Morgan Spurlock, the Super Size Me documentary filmmaker, and economics experts like Adam Davidson put their heads together to create the digital series We The Economy: 20 Short Films You Can’t Afford To Miss.

Morgan Spurlock On 'We The Economy'

The concept for the digital series was born out of Spulock’s desire to increase economic literacy in America. With the help of Vulcan Productions' Paul Allen, he developed the idea to have A-list actors and a number of economic minds – like Davidson – come together to create something that was both smart and entertaining.

For one of the 20 short films, Spurlock teamed up with economic advisor John Steele Gordon, who developed an idea for a caveman-themed script. “‘I imagine that in the beginning it all started with two cavemen. One was a good hunter and one who made great spears and one guy who said, I would be an even better hunter if I had one of your spears, so they made the trade and out of that was born the first market system,’” Spurlock told uInterview. “I was like that’s a great idea for a movie so that was the inspiration for my film “Caveonomics.”

Adam Davidson Works With 'SNL' Alums

As for Davidson, he had the pleasure of co-writing a cartoon with Adam McCay that featured voice acting by Saturday Night Live alums Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Sarah Silverman.

“[It’s a cartoon about three sweet little alpacas who are played by Sarah Silverman, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph who are confronted with income inequality,” Davidson told uInterview. “It was an awesome way to take this very important complicated issue – it made my brain do things I’ve never done before, but Adam McKay is such a genius that it was easy – and turn it into a really fun cartoon with good jokes and a plot line and all of that.”

Americans And The Economy

Davidson, who believes Americans became lazy about learning about the economy during nearly a century of growth, believes that people thinking that the economy is an isolated issue is the biggest misconception.

“I tell you the single biggest [misconception]. It’s that it is some separate thing,” said Davidson. “That it is discreet from your day-to-day life. Economics impacts where you live, how you live, who you marry, how many kids you have, what you do for a living, how you spend your leisure time, what kind of stuff you have in your house, what you eat. It is embedded intimately in every component of your life.”

Spurlock, whose life’s work involves shining a spotlight on underserved issues, has learned through the process of making We the Economy that the economy isn’t an exception when it comes to using film to make something accessible.

“[Films] basically make it in a way where not only someone like me can understand. I think teachers will be able to use these in classrooms,” said Spurlock. “I think that friends will be able to send them to other friends when they are debating about what something truly is. I think there will be a long tail to these movies that will be really exciting in terms of the information they provide.”

Watch WE THE ECONOMY – Series Trailer on Vimeo.