Post-production provides another prime opportunity to keep the green momentum going once shooting has stopped. All the plans for reuse, repurposing and recycling come together during wrap. Wrap efficiency is dependent, in part, on how carefully the set has been designed for disassembly. Steps that designers can take to ease green deconstruction include leaving materials in relatively standard sizes—rendering them more salvageable at wrap, and using only screws and bolts, instead of nails and glue guns, to enable easy break down. (See SET CONSTRUCTION for more details.)
Editing, distribution and events also provide opportunities to conserve energy redirect waste and reinforce the green messaging of your production.
WRAP
- Think of wrap as an opportunity to repurpose or donate materials, including lumber, scenery, paint and props.
- Before the production wraps, look for local organizations that can assist with selling or donating set props and materials. Provide them with a list of items that will be available, including dates for when they can be picked up.
- Outline a waste management plan that identifies set materials to be recycled and where they should be collected.
- Recycle all wood, nails and screws that can’t be donated.
- Recycle all scrap metal.
- Make arrangements to safely dispose of any chemical waste with a local hazardous waste vendor.
- Ask the waste disposal company to provide figures for production waste sent to the landfill and waste recycled.
EDITING AND DISTRIBUTION
- When possible, use digital post-production workflow systems. By sharing dailies and work in progress cuts digitally, you not only save the energy used in the printing process, but you also reduce your fuel use by avoiding messengers and shipping.
- Distribute promotional materials and electronic press kits (EPKs) online.
- Choose recycled paper and soy-based inks for print materials.
- Minimize media packaging, and choose cases made from renewable materials.
- Consider promoting the production’s environmental achievements in the Special Features section of the DVD and in the media.
- Power down the edit room, including all computers and monitors, at the end of each workday.
- Follow PRODUCTION OFFICE guidelines for other post-production office procedures.
EVENTS
- Use email-based communications and invitations instead of paper and postage.
- Use EPA approved corn or soy-based inks for signage.
- Print signage on recycled paper and foam core boards made with high percentages of post-consumer recycled content. UV flatbed printers will print one-sheets directly onto paper-based boards.
- Purchase recycled carpets.
- Look for lanyards made from recycled plastic bottles.
- See THE PRODUCTION OFFICE and CATERING & CRAFTS SERVICES for more “green event” best practices.
MEASURING AND OFFSETTING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
- Download the carbon calculator at www.greenproductionguide.com and read through the instructions carefully to make sure you understand how to do the calculation. See the carbon calculator tutorial for step-by-step support. Once you have filled in the requested information, the resulting footprint calculation can help illuminate areas for improvement on your next production.
- If you choose to move forward with the purchase of a carbon offset, first contact your studio, your filmmaking and/or funding team, or your environmental consultant for guidance. They may have information and experience to share. Talk to your production team to see if there are any people who have a preference, a cause or a specific offset they’d like to support.
There is a wide range of carbon reduction and offset providers who can facilitate purchasing an offset. For instance, you could capture methane from a landfill, or replant a tropical rainforest, or build a solar energy farm. The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance is one resource to survey a variety of providers. Do your own research into carbon offsets as well, and find a way to use your film to leave a lasting legacy on the planet.
Download a PDF copy of the Wrap and Post Production Best Practices.