On April 19, we hosted a masterclass on Green Film Making in conjunction with the Film and Science Festival, at the beautiful Eye in Amsterdam. The Film Festival was organized by Institut Francais and the theme for this year’s festival was Cities of the Future. We were
honoured to welcome two true pioneers in the field of sustainable film making: Michael Geidel (Green Film Initiative) and Mathieu Tronquit (Ecoprod). The masterclass was visited by students of The Utrecht School of the Arts, the Dutch Film Academy and The Amsterdam University College.
The event was hosted by our very own Chai Locher, who provided a presentation on the industry realities, benefits, and opportunities presented by green filmmaking practices.
He introduced our Green Film Making Competition’s structure, with a breakdown on the success of last year’s edition. He also presented a break down of this year’s competitors and their projects.
Next up was expert Mathieu Tronquit who was joining us for this event after arriving from France. As a representative of the established French initiative EcoProd, Mathieu explained the structure as well as on-the-ground efforts, and opportunities provided by the initiative. He introduced us to the great idea of skill specific workshops as offered by EcoProd to industry professionals. For example, EcoProd has just finished hosting it’s first industry workshop devoted to the sustainable options and innovative technologies available for on-set lighting and lighting crew. This session was met with great enthusiasm and interest by industry professionals, and Mathieu regards it one of EcoProds most current successes. Mathieu brought us a fresh perspective and a great amount of experience on the sustainability dimensions of the film industry. We want to encourage France-Dutch co-productions to shoot in gorgeous Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur so that they can learn from the great amount of sustainable tools and opportunities established there through AGIR!
Michael Geidel was also joining us from Germany as a representative of Climate Media Factory and the Green Film Initiative. He gave us an overview of his related German initiatives – how they work, what they do. His presentation emphasized the most important why-s of green film making, while he highlighted the opportunities present within green film making now, and in the future. His information and ideas seemed most accessible to our students in attendance who have less practical industry experience, but big aspirations for the future. Michael also underscored the desire and need for greater European collaboration in an efficient industry shift to sustainable practise – we agree. The productive exchange of experience and ideas that took place at our workshop on Friday is a perfect example of just how effective collaboration can be.
After the main speakers, Chai opened the floor to provide an opportunity for attendees to directly engage with our panel of international experts, sharing ideas and asking questions. Feedback from students in attendance expressed eager attitudes to see green film making efforts introduced as a standard within their common study curriculum and practise. Gabriel Chabanier shifted focus from sustainable production in asking questions about sustainable distribution and marketing options. This provided opportunity for sustainability consideration in another phase of the film making process. This was a most productive component of our workshop, inspiration was drawn, and connections were made.
A most successful and productive day
indeed! Thank you to Institut Francais and the Film and Science Festival, EcoProd and Mathieu Tronquit, The Climate Media Factory and Michael Geidel, and Eye. We look forward to working with all of these collaborators again in the future.