5 Sustainability Tips for Emerging Producers and Low-Budget Productions

Climate change connects everything we care about and if you’re reading this blog, we’re betting you agree. That’s why TELUS Local Content partnered with Producing for the Planet to develop a dedicated sustainability resource for emerging and pre-emerging content creators working on micro- and low-budget content. We’re thrilled to present a new online resource, The Future of Filmmaking: Climate Action for Emerging Producers and Low-Budget Productions, accompanied by a video discussion with indie filmmakers who have brought sustainability practices to their low-budget productions. 

We know the challenges of filmmaking are immense and adding sustainability measures might seem daunting. We believe including green practices is not just possible—it's essential for the future of our planet and our industry. Whether you’re taking your first steps into content creation or on your tenth film, this guide has been created to help you green the screen. 

Here are our 5 biggest takeaways from the guide: 

1. Understand your own call to action

There are different reasons and motivations for embracing a sustainability lens on your micro- or low-budget projects. For example, investing in green skills gives you a competitive edge in an industry that is eager for producers with sustainability project experience; recognizing the potential for low budget content to inspire change on a large scale, encouraging sustainable actions and broader cultural shifts; recognizing the value of indie-style filmmaking’s “less-is-more” approach, which is more sustainable by nature and should be the celebrated standard, rather than a budget-driven stepping stone before adopting unsustainable practices; or advocating for policies that support industry-wide changes and green standards. If you're passionate about storytelling and care about the future, identify what drives you and let this be your call to action.  

2. Leverage your low-budget advantage

The difference between a micro- or low-budget production and a big budget production is more than just money. On low budget productions crews tend to be smaller, which means people often wear more than one creative, technical or logistical hat. The projects may have shorter shooting schedules, shoot in fewer locations, have (a lot) less gear, fly less, drive less, etc. But that doesn’t mean indie creators are off the hook! The low-budget advantage is the freedom and agility that defines indie filmmaking: Indie filmmakers aren’t constrained by the rules of big budget shows. You can try new things, do things differently, set your own rules, slow down or put a different set of values at the heart of your production. This puts you a few steps ahead when it comes to sustainability because you are naturally going to want to do more with less, reduce consumption and avoid activities that come with a big carbon price tag – thrifty is the new savvy!

3. Make the most of industry resources 

Taking the first step towards a sustainable industry starts with education. By building your knowledge of environmental issues and sustainable practices, you empower yourself to make informed decisions and drive positive change on set. Fortunately, our industry offers a wealth of free sustainable production training resources designed to equip you with practical skills for reducing emissions and waste. Check out the The Future of Filmmaking Guide introduction for links to key sustainability terms & resources, and industry-specific training. 

4. Craft a climate story to shift culture

Climate change is an increasingly important part of our daily lives so it’s critical that we reflect this reality on screen. The storytelling potential is enormous around climate change or any of the other (many) environmental crises facing us today. A story can be explicitly or implicitly about climate change. Sustainability storylines can also appear within an otherwise non-climate storyline. Planet-friendly behaviours and norms can be subtly integrated into nearly every story in a way that doesn’t have to be preachy or obvious. (We love the method that health conscious parents use to make sure their kids eat a balanced diet: “hide the broccoli!”)  By weaving in subtle behaviours, sustainable themes and showcasing positive choices, any screen-story can nourish audiences with impactful content without sacrificing the entertainment they crave. 

5. Plan for the planet

Everything about sustainability is actually about planning. Planning for sustainability should ideally begin at the development stage when scripts and shooting plans are being written, and when budgets are being built. The key is to be realistic about what is doable and break goals down into bite-sized tasks. Add sustainability to your production agenda and ask your team for their ideas. Start with low-hanging fruit, because stacking up wins doesn’t just feel great, it’s an effective strategy to build momentum and change. More best practices, tools and templates are available in the The Future of Filmmaking guide (Section 4: The Green Producer’s Roadmap). 

Hear from your peers! Watch indie producers discuss their formative experiences with sustainable production in The Future of Filmmaking video panel (below). 

Access the full guide here: The Future of Filmmaking: Climate Action for Emerging Producers and Low-Budget Productions.