productions like Sky’s Extreme
World and Trollied, The Interceptor’s
producer, Howard Ella, explained
how they used Albert+ to prompt
simple improvements in the on-set
behaviour of crew, which has helped
to reduce the show’s environmental
impact considerably.
“None of what we did is rocket
science, it is just a case of changing
habits and embracing a new culture
in the industry,” says Ella.
Just as CBBC’s All At Sea did before
them, the series made a considerable
effort when it came to eco-friendly
design. The construction team
ensured that props, paints and
timber were sustainably sourced and
recycled whenever possible.
Sourcing sustainable food and using
reusable bottles, rather than plastic,
were small but effective ways of
making a difference, as was reducing
paper waste by not printing scripts.
By using electric vehicles behind
the scenes, the production saved 8
tonnes of CO2 emissions. Using the
environmentally-friendly vehicles also
saved the BBC an estimated £10,000
in fuel and London’s congestion
charges: exploding the myth that
sustainable production needs to be
costly and impractical.
Encouraging though these figures
are, they are also fast becoming
the norm, not the exception. The
BFI and sustainability consultancy
Greenshoot’s approach on the
film 45 Years, produced by Tristan
Goligher and production company
The Bureau, saved 37 tonnes of
CO2 emissions during the course of
filming - the equivalent to traveling
roughly four times around the world.
45 Years was one film of many
that the BFI and Greenshoot have
supported while trialing ‘new’
sustainable practices. The feature
employed a production runner who
had attended Greenshoot’s Green
Runner training course, and the
project could count on the support of
producers and management – a key
factor for successful sustainability
management. In addition to
transport, the production designers
embraced the green scheme and
opted for filming on location rather
than building a set.
The power behind green
More companies are also being
creative about their power sources;
an imperative in an industry that
guzzles fuel and electricity. “Energy
efficient lights are just one way
that technology can help reduce
your carbon footprint,” says Pat
McEnallay, founder of Greenkit
Lighting.
After working at Lee Lighting, Agfa
and Panalux, McEnallay realised that
many gaffers, cinematographers
and producers wanted to make
more sustainable films, but that they
struggled to find green lights that
really performed on set.
“Many of our lights are flexible
enough to do more than one job.
They can be rigged and de-rigged
more quickly and safely than
traditional lights, and run off mains
electricity or battery power in many
cases. If you’re on location without
mains electricity, we can hire you
a solar powered generator that will
keep your energy efficient lights
powered up,” McEnallay says.
For Off the Grid, a short
documentary by Soul Rebel Films,
using natural light and low-energy
lamps helped keep the production’s
footprint nice and small. Working
with Greenkit, solar energy powered
the lights and contributed to the
aesthetic of the film, while keeping
costs down. “Keep it lean,” suggests
McEnallay, “switch off lights when
you’re done and think wisely about
your choice of lighting.”
It’s clear that the industry is trying.
There has undoubtedly been a shift
towards incorporating the now
enshrined green mantra - reduce,
reuse, recycle. This in all aspects of
production – as well as at the same
time taking on board new, innovative
and sustainable technologies. With
a raft of initiatives, from carbon
calculators, green certificates and
easy-to-follow sustainability tips, the
day of going green, without having
to compromise on cost or quality,
seems to have finally arrived.
A production still for Off The Grid,
a short documentary by Soul Rebel
Films set in Sandwip, Bangladesh,
where no state electricity exists.
“The construction team
ensured props, paints and
timber were sustainably
sourced and recycled
wherever possible”
10
Filming on Location
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