NickLawFilmAnnotations8

Nicholas Lawrence Blue Vinyl
 * 1) Blue Vinyl, 2002, Daniel B. Gold, Judith Helfand


 * 1) The main argument of this film is to show the detrimental effects of the vinyl industry. VINYL BAD.


 * 1) The film follows the adventure of Judith Helfand to understand the environmental impact of the new vinyl siding on her parent’s house. The film has emotional appeal through the very averageness of the narrator. She seems to be someone who in her personal quest to understand the vinyl industry accidentally made a documentary along the way. Personally I didn’t like the narrator that much. Her voice annoyed me. Silly I know, but true.


 * 1) The film draws out chemical pollution, corporate responsibility, political, social inequality and technological.


 * 1) The part I found rather convincing was the guy who need the voice box to speak. Towards the end of the movie he was able to actually speak to one of the vinyl executives in Florence. What could be more compelling than to have someone tell you that your company stole his voice away in a mechanical voice? The way his life was affected was very clear and prominent. His disability is very hard to ignore. What was also convincing was the scientific expert talking about the dangers of dioxin. When vinyl is burned, it releases dioxin. Dioxins are very bad for your health. A very compelling and simple link to follow.


 * 1) I was not convinced by the narrator. She seemed in experienced and didn’t know exactly what she was doing. Plus, having all those interviews at her house made it seem a little unprofessional too. And her carrying her piece of vinyl everywhere seemed a little stupid. Her style detracted from the overall documentary in my opinion.


 * 1) The film best addresses people in possession of vinyl or who live near vinyl plants. I mean if you have vinyl siding on your house you endanger yourself and your neighbors. If your house catches fire you’ll give the neighborhood a good dose of dioxins. Also people who live near vinyl plants are exposed to the chemicals in their runoff and waste gasses. Also vinyl workers would best see this film for they’re at high risk of health problems.


 * 1) The film didn’t really address the affects the vinyl industry has on the surrounding environment. They most focused on the health affects to humans. They didn’t say whether or not dioxins are bad for vegetation or other animals. I feel like having a bit more of this sort of information would’ve helped the film. If dioxins cause weird rare cancers in humans, then just imagine what affects they’re having on animals. Including more environmental affects would’ve have broaden the emotional appeal of the film.


 * 1) If I remember correctly we never saw the end of this film. But the measures I would take would be to don’t buy vinyl. Find some other option to side your house with. Personally I feel bad because I have bought many vinyl records. So if you do buy vinyl, don’t throw it away and don’t let be set on fire.

interesting site about how vinyl isn’t that great of a product, not even considering environmental effects [] I bought quite a few vinyl records and this documentary made me feel bad about owning them, and also piqued my curiosity as to how they’re made
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