Greening of New York

New York film crews are embracing technology that will help reduce pollution in the city. I noticed that many film shoots in the city were done with very little electrical usage. It is hard to use big lights in the city. The sidewalks are crowded and the big cable is a dangerous trip hazard. Several crews have begun using large batteries to power the DIT tent, dolly bumps, video village, and sound as well as LED lights.

Some of the camera crews are helping by having smaller batteries run the truck and charge some of the batteries so the AB battery chargers on set are drawing less power.

Using battery power to shoot on sidewalks and parks negates the need for a 175 kVa diesel powered van generator, which eliminates a parking spot, pollution, noise, and cable! The smaller 3.6 batteries are great in follow vans and insert cars to run monitors and AB chargers.

The role of the Director of Photography is key in advocating for this approach. He or she needs to formulate an approach using available light and LED lights to make the battery power last all day

Another thing the gaffer and electric crews are helping with is sizing any generators they do require with the smallest amperage needed to accomplish the job. We are all finding that with the high efficiency LED lights and high sensitivity cameras we are using far less electricity to light sets. By dropping from a 220 kVa diesel generator down to a 90 kVa the crew can cut fuel usage by hundreds of gallons! Much less exhaust over the run of a show will be emitted, and the smaller generators are quieter. Local 600 is making sustainable green set practices a priority with workshops and meetings.

Generator operators are monitoring the amperage loads of various locations to determine the smallest generator they can safely use. Batteries are being considered everywhere a traditional diesel generator or gasoline-powered putt putt are being used. There are equipment companies in NY that provide battery and solar powered trailers. Batteries are now available from all the large rental houses in NY.

I am hoping that in the future we can employ hydrogen and solar powered power stations in the city to cut the increased dependency on the grid and base camp generators.

Let’s all try to think of ways to become part of the solution.

Stephen Thompson
Local 600 and Local 52
stevet@bulldoglighting.com