Astounding aquatic performances, petrifying roller coasters, interactive petting zoos, and riveting informational tours; there is never a dull moment to be had at SeaWorld, world-renowned aquatic theme park. Best of all, the crowning moment of the day, a spectacular performance by the park’s most famous entertainers — killer whales. Each weighing in at thousands of pounds, these gentle giants preform all sorts of tricks for the eager audience, from waving to the audience to jumping from the water to soaking the eager onlookers with a massive splash. However, these massive beasts may not be as harmless as the park portrays. One such evidence is a documentary titled Blackfish. Throughout his documentary, Gabriela Cowperthwaite effectively turns his large audience against the park by revealing many hidden dark truths. …show more content…
Viewers can hear the panic and terror of those on scene as one of the whale’s trainers is mercilessly mutilated and drowned before a live audience. At this point, the show has just barely started, and Cowperthwaite has not only captured the hearts of the audience, he has slyly instilled in them a subtly loathing for whoever is at fault to cause such pain. This is not the only place where he tugs at the heartstrings of his viewers. Spread throughout the entire film. There are stories of lost friends, and tragic tales of the kidnapping of the young killer whales. The effect of these stories are increased by the expressions and tears of the people telling the tales of grief and
Blackfish is a well-known film about how whales were kept in captivity while being mistreated. This film explained the situation in more of a sequential order stating each event one after another from occurrence. This film was made to inform people of all the cruel and monstrous things that Sea Land and Sea World were doing to the whales.
The captivity of large, wild animals is accepted for theme parks all around the world. Tickets are sold for people to come and watch these animals live and even preform in an exhibit that almost resembles their natural environment. It is impossible for parks and zoos that use animals as attractions to provide the same resources and space they would have in the habitat they are usually found in. They can, however, help injured or ill animals that cannot survive in the wild. This is where I believe they should draw the line for keeping animals in captivity. SeaWorld has gotten a lot of attention in the last few years, especially since the Netflix documentary, Blackfish, was released. This film targets the company for the mistreatment of their orca whales. In particular, it told the story of one named Tilikum and shows the problems he and the other orca whales face while living under the care of SeaWorld. Gabriela Cowperthwaite, the director
An authority figure or experts are people who have a high standard of knowledge in a certain subject, or a very well known in their expertise. By using an authority figure or an expert the audience feels like they know what they are talking about, therefore they believe what they have to say. Examples of authority figures or experts used in this documentary include OSHA expert witness and whale researcher Dave Duffus, Howard Garrett an Orca researcher, and Lori Marino a Neuroscientist. In this film these experts express their concern for the Orca species, and explain the things that SeaWorld failed to educate their trainers. For example, SeaWorld trainers were taught that an Orcas life span reaches a maximum of approximately 14 years, when in reality, Orcas have human life spans, which means they can potentially pass at the ripe age of 100. Not only that, but they were taught that it is natural and common for Orca dorsal fins to bend, when in reality only 1% of Orcas have a bent dorsal fin. This information was passed on to visitors of
When a man spoke highly about the orca he trained, he explained how they were a team, which was very heartwarming. I was very displeased to hear about Dawn Brancheau’s death. Not only did that displease me, but how no records of an orca killing a human in the wild, only in captivity. Cowperthwaite showed pathos by allowing stories to be told to those who had first hand experience with these moments.
Blackfish is a 2013 documentary attempting to elevate public awareness regarding the orca that are being kept in maritime amusement parks, specifically SeaWorld, and the inherent danger of their captivity. The film is effective because it raises a set of important ethical questions for the viewer while presenting with a necessary fact-based style of documentation that does not evoke gratuitous scenes of abuse in order to inspire sympathy, unlike some of the other films that are intended to raise awareness about animal abuse.
Imagine yourself living in a bathtub for 25 years and you could do absolutely nothing about it. Wild orcas, better known as killer whales have been captured to entertain audiences world wide at aquariums. The most popular location being Sea World. Growing up in Miami, I could not control my excitement when it came time to go visit Lolita the killer whale at the Miami Seaquarium. To be able to see such an amazing creature right in front of me was mind blowing. How amazing is it that you can be face or face with an animal of that size? Well, I wish I'd known then what I know now. In the following paragraphs, I will start off with the difference between the life of a wild orca in the wild versus their life in captivity and I will end with reasons as to why families should not participate and give their time and money to these companies who commit such inhumane acts. I hope that towards the end of this essay, you will change your view on wild orcas and not look at them as just an animal that is used for entertainment purposes.
