When Things Get Small Makes Comical Sense of "Nano"

LA JOLLA, November 10, 2005--Nano is today's "buzz" word, popping up in almost any exchange or news report about the future of technology. But what exactly does this word mean? UCSD-TV's new half-hour program "When Things Get Small," premiering November 30 at 8PM, addresses these and other questions about the field by taking viewers of all ages on an irreverent, madcap, comically corny romp into the real-life quest to create the smallest magnet ever known. Funded by the National Science Foundation, and produced by UCSD-TV in partnership with Calit2, When Things Get Small was created by Not Too Serious Labs, the creative collaboration of Rich Wargo, science producer for UCSD-TV, and renowned UCSD physicist Ivan Schuller.

The half-hour program addresses several important "nano" concepts with entertaining effects, humor and comic invention, and illustrates answers to such questions as ­ How small is nano? What happens when things get small? And, how do you make things small? With special appearances by UC President Robert Dynes and Padres owner John Moores (disguised as a peanut-seller at Petco Park), the program is a departure from typical science-for-television fare.

Early feedback on the program has been overwhelmingly positive. An invitation-only sneak preview audience screened the program at the October 28 opening celebration of UCSD's Calit2 building. Guests laughed and learned and the program elicited enthusiastic responses: "Entertaining and interesting," "I keep wondering what nano is and I found the answer today," and "It's 'Good Eats' for sciences," commented another viewer, referring to a popular Food Network program.

"The preview response is very encouraging," commented Rich Wargo, UCSD-TV science producer. "In developing the program, we found research indicating that people actually learn better when humor is involved. So there is a method, not just madness here, and it seems to be working." Wargo continued, "But commenting about all that is boring and pretentious - just enjoy the show. As one of our muses once said: 'That's All Folks!'"

"This program is a terrific example of the blending of science and entertainment, " stated Larry Smarr, Director of Calit2, who screened the film at the October 28 sneak preview. "It fits wonderfully with Calit2's mission of helping the public understand what research organizations like ours are doing and how it might impact their lives."

For more information about "When Things Get Small," including additional air dates, behind the scenes photos, or to view the program and the "making of" special on-demand, visit www.ucsd.tv/getsmall.

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White Mountain Wins Emmy

(Press Release) La Jolla--In the Shadow of White Mountain received a prestigious Emmy award for Best Documentary by the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The program's producer, Rich Wargo of UCSD-TV, accepted the award at the 31st Annual Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards ceremony held on June 18, 2005 at the Omni San Diego Hotel.

In addition to the Emmy recognition, "In the Shadow of White Mountain" was recently honored with a "Certificate for Creative Excellence" by the United States International Film and Video Festival's 38th Annual Awards competition. In early 2005, the documentary received a bronze Telly Award, an international competition honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions.

"These awards represent the hard work of everyone involved in the program," says Wargo. "The White Mountain research station and the people who work there are truly a special part of my life, and I hope we can share their passion and my special fondness for this place--as well as some dispassionate science--with the audience."

Nearly three years in the making and featuring the distinctive voice of narrator Peter Coyote, "In the Shadow of White Mountain" tells the many stories of the White Mountain Research Station (WMRS), a biological field station with both the highest research lab and the highest Internet node in North America. The hour-long documentary includes segments ranging from the extreme hibernation of White Mountain's squirrels to what the evolution of the Willow Beetle can tell us about climate change. The program was made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation through its Divisions of Biological Infrastructure and Elementary, Secondary and Informal Science Education. More information about the program, including photos, a look behind-the-scenes of the production, and links to view the program "on-demand," visit http://www.ucsd.tv/whitemountain.

The purpose of the Emmy Awards is to recognize outstanding achievements in television by conferring annual awards of merit in the Pacific Southwest region. The Pacific Southwest region includes San Diego County and the television markets of Bakersfield, Oxnard, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

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White Mountain Wins International Award

(Press Release) SAN DIEGO--The University of California, San Diego Television (UCSD-TV) documentary In the Shadow of White Mountain was recognized with a "Certificate for Creative Excellence" by the International Film and Video Festival's 38th Annual Awards competition. Selected from over 1,300 entries from 30 countries, this third place award in the Sciences, Research, and Exploration category is the second for this documentary and its producer, UCSD-TV's Rich Wargo. In early 2005, the documentary was honored with a bronze Telly Award, an international competition honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions.

Nearly three years in the making, "In the Shadow of White Mountain" made its television debut in November 2004 on UCSD-TV, the broadcast television station based on the UC San Diego campus, and also aired nationally on University of California Television (UCTV), the UC systemwide satellite channel. Funding for the program was made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Divisions of Biological Infrastructure and Elementary, Secondary and Informal Science Education.

Featuring the distinctive voice of narrator Peter Coyote, "In the Shadow of White Mountain" tells the many stories of UC's White Mountain Research Station (WMRS), a biological field station with both the highest research lab and the highest Internet node in North America. The diversity of research that takes place at WMRS is reflected in the hour-long documentary, which includes segments ranging from the extreme hibernation of White Mountain's squirrels to what the evolution of the Willow Beetle can tell us about climate change. More information on the program, including exclusive behind the scenes photos, producer's notes, and links to additional resources, can be found at http://www.ucsd.tv/whitemountain/.

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