Behind-the-Scenes: How Sustainability is Changing Hollywood
- Margaret Jones
- May 8
- 3 min read
When we watch movies or TV shows, we see the magic on screen. But behind the cameras, Hollywood is working on a different kind of magic - becoming more environmentally friendly. Let's look at how the film and TV industry is going green.
Why Hollywood Needed to Change
Making movies and TV shows uses a lot of resources. Think about it:
Large sets built and then thrown away
Hundreds of people traveling to filming locations
Lots of electricity for lighting and equipment
Food and water for cast and crew
Props and costumes made for one-time use
A typical big movie can create over 500 tons of carbon emissions - as much as 50 American households produce in a year! The industry knew it had to do better.
Green Practices Taking Over
Sustainable Sets
Studios are building sets with reusable or recyclable materials. Some major studios like Warner Bros. and Sony have programs to reuse set pieces or donate materials.
For example, the set materials from "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" were almost entirely recycled or donated, keeping 52 tons of material out of landfills.
Less Paper, More Digital
Scripts, schedules, and notes used to mean stacks of paper. Now, productions use digital tools like apps and tablets. HBO's "Westworld" went completely paperless, saving thousands of sheets per episode.
Clean Energy
Studios are using solar power and other renewable energy. Fox Studios installed solar panels that generate enough electricity to power 158 homes for a year.
Smart Transportation
Productions now use electric vehicles, carpooling, and even bikes when possible. They also plan shooting schedules to reduce travel.
Leaders in Green Filmmaking
The Environmental Media Association (EMA)
The EMA supports productions in adopting sustainable practices and recognizes environmentally conscious films and TV shows with awards. Their Green Seal program recognizes productions that meet environmental standards.
PGA Green
The Producers Guild of America created a program called PGA Green, which offers a toolkit for sustainable production.
Earth Angel
This company works as sustainability consultants for film and TV. They’ve supported projects such as "The Amazing Spider-Man 2", "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", and "Succession" in minimizing their environmental footprint.
Big Films Going Green
The Matrix Resurrections
The fourth Matrix movie donated leftover food to local charities, used digital technology instead of paper, and recycled set materials.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
This Marvel blockbuster worked with sustainability experts to reduce waste and energy use.
The Batman
The production team used electric vehicles when possible and focused on reducing plastic waste.
Challenges That Remain
Going green isn't always easy:
Budget concerns (sometimes eco-friendly options cost more)
Time pressures (sustainable choices can take longer)
Old habits that are hard to break
Complex international productions with different standards
The Future Looks Greener
The positive shift is that sustainability is now becoming standard practice rather than a rare approach. New technologies like:
LED lighting (which uses 70% less energy than traditional film lights)
Virtual production (using screens instead of building physical sets)
Remote work options (fewer people traveling to sets)
All these innovations are making filmmaking greener every year.
What Viewers Can Do
As movie and TV fans, we can:
Support productions that make sustainability efforts
Watch content on energy-efficient devices
Choose streaming services that use renewable energy for their data centers
Share information about green filmmaking with others
Conclusion
Hollywood is famous for creating stories that inspire us. Now, it's writing its own real-life story of environmental responsibility. While there's still work to do, the industry is taking important steps toward a more sustainable future. The next time you watch your favorite show or movie, remember - behind the scenes, there's a growing effort to make entertainment that's not just good for us, but good for the planet too.
Comments