Shooting means first of all the construction of sets, which are often destroyed later, which is a notable waste. Then there is the consumption of electricity. Knowing that luminosity is an essential element, even in broad daylight, it is necessary to adjust it by multiple light sources frequently connected to generators.  Then comes the transport of teams and sets, or the waste produced to feed everyone. Not to mention the fact that filming can also have an impact on the location where it takes place.

In "Spectre", the latest film in the James Bond saga, 30 million euros were spent on cars destroyed during filming. It is not to make car collectors pale that Charles Gachet-Dieuzeide evokes this figure but to remind us that the film industry has a propensity to waste and pollute.

A former director was able to see for himself the environmental damage caused by certain film shoots. He mentions in particular the numerous journeys made by crews, the poor management of waste and the deterioration of natural environments.

Moviegoers may remember the opening scene of Apocalypse Now in which, against the backdrop of The End of the Doors, a forest of palm trees goes up in smoke. No special effects were used for this scene: the production used no less than 4,500 liters of gasoline to set the forest on fire, adding a few tires ... So there is more smoke, of course.

And the effects on the environment don't only stop at the production stage, because once the film is finished, the promotion stage comes. The actors are sent all over the world. Then come the diffusion, distribution and viewing stages by the spectators, at the cinema or at home. This stage is the most expensive for the planet. In France, the journeys made by spectators to go to the cinema emit 350,000 tonnes of CO2 according to the National Film Centre.

The eco-production guide is a tool designed to encourage the consideration of environmental issues in film productions. In particular, it provides figures on the quantity of CO2 produced according to the duration of the film/emission. To mention only the most edifying ones:

• ·         One hour of television emission corresponds to 10 tons of carbon equivalent.
• ·         An episode of a series filmed in Paris produces 35 tonnes of carbon equivalents.
• ·         A fiction filmed produces 200 tons of carbon equivalents.
• ·         A multi-site feature film emits 1,000 tonnes of carbon equivalents.

In the United States, a few initiatives have also been put in place, including Green is Universal. This project led by Universal aims to develop sustainable practices on filming, while communicating the actions carried out.

For the time being, cinema remains a very polluting industry. However, some films, despite their environmental impact, are making efforts or helping to raise public awareness of environmental protection. While there is still plenty of room for manoeuvre, we can only welcome the joint actions of the stars and directors involved, while hoping that sustainable practices will continue to develop.

 sources : https://start.lesechos.fr/societe/environnement/le-cinema-aussi-pollue-la-planete-1174928

https://www.courrierinternational.com/article/2008/01/17/hollywood-un-mauvais-plan-pour-l-environnement