Saving the environment, one independent film at a time

Los Angeles (June 8, 2010) - Inspired by the Producer’s Guild of America’s Green initiative, Producer Charles Belk has announced that their upcoming indie film, “Douglass U” (douglassu.com), will be produced in accordance with sustainable methods and green best practices.

"It's not that I haven't been personally committed in the past to sustainability, its just that when it comes to production dollars and cents for any production, but especially for small indie productions, going green costs more dollars, so I thought," said Charles Belk. "After talking with PGA Green representatives at the association’s Produced By Conference and reviewing some of the best practices on the PGA Green Web site, I thought to myself, ‘we can implement these standards in our film.’ It only makes sense to try and do our part to help save the environment!"

The new focus on sustainability in film production has been mostly contained to a limited number of big-budgeted, studio films. Helping to lead the way for lower budgeted, independently produced films, “Douglass U” will implement sustainability from top to bottom, in as many ways as financially possible. It will be each producer and department heads’ responsibility to adhere to the green practices and a production assistant will be specifically assign to assist with this effort on set.

Only one week into pre-production, the "Douglass U" production team will kick-off the green initiative by developing a list of production sustainability guidelines, which (among other things) will include:

• establishing a core Green Team, including assignment of appropriate crew members to facilitate green initiatives;
• printing only when necessary, printing double-sided and utilizing at least 30 percent recycled paper;
• setting up "recovery stations" on set with three bins (A. cans/bottles/plastic/paper B. Food waste/compost, C. Trash);
• adding a "Green Tip of the Day" to the call sheet;
• encouraging the use of public transportation by including options on the call sheet;
• asking about energy efficient alternatives or more efficient ways to use when renting equipment;
• purchasing or renting second-hand / thrift clothing, accessories and props instead of buying new;
• avoiding the use of aerosols, containing ozone-depleting substances in hair and make-up;
• requiring personal water bottles and water refill stations; and
• posting purchased production items on the PGA's Fred's List at the end of production for recycled use by others.

"This is a great idea, and it's the first time I've seen it attempted to be implemented, to this extent, on any of the sets that I have been on in the past," said Hari Williams, the film’s writer, producer and co-star. "I think it's something that all independent filmmakers should try to incorporate, regardless of their film's budget."

"Douglass U" is an urban comedy about a young man’s unexpected freshman experience at one of the country’s (fictitious) premiere Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Principal photography is slated to begin on July 31, 2010, in Los Angeles.

About Company:

I Will Make You A Star Productions, LLC specializes in video, film and web production services for projects on a tight budget. Pre-production services include script development, product placement and product integration, script evaluation and script writing, location scouting, casting, permits, licensing and clearances. Production services includes crew, lighting, sound and video equipment. Post-Production services include editing, sound design, sound mixing and custom musical composition, animation, motion graphics, and special effects.

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PO Box 93191
Los Angeles, CA
Attn: Margarett Meriweather

(Photo: "Douglass U" Cast and Producers; Photo Credit: Logan Alexander)

@2010 Charles Belk Entertainment

This release was published on openPR.