Sustainable film production: A new era in British Columbia
A green revolution in film production
In the world of cinema and TV series, sustainable production is no longer just a trend; it’s becoming a necessity. British Columbia has emerged as a leader in this movement, with innovative projects that aim to reduce the environmental impact of film and TV production. One such groundbreaking initiative is being led by Beverley Dondale, CEO of Alpha Select Production Services. Dondale is spearheading a $242 million studio project in collaboration with the Malahat Nation, aiming to create a carbon-neutral, zero-waste production facility on Vancouver Island.
Building a sustainable future
The planned facility is nothing short of ambitious. It includes a 10-acre backlot, two production offices, a workshop, a warehouse, and a double soundstage. Given the island’s limited waste management options, Dondale has partnered with a building company to ensure that set deconstruction salvages materials, funneling recovered resources back into local nonprofits. Additionally, she is collaborating with groups to donate unused food and materials to the community.
“We have composting and recycling capabilities,” Dondale explains, emphasizing the need to make sustainability easy for production teams. She has also collaborated with companies that offer tax receipts for donations, making it financially viable for productions to participate.
The industry’s shift towards sustainability
In Vancouver, major studios are also pursuing sustainability goals. Shannon Bart, Netflix’s senior manager for sustainability & productions, notes that industry studies point to fuel as the largest source of on-set emissions, with around 70% from vehicles and 30% from diesel generators. Since 2020, Netflix has implemented a sustainability roadmap through 2030, focusing on energy efficiency, vehicle electrification, clean mobile power, and renewable energy sourcing.
“We are really focusing on those areas in terms of driving down that fossil fuel use and transitioning to cleaner sources of energy,” Bart says.
Creative freedom through clean energy
Cleaner energy options not only benefit the environment but also offer filmmakers greater creative freedom and production agility. For instance, on the set of Virgin River, filmed in British Columbia, the production team used small, mobile batteries instead of generators. This allowed them to film in unique locations like boats or suspension bridges, which would have been otherwise inaccessible.
“You get access to those beautiful shots,” Bart explains.
Industry-wide initiatives
In June 2023, Netflix, in partnership with Disney, co-launched the Clean Mobile Power Initiative. This initiative aims to find, test, pilot, and scale up cost-competitive zero-emission solutions to accelerate the industry’s transition away from diesel generators.
“When it comes to sustainability in production, we’re focused on developing long-term solutions that can be easily replicated and executed around the world,” says Yalmaz Siddiqui, VP of environmental sustainability at the Walt Disney Co. “We also acknowledge that each production is distinct, and as such, we strive to engage the local community in unique ways to reduce emissions, waste, and impact from materials.”
Resilience in the face of challenges
Despite the downturn following the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, British Columbia’s film industry has shown remarkable resilience. B.C. film commissioner Marnie Gee notes that even with market fluctuations, the ties and reputation that B.C. possesses are tremendously strong, making for a resilient year in 2023.
During the strikes, B.C. saw an uptick in Canadian productions, with early estimates showing that domestic activity was only down by 9%. In April, Creative B.C. and the Province of British Columbia announced a $15.9 million investment over three years to support domestic productions.
“Right now, we’re focusing on workforce development, environmental sustainability resources, and training for the industry, which will be supported by the historic investment from the province,” says Gee.
Looking ahead
Creative B.C. is expecting an additional 1.04 million square feet of production space across 50 new stages to become available in 2025. Meanwhile, on Vancouver Island, film commissioner Kathleen Gilbert has seen an increase in requests in the past month.
“It feels like we are on our way to full recovery,” she says, noting that up to August of this year, they’ve had 16 shows, with another three set to start in September.
Final thoughts
The shift towards sustainable film production in British Columbia is a testament to the industry’s commitment to environmental responsibility. With innovative projects and industry-wide initiatives, the future of film and TV production looks greener and more sustainable than ever. For cinema and TV series enthusiasts, this means not only enjoying high-quality content but also supporting an industry that values and protects our planet.