US Screenings for #Blackfish Movie

>> PRESS ME FOR MORE INFO <<

7/19/2013

New York, NY: Sunshine Cinema 5
New York, NY: Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center
West Los Angeles, CA: The Landmark 12

Image from Torino, Italy, where Blackfish Movie Screened 3 June 2013

7/26/2013

Berkeley, CA: Shattuck Cinemas 10
Cambridge, MA: Kendall Square Cinema 9
Chicago, IL: Landmark's Century Centre Cinema
Maitland, FL: Enzian Theatre
Manhasset, NY: Manhasset Cinemas 3
Minneapolis, MN: Lagoon Cinema
Montclair, NJ: Clairidge Cinemas 6
Philadelphia, PA: Ritz 5 Movies
San Diego, CA: Hillcrest Cinemas
San Francisco, CA: Century Centre 9
San Francisco, CA: Sundance Kabuki Cinemas
Santa Ana, CA: South Coast Village 3
Washington, DC: E Street Cinema
White Plains, NY: Cinema 100 Quad

Former Trainers John Hargrove @JohnJHargrove & Jeffrey Ventre @Jeffrey_Ventre

8/2/2013

Atlanta, GA: Midtown Art Cinemas 8
Austin, TX: Arbor Cinemas at Great Hills 8
Austin, TX: Violet Crown Cinemas
Boca Raton, FL: Living Room Cinema 4
Frontenac, MO: Plaza Frontenac Cinema
Portland, OR: Fox Tower 10
Royal Oak, MI: Main Art Theatre

Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite in Columbia, Missouri for True False

8/9/2013

Columbus, OH: Gateway Film Center 8
Denver, CO: Chez Artiste
Santa Fe, NM: The Screen
Scottsdale, AZ: Camelview 5 Theatre

Dana & Gabriela and Zach in Seattle for the Film Festival Screening of Blackfish

8/23/2013

Charlotte, NC: Manor Theatre 2

A Favorite Coffee Mug

8/28/2013

Gainesville, FL: Hippodrome - Gainesville

Blackfish Cast & Crew Including the Executive Directors of the Film at Sundance in Park City, Utah, USA

8/30/2013

Knoxville, TN: Downtown West Cinema 8

Gabby & Manny Post-Game at Sundance

Battle of the #Blackfish Posters

Just today, Blackfish director Gabriela Cowperthwaite sent us the new poster for her movie, and we love it. However, it did stir an internal debate. Of the 5 former SW trainers / cast members that commented, 2 liked the old version, 2 liked the new version, and one liked them both about the same. So now we need your help. 

Here's how it shook out: John Hargrove & John Jett voted for the original poster, as best version. Carol Ray & Jeffrey Ventre voted for the new poster. Samantha Berg liked them both about the same. 

JJ: I like the old one.  Just my two-cents. 

Carol: OMG, I LOVE this! Now I really want a t-shirt. [I] loved the other one too, don't get me wrong, but this is fantastic. And, I love the, 'Don't capture what you can't control'....awesome!  

JV: Pardon my French, but Holy F-ing Shit. Amazing. Thx Gab! 

JH: I like the old one too! But this one isn't bad. 

Samantha:  Oh wow!  I love it!  I get chills just looking at the poster. Powerful.  I do miss the old picture, but the tag line is PERFECT. 

Thus, with the voting 50:50, we need your help settling the score. Please let us know what you think. You can leave a comment down below or let us know via Twitter @Voice_OT_Orcas

NEW VERSION

Original Version

May Multimedia From Marineland to Blackfish & Non-Human Personhood

One of the reasons we formed Voice of the Orcas website, and Voice of the Orcas blog, was (is) to serve as a depot for information related to marine mammal conservation and captivity. As the wave of public awareness  grows, more and more material continues to flood the news media as well as social media.

GREAT AUDIO INTERVIEW OF GABRIELA COWPERTHWAITE FROM SUNDANCE LONDON

listen to ‘Gabriela Cowperthwaite, director of the eye opening 'Blackfish'’ on Audioboo

This post is put together to capture a handful of the interviews and videos that touched us this past month, just in time for Cinco de Mayo. 

Enjoy these bits of audio & video. Many thanks to the artists who crafted them, and feel free to suggest others in the comment section. We'd love to add more. 

