LOCATION

The choice between shooting in a studio or on location will stem largely from the script, the budget, and the director and producer's aesthetic requirements. But as with all the choices made during production, there are also environmental repercussions to the decision you will make.

STUDIO SHOOTS: Speaking in purely environmental terms, the studio is preferable to location shooting, because it is self contained, and measures from energy conservation to recycling can be incorporated into the space. Additionally, transportation to and from location will be limited, and equipment such as the generator wilt not have to be portable. The advantages of the studio that exist for the filmmaker are the same for the environmentalist: There is more control.

LOCATION SCOUTING: -Consider using a video camera instead of stills when scouting locations. You will save money. A single two-hour videotape will cost about the same as a roll of still film/and you will be getting a motion picture. You can use the tape over for continuity.

LET ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS be your deciding factor if you have more than one worthwhile location: Once you have selected a location, find out the community recycling and trash collection policies, and make arrangements early.

COUNTRY LOCATIONS: If you are shooting in a country location, establish some guidelines for the crew: specific paths where the least grass will be destroyed and so on. Be respectful of trees; don’t break off healthy branches just to get a shot or block a light. Have a production assistant oversee the cleaning up of the grounds after the shoot: not only the garbage, but if the location has been used for several days, some replanting of grass might be in order.

URBAN ENVIRONMENTS: Cities are very fragile environments: If there are trees and parks, they are precious. If you are filming on a city street, don't litter. Set up recycling bins out in the open. Let your location shoot be an example to passersby.