For 50 years SeaWorld has entertained park guests with numerous stunts involving the majestic sea creature, the orca, also referred to as the killer whale, and their human trainers. What the on-lookers don’t see at these shows is what goes on behind the scenes: how the whales got there in the first place, and the conditions in which they are housed.
"Blackfish" might not make an airtight case against training wild animals for our enjoyment, but it very convincingly argues that those animals remain what they are, no matter how SeaWorld or any other corporation invested in presenting them as cuddly attractions tries to say otherwise.
The level and degree to which the audience, in horror, being persuaded, constantly shifts around, but the message stays consistent. For example, in the novel, Silence of the Lambs (Thomas Harris), brings a “paradoxical” tone to your understanding of Hannibal Lecter; while, you are quite disgusted with the crimes he has committed, you are at the same time, quite intrigued by the wit and sophistication of the “monster;” humanizing him. However, James Whale, takes a different approach in the horror film, The Bride of Frankenstein. James Whale, a prisoner of war during World War One, coaxes us to feel sympathy for the monster through the outward and internal entorturement of the monsters isolation due to it’s appearance. Even though both of these films diverge from each other in ways to compel their audiences to feel certain emotions; the movie or novel come together in the sense that; they revolve around two central aspects, thrill and a message; the message is what gives all the layers the consistency of flavor, we all long for the mouth-watering jawbreaker known as
The documentary Blackfish is an American film that was directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and released July 19, 2013. The film is an emotional, eye opening, and heart captivating movie that talks about Tilikum, an orca also known as killer whales, who has supposedly been involved in 3 or more incidents while in captivity at SeaWorld facilities. Throughout the movie there are different clips from former SeaWorld trainers speaking on the cruel treatment the whales endured, the pressure they felt from the company to make sure "The Show Went On," emotional interviews from people who witnessed incidents while attending shows at SeaWorld, and the lives of trainers who were injured and lost while working with these Killer Whales.
The film Blackfish, a documentary created by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, is a film about the cruel punishment of killer whales at SeaWorld. It suggests that killer whales should be set free from captivity in marine mammal parks because of the threat and danger towards humans and each other. Blackfish is an explicit example of how logos, ethos and pathos are used to create an argument that is impressive, valid and effective.
In Blackfish, Director, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, addresses the accidents that occurred at SeaWorld involving trainers and whales. Cowperthwaite’s purpose is to educate the audience on the cruel treatment and rough conditions of whales that occur in SeaWorld. The film maintains a shocking tone in order to persuade the audience and appeal to feelings of sadness and anger.
While this footage plays, the former trainers discuss the alarmingly low amount of information they, as employees who worked with these orcas on a daily basis, were given. Footage of Tamaree being pulled into the water by Orkid and the resulting compound fracture in her arm exemplifies a situation that could have ended in a fatality. Cowperthwaite also includes several minutes of footage of the Ken Peters attack, as well as footage of him receiving medical attention in the aftermath. A multitude of shorter clips of trainer accidents surround these longer clips. The interviewees comment on the culture at SeaWorld where they were expected to get right back out there after an injury and that SeaWorld ignored risks to trainer safety. The interviews about the danger the trainer’s were unknowingly placed under are disturbing on their own, however without the footage of bloody and injured trainers, there is less of an impact. By including the gory footage, Cowperthwaite forces the viewer to acknowledge how dangerous working with orcas is. In turn, the interviews contrast this evident danger with SeaWorld’s repeated claim that working with orcas is not particularly dangerous, thus showing that SeaWorld knowingly misinforms their
Millions of people visit Sea World each year (The Fate). They crowd into Shamu Stadium to be entertained by the killer whales as they perform. Their eyes widen, and they sit in awe, as these enormous creatures effortlessly propel themselves out of the water. The children in the audience squeal with delight as the orca’s giant tail sends a wave of ice water over the crowd. But these fast-paced, high-spirited shows hide a darker reality. They are designed to mask the reality of the bare, cold concrete walls that the Orcas are forced to call home. It’s time for people to realize the plight of these mammals. Keeping Orcas in captivity is both harmful and cruel.
The short film ,”Humpback Whale Shows AMAZING Appreciation After Being Freed From Nets,” shows 3 men, and a woman are in a small boat, cutting away the net that inprisons the whale. This is a fine example of the value of human emotions enhancing the survival of the whale, that otherwise would more than likely die. After being freed the whale danced a happy dance of sorts, and showed it 's appreciation for valuing it 's life enough to risk their own safety to save it ("Humpback Whale Shows AMAZING