"Sweet Land" - The Latest Carbon-Neutral Movie Production
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 11. 1.06
Joining the productions of "Syriana", "An Inconvenient Truth" and "The Day After Tomorrow" in climate-neutrality, indepedent film "Sweet Land" has offset the carbon emissions caused by the films' production. The film, shot in Montevideo, Minnesota, cost about $1 million to make and $15,000 to offset the 8,000 tons of carbon produced as a result; included in the cost is the report of "every mile driven by every vehicle, every gas receipt ... every airline ticket, every actor who traveled, every pound of film," that contributed to the film's carbon footprint. The film offset its emissions by investing in a reforestation project in Germany and windmills and compact fluorescent lighting in Jamaica. "For me, it's less of a political statement about global warming, and more just, there's got to be a nicer, cleaner way to do this," said film director and writer Ali Selim. The film, which opened in limited release last Friday, itself has nothing to do with the environment, except that it was shot in the austere farm country of Minnesota, Selim's home state; herein lies perhaps the most interesting part of the story. If filmmakers can begin to realize that they can reduce their environmental impact without producing anything particularly "green," or that making "environmental movies" is not required to take positive action, carbon offsets can become just another part of making movies, or another part of daily life. We think that'd be a pretty good thing. ::Sweet Land via user GreenLiving at ::Hugg
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Global Day of Climate Action 2008
- "Carbon Nation" Pumps Up CO2 Reduction Solutions
- Top 5 Green Movie Villains We could All Learn a Thing or Two From
- First Carbon Neutral Suit Available, But Better Act Fast
live|work: Access Over Ownership
|
Carbon Bounty Hunters From Walmart Are Out Scouting The Supply Chains: 'For A Few Dollars More'
|
i'm very pleased to see this effort being made. i've worked in the film industry in toronto for almost a decade and the examples of sheer waste are disgusting. it is not unusual to see the very largest suvs, used to ferry the stars around, sitting and idling all day. on location there are endless generators and trucks running, often for no reason. let's hope the trend of marketable responsibility continues. cheers.
Hi there,
I am researching how to maximize carbon offsets in the production of commercials.
I really enjoy your website, could you perhaps lend a hand in how we can keep the process of commercial production green without only making green commercials?
All help would be appreciated
Many good vibes
Robyn
How can a film with a budget of $1 million, shot on one location (domestic) in 24 days generate 8000 tons of CO2? "Syriana" shot all over the world and only offset 2000 lbs. of CO2 to be carbon neutral. Even accounting for different scoping of what they measured (e.g. Sweet Land seems to have measured film transportation), there has be some error here.
By the way- I saw a tag at the end credits of the film MARGO AT THE WEDDING, saying it was a carbon neutral production.
I work in film as well, and I think that there is a great need for more of this. I plan on making all of my future productions carbon neutral. But just buying credits isn't enough- pushing the people who work in film production to practice more efficient and sustainable ways of working is a need that isn't being addressed. There is no reason that the creation of our entertainment needs to contribute to global warming.
hi,
i am currently working to get compostable plates, cups, and cutlery to film sets, and to then pick up and dispose of the compostable goods at composting facilities. if anyone would like to be involved or have this type of service on their film, please contact me. i just had this idea, as i, too, have been apalled at the amount of waste generated on sets every day. most sets do not even recycle their bottles and cans. if sets do not currently recycle, i will also help with bins and picking up their reclycing to be recycled. i am focusing on this because it seems relatively simple to do, and has a significant impact on waste contributed to landfills. every little bit counts.
sincerely,
kristen
kristenholly@sbcglobal.net