South Portland Resiliency Fellow, Jenna d'Arcy, discusses the environmental impact of filmmaking and explores how the industry can adopt more sustainable practices. She highlights waste generation and fuel consumption as the two major environmental concerns for filmmaking, while providing examples of how high-budget productions can produce substantial waste and carbon emissions. Jenna also showcases positive steps taken by some filmmakers and production teams to reduce their impact, such as recycling programs and sustainable set design.
Movies– We love them. Motion pictures have long propelled us into a world of excitement and imagination, from the 1994 classic ‘Forrest Gump,’ to the 2007 Pixar treasure ‘Ratatouille’, to the 2017 ‘Baby Driver’. I’d love for you to think of your favorite movie; what aspects of it do you appreciate?
Now– consider what they used to create that movie. Did they build a set design? Did they use high-tech animation software? Did they gather textiles to create characters’ costumes? Did they use clay? As someone who has a passion for filmmaking and addressing climate change, I often wonder: What is the environmental impact of making a motion picture? Do filmmakers consider implementing sustainable practices? Let’s dig in.
What are the potential environmental impacts of the filmmaking process?
Waste
Imagine a high-budget production set. Typically, the directorial team and cast members are provided with several printed copies of a script, using a surplus of paper. To keep the team well-hydrated, single-use plastic water bottles are provided, then they’re disposed of after one use. Any leftover food from the catering table is thrown away (and let’s be honest…how often is it composted instead of sent to landfill?). Costume textiles and set design props are created from new material, instead of reused material.
Fuel Consumption
According to the Sustainable Production Alliance’s ‘Carbon Emissions of Film and Television Production’ report, across all feature films of 2021, fuel consumption was the largest contributing factor to carbon emission. Fuel is mainly used in production vehicles and generators. Additionally, factors such as actors traveling via air travel and transporting set design with trucks leave a substantial carbon footprint.
“The highest-budget films in 2021 had an average carbon footprint of 3,370 metric tons – or about 33 metric tons per shooting day.” (Sustainable Production Alliance)
How are filmmakers and production designers integrating sustainable practices?
Are film crews taking the necessary steps to reduce their carbon emissions? Considerably. The COVID-19 pandemic entirely shifted the demand for travel world-wide, which allowed for actors and film crews to discuss film logistics and plans on virtual meetings, prior to filming. Also, production teams have set their focus on recycling. The blockbuster ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ reportedly saved $400,000 by taking sustainable steps like implementing a recycling program (started by the wardrobe department) which sourced textiles from farmer’s markets every week and over 49 tons of materials were recovered from its sets for donation or reuse on future films.
You also might recognize the following names or bodies of work, who use sustainable production design to their advantage during filmmaking: Paul Cripps (Ted Lasso), Blaire Barnette (Meta Spa, British Film Designers Guild chair), Adam O’Neill (Empire of Light), Jeff Shewbert (Divergent, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay), and Claire Bennett (Modern Family).
EcoSet
I also came across a women-owned, sustainable business called EcoSet, which is an environmental production resource for creative industries based in Los Angeles, CA. They implement zero-waste practices on productions and events, AND recirculate production and event materials back into the community. Some things they offer are sustainable food [JB1] services, such as placing water stations in multiple work areas for crew to refill their own containers, providing paper, fiber or 100% compostable products (including the film crew’s coffee cups), and catering vegetarian, vegan and plant-based protein options.
Also, Ecoset donates surplus food and redirects reusable creative materials throughout the entire production process. Instead of unwanted set parts going to landfills, they are instead donated to others in the film industry, including those just entering the field! A film student named Oyster Liao said, "I think this place [JB2] [Ecoset] is very friendly for students who don't have so much funding and support…And I like that we don't have to waste so much."
As I come towards the end of my service term, I can recognize that my role in sustainability, communications, and learning about waste management with the city of South Portland has propelled me towards my interests in sustainable filmmaking. I feel inspired to enter the filmmaking field and help production teams achieve sustainability goals, from providing compostable coffee cups to reusing costume textiles. As I wrap up, I’ll leave you with this: Hasta la vista, baby! (The Terminator 2).
About Jenna
Jenna grew up in New Fairfield, Connecticut, but now resides in the city of Dover, New Hampshire. From an early age, Jenna participated in Girl Scouts of America, which helped her discover her passion for being a community leader, helping others, and ensuring the earth is well cared for. She achieved a bachelor's degree in Community and Environmental Planning with a dual in Sustainability at the University of New Hampshire. Jenna has since devoted herself to a variety of sustainability-focused careers: Working as an environmental educator, zero-waste shop clerk, social action volunteer in Germany, and a sustainability and waste fellow at Swiss chocolatier company Lindt USA’s headquarters. Outside of her career endeavors, Jenna lives an easy-going life drawing cartoons, painting, playing guitar, cooking plant-based foods, and seeing live music. As a Resilience Corps Fellow, Jenna is excited to help the City of South Portland achieve its sustainability goals, create connections with other fellows, and learn more about the greater Portland community!
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