Definition December 2023 - Newsletter

SCREEN NEW DEAL SUSTAINABILITY

THE AVERAGE TENTPOLE FEATURE impacts our ecosystems IN WAYS WE FAIL TO RECOGNISE”

PRODUCTION MATERIALS albert encourages a zero-waste industry. To do this, all production materials should be preserved and repurposed when they can. When they can’t, companies should make sure they are responsibly sourced. What does responsibly sourced mean, exactly? First of all, supply chains should be locally sourced, legal and ethical, complying with regulations around workers’ rights and, even more importantly, human rights. Secondly, the materials themselves should be sustainable, or not environmentally harmful. Single-use items should be biodegradable; otherwise, they should be durable and easily recyclable. ENERGY AND WATER Productions can reduce their energy demand by relying upon renewable sources such as solar panels and wind turbines, incorporating ‘passive’ solutions like natural ventilation, using low-energy lighting and harvesting rainwater. To

go the extra mile, they can consider waterless or composting toilets for mobile units.

transport plans, coordinating journeys to reduce petrol use while encouraging team-building. On-site, a production hub with centralised catering, childcare services, shower rooms and various other amenities can simultaneously improve crew wellbeing as well as environmental impact. PRODUCTION PLANNING Today’s technology fosters remote collaboration thanks in large part to cloud computing. Crews can save time and money – and ultimately minimise their carbon footprint – by working from home. Similarly, virtual tools like previs simplify the planning process, especially for the art department. ALBERT-APPROVED The film industry is undoubtedly heading in only one direction, and that’s towards a far more sustainable future. With reports and recommendations like those laid out in albert’s Screen New Deal, productions can get one step closer to a net-zero, carbon-neutral, environmentally friendly status. Green practices are inherently important, but also good business. Film investors and other stakeholders are increasingly concerned about social impact and climate consciousness. Productions that complete a carbon action plan can receive official albert Certification – a stamp of approval when it comes to sustainability. The Screen New Deal was made possible by the National Lottery, the BFI and Arup.

STUDIO BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES Stage and studio space is a hot

commodity, especially with increasing reliance on virtual production. One way to avoid unnecessary turnover is ‘building retrofit’, or creating flexible spaces within existing open-plan areas. This increases rentability and invites potential to share between multiple productions at a time. Additionally, installing sensors and smart meters – thereby employing predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring – can improve operations and energy efficiency. STUDIO SITES AND LOCATIONS Car-pooling is a classically convenient, yet oft-overlooked method of transport. Location managers can create shared

SOURCE CODE Using green energy such as wind power is just one way of reducing your impact

Learn more at wearealbert.org

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