What 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.
Written & Directed by Catherine Hardwicke
Starring:
Fed Head: Michael Gladis
Margaret: Annalise Basso
Housekeeper: Soledad St. Hilaire
Triplets: Bradley Metcalf, Jack Metcalf, Travis Metcalf
Intern: Philip Labes
Produced by Franny Freiberger
Executive Producers: Michael Degan, Loretta Jeneski, Patrick Degan
Cinematography by Rob Hauer
Production Designer: Beth Goodnight
Costume Designer: Candice Michaels
Edited by Phillip Bartell
Music by Emoto Music
Sound Design by Dean Martin Hovey
Casting by Shannon Makhanian
Associate Producers: Jamie Holt, Jeff Toye
Post Production Supervisor: Arash Ayrom
Sound Services by Soundwell
Executive Producer for Soundwell: Paul Schultz
Key Set Production Assistant: Isabella Cook
Set Production Assistants:
Ashley Rosenberg
Chang Gao
Eugene Monroe
Garey Quinn
Maio-Ju Chien
Mario Mendoza
Matt Mendoza
Will Slanger-Grant
Unit Production Manager: Franny Freiberger
1st Assistant Director: Angela Tortu
2nd Assistant Director: Issac Mejia
DGA Trainee: Javier Vasquez
Head of Operations: Jillian Brunon
Production Supervisor: Jennifer Schmidt
Assistant Production Supervisor: Kimberly Barron
Key Office Production Assistant: Kellie Malone
(c) 2014 NONFICTION UNLIMITED, INC
Catherine Hardwicke
CATHERINE HARDWICKE is best known as the director of “Twilight,” which launched the worldwide blockbuster franchise, “The Twilight Saga.” Her directorial debut was the critically acclaimed, “Thirteen,” which won the 2003 Director's Award at the Sundance Film Festival, two Golden Globe nominations, an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and an Independent Spirit Award. Additional directing credits include “Red Riding Hood” and “Lords of Dogtown.” As a production designer, her credits include David O. Russell’s “Three Kings,” Richard Linklater’s “Suburbia,” Lisa Cholodenko’s “Laurel Canyon,” Cameron Crowe’s “Vanilla Sky,” “Tombstone” and “Tank Girl.” Recently, Hardwicke has directed pilots for CBS and MTV, both of which have gone to series. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from UT Austin, and did graduate work at UCLA Film School.
Director's Note
“When I first began speaking with John Steele Gordon about the Federal Reserve, I admit, I didn’t have a clue about our country’s central banking system. I thought it was an amazing challenge to try and explain the Fed in an entertaining and digestible way, in 10 minutes or less. It takes longer than that to read the Wikipedia article!
We had a blast recreating the Federal Reserve System with children’s toys, including a LEGO model of the Fed Building in DC. I just hope it encourages people to dig a little deeper!”
Quiz
The purpose of the Federal Reserve is to:
73%All of these
7%Process financial transactions for the government
11%Influence the country’s money supply
9%Supervise and regulate banks
73% of respondents chose the correct answer: All of
these.
The Fed was created to help preserve and bring order to the U.S. economy during turbulent
times. It is also charged with maintaining economic growth. It was created on December 23, 1913, with the
enactment of the Federal Reserve Act, largely in response to a series of financial panics, particularly a severe
one in 1907.
The President appoints the Federal Reserve Chairman, but who does the Fed Chair answer to?
18%Congress
7%The World Bank
61%The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
14%The Secretary of the Treasury
61% of respondents chose the correct answer: The Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve.
Though the Federal Reserve Chair is appointed by the President
of the United States, he or she actually answers only to to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. The
Fed Chair is also mandated by law to report to Congress two times per year.
In a recession, the Federal Reserve’s primary method for stimulating the U.S. economy involves:
62%Lowering interest rates
8%Cutting taxes
9%Spending on infrastructure
21%Printing more currency
62% of respondents chose the correct answer: Lowering interest
rates.
By lowering interest rates the Fed makes it cheaper for banks, businesses and consumers
to borrow money. This is how the central bank gets more money flowing in the U.S. economy. These transactions
are conducted electronically. The Fed does not physically print more money. (The U.S. Mint is responsible for
printing currency).
Twitter
Weighing The Week Ahead: Can The Fed Meet Expectations?
@hw2vladerxe
Federal Reserve injected more than $400 Billion into the banks yesterday for Q3 end window dressing. Largest (by a mile) ever. Why not news?
@JF991
Saving is what is supposed to lead to investment. But why save and get no return if The Fed is going to undermine the demand for you money?
@mikehostile
56% of the Fed's $4.2 trillion in securities have maturities beyond 10 years. How long does Yellen expect normalization to take?
@JasaykoCFA
Did you know?
During Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing delivered approximately 26 million notes a day with a face value of approximately $1.3 billion.
The oldest central bank, Sweden’s Sveriges Riksbank, was formed in 1668, 245 years before the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Did you know that the average $100 bill stays in circulation about 9 years while $1 bills only last 22 months.
Alan Greenspan, Fed Chairman from 1987 to 2006, studied music at The Juilliard School and played jazz sax with Stan Getz.
