Green screen guide gets nod

A ‘green’ film industry initiative has received the nod from one of the big names in the business. 

The Queenstown Lakes District Council, in association with Film Queenstown, has this week launched a ‘Green Screen Guide and Directory’ tailor-made for the region and reflecting the national industry’s highly regarded, cutting edge ‘green screen’ philosophy.

“The key appeal of shooting international movies in our region is the pristine environment. The council has now produced a first class insurance policy to keep it that way and the film industry is right behind that move,” Film Queenstown manager Kevin Jennings said.

The initiative was successfully trialled in the region last year after the producers of the movie Wolverine, (filmed in and around Queenstown), volunteered to participate.

“Wolverine was enthusiastic to be involved, they were willingly audited and the results were outstanding. The outcome is you can watch the new movie in the knowledge that it comes with a significantly reduced carbon footprint,” Mr Jennings said. The production made 670 tonnes of waste, 615 tonnes (92 percent) of which was diverted from the landfill, saving the film company an estimated $55,000.

The significance of the launch of the new QLDC ‘how to’ zero waste guide for the industry was not lost on the star of the movie, actor Hugh Jackman.

“It’s great to be a part of a project that benefits the local economy while looking after the environment. The cast and crew really got behind this initiative, and we are proud to be a part of the new generation of sustainable filmmakers,” Mr Jackman said this week.

The ‘green screen’ philosophy also found favour with the movie’s producers who, also this week, confirmed a willingness to return to the area with future productions.

“It’s great to see the Queenstown region supporting this initiative; we will definitely look at shooting there again,” said Wolverine producer John Palermo.

The initiative aligned with the council’s Waste Management Strategy and took another step towards ensuring that all people visiting the district for work and play could match the recycling expectations and standards set by the local community, said QLDC Mayor Clive Geddes.

“It’s really rewarding for the council to see such a positive response from the film industry,” Mr Geddes said.

The guide and directory, which included detailed information about how to recycle in the various departments of a film production - from art and construction to special effects - would be supplied to all future productions in the area.

The new guide and directory were available on the council’s website www.qldc.govt.nz