Film
Festival - The Perfect Storm
Wednesday
- October 19, 2005
MAC Playhouse - 3:30 pm
- 6:15 PM
College Now Course - Science
Hosted by: Dr. Robert Singer, Professor of English
College Now English Course Coordinator
Dr. Mary Ortiz, College Now Science Course Coordinator
About
the Movie: The
Perfect Storm
Director, Wolfgang Peterson - Rating PG
In October 1991, weather conditions combined to form a killer storm in
the North Atlantic. Caught in the storm was the sword-fishing boat Andrea
Gail. This true-life drama will remind you how powerless we are when faced
with the fury of nature, from New England to New Orleans.
About
the Presenter: Dr. Mary Theresa Ortiz
Dr. Mary Ortiz is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at
Kingsborough Community College. Interested in space since childhood, she has
worked for NASA in the Space Life Sciences Training Program at The Kennedy
Space Center in Florida and as Faculty Research Fellow at The Stennis Space
Center in Mississippi.
She currently is involved in research focused on restoring eel grass in Jamaica
Bay, New York.
Extra Credit Assignments
ACT - Prep
There
have been recent events covered in newspapers and on television involving
the violent and unpredictable nature of the weather. The weather cannot be
controlled; it can only be studied scientifically for its effects. In the
film, The Perfect Storm, a true-life story, the weather is as important
a character as the actors, and the dangerous and unpredictable form the weather
takes affects the lives of so many people, in this case, adversely. The film
serves as a warning to people that their behavior, no matter what the motivation,
will have consequences when signs like a violent storm are ignored by merchants
and workers. Even recent events involving Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans
makes us wonder if weather warning signs were ignored and if more people might
have been saved if others had acted more intelligently and at a faster rate.
Like the loss of life of the workers in the film, the question of loss of
life and responsibility in New Orleans is complex and divisive.
You have been asked to write a letter to the school newspaper in which you
will express your views concerning the issue of responsibility in the recent
tragic events in New Orleans. Was the situation, like the tragic outcome of
The Perfect Storm, avoidable or simply the "way things go"?
What lessons, if any, have we learned about the role of climatology, responsible
weather forecasting, and the need for funding scientific research for our
society? Fully discuss your view; you may refer to recent events, other opinions,
television or newspaper coverage, or even the film The Perfect Storm.
Mini-Research Project
(NOTE: This
is NOT a research paper - it is a research-oriented experience in which
students gather information. They can prepare outlines, note-cards, a bibliography,
cite references, or practice any combination of these skills associated with
preparing a research paper).
Utilizing the library and its resources, and/or material from the Internet,
prepare an investigative project that focuses on any one of these topics associated
with the film, The Perfect Storm:
a) the New England fishing industry
b) the Andrea Gail
c) "nor'easters"
d) satellite weather broadcasting
e) George Clooney
Standard College Essay
Many
issues arise from the analysis and discussion of the film, The Perfect
Storm . Some of the more important issues involve representing working
class people and their struggle for survival, getting along with your fellow
workers, keeping close family relations, acting responsibly, and the importance
of scientific technology and information. There are other related personal
and social issues arising from the analysis of this film, and these are only
some suggested and significant themes to consider.
In a full-length essay (approximately 400-500 words), later to be revised
for content and correctness, discuss any of the issues raised in the film
The Perfect Storm that you consider to be of special interest either
for yourself or for society. Feel free to refer to the film or any source
of information in your essay. Explain why and how these issues are significant
not only in the film but also in relationship to your own life or the lives
of other people.
Event Photos The Perfect Storm - October 19, 2005
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College
Now Science faculty Ronette Fanning (left), John Christakos (3rd from
left) and Sylvia Goldberg (right) with Science Course Coordinator Mary
Ortiz (2nd from left) and Film Festival Coordinator Karl Dettmer (2nd
from right) get ready for The Perfect Storm.
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Dr.
Robert Singer (right) the College Now Film Festival Host, talks with
Dr. Mary Ortiz about the film and its relationship to the SCI 1 course.
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Some
College Now Science students who came to Kingsborough CC to attend the
Film Festival.
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