Greenlit, with support from NZ On Air, is launching a Producers’ Sustainability Training programme to help Aotearoa’s screen producers lead productions that are lower-carbon, resource-conscious, and grounded in kaitiakitanga.
This programme is about putting practical knowledge and tools in producers’ hands, to support them to improve environmental outcomes, reduce costs, and work well with sustainability managers.
What the training is
The training gives producers a working understanding of sustainable production, tailored to how the screen sector actually operates here in Aotearoa. It’s built to be practical, rather than theoretical, and it draws on the frameworks, tools, and real production experience Greenlit has developed over the years, including our Carbon Calculator and Sustainability Action Plan.
We know producers are stretched, so this isn’t about adding another layer of compliance or being told off for what a production can’t do yet. It’s about supporting producers to take actions that benefit their productions, crews, and the environment, and often their budgets too, since sustainable choices are frequently the cost-smart ones.
What producers get out of it
A few of the things you can expect to take away:
A clearer picture of local and global requirements. Sustainability expectations are shifting fast, from local funders through to international studios and streamers. This training helps you understand what’s being asked of productions now and what is happening on the international stage, so you can plan ahead rather than react.
Smarter resource management. Sustainability and good production management pull in the same direction. You’ll learn practical ways to reduce waste, use energy and materials more efficiently, and make better-informed choices across the production.
Opportunities to save budget. Many sustainable choices, from energy and transport through to procurement, can also trim costs. The training helps you spot where doing things better and doing them cheaper line up.
Confidence to lead. You’ll come away better equipped to set the tone for your production and bring your crew and departments along with you.
Working well with sustainability managers
Sustainability on a production is a shared effort. A big part of this training is helping producers get the most out of working alongside a sustainability manager, understanding what the role does, where it sits in the production, and how to set it up to succeed. When producers and sustainability managers are aligned from the start, the mahi lands far more effectively.
Register your interest
We’re gathering expressions of interest now to help shape the programme and to let producers know when applications open. Registering doesn’t commit you to anything, it simply puts you on the list. More information will follow soon.
Greenlit is also running a complementary programme to train and place sustainability managers on local productions, thanks to the New Zealand Film Comission. If you’re a producer who’d like a funded sustainability manager on your next production, you may be eligible. We’d love to hear from you, so get in touch at sustainability@greenlit.org.nz and we can talk through your options.