What an EcoManager is and what they do on a film or TV production

What an EcoManager is

It is a coordination role within the production team. The EcoManager does not replace any department or make creative decisions: their job is to make environmental criteria part of how the shoot is organised, and to ensure that what is agreed is carried out and can be demonstrated.

They work with an overall view of the project: they know the shooting schedule, the suppliers and the commitments made, and translate them into measures each department can apply.

When they come on board

Ideally in pre-production, while locations are still being chosen, suppliers hired and budgets finalised. Bringing them in once the shoot is under way greatly limits what can be changed and turns their work into collecting data rather than reducing impact.

Working with production and departments

The EcoManager works very closely with production management, who approve the measures and the resources available. From there, they coordinate with each head of department: production and transport for travel and vehicles, locations for grid access, art and costume for materials, and catering for menus, packaging and waste.

Part of their job is explaining the reason behind each measure and finding alternatives that work for the department. A measure that makes work on set harder without a clear reason is unlikely to last.

What they do before, during and after the shoot

Before: planning and coordination

• Reviews the script, shooting schedule and locations to identify where the greatest impact will be.
• Drafts or adapts the sustainability plan with production.
• Agrees with each department on measures, owners and what information they will need to report.

During: monitoring and communication

• Checks that measures are being applied and adjusts those that are not working.
• Keeps communication open with departments and resolves issues.
• Makes sure data and evidence arrive complete, often supported by an EcoPA on set.

After: review and final documentation

• Reviews the data collected and fills in missing information with suppliers and departments.
• Organises the evidence for each measure.
• Prepares the final documentation and the data needed to calculate the carbon footprint.

Their role in certification

When the production applies for certification, the EcoManager helps plan measures according to the requirements of the chosen standard and gathers the documentation to be submitted. The assessment or verification is carried out by the body responsible under each standard: the EcoManager is part of the production team and does not act as an independent auditor.

Our services page explains how we work as EcoManagers within the productions we support.