Why not check out our recap of a conversation with TV producing legend Jane Tranter right here?
Cliff-top Conversations Producing Eco Shoots (Ltd)
The latter series of Poldark also achieved a three-star rating. Factors cited behind its sustainability success include storing sets between series, LED lighting and sharing materials with other productions.
Poppy Gordon Clark and Monty Till’s Eco Shoots Ltd was formed out of “cliff-top conversations in Cornwall” while they were Poldark location managers. The now two-year-old company is a sustainability-focused TV and film productions supplier, starting “out of a shared interest in disposing of the huge amount of waste generated [by productions] in a greener way”, said Monty Till. “We couldn’t find suitable alternatives in the South West able to accommodate the famously changeable schedules of productions the same day.”
Open to supplying large and small productions, they’re part of a “growing number of businesses in the UK providing more sustainable solutions to film and TV”. While “most passionate about” their waste and recycling services, they offer other sustainable supplies, including reusable flooring protection and emission-free generators.
Bristol-based Eco Shoots Ltd are also albert-registered suppliers. To be such, Margrett explained, “it’s about being greener than average” and focused on supplying TV and film productions especially. “The idea is, you are kind of promoting the greenest standard as possible”.
Till described it as receiving albert’s “stamp of approval”. “By being on their register, we have demonstrated our ability to support productions in being more sustainable and achieving their green targets. We pride ourselves on offering comprehensive solutions, adoptable by all crew and workable, at even the most remote, weather-beaten shore.”
2021 & Future Developments
2021 marks a big year for albert, and not just because in August it’ll be a decade since becoming Bafta’s sustainable son. This year, albert launched a new carbon calculator and certification process. This is available in ten languages and Fremantle will be the first production company to use it worldwide.
Star certification standards have risen as well. One star has jumped from taking 35% recommended actions to 55%. Two star, 45% to 70%, and three star from 60% to 85%. For any UK-based production, carbon offsetting is now required. In the revamped albert certification process, there’s even a required question about “not normalising unsustainable behaviour”.
Ella mentioned how Noughts and Crosses was Mammoth Screen’s “first foray into offsetting”, with production partner FilmAfrica. He also confirmed every Mammoth Screen show after The Serpent will be carbon offset. But offsetting isn’t without controversy. Although both Margrett and Ella, unprompted, stressed its use more as a stepping stone while certain emissions cannot be reduced, there’s no doubt that UK TV, let alone film, has a long way to go on sustainability.
As Ella noted, “the low-hanging fruit” actions to increase sustainability, like reducing paper use, have already been taken, mentioning data management as a future issue. “Storage of data has a significant impact in terms of using electricity and therefore, inevitably fossil fuels, until we’re wholly renewable [as a society].” Momentum is clearly growing for greater action, however, and Till and Ella welcomed the certification system’s new tougher standards.
Margrett also said there were plans to push further albert’s Green Rider scheme. Launched during the first lockdown, it’s a template for actors to request in their contracts sustainable practices on set.
Ultimately, as put by Till, the key is to “do something rather than nothing”. “The Film & TV industry can be more sustainable but it requires everyone to take responsibility and support one another in making changes.”
Words by Ivan Morris Poxton