#22: Zsofia Szemeredy, Sustainability Consultant - Reducing Film's Carbon Footprint

Filmmaking Framed

Join us in this episode as we talk with Zsofia Szemeredy, Co-Founder of Green Eyes Productions and a leading sustainability consultant in the film industry. Learn how she tackled the challenge of integrating recycling on set and addressed the carbon impact of film production. Discover sustainable practices like incorporating green solutions into scripts and leveraging new technologies like battery power. Hear Zsofia's firsthand experiences and practical tips on balancing creativity with sustainability, helping you lead the way in greening the film industry. Tune in for expert advice and actionable strategies.

Key Lessons

• Integrating Recycling on Set: Zsofia discusses the practical challenges and strategies for integrating recycling into the daily operations of film sets, highlighting the importance of changing habits and normalizing sustainable practices within the crew.

• Impact of Script Decisions on Carbon Footprint: She emphasizes the significance of considering the carbon impact during the scriptwriting phase. By making conscious choices about locations, set builds, and travel requirements, writers and producers can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of their productions.

• Leveraging New Technologies like Battery Power: Zsofia shares her experiences with transitioning to battery-powered solutions for energy needs on set. She talks about the initial resistance and eventual acceptance of these technologies, demonstrating how they can effectively replace traditional diesel generators and reduce carbon emissions.

Resources

• BAFTA Albert: An organization that provides a carbon calculator tool to measure a production's carbon footprint and offers seminars and educational resources on sustainability in the film industry.

https://wearealbert.org/

Green Eyes Productions: Zsofia's consultancy that assists film and TV productions in becoming more environmentally friendly, offering tailored advice and strategies for sustainability.

https://greeneyesproduction.com/

Industry Networking Groups:

• Ladies in Film and Television (LIFT): A group that organises events and seminars, such as the film financing seminar where Zsofia learned about the connection between sustainability and financing in films.

https://ladiesinfilm.org/

Innovative Battery Technologies:

• Voltstack Generators: Electric generators that are silent and emission-free, used to replace traditional diesel generators on set.

• Instagrid and Wattman Batteries: Lightweight, mobile battery solutions favoured by different departments for their ease of use on set.

Financial Incentives for Sustainable Production:

Countries like Austria, New Zealand, Germany, Slovakia, and Belgium offering financial incentives for productions that adopt sustainable practices.

Want to get in touch with Zsofia? Contact her via Green Eyes Productions or reach out to her via LinkedIn

Filmmaking Framed is proudly supported by Centroid Motion Capture, a leader in providing state-of-the-art motion capture technology to the entertainment industry.