Harriet Finney, Director of External Affairs for the BFI, says:
“Our film and screen production industries are facing an undeniable period of change as we enter a world which is responding creatively and economically to harsh impacts of the pandemic. Commissioned last year, the purpose of this report by Arup was to share innovation and knowledge and help kick-start a more sustainable production ecosystem. Arriving now – just as productions restart and introduce new ways of working on set and on location – there is an opportunity to consider how we create efficiencies in our approach to materials and resources and learn how innovation is working for other industries. This piece of work is not the solution to delivering greater environmental sustainability but it provides us a valuable route map for taking forward positive action.”
Pippa Harris, Chair of the albert Film Forum and Producer at Neal Street Productions, says:
“This report is being published at such an important moment for our industry. We have all felt the devastating economic and cultural effects of the pandemic, so now is the time to regroup and come back stronger. We cannot continue to create films in the same manner we did before with no long-term plan for the environment around us. It's time for our industry to lead the way both on and off screen and rebuild for a cleaner, greener future."
Aaron Matthews, Head of Industry Sustainability, albert, says:
“We want this report to kick-start a long overdue conversation with the key decision makers in the film industry. As we emerge from lockdown we need to rethink our approach to filmmaking, if we simply pick up where we left off we will miss our chance to deliver what is environmentally necessary. The changes suggested in this report can't be implemented overnight and some of them require a new way of thinking but grasping this challenge now will lead to improved efficiencies in the way we work, meaning more cash can be spent on what we see on screen rather than what we have to currently send to landfill."