CNN features Johnson Space Center on Morgan Spurlock’s ‘Inside Man’
2016-06-09
“Inside Man”—the CNN series that digs deep into compelling topics—has a new episode, “One Giant Step for Morgan,” airing June 10 at 9 p.m. CDT. Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock goes behind the gates of Johnson Space Center to “virtually” experience astronaut training—and behind the scenes of the space industry—to show an insider’s perspective on the future of exploration and technologies that may benefit humankind.
The idea for the spaceflight episode came about when the “Inside Man” team was diving into a new season and brainstorming topics. Spurlock said the “space” theme continued to rise up, along with questions like why does exploration matter.
“Then, out of some magical moment of serendipity, I happened to run into Dylan Mathis [International Space Station Communications manager] at South by Southwest,” Spurlock said. That chance meeting resulted in a proposal to shoot a show at JSC. “It was meant to be.”
Connecting the dots—from the people to the mission
What “Inside Man” does best is connect with people.
“What I create is a vicarious experience where, when I experience something, you’ll experience something,” Spurlock said. “When I learn something, you’ll learn something. When I feel something, you’ll feel something. And I feel that’s exactly what happens when preparing for space missions.”
Spurlock said whatever their show talks about, no matter how much the topics seem disparate, they do affect people and are a part of our existence.
“Science—especially space exploration—is one of those things that impacts us in many ways: from the advancements in science that have been made and achieved through NASA, to broadening our own horizons in terms of what we think is actually possible,” Spurlock said.
The scientific breakthroughs that come from humans continuing to push forward is what get Spurlock pumped up about spaceflight.
“Is it going to be the discovery of minerals or elements on planets or asteroids that’s we’ve never seen before that will change the way we look at certain types of scientific experiments?” Spurlock said. “Who knows? But for me, I think it’s those types of ‘what ifs’ that just make me excited. One hundred plus years ago we were driving around in wagons. Now here we are in planes and rockets and spaceships. What’s next?”
During the filming at JSC in May and July 2015, astronaut Reid Wiseman guided Spurlock and the CNN/Warrior Poets film crew through an all-encompassing tour of JSC. Spurlock spoke with several team members—including International Space Station Manager Kirk Shireman—to showcase NASA efforts on Earth, and also interviewed Scott Kelly about his one-year mission off the Earth.
Some of the highlights for Spurlock during filming was the opportunity to drive the Space Exploration Vehicle and wear a spacesuit.
“And now I just want to put on a spacesuit and be on a foreign body,” Spurlock said. “I just want to be either floating in space or on a planet somewhere. It just whets your palate for something more.”
Spurlock found the program experts and astronauts he met along the tour impressive on many levels. He enjoyed their abilities, passion and the openness to talk about what they do.
“They are some of the most impressive and brilliant people you’ll ever meet,” Spurlock said. “And you start to understand what it means to be an astronaut, because they represent the best of everything.”
When asked if he would like to be an astronaut and fly into space for the ultimate “Inside Man” “outside man” episode, Spurlock did not hesitate. “Absolutely. In a second. Yeah, if NASA called and said, ‘Listen, we have a slot, we’re interested in finding someone who can go to the space station for six months—will you go?’ The only answer would be ‘Yes!’”
Coming full circle
After filming wrapped up, Spurlock said he and the crew had an incredible week.
“I hope what the show does is continue to remind people that things like exploration matter,” Spurlock said. “It matters for us to continue to push ourselves, to look beyond wherever the horizon may end.”
On June 7, Spurlock took the Teague Auditorium stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd of JSC team members to introduce the audience to the “super-sneak preview of our NASA episode ‘One Giant Step for Morgan.’
“It was an honor for us to be here to continue to show people the promise of space, the immense opportunities and the ground-breaking work that NASA continues to do.”
To see a gallery of behind-the-scenes photos from the making of the film, click here.
Laura Rochon
NASA Johnson Space Center
The idea for the spaceflight episode came about when the “Inside Man” team was diving into a new season and brainstorming topics. Spurlock said the “space” theme continued to rise up, along with questions like why does exploration matter.
“Then, out of some magical moment of serendipity, I happened to run into Dylan Mathis [International Space Station Communications manager] at South by Southwest,” Spurlock said. That chance meeting resulted in a proposal to shoot a show at JSC. “It was meant to be.”
Connecting the dots—from the people to the mission
What “Inside Man” does best is connect with people.
“What I create is a vicarious experience where, when I experience something, you’ll experience something,” Spurlock said. “When I learn something, you’ll learn something. When I feel something, you’ll feel something. And I feel that’s exactly what happens when preparing for space missions.”
Spurlock said whatever their show talks about, no matter how much the topics seem disparate, they do affect people and are a part of our existence.
“Science—especially space exploration—is one of those things that impacts us in many ways: from the advancements in science that have been made and achieved through NASA, to broadening our own horizons in terms of what we think is actually possible,” Spurlock said.
The scientific breakthroughs that come from humans continuing to push forward is what get Spurlock pumped up about spaceflight.
“Is it going to be the discovery of minerals or elements on planets or asteroids that’s we’ve never seen before that will change the way we look at certain types of scientific experiments?” Spurlock said. “Who knows? But for me, I think it’s those types of ‘what ifs’ that just make me excited. One hundred plus years ago we were driving around in wagons. Now here we are in planes and rockets and spaceships. What’s next?”
During the filming at JSC in May and July 2015, astronaut Reid Wiseman guided Spurlock and the CNN/Warrior Poets film crew through an all-encompassing tour of JSC. Spurlock spoke with several team members—including International Space Station Manager Kirk Shireman—to showcase NASA efforts on Earth, and also interviewed Scott Kelly about his one-year mission off the Earth.
Some of the highlights for Spurlock during filming was the opportunity to drive the Space Exploration Vehicle and wear a spacesuit.
“And now I just want to put on a spacesuit and be on a foreign body,” Spurlock said. “I just want to be either floating in space or on a planet somewhere. It just whets your palate for something more.”
Spurlock found the program experts and astronauts he met along the tour impressive on many levels. He enjoyed their abilities, passion and the openness to talk about what they do.
“They are some of the most impressive and brilliant people you’ll ever meet,” Spurlock said. “And you start to understand what it means to be an astronaut, because they represent the best of everything.”
When asked if he would like to be an astronaut and fly into space for the ultimate “Inside Man” “outside man” episode, Spurlock did not hesitate. “Absolutely. In a second. Yeah, if NASA called and said, ‘Listen, we have a slot, we’re interested in finding someone who can go to the space station for six months—will you go?’ The only answer would be ‘Yes!’”
Coming full circle
After filming wrapped up, Spurlock said he and the crew had an incredible week.
“I hope what the show does is continue to remind people that things like exploration matter,” Spurlock said. “It matters for us to continue to push ourselves, to look beyond wherever the horizon may end.”
On June 7, Spurlock took the Teague Auditorium stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd of JSC team members to introduce the audience to the “super-sneak preview of our NASA episode ‘One Giant Step for Morgan.’
“It was an honor for us to be here to continue to show people the promise of space, the immense opportunities and the ground-breaking work that NASA continues to do.”
To see a gallery of behind-the-scenes photos from the making of the film, click here.
Laura Rochon
NASA Johnson Space Center
Spurlock introduces the world premiere NASA episode "One Giant Step for Morgan" on June 7. Image Credit: NASA/James Blair
Spurlock gives a thumbs up in the Advanced Space Suit Lab. Image Credit: NASA