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Sustainability

‘Carbon neutral film studio’ opens doors in Stockport

A 30-year-old film studio in Stockport is being transformed into a groundbreaking project featuring ‘no energy filming’, real-time virtual sets, a plastic-free catering zone and other green enhancements.

The Business

The ‘Vectar Project' aims to bring augmented reality (AR) and carbon neutral filming to Greater Manchester and is an initiative of Z Film Studios in Heaton Mersey - which counts the BBC and ITV among its clients.

“The TV and film industry must change the way in which we work, the tools we employ, the travel we undertake and the productions we execute to reduce our impact on the environment,” explained founder Tom Henderson.

“The Vectar Project has been created to be a first in true carbon neutral studio film production in the city region, employing technology and work methods that will ensure minimal impact on the planet without compromising quality of content.”

Thomas Henderson, Director of Vectar Project wtih Rebecca Chedd, Environmental Business Advisor

Commitments

The project has committed to seven key actions to reduce its environmental impact:

  • Repurpose and recycle: Instead of requiring new build, the project is fully-housed within an upgraded 30-year-old building
  • No energyfilming: The facility has been upgraded with ultra-efficient LED lighting and a 11kWp rooftop solar system which will nearly quadruple in size in future
  • Consume less resources: Instead of conventional constructed sets, film and TV content will be filmed using virtual ‘digital sets’
  • Reduce air travel: The latest 8K 3D virtual cameras will be used to allow clients, agencies and even directors to be ‘virtually’ on set without needing to travel to the studio
  • No ‘printed words’ on set: Scripts, shooting boards and production documentation will exist live on digital devices to reduce paper use
  • Eliminating hard drives: A 10GB high-speed data network at the facility offers a feasible alternative to the use of expensive back-up hard drives for production
  • Plastic-free eating and drinking: Catering in the studio is plastic-free and will predominantly use locally-sourced, plant-based food.

Support and Grant

The first phase of the project – installing LED panels for studio film lighting powered by solar panels – has been supported and part-funded Greater Manchester’s GC Business Growth Hub.

Rebecca Chedd, environmental business advisor at the Hub, said: “The Vectar Project was looking for help with identifying and quantifying opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of its premises and operations.

“We identified a number of ways in which the studio could save energy and were able to connect the project to a range of suitable local suppliers through our Low Carbon Network. The project was also successful in receiving a grant offer towards its LED lighting upgrade.”

Once complete, the studio’s switch to full LED lighting is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by over 61 tonnes and save more than £28,000 a year. The rooftop solar system reduces emissions by a further 1.9 tonnes and saves an additional £1,000 a year, but plans are in place to expand this significantly in future.

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