Locations Best Practices: Prep and Sensitive Landscapes

There are a number of ways to conserve resources and protect the environment when shooting on location. Here’s a list specifically related to preparing for the shoot:

– Try to make all signage out of recycled or recyclable materials;
– Use only elastic bands or string to hang signs on trees – never staples, thumbtacks or tape, all of which can severely damage trees;
– Protect interior locations with corrugated cardboard made with post-consumer recycled content. When available, consider using reusable, cut-to-size, plastic mats.

When shooting in sensitive or pristine landscapes, it’s important to take extra measures to ensure minimal disruption to the natural environment.

– Contain all vehicle and foot traffic within the production vicinity, and cordon off any areas with particularly sensitive vegetation or wildlife;
– Ensure that all film-related activities are carefully managed to prevent damage to the landscape;
– Reinstate any land or vegetation that are damaged as a result of production activities;
– Scan the area thoroughly before leaving to ensure that nothing is left behind and that the area reflects its pre-production condition.

Stay tuned for more tips and hints on how to green your production, pre through post.

About projectgreen2011

NOMAD Films is an independent film label working to further expose low-budget, innovative film and video projects to the masses. Via The NOMAD Project screenings and related events, partnerships with like-minded organizations and individuals, and The NOMAD Archive – the label’s library of films – NOMAD Films promotes a range of content while at the same time working to create additional opportunities for film and video project development and production. The mission of NOMAD Films is to increase overall exposure of and create production and distribution opportunities for underground and/or low-budget film and video projects.

Leave a comment