Film and TV drama
Sustainability assistant
Sustainability is a key part of any film or TV production in the UK. Industry organisations such as the BFI, BAFTA, the BBC, Channel 4 and Netflix all have guidelines for sustainable production. BAFTA albert supports the film and TV industry. You will see the albert footprint logo on screen for programmes which have taken steps to lower their carbon footprint.
All cast and crew on a production have a responsibility for working sustainably. On bigger productions it’s becoming more common to have a dedicated person or team looking after the sustainability plan. On smaller productions it may be part of the production management department.
What does a sustainability assistant do?
Sustainability assistants will join the production at the shooting stage. They follow the plan to reduce carbon on the production which has been made by the sustainability manager or production manager. They report to the sustainability coordinator.
They carry out day-to-day practical and administrative tasks to make sure that the plan for the production works well. These can be things like booking travel, putting up signage, collecting data on the use of power and checking that electric vehicles are used where possible.
What is a sustainability assistant good at?
- Communication: confident, friendly and comfortable in a busy environment
- Understanding of sustainability: some knowledge of sustainability and climate change from activities at home volunteering or education
- Organisation: basic knowledge of office software, ability to prioritise tasks, good timekeeping
- Innovation: help to find solutions to problems, deal with the unexpected
- Understanding of production: some knowledge of how film and TV content is made
Who does a sustainability assistant work with?
They will report to the sustainability coordinator and be part of the sustainability or production management team. They will also need to work with everyone in the production, so they need to be able to approach them confidently.
How do I become a sustainability assistant?
This is an entry level role and there are a variety of routes in. Some knowledge of both film and TV production and sustainability is needed. Some people may have worked on set already in an entry level role and also have an interest in sustainability. Other people may have a background or qualification in sustainability, and they then get experience of working in film and TV.
At school or college
If you want to go to university, A levels or Highers in in drama and theatre, English, film studies, media studies, or environmental science are useful. Or you might want to take the following level 3 vocational qualifications:
- OCR Level 3 Certificate in Sustainability
- BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Environmental Sustainability
- WJEC Level 3 qualification Sustainability in Practice
- NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Championing Sustainability in the Workplace
- ProQual Level 3 Award in Environmental Management
- ONC Level 3 Diploma in Environmental Science
- OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma/Extended Diploma in Performing Arts
- BTEC National Diploma/Extended Diploma in Performing Arts
- BTEC National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production
- Aim Awards Diploma in Creative and Digital Media
- OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production)
- BTEC National Diploma in Film and Television Production
- BTEC National Diploma in Film and Television Visual Effects
- RSL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts
- T level Media, Broadcast and Production
Get an apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a job with training, so it’s a great opportunity to earn while you learn. However, if you want to get into sustainability via the production route, it can be challenging to find jobs as an apprentice within production companies. It’s worth looking for an apprenticeship in sustainability.
This will help you develop skills that you can bring into film and TV at a later point. Check out what’s an apprenticeship? to learn more about apprenticeships and find an apprenticeship to learn how to find one in your region, or approach companies directly. Go to ScreenSkills information on apprenticeships for the main apprenticeship schemes in film and television.
Get work experience
Work or volunteer in a sustainability role in any industry, volunteer at school, college or university for roles which may include recycling, waste disposal or measuring energy usage.
Get a degree
A degree is not essential but if you want a degree, a course in media studies, media production, film production or film history will equip you with knowledge and experience of cinema or television and production sets. Have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses and select one in film and TV. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the film and TV industries.
The BAFTA albert education partnership is an initiative created for media courses run by UK Higher Education institutions. Through a comprehensive module, students will gain a fundamental understanding of the climate and nature crises, be introduced to sustainability within the screen industries both on and off screen and have exclusive access to the BAFTA albert student carbon calculator (based on the industry toolkit now mandated by all major UK broadcasters and many film funders).
More scientific courses in sustainability, environmental science and environmental management are also relevant. The IEMA have a list of approved university courses in environmental management and sustainability.
Take a short course
ScreenSkills has an introductory e-learning module about sustainability.
ScreenSkills series of e-learning modules Getting into the screen industries is designed to support people looking to get their first break in the screen industries. (Note this series is available for under 18s. Parents or teachers can e mail info@screenskills.com for the link)
Go to the list of training courses recommended by ScreenSkills and check if there is one about sustainability currently running.
The albert Academy also has a list of workshops https://wearealbert.org/academy/
IEMA (The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) run an Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workforce course and also have other training and e learning.
Work in sustainability
You may be able to get a job locally working in an entry level sustainability role.
Network:
Go to industry events to meet people working in film and TV. Go to how to network well for some tips.
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there are Facebook pages or other social media groups for people making films or TV in your area. There might even be groups for runners and trainees. Join them. Create a ScreenSkills profile. There are a lot of crewing agencies that will charge you to be on their books. Sign up to the free ones initially. Wales Screen, Northern Ireland Screen and other areas offer free crew databases. Find a film office near you and get connected. If you do sign up to paid sites, make sure they specialise in the areas in which you’re interested.
Become a trainee:
Apply for ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder scheme as a production trainee. If you are successful, you get placements, make contacts and build up the industry knowledge to get work in production management in film or TV drama.
