The Crew's Eco Impact

There are opportunities for climate action no matter what your role. Having a grasp of the different roles on a film set can identify opportunities for climate action, even if you're the one wearing all the hats.

Production Roles

A film set can be an exciting and sometimes overwhelming place for newcomers. Large films can have upwards of 2000 workers in dozens of departments over multiple locations sometimes spread around the globe. On the other side of the spectrum micro-budget documentaries can have as few as two crew members and shoot in a single room.

Every role on a film set has a contribution to make to reduce the emissions caused by content creation. As you examine this list, think of ways you can contribut to sustainability in your current or next film jobs.

Producers

Oversees and manages the production of the film, including securing funding and making key decisions. Producers can empower sustainable practices by supporting green budgets, making eco-conscious decisions during planning and budgeting, and directing their teams to prioritize sustainability. As cultural leaders, producers have the power to influence attitudes towards sustainability through their words and actions. The producer can have a big influence on the work culture their production adopts.

Writer / Story Editor / Researcher

Responsible for researching and developing the story, creating characters and the world and writing the script. Writers, researchers and editors can tell climate stories, put the planet on screen, prioritize climate communication that raises awareness about environmental issues or showcase sustainable solutions, which in turn inspires action and informs audiences.

Director

Responsible for the film's artistic vision and guides the actors and crew in bringing that vision to life. Directors can incorporate sustainability themes into the narrative and choose locations and shots that minimize environmental impact. Perhaps the most important cultural leaders on set, directors have the power to influence attitudes towards sustainability through their words and actions.

Cast

Brings the characters of the film to life. Cast can use their platform and influence to advocate for sustainability, support eco-friendly productions, and model sustainable practices for colleagues and audiences alike.
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In documentary and factual productions, subjects (people being themselves!) share a part of their lives with us, including their actions, concerns and experiences with environmental issues, inspiring and resonating with audiences in limitless ways, raising awareness and normalizing important conversations.

Production Manager

Oversees the day-to-day operations of the film production, including the budget. Production Managers can hire crew with green-skills, give time for sustainability in the schedule, implement waste and emissions reduction strategies, ensure compliance with sustainability guidelines, and choose sustainable suppliers. Production Managers influence on-set culture through their words and actions and uphold the values set out by the producer and director.

Assistant Director

Supports the director in managing the cast and crew and ensuring that the film stays on schedule and is made safely. Assistant Directors can support the director and production manager in managing the cast and crew in a way that prioritizes sustainability and minimizes environmental impact. They too wield significant influence on the day-to-day actions and decisions that happen on set.

Production Coordinator

Provides administrative and organizational support to the production office, ensuring smooth daily operations. They can implement and advocate for sustainable practices in the office by going paperless, booking sustainable travel and transportation options, using recycled paper and office supplies (or going digital with essentials), ensuring efficient energy use, promoting recycling and waste reduction among the crew, and helping department heads find green vendors.

Camera & Director of Photography (DOP)

Works with the director to set the visual style of the production and works closely with the Electrics, meaning the decisions of the DOP can have a direct emissions impact. The camera department can influence energy-efficient camera equipment and lighting, and work with the electrical department to ensure sustainable power sources on set. They can minimize lighting and choose LED or natural light sources.

Editor

Assembles and organizes footage to create the final film narrative. They can work with the director and producer to ensure that any sustainable themes or messages filmed during production are incorporated into the final cut of the film.

Transportation

Manages the logistics of moving cast, crew, and equipment to and from filming locations, and manages all vehicles that appear on camera. They can prioritize using renewable fuels, fuel-efficient vehicles, carpooling, and planning routes to minimize emissions during filming. They can track and report on fuel use to help production reduce fossil fuel consumption.

Electrics

Manages and implements all electrical equipment and power needs on set. They can prioritize using renewable energy sources for powering the set, and using energy-efficient lighting and equipment. They can track and report on energy use to help production reduce energy consumption.

Locations

Manages the finding, securing, and preparation of filming locations. The locations department can consider travel distances or power availability when planning locations, and prioritize locations that are accessible by public transportation or that are within walking distance of each other to reduce emissions from transportation.

Costume

Designs, creates, and manages the wardrobe and costumes worn by actors. The costume department can source sustainable materials, rent or buy secondhand clothing, and prioritize reusability and recycling of costumes.

Art Department

Designs, constructs, and dresses sets and props. The art department can prioritize using recycled or reused materials for sets and props, and source non-toxic and sustainable materials when new materials are needed.

Hair and Makeup

Creates and maintains the hair and makeup looks for actors. The hair and makeup department can use sustainable and eco-friendly products, and minimize waste by using reusable tools and supplies, or reimbursing actors for using their own products as much as possible.

Sound

Captures and manages all audio elements on set. The sound department can prioritize using rechargeable batteries and energy-efficient equipment.

Publicity

Generates and manages media, outreach and coverage for the project. The publicity department can promote the project’s sustainable practices and messages to audiences and the media.

Catering / Craft Services

Feeds the cast and crew. They can prioritize using locally sourced seasonal ingredients, low-carbon ingredients, minimize food waste, and use eco-friendly packaging and tableware. Caterers can also consider ways to reduce water waste and power consumption by using energy efficient appliances, and sustainable mobile options like electric trucks and generators.

Construction

Builds and dismantles sets and structures for filming. The construction department can prioritize using sustainable and non-toxic materials, designing for deconstruction and re-use, and minimizing waste during set construction and dismantling.

Greens

Handles the landscaping and plant life on set. The greens department can use locally sourced plants and prioritize using plants that require minimal water and maintenance.

Visual Effects (VFX)

Creates and integrates computer-generated imagery and effects into the film. The visual effects department can use energy-efficient computers and render farms, and optimize workflows to minimize energy consumption.

Special Effects (SFX)

Creates practical on-set effects which may involve the use of pyrotechnics and other chemicals (i.e.: fog machines, etc) which can be harmful to people and the environment. This department can be eco-friendly by limiting hazardous materials and avoid burning petroleum-based materials (plastic, rubber, and diesel fuel).

Sustainability Roles

Sustainability roles are becoming an increasingly common site on film sets. Sustainability managers, coordinators and production assistants are an important part of a production’s sustainability strategy by helping to coordinate departments and supporting the production to achieve its green goals.

On most low budget productions and small crews, adding a dedicated crew position may be unrealistic, but understanding the role may still help you find ways to incorporate and divide the tasks amongst the crew and identify the necessary skills in yourself and others.

Sustainability Manager

Crucial for implementing sustainable practices in film production. They work with production management to integrate eco-friendly solutions from development to post-production. Their responsibilities include advising on best practices, identifying sustainable suppliers, ensuring compliance with standards, tracking progress, and fostering relationships with responsible suppliers.

Sustainability Coordinator

Often the main point of contact for sustainability on a production. They often work under a Sustainability Consultant or Manager and they ensure sustainable practices are integrated into every stage, from pre-production throughout wrap, working closely with all departments to minimise carbon emissions, waste, and resource use.

Eco-PA (production assistant, aka Green PA)

Plays a vital role in supporting sustainable practices on film and television productions. This entry-level position assists the production and sustainability teams implement and monitor eco-friendly initiatives, communicating to the crew, reducing waste and minimizing the production’s environmental impact.

The Crew's Eco Impact

Production Roles

Sustainability Roles

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