Who Are Anti-Captivity Activists? by DolphinSerenity




Former SeaWorld Trainer John Hargrove (19-years working with captive killer whales) does a solo Q&A Session after Blackfish Movie at HotDocs in Toronto

We LOVE this Great Marineland Smackdown by Mike Garrett 




Sundance London: VIDEO interviews of Gabriela Cowperthwaite and Manny Oteyza, Director & Producer of Blackfish




Sam Simon's Radio Show from Friday 26 April 2013




Toronto HotDocs Q&A with Gabriela Cowperthwaite of Blackfish, by TheFestivalCircuit 





Steve Wise: What's Behind Opposition to Animal Rights by Non Human Rights Project





Impressive Interview with John Jett PhD 





The Killing Circus - Behind the Glass by AnaGirlEmpath




Red Carpet Interview of Four Former SeaWorld Trainers from Sarasota

Another Former SeaWorld Killer Whale Trainer Steps Out of the Shadows

Meet Bridgette Pirtle!

On September 28, 2012, at Voice of the Orcas, we received a moving and thoughtful letter from a recently retired  killer whale trainer from SeaWorld of Texas.  This was good. In the past three years we've been contacted by several former and current trainers; most supportive of our advocacy work, and some opposed; but when it came to speaking on the record, folks generally weren't willing to step up to the plate. 

Bridgette Pirtle started working in the animal training department at SeaWorld of Texas in 2001, and was a senior trainer from  2008 until the spring of 2011, at Shamu Stadium.

She told us, "I have struggled with finding the right words and the right way to step forward. In the end, just saying 'I'm ready to talk' and standing up as a voice for those who have been ignored for so long, is enough."

She added, "Those ten years I worked as an animal trainer were more valuable than I could have ever imagined and in a way in which I never expected."

We were stoked to speak with Bridgette, and you might be too. Our connection was strengthened when we former trainers merged recently in Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival. 

Finally...

... another former insider with the courage to speak out and with the common experience of having worked directly with orcas at SeaWorld. Additionally, she had many years of experience and could shed light on events that occurred behind the scenes and after the tragedy on February 24, 2010. 

Bridgette Performs a Hydro Hop 

While at SeaWorld in Texas, Bridgette worked directly with the killer whales Keto, Taku, Kayla, Haida, Ky, Winnie and Tekoa. She did waterwork with Keet, Unna, Tuar, Takara, Halyn, and Sakari. A clip of her waterwork, such as in the photo, appears in the film Blackfish. 

Below are a few questions that we hope will introduce Bridgette. We are honored and pleased to have her voice added to ours. It takes courage to stand up. We applaud her courage and hope you will too.  

Follow her on Twitter at: @BridgettePirtle 

VOTO: How long did you work for SeaWorld?  

BP: I worked at SeaWorld [Texas] for a grand total of 14 years.  Taking out my romp [in another department] from 1998-2000, I was in animal training from March 2001 through mid-March 2011.  I started at Shamu as an apprentice, transferred as a part-time associate to Interaction Programs in Sept 2002 before ending up back at Shamu as full time trainer in Jan 2005 until I resigned in 2011. 

VOTO: Who was your favorite orca, and just a sentence or two why? 

Fave orca... You are seriously gonna make me choose?!?!  

For the love!  

Tuar and I were a match made in heaven.  I was high energy, a bit goofy and willing to sacrifice anything and everything for the whales and he responded well to my creative approach to training using lots of secondaries in the form of visuals and playtimes.  He was my first killer whale relationship focused on building up to waterwork.  My interactions with him were consistent.  

Whether our session was dry, waterwork, show, learning, or even husbandry; I trusted him and he was a whale I could rely on to give me as much information as he could, behaviorally...  Tuar was the most fun to work with.

Halyn was the first killer whale I saw being born.  For the first few months of her life, I was there doing night-watches and around the clock bottle-feeds.  During the first week of her life, we had lowered a back pool to about 4 ft of water and lined the walls with tubes from the water park to act as bumpers.  

I was snorkeling near one corner watching her swim when she just stopped and watched me too.  I don't think I could hold my breathe that long ever again, but just having those couple of minutes of  having this tiny whale make eye contact with you and stay there with you was unreal.  I was the first trainer to give her the bottle and some of my first behaviors I trained with killer whales were teaching Halyn. 

