Film and Television
Blackfish vs. The Cove
INTRO
Protecting ocean inhabitants has been the focus of many activist groups, for many years.
Despite their efforts, problems still remain, forcing these groups to look at new ways to make people aware of the inhumane treatment and slaughter of marine life.
Back in 2009, ex dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry teamed up with Louie Psihoyos to produce The Cove, an 87 minute documentary promoting the protection of dolphins, specifically those being decimated in the Japanese town of Taiji.
Inspired by this film, Judy Bart set out to create a similar documentary, raising awareness for orcas in captivity. Working with Gabriela Cowperthwaite, she created Blackfish (2012).
Although both films have had positive …show more content…
Compared to the rough, jarring and obviously out of place court room animation featured in Blackfish, The Cove’s 3D modelling and scaled diagrams not only look polished, but provide the audience with new information that would have been otherwise impossible with actual footage. Because of this, the documentary has a greater flow and the audience’s attention is not lost.
In addition to this is The Cove’s adept use of lighting, and the symbolisati on that follows makes easy the delivery of advocacy on viewers. Negative lighting during the opening credits symbolises the aim of the documentary; to expose hidden truths. Moreover, the use of green night vision cameras also entices the audience, inviting them to accompany the team on the dangerous journey.
Grayscale footage is used when explaining the 36 year-long Minamata disease outbreak and its deadly effects. As of March 2001, 1784 victims were confirmed dead (http://www.env.go.jp/en/chemi/hs/minamata2002/ch2.html). The contrast in both tone and colour between this scene and the rest of the documentary refocuses the audiences attention, making memorable these unfortunate
Blackfish vs. The Cove
INTRO
Protecting ocean inhabitants has been the focus of many activist groups, for many years.
Despite their efforts, problems still remain, forcing these groups to look at new ways to make people aware of the inhumane treatment and slaughter of marine life.
Back in 2009, ex dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry teamed up with Louie Psihoyos to produce The Cove, an 87 minute documentary promoting the protection of dolphins, specifically those being decimated in the Japanese town of Taiji.
Inspired by this film, Judy Bart set out to create a similar documentary, raising awareness for orcas in captivity. Working with Gabriela Cowperthwaite, she created Blackfish (2012).
Although both films have had positive …show more content…
Compared to the rough, jarring and obviously out of place court room animation featured in Blackfish, The Cove’s 3D modelling and scaled diagrams not only look polished, but provide the audience with new information that would have been otherwise impossible with actual footage. Because of this, the documentary has a greater flow and the audience’s attention is not lost.
In addition to this is The Cove’s adept use of lighting, and the symbolisati on that follows makes easy the delivery of advocacy on viewers. Negative lighting during the opening credits symbolises the aim of the documentary; to expose hidden truths. Moreover, the use of green night vision cameras also entices the audience, inviting them to accompany the team on the dangerous journey.
Grayscale footage is used when explaining the 36 year-long Minamata disease outbreak and its deadly effects. As of March 2001, 1784 victims were confirmed dead (http://www.env.go.jp/en/chemi/hs/minamata2002/ch2.html). The contrast in both tone and colour between this scene and the rest of the documentary refocuses the audiences attention, making memorable these unfortunate