A Rhetorical Analysis Of Blackfish

In terms of pathos, Blackfish is also strong in delivering an argument appeal to emotion. These SeaWorld trainers gave their personal stories in the documentary, all sharing how they were so excited to work with the animals when first applying and getting the job. They all explained how they truly were able to develop relationships with Tilikum and the other orcas during their time at SeaWorld. When talking about the incidents between Tilikum and trainer Dawn Brancheau, the trainers’ emotion is shown when they stutter in their words, cry, and give their deepest regrets

A documentary is an expository text that informs its audience about an issue person or event using visual and auditory conventions to convey a message. Documentaries are often used to reveal an unusual, interesting or unknown angle. Topics are limited only by one's imagination. The documentary Blackfish is the story of Tilikum, a captive killer whale that has taken the lives of several people, it underscores problems within the sea-park industry, man's relationship to nature, and how little has been learned about these highly intelligent mammals. This documentary was directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The ideas that orcas are wild and unpredictable, Seaworld’s treatment of orcas are inhumane and Seaworld’s was negligent in their training of their trainers. These ideas are shown throughout the documentary as visual techniques of Celebrity figure, expert opinion, audio codes, the documentary technique of interviews, archival footage and written codes. I think these ideas in the documentary are quite true and are well proven throughout the documentary.

In 2013 Gabriela Cowperthwaite produced and directed the documentary “Blackfish”. This documentary mainly focused on the issues behind killer whales being held in captivity such as at the famous amusement park Sea World, instead of the open ocean. Some negative outcomes of these animals being confined to such small spaces is, many accounts have been documented of the whales being agitated and having an aggressive tone with other whales and the trainers as well that work with them. A handful of these are human deaths caused by the orca whales. Throughout the documentary the director uses the Rhetorical strategies ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade the audience and try to convince them that her argument has a valid point and can be

Black Fish uses the death of a recognized Killer Whale trainer at SeaWorld, Dawn Brancheau who was one of Tilikums trainers thorough his twenty years in captivity, almost as a framing device to explore the theory that possessing Orcas in captivity is corrupt and unnatural for the whales. In Black fish, there are many different tragedies that went on while the Orcas were in captivity. Fisher men separated the young from the mothers and took them into SeaWorld. Many of the workers were unaware of all of the immoral actions they were taking part in. Tilikum was the Killer Whale that ended up killing Dawn Brancheau and causing a stir in SeaWorld. Having Orcas in captivity damages them but, the trainers were scared to leave because they want to continue to care for the whales. There is a relationship shared with the trainers and the whales yet it is obvious that very little was taught in the SeaWorld industry about these intelligent mammals.

The documentary, Blackfish, proves that there was and still is quite a bit of controversy over whether it is ethical to keep Orcas in captivity. Some people believe that it is acceptable since the Orcas are being treated and fed well. Other people, however, believe that this is not ethical because being kept in a tank for twenty years leads to aggression and therefore is too dangerous for humans. The documentary proves that there are many incidents, in the past, where a whale has harmed their trainer. One example of this, that made people more aware of the danger, was the death of Dawn Brancheau in 2010 (Cowperthwaite & Oteyza, 2013). The incidence has led to many different debates over the years and Sea World has had to try to refute the claims that were made about them. The claims were regarding their treatment of the whales and other issues. However, Sea World was not

Ideas that are powerful effectively influence and evoke cognition of the audience, hence composers aim to present powerful ideas in their documentary. Blackfish is a documentary which concerns the captivity of Tilikum, an orca held by SeaWorld involved in the deaths of three individuals, and the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity. In the documentary "Blackfish" composed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, the idea of animal cruelty is explored. Through various documentary and cinematic techniques and emotional appeals, Blackfish exemplifies their argument and engages its audience in the discussion of the Marine Park industry and the effect of animal conservation.

