Instructions for climate-friendly film production

Films take their audience into another world, they entertain, shock and sometimes even educate. That's why they were a welcome virtual way out of the living room during the difficult times of the lockdown. As people are consuming more and more films and series globally, the production of media content has become a significant contributor to man-made CO2 emissions. This blog article is about showing where CO2 is produced and how it can be reduced in climate-friendly film production.

How much CO2 is in the film?

A 90-minute "Tatort" can produce up to 100 tonnes of CO2 (for comparison: the German way of life produces an average of approx. 11.6 tonnes of CO2 per person per year, source: UBA) and more. However, these emissions can be reduced enormously by applying environmentally conscious principles of behaviour. SWR was one of the first public broadcasters to produce a 'green' "crime scene" with only 40 tonnes of CO2 in the balance sheet result. We want to outline here how climate-friendly film production succeeds and where the major fields of action lie.

The fields of action of climate-friendly film production 

Contents:

1. thinking ahead in the script

Writing the screenplay lays the foundation for climate-friendly film production. Important decisions for film production and shooting are based on this. Where does the action take place? How often does the film location change? Do the characters fly around the world? What kind of story and world view does the film material convey?

The main roles carry identification potential for the audience. Therefore, it should not be underestimated how sustainability as a whole is subconsciously conveyed in the film, in that roles are drawn diversely and the characters live environmental awareness as the 'normal'. They would then, for example, use climate-friendly means of transport or not drink coffee-to-go from a disposable cup. The topic becomes even more present when climate protection or the presence of climate change is creatively incorporated into the foreground or background of a film story.

2. comprehensively plan the shoot

Once the script is finished, the planning for the realisation, i.e. the filming, begins.

At this point in the creative process, a decision is made as to how complex the shoot will be and therefore (unconsciously) how much energy will be required with corresponding CO2 emissions. The general rule is: plan as efficiently as possible for actual utilisation and invest more time in team coordination. Otherwise, it can happen that too much rather than too little is transported to the set on the day of filming because there was no prior agreement.

Depending on which option is used in the following four production areas, the energy consumption is lower than with conventional production. Less energy consumption means better for the climate.

A) Calculate travel and transport accurately

The travel and accommodation of the entire production team, the actors and the creative team are one of the biggest sources of CO2 in a film production. Flights naturally make up a substantial part of this and can have a major impact on climate-friendly production if they are kept to a minimum. Short-haul flights in particular can be replaced by ICE train journeys. However, this also requires the willingness of the team. 

Hybrid cars or electric cars can be hired for short journeys from the hotel to the set. This reduces the greenhouse gas emissions of this project area. Larger vehicles and lorries for transporting technology and equipment are currently hardly available from car rental companies with electric drive systems. Low-emission lorries (CNG/LNG) are currently a good alternative to conventional diesel in terms of their CO2 emissions.

B) TPrecise coordination of technology and catering

Light, sound, camera and more

In most cases, climate-friendly film production is also technology-intensive, both in the editing and post-production phases. In addition to cameras and sound recording equipment, filming also requires a lot of artificial light, depending on the location (in the studio or 'on location'). Large-format, powerful spotlights, which can illuminate a night shoot as bright as day, require a correspondingly large amount of electricity. But even smaller lamps, placed at different points on the set for creative lighting design, result in a great hunger for electricity. Of course, a shoot needs cameras and sound equipment, as well as storage media and various other technology. This energy requirement is usually covered on set by diesel generators, which are not very climate-friendly.

Problem: Generator

These are not only noisy and only really efficient in converting energy from diesel to electricity above a certain utilisation level. The biggest problem is the exhaust fumes - nitrogen oxides, soot and carbon oxides, which are usually blown into the environment 'on location' for hours on end. Unfortunately, this often happens regardless of whether the generator is needed or not. It runs anyway. If the catering vehicle for the crew also needs its own generator, the impact on people on set and the environment is doubled 

Energy-saving alternatives to the generator

In the market for mobile energy systems, alternatives based on (coupled) battery systems are currently emerging, which ideally store energy from green electricity or can be recharged on site using solar or (bio)gas. In combination with energy-saving LED lighting technology, good coordination and creative rethinking of lighting in particular (e.g. use of daylight), a lot of CO2 and other harmful greenhouse gases can be saved in this production area. However, this rethink away from convention requires not only new equipment but also a motivated crew. A new way of working will only succeed with additional tests, the relevant expertise and creative collaboration between all the technical experts on set.  

Catering with environmentally conscious catering on set

Is there schnitzel today?

In catering, in addition to the generator, there is of course the component of meat as a CO2-intensive food. The reduction of meat dishes is a sensitive issue because everyone on set is affected and understanding is not automatically present. Promoting this in a climate-friendly film production is worthwhile under the argument that vegetarian catering leaves a significantly smaller CO2 footprint due to the reduced use of natural resources and land.

For all other foods, too, attention should be paid to regional, ideally also certified organic products. Food that is as packaging-free as possible, reusable crockery and avoiding food waste are further basic considerations for more ecological catering.

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C) Thinking about waste when building sets and equipment

Reducing waste and the use of resources through innovative, environmentally friendly materials is also an issue when it comes to buildings for climate-friendly film sets.

