Creative BC launches Five Year Plan for Reel Green Initiative

Vancouver, British Columbia (September 14, 2017) – Creative BC is pleased to unveil a five-year strategic plan for the Reel Green environmental initiative that will ensure BC’s motion picture industry continues to play a leading role in global sustainable production practices. The plan represents a collaborative vision shared by 13 BC-based motion picture production sector leaders who strongly support an industry-wide integrated approach to best practices, implementation and innovation in environmental sustainability.

Led by Creative BC, the BC motion picture production community has come together from across studios, labour, industry associations and the industry supply chain, to support and actively participate in the revitalized Reel Green program.

“Through investment, collaboration and a meaningful commitment to sustainable production practices, we can take Reel Green to the next level and make good on our promise to be leaders in this space,” said, Pete Mitchell, President and COO of Vancouver Film Studios. “The diversity of the Reel Green advisory committee is a testament to the wide support for the initiative, and shows a real understanding for the importance of environmentally sustainable practices to BC’s position as an international centre for production.”

The creation of a formal Reel Green strategy through 2021 marks a milestone in collaborative action toward environmental sustainability for the province’s motion picture industry. The plan combines industry advisory and oversight, thought leadership and project management from Harvard-educated sustainability expert Zena Harris and ongoing provincial participation from Creative BC.

“We are committed to using sustainable practices in the way we do business,” said Eleanor O’Connor, President, Lighting and Grip Division, Sim Group. “Reel Green provides a framework for working with our motion picture industry to learn and implement sustainable production practices and reduce our environmental impact.”

Since 2006, Reel Green has promoted best practices and raised awareness regarding the benefits of sustainability in British Columbia’s physical production film and TV sector. With the development of the first strategic plan, Reel Green transitions into a full program that prioritizes education, engagement, communication and resource development. Programming in these areas provides a foundation for the reduction of environmental impacts and strengthens engagement at the local level to set an example for other jurisdictions globally.

“Working with our industry partners through Reel Green, we are committed to making sustainable production tools accessible to those who work in all levels of production,” reports Liz Shorten, Senior Vice-President, Operations & Member Services, CMPA-BC.

“The industry’s collaboration on Reel Green’s first strategic plan marks a significant milestone for the next phase of sustainable production in BC,” said Prem Gill, CEO at Creative BC. “British Columbia is already recognized for leadership in reducing production’s carbon footprint, with examples like “The X-Files” and “Tomorrowland” leading the way–Reel Green will innovate and expand on this success.”

To accelerate success, Creative BC has engaged in an international collaboration with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and will adapt the successful “Albert suite of tools” for Canada, including a carbon calculator, a carbon literacy course and certification.

Reel Green’s mission is to enable the evolution and implementation of sustainable practices in the motion picture industry to contribute to the betterment of the world. The investing industry partners who will carry this mission forward as the initiative’s first advisory committee include: Creative BC, CMPA, BC Creates, Western Economic Diversification Canada, MPPIA, Vancouver Film Studios, William F. White International Inc., SIM Group, UBCP/ACTRA, ACFC, DGCBC, IATSE 891, and International Cinematographers Guild/IATSE 669.