The Maine Film Collaborative is committed to running a clean, environmentally-safe operation. Below are listed our various Best Practices:

[ production | energy | art | catering | camera | grip | location | make-up | special effects | transportation | wardrobe | postproduction | credits | publicity | distribution | events ]

Production Best Practices

• Develop an environmental procurement policy for the purchase of all new office equipment
• Purchase local products where available
• Use 100% recycled paper
• Print scripts double-sided/at half size
• Only print changed pages of a script
• Encourage smart printing
• Purchase soy-based ink and toner
• Use non-toxic and environmental safe cleaning products list
• Purchase or rent used office furniture
• Suggest teleconferencing as opposed to travelling for meetings
• Add environmental mission statement to all call sheets
• Board crew in environmentally friendly hotels
• To off-set carbon dioxide emissions, make sure all travel/gas consumption/flight miles are recorded
• Purchase biodegradable food and drink supplies catering/supply list

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Energy Best Practices & Recycling Procedures

• Use a waste audit for the amount generated to increase staff awareness
• Don’t use screensavers, turn computers off instead in policy manual
• Use natural light whenever available, or energy efficient light bulbs only when needed . Lamps will be less energy consuming than overhead lights
• Rent used office equipment that is Energy Star rated
• Recycle printer cartridges and batteries
• Print double-sided and as little as possible
• Recycling Procedures:
  • Recycling receptacles throughout the office – raise staff awareness
  • Use re-usable boards for scheduling
  • Recycle or denote office computers/monitors/cell phones/batteries/etc.
  • Denote office furniture that is no longer in use

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Art Department/Set Construction Best Practices & Recycling Procedures

• Use environmentally safe paints and sealants with low VOC levels and that are less toxic
• Avoid using spray paints
• Use recycled props whenever possible
• Use water based glues
• If lumber must be bought, avoid hardwood.
• Use renewable/sustainable woods and building materials (such as bamboo, sorghum, palm, engineered woods, etc.), or reclaimed lumber
• Purchase re-usable steel scaffolding as opposed to wood
• Recycling Procedures:
  • Follow all safety guidelines when disposing of paints, lacquers, brushes, rags, and dispose responsibly
  • Donate props to schools/theatres/charities/etc.
  • Recycle lumber materials, metals, paints, carpets, etc.
  • Donate left over paints to be used as primer on other shows.

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Catering Best Practices:

• Hire a green caterer who:
  • Uses re-usable or biodegradable silverware, plates, and cups
  • Recycles and composts Buys locally grown produce; organic when available
  • Uses low emission fuels to prepare food
  • Uses cloth napkins and tablecloths
  • Serves “buffet” style
• Use re-usable water containers on set and provide fill stations
• Non-toxic cleaning supplies
• Do not purchase Styrofoam products
• Recycling Procedures:
  • Compost leftovers
  • Donate leftovers to local charities

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Camera and Sound Department Best Practices:

• Try hiring the most energy efficient equipment when possible
• Ask how to use equipment in the most energy efficient way
• Unplug video players/TV monitors when not in use, or at least put in sleep mode
• Use digital dailies where possible
• Use rechargeable batteries
• Consider energy efficient alternatives to traditional lighting packages
• Turn off all lighting not in use
• Explore other non-chemical options to eliminate film processing (filmless, digital, RED)
• Recycling Procedures:
  • Recycle waste film with the supplier
  • Recycle batteries responsibly

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Grip and Electric Best Practices:

• If possible, use local power sources to avoid use of generators
• Use low wattage, long-life light bulbs, cool lamps and energy efficient alternatives
• Do not use petroleum based adhesives; non-toxic instead
• Use rechargeable batteries Instead of turning lights on and off between setups, consider using dimmers when lights are at rest (uses less energy)
• Keep generator use to a minimum and use low sulphur diesel or biodiesel
• Recycling Procedures:
  • Responsibly recycle batteries
  • Recycle gels for future productions

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Location Department Best Practices:

• Provide plentiful recycling bins
• Minimize amount of items disposed
• Where applicable use alternatively fueled vehicles or hybrids
• Print signage on recycled post-consumer boards and papers
• Encourage carpools for crew members, or minimize number of vehicles driving to location
• Only bring needed trucks to location
• To off-set carbon dioxide emissions, record all travel/gas consumption/flight miles
• Recycling Procedures:
  • Follow local regulations and arrange for recycling and composting pick up
  • Consider hiring a local recycler

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Make-Up Department Best Practices:

• Favor products that are environmentally friendly
• Avoid using animal tested products whenever possible
• Purchase locally
• Avoid using aerosols when possible

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Special Effects Best Practices:

• Collect any hazardous materials
• Use propane instead of liquid fuel for fire effects
• Try to consider environmental impact even when no restrictions are in place
• Avoid burning any plastics, rubbers, etc.

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Transportation Department Best Practices:

• Turn off generators when not in use
• Encourage car pooling or public transportation to crew members
• Only take trucks and equipment that is actually needed to location
• Turn off air conditioning in any unused room/trailer
• Condense deliveries into as few vehicles as possible
• Use fluorescent or solar panel lighting whenever possible
• Think about teleconferencing instead of driving to meetings
• Use alternative fuels or lease/rent hybrids when needed
• Use biodiesel or ultra low sulphur diesel to reduce generator emissions

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Wardrobe Department Best Practices:

• Purchase locally or already worn pieces
• Use energy efficient washer and dryers with non-toxic detergents
• Try to chose items that don’t require dry-cleaning
• Re-use coat hangers/plastic covers/etc.
• Think about repairing instead of purchasing new items.
• Donate wardrobe and accessories to local charities or theatre departments.

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Postproduction Best Practices:

• Distribute demos on DVD or electronically where applicable
• If possible, use tapeless postproduction

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Credits:

• If applicable, use logos for environmental standards

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Publicity Best Practices:

• Apply for awards (for example; EMA’s Green Seal Award)
• Highlight any and all environmental initiatives used
• Make use of internal and external websites to avoid the use of paper-based communications
• Use 100% recyclable paper
• Print any signage in non-toxic inks on recyclable materials
• Use digital photography for promotional materials
• Rent or reuse carpets
• Consider off-setting entire production’s carbon foot-print

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Distribution:

• Distribute projects and demo reels on DVD whenever possible
• Use energy saving features for equipment and computers

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Events:

• Consider sending paperless invitations
• Purchase or rent reusable carpets
• Print large signage on biodegradable or recycled post consumer materials
• Use eco-friendly inks
• Use digital photography

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