EconPop Makes Economics Cool With New YouTube Show

AUSTIN, Texas, March 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- EconPop, the new YouTube web series, released its pilot episode today. The series, hosted by political satirist Andrew Heaton, examines economics through the lens of film and popular culture. The premiere episode looks at the economic ideas behind one of 2013's most acclaimed movies, Dallas Buyers Club. Last weekend, Matthew McConaughey won an Oscar for his portrayal of HIV-positive Ron Woodruff, who defied the law to bring non-FDA-approved treatments to desperate AIDS patients.

"Dallas Buyers Club makes a killer point: government bureaucracy can cost lives. The FDA is actively preventing reasonable adults from making informed decisions about their health," said Executive Producer John Papola. "Audiences cheered Woodruff as he fought for patients' rights, and came away questioning the power of the state."

EconPop will air every other week at EconStories.TV and on the EconStories YouTube channel. Each 7-10 minute episode will be accompanied by an in-depth, free, audio podcast on iTunes featuring EconPop host Andrew Heaton and scholars such as Paul Cantor and Steve Horwitz. Future episodes of EconPop will explore underlying economic themes in House of Cards, The Lego Movie, and Ghostbusters.

ABOUT ECONSTORIES
EconStories connects great economics with new audiences through storytelling and entertainment. Founded by John Papola (CEO of Emergent Order, the creative agency that produces EconStories) and Russ Roberts (John and Jean De Nault Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution), EconStories' first two rap videos, Fear the Boom & Bust and Fight of the Century, have been seen by millions. Acclaimed by the wonks at The Economist and NPR, they have also been praised by pop star Ke$ha, who said, "It's, like, legit. And it's really good raps. It's really good rapping!"

ABOUT THE MOVING PICTURE INSTITUTE
The Moving Picture Institute (MPI) is a charitable and educational tax-exempt foundation that promotes freedom through film. It does so by developing its own media content in-house, and supporting filmmakers at every phase of their careers. MPI films win awards, appear in theaters and on television, and have drawn praise from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more. MPI is supported entirely by the generous contributions of individuals, foundations, and corporations.    

SOURCE Moving Picture Institute