A new bill in California proposes to ban SeaWorld's killer whale shows. New weather forecasts indicate that there is a 50 percent chance of El Niño conditions occurring sometime this summer or fall. What does this mean for Southern California? It's Filmweek on AirTalk! Larry and the critics are discussing Mr. Peabody & Sherman, 300: Rise of an Empire, The Grand Budapest Hotel and more!
California lawmaker wants to ban SeaWorld’s killer whale shows
Last year's documentary "Blackfish" sparked a huge outcry over the use of orcas, known as "killer whales", which have been performing at SeaWorld's theme parks for decades. The film details the tragic death of orca whale trainer Dawn Brancheau who was killed at the SeaWorld theme park in Orlando, Fla. after being pulled into the tank by a killer whale.
In response, Assemblyman Richard Bloom sponsored legislation today to end the practice of using orcas for performances at theme parks. The bill does not call out SeaWorld by name but the San Diego park is the only venue in the state that uses orcas for entertainment.
The bill seeks to permanently end the use of performing orcas in theme shows, ban captive breeding and prohibit the import and export of killer whales. It would also require that all current captive orcas be retired to sea pens, if available, and not used for performances.
Animal rights activists have been calling on SeaWorld to stop using orcas for performance because of concerns over the whale's well being and the safety of trainers.
In a statement, SeaWorld dismissed the legislation and said that it already operates under multiple federal, state and local animal welfare laws. Is banning the ‘killer whale’ shows
Guest:
Naomi Rose, Marine Mammal Scientist at the Animal Welfare Institute. She worked with Assemblyman Richard Bloom on the California Captive Orca Safety and Welfare Act (AB 2140)
Mark A. Simmons, former senior trainer at SeaWorld Orlando who appeared in the film “Blackfish”, Vice President of Ocean Embassy
Forecast calls for 50 percent chance of El Niño
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’ Climate Prediction Center issued an El Niño on Thursday. This means there is now a 50 percent chance of El Niño developing at some point this summer or fall.
Although it is still early, experts say that if El Niño conditions return it could bring much needed rain to California.
El Niño occurs every two to seven years when warmer water in the Pacific builds up along the west coast of south America causing changes in precipitation patterns across the globe. If El Niño returns this year it would be the first since 2009 to 2010.
Guest:
Mike Halpert, Deputy Director at the Climate Prediction Center
The awkward negotiation over tuition fees and family
A court ruling this week has dealt a setback to a New Jersey teenager who's sued her parents for immediate financial assistance. Rachel Canning, 18, alleges in her suit that her parents kicked her out of their New Jersey home and she is unable to support herself financially.
The suit asks that her parents pay for her private high school tuition, her living expenses, and her future college tuition, among other things. The judge presiding over the case denied the request for high school tuition and living expenses, but will consider other remaining issues in April.
Do parents have a financial obligation to pay their kid's college tuition? While the case might seem a bit farfetched, it touches on a common personal finance issue many parents have to face: the emotional pull-and-tug involved in figuring out realistically how much to contribute to their kid's college education.
Guest:
Liz Weston, an award-winning, nationally-syndicated personal finance columnist who has been following the case. She is also the author of the national best-seller, “Your Credit Score” (FT Press, 2011)
Filmweek: Mr. Peabody & Sherman, The Grand Budapest Hotel, 300: Rise of an Empire and more
Larry and KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Henry Sheehan and Charles Solomon review this week’s releases, including Mr. Peabody & Sherman, The Grand Budapest Hotel, 300: Rise of an Empire and more. TGI-Filmweek!
Mr. Peabody & Sherman
The Grand Budapest Hotel
300: Rise of an Empire
Guests:
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC and Alt FilmGuide
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC and Indiewire’s ‘Animation Scoop’
Film industry reflects on set death of Sarah Jones
On February 20, Sarah Jones, a camera assistant for the indie biopic Midnight Rider, was killed by a train while shooting on set in Doctortown, Georgia. The accident, which is being treated by Georgia law enforcement as a negligent homicide, is the biggest safety scandal in the film industry in the last decade.
While the details are murky -- information about permits and safety precautions is under investigation -- some information about less-than-stringent safety measures is emerging. The film crew, which was shooting a dream sequence on a bridge over a river, was expecting two trains to cross the bridge. When a third, unexpected train arrived, the crew had less than a minute to vacate the tracks.
The accident injured five other crewmembers, including one who was airlifted to the nearest hospital. Jones’ death has rocked the film world -- she was recognized at the Academy Awards with a photo tribute, and many attendees wore black memorial ribbons. What is the standard safety protocol of state film shoots? How can the industry address safety issues to prevent accidents on set?
Guest:
Scott C. Johnson, writer and former Newsweek correspondent. His piece on the death of Sarah Jones was recently published in the Hollywood Reporter.
Joe Wallenstein, Director of Physical Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, which deals with all aspects of a film production, including insurance and safety issues. Wallenstein is also the author of “Practical Moviemaking: A Handbook for the Real World” (McFarland, 2011).