In the last few weeks of her life, I tried to be there with her as much as possible.  I was one of the trainers in the water holding her before she passed away.  

Halyn was an animal that really started to open up my eyes to the reality behind what my job was really asking me to do.  

Bridgette Pirtle at the No Name Saloon in Park City, Utah, January 2013

If Kayla had been around experienced mother whales, would she have rejected Halyn? 

Trainers talked about what a cool experience it was to get the chance to hand raise a baby whale.  I loved that little girl, but that was the beginning of me realizing that my thoughts were evolving.  

I had an obligation to do everything I could for her, but I was also the reason she was in this struggle for her life to begin with.




VOTO: What was it like to see Blackfish and hang with the other trainers at the Sundance Film Festival? 

BP:  After coming forward... I wouldn't have imagined getting the opportunity to join alongside [everyone] in Park City.  I am grateful to be given the chance to be a part of something this amazing.  I am optimistic that seeing how the same influential voices that inspired me to stand up for what is right are now working to inspire others to speak out.  Because of this film and the work of Voice of the Orcas, Tim Zimmermann, [and others] an entire audience is seeking to understand the truth and reality of what captivity really represents. 

VOTO: What effect do you think the film could have in regard to cetaceans in captivity? 

Bridgette is a former Senior SeaWorld Trainer that opposes Captivity

BP: Blackfish has thrust the topic of the morality and necessity of [keeping] cetaceans in captivity into the spotlight. I loved Gabriela's response in a Q&A about how she brought her children to the parks but the whole time couldn't really quite understand why she didn't feel right about it. The film reminds the audience that this unsettling feeling is still one that needs to be addressed. SeaWorld PR has always been very strategic in filling the mainstream with stories of new roller coasters, new park acquisitions and gaining "Franklin the Turtle" as a new marketing tool for children. 

It's easy to forget about the internal conflict many have in regards to seeing the animals in these small confinements, with "leaning" dorsal fins, exposed pulp cavities and rake marks and scarring over their entire bodies. Blackfish encourages the audience, without coercion, to confront those internal conflicts... and decide for himself or herself whether it is socially or morally acceptable to continue to house these social beings in  sterile, tiny environments, in the name of entertainment.

VOTO:  We saw that you read the WDC article "Blowing the Whistle." Was that the primary reason you have stepped forward; or just an example of how your thinking has evolved?

Bridgette with former SeaWorld Trainer John Hargrove & Blackfish Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite 

"Blowing theWhistle" was one of the first articles that helped me realize the potential I had in really making a difference for the animals I care for. Tim Zimmermann's writing [also] had a profound impact on shaping my thoughts towards the industry and helped me to really put into perspective the reality of... SeaWorld. 

Bridgette kisses a killer whale 

The attention and care I found within his articles was more respectful towards the memories of Dawn and Alex than anything my own company was doing. The business aspect of the animal training field had begun to disillusion me just a couple of years into my career. By the time I was familiar with these articles, I was already trying to fight a hopeless battle against the powers-that-be. 

"Blowing the Whistle" showed me that I wasn't alone in my feelings. It also helped me to realize that by continuing my association with the park, I was only enabling exploitation of the animals. 

The decision to leave is a process that at one point included attempting to return to take care of the animals, but, ultimately, the strongest voice for them would have to be [from] outside the gates. 

6 Ex SeaWorld orca trainers are supporting each other & opposing captivity

Y'alls story reminded me that, as much as we care for those animals we worked with, the best thing we can do for them is share the truth of what our job really entailed. 

"Blowing the Whistle" reminded me that there was more potential of me receiving the support and regard I needed to change things for the betterment of the animals outside of the career. It also helped me to realize it was the animals I cared so much for as opposed to the job I once thought I loved.

The message I'm hoping to help spread is that these are incredible animals; hearing the stories each of you had to share reminded me that the dream job was a fairy tale. My dream was to [actually] do something for these animals. I am grateful to have the support of some amazing individuals that worked hard to carve out the path I have chosen to walk ahead of me.

