Programming

Film Production

Filmmaking brings unique opportunities and challenges for making operations more sustainable. NBCUniversal’s film division is committed to becoming a more sustainable business by identifying and integrating innovative ways to reduce our environmental footprint. Universal Pictures and Focus Features developed a detailed green Film Production Guide for their casts and crews to give each department production-specific information, resources and best practices. Universal Pictures has also hired an executive to assist productions in implementing these practices and the shows utilize the GreenProductionGuide.com for additional resources. Read more about some of the eco-accomplishments taking place:

Current Releases

The Thing October 14, 2011
While shooting in Toronto, ON the shooting crew on the thriller, The Thing, used reusable water bottles in place of plastic.  On stage, in addition to recycling, the crew separated their food waste, increasing the waste diversion of the film.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antarctica: an extraordinary continent of awesome beauty.  It is also home to an isolated outpost where a discovery full of scientific possibility becomes a mission of survival when an alien is unearthed by a crew of international scientists.  The shape-shifting creature, accidentally unleashed at this marooned colony, has the ability to turn itself into a perfect replica of any living being.  It can look just like you or me, but inside, it remains inhuman.  In the thriller The Thing, paranoia spreads like an epidemic among a group of researchers as they’re infected, one by one, by a mystery from another planet.

Johnny English Reborn October 21, 2011
Filmed in London, England, the special effects snow used on Johnny English Reborn was made of biodegradable cellulose.  After the shoot, remaining “snow” was also recycled, adding up to 16 tons or the size of two large elephants!  In addition, the construction department reduced its need for raw lumber by using metal scaffolding.  For the sets, the production used environmentally responsible, FSC certified lumber and low VOC paints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rowan Atkinson returns to the role of the improbable secret agent who doesn’t know fear or danger in the comedy spy-thriller Johnny English Reborn. In his latest adventure, the most unlikely intelligence officer in Her Majesty’s Secret Service must stop a group of international assassins before they eliminate a world leader and cause global chaos.

 

Wanderlust, February 24, 2012
While filming a comedy set in an environmentally conscious community, the production of Wanderlust made an effort to reduce its environmental impact.  On camera solar panels are used around the commune and off camera they were used to power the portable restrooms nearby.  Comprehensive recycling was available around set and in the office where recycled content paper and supplies were also used.  Hybrid vehicles were rented to transport the cast and crew.  The set dressing and props used on Wanderlust were primarily obtained second hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston star in Wanderlust, a comedy from director David Wain (Role Models) and producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) about a couple who leaves the pressures of the big city and joins a freewheeling community where the only rule is to be yourself.

Past Productions

The Change-Up
While filming in Atlanta, GA the crew of the comedy The Change-Up reused materials and reduced their waste.  Almost all 9-volt batteries used by the sound department were rechargeable, set elements were constructed with used materials and catering provided compostable and biodegradable food service products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul
The crew saved energy while filming on location in New Mexico by using solar powered portable restrooms, hybrids cars for the cast and rechargeable batteries in the sound department.

Hop
The entire crew from this live action and animated family feature composted and recycled on set. Together they prevented 34 tons of material (85% of location set waste) from ending up in a landfill.

 

Your Highness
Filmed in Northern Ireland, the crew of Your Highness was able to share cars in order to get to and from set. By car pooling the production reduced the amount of total fuel consumed.

 

Bridesmaids
After Bridesmaids was locked the Universal Assets department dismantled and recycled all set materials. The set dressing and props from the film are now available for reuse in the Universal Prop House and production office supplies, equipment and kitchenware are currently being stored for reuse on the next Universal Pictures film.

 

The Dilemma
Mostly filmed in Chicago, the production used sustainable products when possible including interior “brick walls” constructed from 100% recycled and recyclable material that replaced the more typical petroleum based products. Director Ron Howard and the entire film crew used stainless steal reusable water bottle further reducing the amount of plastic used on set.

Little Fockers
The production from the third film from Universal’s hit franchise prevented over 25,000 individual plastic water bottles from being used by distributing reusable water bottles and providing water coolers throughout the production office, construction warehouse, editorial suites and on set.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
Filmed in New York City, this Focus Feature diverted 88% (11.43 tons) of on set waste through composting and recycling on set.

Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
Once locked, set dressing, materials and props were repurposed through donating to charities and schools in Vancouver, BC. Lumber and set materials found another life on the USA TV show, Psych, also produced by NBCUniversal.

 

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
Filmed in Toronto, the construction and scenic departments saved hundreds of sheets of lumber during production by replacing it with recycled-content cardboard for set design.

The American (2010)
The producers repurposed office furniture by donating it to earthquake-devastated communities in Abruzzo, Italy.

Away We Go (2009)
This film used a blend of biodiesel (from 5% to 99%) in over one-third of the fuel used to power the production generators and vehicles. Biodiesel fuel emits 8.5% less carbon per unit than regular diesel fuel.

GreenProductionGuide.com
The Green Production Guide features an interactive searchable database of environmentally-sensitive products and services, listed by state in the U.S. and select international locations. The Guide also features best practices and tools like the Carbon Calculator to help producers determine their production’s carbon footprint on a comprehensive level.

You can help grow the Green Production Guide by adding your favorite green vendors. Suggest a vendor here and we’ll contact them to get listed. Or point your production’s green steward here to register for an account to add vendors.