GREEN 101

GREEN 101

THEODORE IS DYING

GREEN 101

IT IS EASY TO BE GREEN

The main goal of any greening efforts is to create a more environmentally friendly production and thus reduce consumption of resources and energy. This act of creating a more sustainable project does not need to be expensive and inconvenient as many incorrectly assume.

Through early stage planning, coordination, and communication, the creation of a sustainably minded production can be integrated throughout all phases of production easily and without a heavy financial burden.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

One of the most important things to keep in mind while working to ‘green’ your film is that communication is the most valuable tool for any filmmaker. By articulating your mission and message, other people can understand and help work towards this greater goal. By making your mission theirs as well, you bring the concerted efforts of all crew members who can implement, follow through with, and share your recycling and sustainable practices with others and perpetuate your message.

WHY MAKE A GREEN GUIDE?

In the early stages of greening Theodore is Dying, a main problem we faced as filmmakers was the lack of relevant information to filmmakers such as ourselves working with an extremely low-budgets and on a smaller scale. Most “green guides” were geared towards production with large budgets and studio backing.

Suggestion such as “don’t charter private flights, instead request cast and crew fly commercial airlines”, “use only bio-diesel powered generators”, or “use caters who buy only seasonal, local produce and food stuffs” are not necessarily possible or relevant to the low/no-budget filmmaker.

Many independent, ultra-low budget, and student filmmakers would like to try to make their films more environmentally responsible, but feel that they are limited so much by their budgets and scale. Without the backing of a studio or or a big Hollywood budget, going green can seem like another arduous task to add to the already exhausting process of making a film.

We’ve put together a list of easy, yet effective tips and pieces of eco-advise to help encourage independent, ultra-low budget, and student filmmakers to make more environmentally responsible decisions for their films.

TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW

To suggest new green tips, or ask for advice about green filmmaking, please email Environmental Impact Coordinator Becca Kenyon!