Remembering the Fallen

Today, we remember fallen colleagues & ask for a shift in the way we think about whales & dolphins  

No matter which side of the captivity debate you're on, one thing that can be said regarding anyone that has trained marine mammals is that they did it for the opportunity to be close to animals that they loved; despite the low wages and the sometimes alarming consequences for the animals in their care. Most current and former trainers have multiple pets at home, and in general, appreciate nature. 

>> click on images to enlarge <<

As former workers in the captivity industry, we've changed our ways and come to appreciate the marine mammals that we worked with even more, not less. This was amplified, for us, after visiting cetaceans in the Pacific Northwest, swimming in straight lines, jumping out of the water, and with erect dorsal fins. These incredible marine mammals have demonstrated, to us, self-awareness, tool use, language, culture, and family bonds that are stronger than even humans.  We feel they've earned "non-human personhood status." 

Thus, despite our longing to be with them, we now know that it's not in their best interest to be in captivity; housed in concrete pools, surrounded by human noises including amplified music, air-powered pneumatic gates, and sometimes heavy equipment such as jack-hammering and drilling. We know that killer whales die young in captivity, experience social strife, dehydration, and deconditioning. Beluga whales & false killer whales don't do any better. 

We see the perpetuation of cetacean captivity as inhumane, unnecessary, and morally wrong; and costly to BOTH whales and humans. Let's do the right thing, save lives, and show our humanity. 

We'll miss the loving souls depicted in these images. They were dedicated, charismatic, and amazing individuals. Let's not lose any more to the archaic practice of marine mammal confinement. 

Blackfish Movie Premieres at Sundance Film Festival

The Sundance Film Institute was founded by Robert Redford in 1981, and his festival has been connecting independent film makers with audiences since 1985.

WATCH CLIP OF #Blackfish HERE >> PRESS ME <<

This year 43 feature documentaries will be screened in Park City, Utah, theaters, and Blackfish will be one of them. The movie was selected from a field of over 2000 entries. 

Many of these films will go around the world and some will earn theatrical releases. As described by Ondi Timmoner at TheLipTV this, "Is the key curation moment for many filmmakers."

The topic of the film will partly examine the tragic life of the captive orca named "Tilikum," which means "friend," and "shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity." 

None of us at VOTO have seen the film, or know much about it. But we do know that footage was collected on land and sea from sites all over the world and over the past two years. Good luck to Gabriela and her film #Blackfish. Meet "Gabby" below...

Our Illustrated Guide to the Marine Mammal Protection Act & Fuel 4 the #Twitterverse

Have you ever read the actual Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of the United States? At Voice of the Orcas, we hadn't, until now. We focused on the part that deals with placing cetaceans into captivity, which begins on page 20, "Regulations on (the) taking of Marine Mammals." 

Understanding what the MMPA says is useful because the #SeaCircus industry is an entertainment one, and is not fulfilling the spirit of the MMPA which suggests conservation, education and wild animal research. There was no research going on at SeaWorld on behalf of wild populations, or on the fisheries they depend on, when we were there. The big push was to try and figure out artificial insemination methods so they could boost the captive population. After all, the show must go on. 

The photos help make our point. [It's interesting to note that SeaWorld is partially responsible for the MMPA because of how the company decimated the Southern Resident orca population here: Rounding up Shamu with Don Goldsberry]

This looks similar to the Miami Dolphins football LOGO. The team just partnered up with SeaWorld for a marketing deal

2 Follow:        https://twitter.com/Voice_OT_Orcas

Below, you'll find the legislation, as passed by the United States Congress in 1972, and as amended in 2007. But keep scrolling past that for our illustrated guide. Remember, we're reprinting the MMPA's first page below, unaltered. The only thing we added were the images.  

The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972

We believe that many of today's marine parks are in violation of this law. If not from a technical or legal standpoint, surely from the standpoint of being in violation of the spirit of the law. 

Morgan has been abducted by the #SeaCircus Industry because she is worth millions. If she becomes pregnant SeaWorld owns her baby and she will never be released. This is how SeaWorld is getting around the MMPA

To make this point clear, we've juxtaposed the opening page of the MMPA with photographs of the ridiculous stunts that the #SeaCircus industry is using to entertain the public. As you look at the images, try to imagine what type of learning it provides. Remember, the agreement to keep cetaceans captive is based upon the promise of education. 

