Learn the Math Behind CBS Show Numb3rs Dan Koelsch, February 21, 2010 There are a lot of procedural shows on right now, shows in which a problem is introduced, investigated and solved all within the same episode (think CSI, Bones, almost every one hour show other than LOST). Many have gimmicks to try to separate them from the bunch (his partner is a psychic!), and one of my favorite gimmick procedurals is Numb3rs on CBS. There’s a nifty website created to supplement the show. The show centers on the Los Angeles branch of the FBI, where agent Eppes (rob Morrow) has a brother who is a math genius and professor at Cal Tech. Each episode has Professor Eppes (David Krumholtz) using advanced mathematics to help solve a case. For us regular folk, this stuff goes over our head, but if you are interested in the math, Wolfram (makers of software Mathematica) have teamed up with the show to help you out. Wolfram’s Numb3rs website goes through each episode and explains the mathematical principals the characters are using or talking about. The well designed site is meant to look like a case file being opened, and you can watch videos that show the math. For a much more detailed look at the science, each concept has a link to it’s own Wolfram page. It’s nice to know that the characters aren’t talking gibberish, and this kind of stuff can actually work. Numb3rs airs Fridays at 10/9c on CBS. Viral Marketing CBSNumb3rsNumbers
Billboard for “The Dark Knight Rises” Will Blow You Away June 23, 2012You might not think of billboards as being an innovative piece of marketing, but when it’s done right, it demands attention. Case in point, a billboard in Hollywood for The Dark Knight Rises that utilizes all three dimensions. Check out an image, courtesy of /Film, after the jump. Read More
Fox Searchlight Launches a Powerful Website for “The Tree of Life” April 7, 2011April 8, 2011Terrance Malick’s The Tree of Life may be the film’s most highly anticipated films that is not a comic book adaptation, a sequel, or a film that is a preface to a much larger film. Now Fox Searchlight has launched a website promoting the new drama from Malick calling it… Read More
Tron Legacy Email Gives Clues To Cities February 24, 2010December 1, 2010Today is the big day for the Tron Legacy viral. If you signed up on FlynnLives.com, then you should have gotten an email last night that hints at what the cities on the Zero Hour site are for, as well as how the countdown ending today relates. If not, then… Read More
The show’s “Chain Factor” ARG is still my favorite example of integrating the viral with the tv show. Took the premise from the Primacy and extended it seamlessly (which is pretty difficult, after watching the episode’s resolution) onto the web and into the real world.