Blackfish

Answer the following questions based on the move Blackfish. You MAY use your notes to help you answer questions.

The graphics modeling the chase to capture the wild orcas has been included most likely to--

• Show what was happening during the trial

• Give you a more detailed picture of what orcas look like

• Help the view understand why they were chased

• Allow you to see what was happening both under and above water

Why does the filmmaker mention the history of capturing Orca whales in the beginning of the film?

• So you understand that there is a long history of using these whales in captivity

• To show how humane and caring those who capture whales are

• So that we can see that Seaworld is a much better home for the whales

• To allow the view to understand the trauma of how the whales are capture and how it might affect them later in their lives

Why did the filmmaker include the information about how orcas are similar to humans?

• To contrast them with humans

• To show how similar they are to humans

• So we will not just think that orcas a mindless fish

• To better understand how cruel it is to treat these animals the way they were treated since they are similar to us

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Which example from the film supports the idea that Tilikum was dangerous to the divers when they were training him?

• He enjoyed working with trainers

• His dorsal fin was flopped over

• The court case compared Tilikum to a rapist

• Tilikum's profile said he lunged at trainers

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In the scene about the mother and baby orcas, the filmmaker included the orca mother’s sounds in her argument about Seaworld’s treatment of orca whales most likely because she--

• said scientists didn't know what the mother orca was communicating and wants to conduct further research

• to show that orca "speech" is very different from human "speech" and can reach extremely long distances

• to show that the mother was sad and calling for her baby and that Seaworld felt badly that they had to separate them

• so the viewer could hear firsthand the pain in the mother's vocals and better understand that pain to sympathize with the animals more

What idea is suggested by the information in the graphic showing Dawn’s autopsy and how do the graphics impact the meaning?

• Tilikum had grabbed her by the autopsy and pulled her under to drown her

• Dawn had slipped in the water and drowned

• The experts quoted the doctor's autopsy and so it wasn't their fault that at first they didn't know how Dawn had died

• The numerous injuries shown from the actual autopsy proves that Dawn was deliberately tortured by a crazed killer

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Which of Seaworld’s statements responding to the tragedy of the trainer, Dawn Brancheau, is an example of stereotyping?

• That all killer whales are dangers

• That all killer whales are gentle giants and any injuries must be accidents and no one is at fault

• That all trainers are careless

• That female trainers who wear ponytails should know better and should blame themselves if they get hurt

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This film’s conclusion suggests that the author believes--

• Seaworld will take much better care of their animals

• Seaworld will take much better care of their trainers

• Seaworld will no longer use orcas and trainers together during shows

• Seaworld wants to continue to use orcas and trainers as if nothing dangers has happened

Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s, the film’s creator, main purpose for making this film is to--

• Warn us not to swim with killer whales

• Make the view feel depressed

• Encourage the youth of today to train to be Seaworld trainers

• Encourage views to advocate for the fair treatment of both whales and trainers

What would have made this film less one-sided?

• If Tilikum could talk

• If Dawn could speak to her own defense

• If scientists could read the minds and understand the speech of the killer whales

• If Seaworld had given interviews during the filming

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