And, to make matters worse, when places like SeaWorld claim they "educate" the public, such as during shows for school children, they provide false information. Here at VOTO, we know this as fact, because, sadly, we did it ourselves, back in the 1990's. 

Orca captivity will end if SeaWorld stops breeding animals in captivity. We urge the industry to use contraception to prevent future pregnancies. This poor guy, Taku, died young and impregnated his own mother, producing Nalani

Things like orca longevity are skewed downward so SeaWorld can better explain why their orcas die young, on average. They tout teeth irrigation(s) as "superior dental care." But they don't mention that the animals are breaking their teeth because of captivity. And they describe the frozen-thawed smelt, herring, and salmon as "restaurant quality," when in reality, its not. There is no such label on that fish. And they fail to mention that the freezing-thawing process removes precious fresh-water (fluids) from the dead fish which leads to dehydration in captive cetaceans. This is why Tilikum's diet is supplemented with 10 gallons of gelatin daily (roughly 80 U.S. pounds or 36.28 Kilograms). 

Like us, cetaceans can't drink saltwater, so they rely on their food to get fresh water. 

These images are in the public domain, and some of them are shocking. Feel free to download these and post on Twitter. We have a brief conclusion at the end... 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The Marine Mammal Protection Act 

Findings and Declaration of Policy

16 U.S.C. 1361

Sec. 2. The Congress finds that—

(1) certain species and population stocks of marine mammals are, or may be, in danger of extinction or depletion as a result of man' s activities;

How does balancing on the rostrum of a captive orca justify taking Katina, Morgan, Corky, Tilikum, & Lolita from nature?

(2) such species and population stocks should not be permitted to diminish beyond the point at which they cease to be a significant functioning element in the ecosystem of which they are a part, and, consistent with this major objective, they should not be permitted to diminish below their optimum sustainable population. Further measures should be immediately taken to replenish any species or population stock which has already diminished below that population. In particular, efforts should be made to protect essential habitats, including the rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance for each species of marine mammal from the adverse effect of man' s actions;

This looks like a "Dance Gone Wrong" with Tilikum. But regardless, it has little educational value. Poor Tilikum, where are his TEETH? 

(3) there is inadequate knowledge of the ecology and population dynamics of such marine mammals and of the factors which bear upon their ability to reproduce themselves successfully;

When the graceful & shy belugas are dressed as circus clowns, it makes the GA Aquarium's request for 18 wild ones hard to swallow

(4) negotiations should be undertaken immediately to encourage the development of international arrangements for research on, and conservation of, all marine mammals;

(5) marine mammals and marine mammal products either—

(A) move in interstate commerce, or


(B) affect the balance of marine ecosystems in a manner which is important to other animals and animal products which move in interstate commerce, and that the protection and conservation of marine mammals and their habitats is therefore necessary to insure the continuing availability of those products which move in interstate commerce; and

The MMPA doesn't apply to Japanese killers at The Cove, but the demand for small cetaceans is created by the Display Industry (SeaWorld, Ga AQ, Miami SQ) #CaptivityKills
Photo from SeaShepherd Conservation Society used with Permission 

(6) marine mammals have proven themselves to be resources of great international significance, esthetic and recreational as well as economic, and it is the sense of the Congress that they should be protected and encouraged to develop to the greatest extent feasible commensurate with sound policies of resource management and that the primary objective of their management should be to maintain the health and stability of the marine ecosystem. Whenever consistent with this primary objective, it should be the goal to obtain an optimum sustainable population keeping in mind the carrying capacity of the habitat.

This is an advertisement for SeaWorld's night show. Where's the educational part?
This is a #SeaCircus designed to entertain customers, NOT educate our children

From Page 22 of the MMPA 

(2)(A) A permit may be issued to take or import a marine mammal for the purpose of public display only to a person which the Secretary determines—
(i) offers a program for education or conservation purposes that is based on professionally recognized standards of the public display community

---------------------------------

COMMENT: And there's the loophole, highlighted above. What that last part, in yellow, basically does is allow for the "public display community" to develop it's own standards. And therein lies the problem. 

The answer to this is: 

1. Science

2. Organization / social media 

3. Educating the public

4. Getting involved with government 

5. Electing progressive leaders

Thanks to all of you who are reading this now and spreading the good word. We're on the right side of history.