David Kirby’s book describes the complex issues of whales in captivity. The death of a SeaWorld trainer brought up many objective reasons of the training practices of this business were not effective at keeping trainers safe in the water. Currently this debate is still being tested in a court of law. OSHA claims that even with the precautions that SeaWorld tries to use, it still cannot guarantee the safety of trainers in the water. This cultural topic has been gaining ground, and recently prompted a movie based off this book titled, Blackfish. The audience of this book includes animal activists, followers of David Kirby, and people that are interested in the topic of killer whales in captivity. Rob Grom was contracted to create a book

Cowperthwaite wastes no time in establishing an emotional connection between viewers and the subject matter. Cowperthwaite uses pathos in the form of an actual 911 emergency phone call related to SeaWorld incidents, interviews given by former SeaWorld trainers, and video clips of killer whales behaving in nature and in captivity. Within the first few seconds of the documentary, viewers are exposed to not one but two horrifying 911 emergency phone calls. In one of these phone calls, a man calls and communicates to the

Blackfish, a documentary by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, analyzes the horrific treatment, containment, and use of Orca whales within entertainment facilities. The discussion of treatment began in 2010, when Dawn Brancheau was killed and drowned by the whale, Tilikum. Since this incident, there have been multiple investigations into SeaWorld and similar facilities. It is argued that the whales should be released from these facilities due to the posed dangers they have to humans, and themselves.

Blackfish Impacts “Seaworld's whale performances may never be the same.” The film was wanting to be created because of the accident in 2010 with Dawn Brancheau and the Orca, Tilikum. The author of the CNN article, Gabriela Cowperthwaite said, “something about a ponytail, something about her slipping and falling, something about how this almost never ever happens because in these parks, the animals are happy and the trainers are safe.” , but when the researchers dug up the dirt on Sea World, it was released to the public in Blackfish, making them lose 84% in revenue and 2% in attendance.

Cowperthwaite’s Blackfish looks specifically at how Tilikum the Orcinus orca or simply orca attacked trainer, Dawn Brancheau and several others at SeaWorld. By showing the process of capturing orcas and their life captivity, this documentary exposes SeaWorld and its exploitation of orcas. Blackfish focused on one main Orca, Tilikum. He is one of the only males in captivity that has impregnated most, if not all the female orcas. Several people have lost their life because of Tilikum.

In the documentary Blackfish, many different types of film techniques are used throughout the film. As the film begins within the first minute or so the viewer is presented with haunting music and a pitch black screen white while audio of numerous calls that are being made to the police about an orca who has eaten a trainer at SeaWorld. The film puts viewers on edge by using the dark background and music and the call between the dispatcher and a SeaWorld trainer. While an underwater video is being played of an orca the audience is led to believe that they will see an orca which will attack a SeaWorld trainer, but then we soon find out it is just a show between a trainer and an orca. As the dark unwelcoming feeling turns into an

Two years ago a documentary was released that completely changed the view of a multi-billion dollar industry forever. This extremely influential and controversial documentary is called Blackfish. Blackfish centers around the story of a killer whale named Tilikum, who is nicknamed Tilly. The documentary was produced to illustrate that SeaWorld, and other sea parks similar to it, do not treat their animals in captivity well. Tilikum had killed one of his trainers in the past year when the documentary began to be filmed. Dawn Brancheau, one of Tilikum’s former trainers was dragged down to the bottom of the tank and held until she drowned on February 24th in 2010. This, sadly, was not the first person to be killed by Tilikum. Tilikum killed three

Blackfish is used to portray killer whales as innocent and harmless. The film uses different types of rhetoric, such as: pathos, ethos, and logos. Cowperthwaine uses logos throughout the film to prove to the audience that killer whales are not dangerous. In the film, Howard Garrett, Orca Researcher, says “There is no record of an orca doing any harm to a human in the wild.” He is exploiting the topic of whales becoming aggressive when they are help in captivity.

The death of Dawn Brancheau made national news back in 2010. Dawn was working as an orca trainer at the SeaWorld of Orlando when the tragic accident occurred. While doing a relationship session with Tilikum, the largest orca in captivity, Dawn was pulled into the water and drowned. It was a story that not only shocked the nation but left people wondering how something so horrible could happen. Gabriela Cowperthwaite‘s use of the accounts of retired SeaWorld trainers exposed the harsh reality of captured animals in her documentary Blackfish. In creating a piece focused on the life of one orca, Cowperthwaite has allowed viewers to look into the lives of captured animals and has shown the greater social issue of animal rights, the treatment