Have you ever wondered how those bang-up car chases in movies affect the environment? What about props and set construction? Does that stuff get reused and recycled? When it comes to energy consumption –– forget it –– the film and television industry is a consumption hog!
Fortunately, the Producers Guild of America (PGA) is working on greening Hollywood’s production practices and studios are graciously jumping on the bandwagon. On Wednesday, as part of their PGA Green Initiative, the guild launched The Green Production Guide. The website features listings of vendors who offer sustainable and energy-efficient products and services for the production community. The 1,100-plus vendors currently on the site are recommended by production professionals. Producers and individual companies themselves will be able to add products and services to the site on a continual basis.
“I strongly believe that sustainability needs to be part of our everyday vernacular, and I’m extremely proud that the industry has successfully collaborated to launch the Green Production Guide,” said PGA President Emeritus Marshall Herskovitz. “We are grateful for the tremendous studio support behind this vital initiative, which has the ability to effect tangible change and advance sustainable solutions.”
The Green Production Guide was provided seed funding and support from Disney, Fox, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros. with the goal of integrating green practices and reducing the carbon footprint of the television, film industry and new media sectors.
In addition to offering a searchable database of global eco-friendly vendors, the site also features a carbon calculator for producers to track their project’s environmental footprint and recommended best practices. A forum for sharing and contribution will be hosted by the newly created Green Production Alliance, a network of insiders working toward advancing environmental practices in the film, television, commercial and new media industries, which will offer resources, educational and training opportunities and tools for the community.
“The Producers Guild, led by the passionate and dedicated PGA Green Committee, has worked very closely with the entertainment community to launch the Green Production Guide,” said PGA Executive Director Vance Van Petten. “We’re confident that the Green Production Guide will be an invaluable tool to everyone in the business, from producers to studios alike.”
Screengrab via Green Production Guide.