Above all, reuse via a pool of costumes, props and set components saves money compared to buying new. Disposal is also eliminated if the borrowed material can be returned. Some young companies in particular are developing the reuse of newly purchased but still usable materials as a sustainable business purpose. For example Trash Galorewho collect large boards, wooden slats, leftover paint and similar items and pass them on to creative projects.

What are the problem areas in the materials sector?

Clothing has many implied risks for the environment and people:

• Toxic colouring processes
• Disregard for human rights in the supply chain, e.g. through highly precarious social working conditions in the production countries
• Low recyclability of the materials

Clothing, but above all the materials used in set construction, can only be disposed of as hazardous waste at the end of production due to toxic paints and colours. Of course, not every film set or costume wardrobe can be put together from found objects. Here, it is worth looking for clever innovations in building materials that are produced in an ecologically and socially responsible way and are based on new types of materials. Basic components such as mushrooms based. Seal for socially fair and environmentally friendly products exist in both sectors. FSC-certified wood is probably the best known, but is not used as standard. Instead of using glued chipboard such as MDF, which is difficult to dispose of, cardboard honeycomb panels could be a possible alternative. As with the technology, the principle of expertise, motivation to test and openness to creative experimentation is required to achieve the common goal of climate-friendly film.

D) Achieve energy-efficient post-production

After filming, the digital images are edited and supplemented with visual effects.

Depending on the type of film, this step can be very time-consuming and data-intensive. Especially when many effects are used in the image, the volume of data for editing and storage increases. If the film was also shot in high-resolution 4k, 6k or 8k, increasingly powerful computers and servers are required for the further design of the images. This, in turn, means more energy and always up-to-date technology. 

The environmentally friendly leverage here now lies primarily in electricity consumption and the energy efficiency of the devices. So far, only a few pioneers have taken the path to sustainable post-production out of personal conviction. This shows that ecological standards and professional technical services are not mutually exclusive. Moving pictures from Tübingen for example, have consistently geared their customer services towards the environment and work in a climate-friendly company building.

There are enough good reasons for climate-friendly Film production

It doesn't have to be more expensive

Working in a climate-friendly way is not only worthwhile in the film industry because it reduces the ecological impact. In addition to less CO2, reduced use of resources and less waste, the financial savings are a big plus. Where less material is needed and less 'safety' stock is brought to the set thanks to early planning and better pre-arrangements, the overall costs are generally also reduced.    

From climate-friendly to sustainable

In addition to the ecological aspects, the social component of film shooting is becoming increasingly important today. Long working days, high pressure, low pay for crew and service providers and a lack of family compatibility are making the profession increasingly unattractive for young talent. That's why positive precautions for team satisfaction and a good atmosphere on set are another aspect that complements the sustainability of the production process on a social level. Motivated team members not only work better together, they are also more enthusiastic about follow-up projects and can therefore be inspired in the long term

Demand is growing

Netflix, Sky, the public broadcasters - they are feeling the increasing pressure from their audiences to become more climate-conscious and are now publishing their own sustainability reports or joining forces with other broadcasters. Industry initiatives such as the "Green Shooting" working group on. Production companies, funding organisations, broadcasters and associations have been working together for several years on ecological principles for the industry. This means that the commissioning broadcasters and platforms will impose ecological requirements on their suppliers, the film producers.

Film funding follows suit

Government funding for film productions will also be linked to environmental criteria in the foreseeable future. To this end, in collaboration with experts ecologically orientated standards developed and tested in practice. Anyone wishing to receive film funding in future would then have to prove that they work in a climate-conscious manner. Over the next few years, the German film industry will thus gradually pave the way for climate-friendly films and series.

How do I start setting up my next film production in a climate-friendly way?

Information and guidelines online

The measures described help to make the production of a series or film more climate-friendly. This requires early planning, ideally from the time of writing. Further information material and guidelines have been compiled by the "Green Shooting" working group and the regional film commissions. They provide practical guidance and also provide valuable lists of service providers for the various filming regions.

Green Consultants provide advice and support

So-called Green Consultants are experts in the field of environmentally friendly production methods and support production companies during the project period. Certification courses for green consultants have recently been introduced in Germany, as this specialised knowledge is now in greater demand due to the stricter requirements for public film funding.

Working sustainably in the long term

Even better than project-related environmentally conscious filming is the extension to the entire business model of the producing company. With a comprehensive sustainability concept, the working methods of a film production company can be strategically orientated towards sustainability in the ecological, social and economic dimensions.  

This increases employer attractiveness, employee health and motivation and ultimately also productivity. We provide an overview in our Blog post "The comprehensive guide to building a sustainability strategy".

5. conclusion

There are many starting points in a film production to work in a climate-friendly way and thus save CO2. These range from the script to post-production and offer great potential for reducing negative environmental impact in the individual departments through good planning and alternative materials and techniques.

We work with companies on sustainability. 
Strategy, controlling and corporate culture for sustainability. 

For complex topics such as this, we provide advice, act as a sparring partner or provide impetus. If you would like to find out more about this topic or even tackle it yourself, please write to us: 

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