Naturally Obsessed
Encyclopedia
Naturally Obsessed: the making of a scientist is a one hour documentary film
that opens a view on the training of scientists and the process of discovery. Shot over three years’ time in the molecular biology laboratory of Dr. Lawrence Shapiro of the Columbia University Medical Center
, the film chronicles how the tool of X-ray crystallography
enables the discovery of the workings of the AMPK protein molecule, revealing a new path towards the treatment of diabetes and obesity
. The focus of the film, however, is mostly on the human side of doing science. Following the emotional ups and downs of three graduate students, guided by their professor and laboratory head along the challenging and uncertain journey to the PhD degree, it highlights the qualities that contribute to the making of a scientist, such as persistence, skill in asking the right questions, mastering the needed technology, mentoring and being mentored, collaborating and facing competition.
Ann Hornday, The Washington Post
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Karen A. Frenkel, TALKING SCIENCE:
Emily D. Slutsky and Lauren E. Wool, BioTechniques
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Christopher Mims, POP-SCI.COM:
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
that opens a view on the training of scientists and the process of discovery. Shot over three years’ time in the molecular biology laboratory of Dr. Lawrence Shapiro of the Columbia University Medical Center
Columbia University Medical Center
Columbia University Medical Center is an academic medical center that includes Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, College of Dental Medicine, School of Nursing and Mailman School of Public Health...
, the film chronicles how the tool of X-ray crystallography
Crystallography
Crystallography is the experimental science of the arrangement of atoms in solids. The word "crystallography" derives from the Greek words crystallon = cold drop / frozen drop, with its meaning extending to all solids with some degree of transparency, and grapho = write.Before the development of...
enables the discovery of the workings of the AMPK protein molecule, revealing a new path towards the treatment of diabetes and obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
. The focus of the film, however, is mostly on the human side of doing science. Following the emotional ups and downs of three graduate students, guided by their professor and laboratory head along the challenging and uncertain journey to the PhD degree, it highlights the qualities that contribute to the making of a scientist, such as persistence, skill in asking the right questions, mastering the needed technology, mentoring and being mentored, collaborating and facing competition.
Background
The film was produced by the not-for-profit ParnassusWorks, headed by Dr. Richard Rifkind, formerly director of research and Chairman of the Sloan-Kettering Institute in New York City, where he also was responsible for graduate student education. Long concerned with public understanding of science, upon his retirement from SKI, Rifkind turned to filmmaking in order to illuminate, for a general public, what research is all about—how new scientists are trained, the critical role that students play in the process of discovery, and the drama of research that he, himself, experienced during his 50 years as a bench scientist.Critical reception
Reviewers in the popular and science press have highlighted the veracity of the film:Ann Hornday, The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
:
"Naturally Obsessed," a funny, lively, thoroughly absorbing documentary … moves viewers with ease and intimacy through a world too often portrayed as boring, nerdy and filled with indecipherable jargon.”
Karen A. Frenkel, TALKING SCIENCE:
“Much of the film is concerned not so much with the specifics of research, but with what sacrifices people are willing to make for the sake of discovery. This is as it should be; the public needs to better understand what goes on in the minds of those working in Ivory Towers.”
Emily D. Slutsky and Lauren E. Wool, BioTechniques
BioTechniques
Biotechniques: the International Journal of Life Science Methods is a peer-reviewed scientific journal distributed in print and online form to researchers in the field of molecular biology and biochemistry. It includes primarily articles and reviews on the application of techniques, and is...
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“’Naturally Obsessed’ makes it clear that there is no way to make science easy: as a whole, it is nothing less than an ongoing lesson in dedication and persistence.”
Christopher Mims, POP-SCI.COM:
“’Naturally Obsessed: The Making of a Scientist’ is the best film ever to depict what goes on inside a real science lab -- period.
Production
The production team also includes co-producer/director Carole Rifkind; Academy Award-nominated and Emmy award winner cinematographer, Buddy Squires; award winning editors Richard Hankin and Lisa Palatella; Academy Award animators, Caroline and Frank Mouris; composer David Majzlin; music supervisor, Susan Jacobs; consulting producer, Marion Swaybill; associate producer, Hayley Downs.Screenings and Festivals
In 2009,Naturally Obsessed was screened at universities, research institutes, high schools, cultural organizations, government agencies, and corporations nationwide. The film was also screened at the following film festivals:- 2009 Atlanta Film FestivalAtlanta Film FestivalThe Atlanta Film Festival is an Academy Award qualifying, international film festival held in Atlanta, Georgia. Started in 1976 and occurring every April, the festival shows a diverse range of independent films, including genre films such as horror and sci-fi...
- 2009 Big Sky Film Festival
- 2009 DC Environmental Film Festival
- International Science Film Festival in Athens, 2009
- 18th Woods Hole Film FestivalWoods Hole Film FestivalThe Woods Hole Film Festival was founded in 1991 by Judith Laster and Kate Davis.Over the years, it has grown from a one day invitational event to an eight day event with films submitted from around the world. The Festival is held each year from the last Saturday of July through the first Saturday...
- World Science FestivalWorld Science FestivalThe World Science Festival is a science festival held in New York City that is held annually in the summer. The 2008 inaugural festival was held May 28 – June 1 and consisted mainly of panel discussions and on-stage conversations, accompanied by multimedia presentations.The festival was the...
/Global Nomads multi-school screening