--
Els Rientjes on on-set sustainability --
Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:14
--
SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: Els Rientjes, sustainability manager for the Dutch film industry as facilitated by the Netherlands Film Fund, discusses the state of green filmmaking and how crews can adjust their workflows to produce more eco-friendly films.
Which countries are leading in the way of green filmmaking?
We are very happy to see that green filmmaking has truly landed in the film industry and that Hollywood is setting an example for global developments in this field. American blockbusters such as The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), Noah (2014) and the movie musical Annie (2014) were all produced green. In the United States Emellie O Brien brings sustainability to the big screen in a major way, as she works her way through eco managing top- tier sets across New York, to the mantra of Making Movies Without Making a Mess . O Brien brings vitality and a fresh sense of ingenuity as well as resourcefulness to often out-dated modes of media production.
Front running European countries are: The Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Belgium. As of this year, The Netherlands Film Fund facilitates me as a Sustainability Manager, which is considered an important step towards a greener Dutch film industry. It is my goal to stimulate the sustainable production of projects that receive production support from the Fund. I will also share relevant knowledge on sustainable innovation within the (international) film industry with Dutch filmmakers. Additionally I will co-ordinate with sustainable facility companies and suppliers to the benefit of a multitude of projects.
How do you calculate a productions carbon footprint?
There are examples, for instance in Belgium they use a method to calculate a production s carbon footprint in a linear way. In The Netherlands we will use some of their sheets, such as the sheet on reducing CO on transport. But I prefer developing a method in which you can use tools across every department, choosing your crew and materials in a sustainable way. Working with a tool kit fits better in a circular economy and can be adjusted to new innovations.
Why do you feel it is important for production companies to take this into consideration?
Companies who cannot work flexibly and choose to stick to their old methods will be out of business in 10 years. Producers who are forward thinking and work in a circular economy will get the benefit of their way of working. At this moment its your own choice to share your green choices. But the government and subsidies will in the near future ask for transparency of companies and force them to show a sustainable working process. If not, their subsidies could be refused or shortened.
What are some of the fears from filmmakers?
Working with Dutch filmmakers and producers, we help them in finding the next right step towards sustainability within the bustle of their everyday work. Some fears that filmmakers might have are that green filmmaking is complicated, expensive and that it takes a lot of time. We believe that, based on the knowledge that is already available, it becomes easier to take the next green steps together. The film industry can continue to draw inspiration from sustainability entrepreneurs in other industries as well.
How do you think going green can benefit filmmakers?
As with other industries that have been searching for the most innovative solutions to sustainability, the film industry will benefit from the shift to green filmmaking. We believe that there are massive opportunities and financial gains to be made for film professionals taking on more sustainable methods. In the Hollywood model, you can already see the standardised emergence of eco-consultants on set, as additional heads of department. We can have that as a standard in The Netherlands too. This work not only provides sustainability numbers to a set s practice, but also saves money.
What are some of the easiest ways for them to cut down on their carbon footprint?
It s important to bear in mind that it is possible to choose for a greener option in every department. From catering to lighting. Every scrap counts! And on big productions, it adds up. We noticed that the easiest wins are in transport, recycling (costumes, decors) and camera/lighting. Using electric cars or recycling old decor pieces is a green and cost effective way of cutting down your carbon footprint.
Stimulated by the Green Filmmaking Project, a Strawberry Earth initiative, a great number of Dutch producers practiced their skills in producing their short films as green as possible. The example of Emellie O Brien, working with a sustainable runner on the set, has inspired Dutch short filmmakers to make a team member responsible for this special task. This person, the sustainable production coordinator, is involved from an early stage. He or she talks to all the heads of department, asking them what they need to deliver for a more sustainable production. That means that each crew member is aware that the film is produced as green as possible. It starts with being open about this commitment. I stimulate producers to organise special tests with the cameraman, director and gaffers upfront. If producers facilitate more preparation time, they ll benefit from it during the filmmaking process. Also, in a recent workshop for Dutch filmmakers, we connected producers and location managers together so they could discuss how they can cooperate even better. As a result of that, producers ask the locations managers different questions. They inform about the possibilities for green electrics on set or ask for possibilities regarding leftovers from crew meals. Green filmmaking does not mean you produce a more expensive movie, it asks a different way of looking at things and adding efficiency to the equation.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
How Chris Bolte Builds the Sound of PlayStation Games Chris Bolte '16 is a technical sound designer at Sucker Punch Productions, where he helps create the...
18/03/2026
Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4.
Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...
18/03/2026
SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...
18/03/2026
The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...
18/03/2026
(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...
18/03/2026
Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville
Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...
18/03/2026
Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded
Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...
18/03/2026
Mix-reference plug-in overhauled
iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...
18/03/2026
Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives
Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...
18/03/2026
Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture
18 March, 2026
Media releases
New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...
18/03/2026
Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...
18/03/2026
London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...
18/03/2026
SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...
18/03/2026
Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...
18/03/2026
Brainstorm transforms productivity and sustainability with Suite 7 at NAB Show 2...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled its educational presentations for the 2026 NAB Show. This year SMPTE will ...
18/03/2026
Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, today ann...
18/03/2026
Digital Alert Systems
Preview
2026 NAB Show
April 19 - 22
Booth C3452
At the 2026 NAB Show, Digital Alert Systems will showcase Version 6.0 of its DASDEC ...
18/03/2026
Setplex today announced that it will showcase its complete, fully integrated Zapflex platform for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show, introducing powerful new ...
18/03/2026
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE ...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Director of Photography for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy Feature Film- I...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Location/Sound for Low Budget Dramed...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware...
18/03/2026
Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio handle...
18/03/2026
Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown Performances for this Center Stage production will take place at Boston Conservatory Theater ...
18/03/2026
Charlie Puth Joins Switched on Pop at Berklee NYC The Berklee alum spoke with host and Berklee NYC professor Charlie Harding for a live taping, answering audi...
18/03/2026
X-Rite Pantone Demonstrates Advanced Color Management Solutions to Support Smart...
18/03/2026
Wednesday 18 March 2026
BAFTA winner James McAvoy to star in Sky Original serie...
18/03/2026
Wednesday 18 March 2026
Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing announce multi-year agreement for the UK and Ireland
Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing have announced a new mult...
18/03/2026
Wednesday 18 March 2026
Sky Unveils Poster and Trailer for Original Feature Fil...
-- 
