Talent can have an influential role in terms of promoting sustainability within a production. This section gives you advice and an outlook from people who are leading the way.
From your department’s perspective, how can productions become more sustainable?
Each department has to do their bit, and that includes actors. Sustainability needs to be part of the discussions between talent and the production at the first point of contact. This gives the production more planning time to make greener choices - for example allowing time in a filming schedule for an actor to take a train rather than flying. Productions should have a dedicated sustainability lead with the authority to enact meaningful changes on set. Talent can then connect with this person to find ways to support their work.
How can talent influence the sustainability of a production?
There are plenty of steps that talent can take to influence each other and the screen industries in general. Here are some suggestions:
- Sign up to Equity’s Green Rider Campaign. This is a set of clauses added to your contract that lay out the sustainability measures you need in place before you can work.
- This sends the message to productions that sustainability is as important as any other working conditions. It is not an afterthought.
- Make sure your agent knows how important sustainability is to you. Send them the Green Rider and work out with them what points you want them to fight for when negotiating on your behalf.
- Find a community of people to share information and campaign with. For example, Equity for a Green New Deal is a network of actors and creatives working to make our industry more sustainable: from greening screen and theatre productions, to supporting arts organisations to move away from fossil fuel funders, to divesting our pensions away from fossil fuels.
- If you have a following on social media, promote and support the positive work being done to green our industry. Amplify and support organisations and individuals working hard to improve and innovate our industry. Promote the positive changes you’ve seen in your workplace and personal life and share the impact they have made.
Here are some of the steps that talent can take that can help to influence the culture on a production:
- Find out who the sustainability lead on a production is, and build a relationship with them. Let them know that sustainability is a priority for you and ask what you can do to help.
- Many people are nervous about promoting sustainability in case they are called hypocrites. Our current system makes it impossible for you to have a ‘zero emissions’ life. This is not about being ‘perfectly green’ as an individual, but working collaboratively to change our working culture and make sustainable practices accessible and normal. Even if you can’t be perfect, you can do your bit – for example:
- choosing sustainable travel options such as ride shares, public transport, or taking trains over planes
- being vocal about your interest in sustainability, researching developments happening in the industry and supporting the companies or initiatives making positive steps.
- choosing digital options for scripts, etc. to reduce the amount of paper used
- advocating for greener catering services - for example no red meat
- using your own reusable water bottle, lunchboxes or keep cups instead of single-use packaging
- being responsible for your own waste
- encouraging the reuse of costumes and makeup products. For example:
- if you are allowed to keep your costume at the end of a season, bring it in to reuse it for later seasons.
What are the biggest challenges that talent faces in relation to sustainability, and how have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge is that time and budget are often the deciding factors, which can mean sustainability takes a backseat. Producers and agents may also assume you want certain climate damaging perks because this is the way things have always been done. Suggesting sustainable options that also save time and/or money are a win-win for productions and may make them more receptive to negotiating. Keep talking about the issue with your agents, producers and colleagues to make clear how important it is to you.
How do you keep sustainability on the agenda?
During shoots, find others that are like-minded and arrange catch-ups for the whole cast where you can discuss the sustainable actions that you can all take. In between jobs, get involved with communities who champion sustainability and talk about sustainability on your social media.
Any resources or groups you’d recommend?
Equity for a Green New Deal - a network of climate engaged creatives supported by Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union.
Green Rider project - a set of sustainability clauses that can be added to your TV/film contracts. It states the sustainable actions the artist is willing to take, and what they ask of production in return. Also see the Green Rider Handshake - an agreement between production and the actor stating their commitment to making this happen.
The Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) - a UN-backed global network of creatives laying out shared climate goals and solutions.
Make My Money Matter - an organisation campaigning for green pensions.
The FERA Eco Movie Manifesto – launched April 2023 in Frankfurt by the network of European directors.
Sixteen Films’ sustainable approach to filmmaking – a case study on the albert website
Culture Unstained - a research, engagement and campaigning organisation which aims to end fossil fuel sponsorship of culture.
Julie’s Bicycle - a leading not-for-profit, mobilising the arts and culture to take action on the climate, nature and justice crisis. They offer extensive online resources to learn more about sustainability in the arts and courses on climate leadership.
Heard – a charity that supports individuals and organisations with trainings and sessions on how to communicate issues of climate change in an inspiring and positive way.
With thanks to:
Danusia Samal (actor, writer and campaigner)