The Scene We the Economy

Season 1

TV-PG

"Everyone is talking about the economy, but who can explain it? From that morning cup of coffee to your monthly mortgage payment, the economy affects every aspect of our lives, yet many Americans don't understand the basic drivers of our economic system. We're caught between bubbles and recessions, rising costs and dwindling paychecks, Main Street and Wall Street - a whirl of dollars and not much sense. With WE THE ECONOMY, award-winning directors and leading economic experts team up for a surprising and thought-provoking shortfilm series that tackles 20 essential questions about the U.S. economy. Told through animation, comedy, musical, nonfiction, and scripted films, WE THE ECONOMY seeks to demystify a complicated topic while empowering the public to take control of the nation's economic present - and their own economic futures."

Where to Watch The Scene We the Economy • Season 1

15 Episodes

Lemonade War
E1
Lemonade WarHow does Government regulate the economy? In an idyllic suburban neighborhood, Jerry (Patton Oswalt) runs his big business lemonade stand and has the market cornered - until ten-year old Addie (Taylor Buck) opens her own stand across the street. Competition equals war, and both sides use - and abuse - a government regulator (Mo Collins) to try and win. In the end, one special customer (Werner Herzog) will decide their fate.
Cave-o-nomics
E2
Cave-o-nomicsHow did the economy get started? Meet Ugg, Glugg and Tugg, three enterprising cave men who accidentally invented trade, marketing and the base elements of the modern market economy.
The Unbelievably Sweet Alpacas!
E4
The Unbelievably Sweet Alpacas!Is Inequality Growing? In a magical land inhabited by long lashed, multi-colored Alpacas who love lollipops, rainbows and friendship, there's a yawning divide in wealth distribution...what's behind the inequality gap?
Fed Head
E5
Fed HeadWhat is the Federal Reserve? When Federal Reserve Chairman Rob Rafaelson awakes with amnesia only moments before a big press conference, his children, maid and intern must explain the Fed to him using the only thing handy: the children's toys.
Debt & Deficit
E6
Debt & DeficitWhy do we have budget deficits and a national debt? In this free-wheeling animated film, you'll see how Congress and public officials use and manage debt, and why it matters to you.
GDP Smackdown
E7
GDP SmackdownHow do we measure the economy? Two economists settle their differences- in the professional wrestling ring. Watch and cheer as Simon Kuznets and M. Joseph Meehan square off in a testosterone-fueled battle over how to measure the economy.
Supply Chain Reaction
E8
Supply Chain ReactionWhat do human rights have to do with the economy? As consumers in a rapidly growing world economy, we have an insatiable appetite for the next greatest electronic gadget, like smartphones and TVs. But can we consume cheap imported products without exploiting someone in the supply chain?
A Bee's Invoice; the Hidden Value in Nature
E9
A Bee's Invoice; the Hidden Value in NatureAre natural resources vital to the economy? Why should nature be taken into account when looking at the economy as a whole? A Bee's Invoice uncovers and incorporates the hidden value of natural capital in the measurement of our economy.
Recession
E10
RecessionWhat causes a recession? Choreographed by Pilobolus dance company and narrated by economic historian John Steele Gordon, Lee Hirsch's "Recession" mounts an entertaining and educational look at what causes an economic recession and how recovery is stimulated.
Your Tax Dollars at Work
E11
Your Tax Dollars at WorkWhere do our tax dollars go? We Americans spend a lot of time arguing over how our tax dollars are spent. But do we focus on the right things? Or have we been misdirected? Two-time Oscar winning director Barbara Kopple focuses her lens on answers that many may find startling.
Taxation Nation
E12
Taxation Nation"Why is our tax system so complicated? Teachers have long relied on educational cartoons with catchy songs to simplify everything from grammar to government. Can a cartoon conquer a challenge like today's tax system, with its ever-changing, 75,000 pages of laws? With retro flair, TAXATION NATION looks into how our tax system does - and doesn't - work."
That Film About Money
E13
That Film About MoneyWhat is the real value of a dollar? You think that a dollar bill is money and that banks are where your cash is stored and safeguarded. Well, you're wrong. Like, really wrong.
That Second Film About Money
E14
That Second Film About MoneyWhat do banks do with our deposits? You think that banks are where your cash is stored and safeguard and that a dollar bill is money. Well, you're wrong. Like, really wrong.
The Foreign Aid Paradox
E15
The Foreign Aid Paradox"Why does the U.S. fund foreign aid? The United States spends approximately $37 billion dollars a year on foreign aid - just under 1% of our federal budget. THE FOREIGN AID PARADOX zeroes in on food aid to Haiti and how it affects American farming and shipping interests as well as Haiti's own agricultural markets. The result: a surprising study in unintended consequences." Think U.S. foreign aid is just a big giveaway to other countries? Think again. Often, it benefits farmers, manufacturers and shippers right here at home. But U.S. aid is always good for the countries we give it to, right? Well, it's not so simple.
Supply & Dance, Man!
E16
Supply & Dance, Man!Why is the law of supply and demand so powerful? A whimsical tale of love, dance and the economic concept of supply and demand. Bored in class, JONATHAN and KRISTIN are woken up by our friendly NARRATOR who helps guide them on an adventure in economics and... um... dance.