This chapter discusses the process of greenlighting a major motion picture, the cast involved, and the importance of technical advisors. It also explores how filmmakers consult economists and the challenges economists face in communicating their work effectively. Adam McKay's desire to understand the emotional stakes behind financial products is highlighted, with a focus on collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and their role in the financial crisis. The chapter concludes with a mention of the movie's plot, which revolves around individuals who foresaw the collapse of CDOs and mortgage-related financial products.
What's it like to hang out with Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, and Steve Carell for two months? Adam Davidson, who writes for the New York Times Sunday Magazine, was the technical advisor to the upcoming movie, The Big Short. Besides rubbing shoulders with celebrities, he noticed what he calls the Hollywood model where highly talented workers come together temporarily in project-based employment. Davidson discusses the costs and benefits of this approach and its potential emergence as a more common phenomenon throughout the economy.