Behind The Scenes: Making a carbon neutral film

Behind The Scenes: Making a carbon neutral film

23 September 2022

Over the last year and a half our ‘The Box on Screen’ series has been using our archive film collection to highlight a range of different themes. Our most recent episode explored the increasingly important issue of the climate emergency. Thanks to video production company, Soundview Media, who we work with on the series, and their Low Carbon Devon Intern, Kelsey Parsons, we were thrilled to learn that it's their first certified carbon neutral production!

The Low Carbon Devon project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and emables Devon-based companies to access research, business support and engage with the University of Plymouth around the low carbon agenda. They connected Kelsey with Soundview, where she completed a three-month internship. During her time with Soundview Kelsey helped them measure and understand their carbon footprint; providing guidance and advice as well as writing an impact report.

Kelsey Parsons

This paid dividends when it came to creating our climate emergency-themed episode of ‘The Box on Screen’, which was recorded in partnership with South Devon AONB. Soundview recorded their carbon footprint throughout the filmmaking process and worked hard to keep their carbon expenditure as low as possible. Some of the key actions they took included:

  • Sharing transport on journeys to locations
  • Taking their own food and drink on location
  • Taking their waste home
  • Monitoring their energy consumption in their production office
Filming the climate emergency episode for The Box

At the end of the filmmaking the data they’d collected showed a total carbon spend of approximately 0.1 tonnes. They then offset this by making a donation to an environmental charity to gain carbon neutrality. The certification process was accredited by an organisation called Albert. What a result!

Albert logo on image of Start Point in Devon

Everyone involved in the production worked hard to reduce our collective carbon use; from car sharing to waste reduction. This is our first certified carbon neutral production, and we were delighted to work with the team at The Box and The South Devon AONB to achieve this. To combat the climate emergency it will take action from each and every one of us.

Gareth Allen, Managing Director, Soundview Media

Here at The Box we’re on a huge, ongoing journey to understand more about and minimise our impact on the environment, as well as shine a light on environmental loss and damage for our visitors and community.