At Recut, we are trying to build our brand around a set of values which prioritise not only trying to build a successful business, but also a production company that strives to work in a better more forward-thinking way. Now, it’s become impossible for any brand with our aims and ambitions to approach production without an eye on how to make it greener. So we thought for this week’s blog we would post an article exploring how we are trying to make productions a green as possible.
Cutting down our mileage
Our work sees us travel around the country and often the globe. That’s a lot of emissions burnt in fuel consumption to get to and from shoots.
To help reduce this, we try to Vehicle share as much as possible. Whilst also promoting crew who don’t need to drive to take public transport to and from locations. It’s simple, but it means for every car journey we are making to a shoot, we are stopping another crew member from making that same trip in a different vehicle. From a Creative and pre-production standpoint, we conduct the vast majority of our meetings with clients, crew, and talent virtually. Saving further on travel costs. Whilst also saving our clients’ money as we aren’t needing to cover the cost of travel.
The power of reusing
And we don’t stop with the mileage. All our equipment is battery powered and only reusable batteries are used. On top of this, we encourage all crew members to bring a refillable coffee cup and water bottle to shoots. Although if they forget we then have compostable cups on hand which is taken away and given to the avid gardeners in our team. On top of this, we are using low draw LED lights to decrease the amount of power we are consuming. Trying to avoid sources and equipment of a certain age that is significantly less efficient.
Location, Location, Location…
We also try to pick locations which are easy to get to for public transport – where possible. Sometimes this means an extra cost, but if it means the majority of the crew can arrive via public transport, we believe it’s worth it.
This means if we are using a studio, we want it to be one where people can access the space easily. But also, a studio which has pre-existing sets to match our requirements. We don’t want to be building a set to only rip it down afterward.
Now, onto the big one, flying. Our work often takes us around the world, and realistically this is the only way we can travel to certain jobs. But the way we handle this is to try to avoid as much as we can, global travel. What does this mean?
Well do we need to shoot your content abroad or can we shoot it from the U.K. in a studio or location house? Can we cheat that look entirely?
A lot of the time the answer is yes.
On top of this, we also do not take domestic flights across the U.K. (excluding Northern Ireland). Why? Because an adequate transport network already exists across the country.
And Finally, Food!
A big and controversial topic. It’s now becoming more and more evident that we have to consume less of everything including certain food products.
However, we don’t believe in forcing our crew or talent into eating certain diets onset if they don’t choose them.
So how do we do it? Well, we give our crew and cast an option. But we also try to choose meals and products which are sourced locally to the U.K. This way we are making sure they are eating seasonally whilst still having a choice. It also means we know where the food is coming from and that it meets the U.K’s world-leading standards for the environment.
How this affects our clients?
Well, it doesn’t. In all honesty, we believe we can work in an environmentally conscious way whilst pushing ourselves creatively. It just means we are making small changes in how we work, to deliver the same great product.
Simple right?
