood hero who continues to be a passionate advocate for education, action against climate change, and the mission to answer the questions of our origins in the universe…again, mind blowing.

Bill spoke a great deal with us about science education and science as key to understanding and improving the world around us. However, he also spoke about the importance of curiosity, imagination and passion and how these values need to play a part in your life regardless of your vocation…so even in the lives of filmmakers!

As part of the “Ask Bill Nye” post that we made a few days ago, we got some really insightful questions sent in. To those of you who posted questions on the website, in tweets, or posted on the FB page, THANK YOU! We were stoked to know that you were out there helping us to brainstorm ideas for this amazing opportunity. We definitely managed to get some of these questions into the interview and we will be posting clips of those answers soon! Stay tuned! In the meantime…

SCIENCE RULES!! BILL!! BILL!! BILL!!

Oh, one more thing!! Note the Chasing Atlantis Bowtie on Bill! In our panic to get one made last minute, we actually had 3 come through. Our Tie contributors were Vancouver based Belvedere Ties (Featured in this Photo), Beau Ties Ltd in Vermont (a regular provider of ties for Bill  (Thanks Liz!), and by my colleague Brandy Steele at Simon Fraser University. Bill received all 3 ties as a gift and said that they were all very awesome. Also, thanks to Spoonflower for getting us the Chasing Atlantis fabric, from which all the ties were made, in time for the trip!)