A Green is Universal poll done in August 2011 shows that consumer support for Eco-friendly products had risen to 78%, almost a 10% increase from the same poll taken in 2009. Furthermore, almost 70% of consumers polled said that it is worth paying more money for Eco-friendly products!
This past spring, actress Tilda Swinton, who stars in Focus Features’ most recent release, MOONRISE KINGDOM, held a film and art festival in Yao Noi, Thailand, with director Apichatpong Weerasethakul. The festival, which was called “Film on the Rocks,” featured Thai and international films, along with art installations and discussions surrounded by nature and foliage that was thousands of years old.
But, for many, the most exciting part of the festival was the floating movie theater in which they held actual film screenings! AND, did we mention that it was made entirely from recycled materials? After the festival, the floating, recycled theater was donated back to the people of Yao Noi, who provided the materials to build it, for their own use.
The SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN production crew also went green by using water filters on set. This reduced the need for individual plastic water bottles throughout filming. As well, hybrid vehicles were rented for the crew and the catering staff sourced food from local London farmers.
Universal Pictures’ newest release, SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN, practiced green production while they filmed outside of London. Many of the sets were built from used lumber and after shooting, this lumber was delivered to other productions to sustain their re-use efforts.
In order to go green, several film productions donate leftover props and materials from their sets. A main go-to in NYC is Film Biz Recycling (FBR). They are a, “not-for-profit organization, creating socially responsible and sustainable solutions from media industry waste”.
FBR offers a plethora of services which includes on-set consulting on individual media productions (how to re-purpose materials, etc.) and delivering donations to charities free of charge.
Focus Features’ 2009 film AWAY WE GO used a blend of biodiesel in over one-third of the fuel used to power the production generators and vehicles. Biodiesel fuel emits 8.5% less carbon per unit than regular diesel fuel.
In order to preserve plastic and bottles, Focus uses Brita hydration stations, which are portable water machines. This way, no Styrofoam is used and if there are any plastic items, they are Eco-friendly. How are they Eco-friendly? By not putting logos on plastic, they can be donated, recycled, reused, etc.
Focus uses several green vendors such as Greenshoot (UK), a consulting company that filters garbage and separates it for studios and sets. On the set of BEING FLYNN, 90% of materials were able to be recycled thanks to Greenshoot.
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has created a website called PGA Green which allows you to learn about the many ways you can green a film, TV, or commercial production.
The site features a Green Production Guide which spotlights over 1,500 companies that provide energy-saving materials for various productions. They even have a “Search the Guide” section which allows you to find the appropriate green services for your own production!
