This Member-led consulting Committee focuses on developing and supporting greener practices across Guild productions.
The Committee champions initiatives to support and increase sustainable practices in our industry, such as:
- Developing ideas for “green” educational courses;
- Sharing information on sustainable production practices as well as success stories with Members;
- Adopting circular design initiatives;
- Determining solutions for paperless or waste-free sets;
- Advocating for sustainable products from vendors;
- And more.
GREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES: WHAT'S NEW
E-Waste Box - April 1, 2025
To kick off Earth Month, DGC Green Ontario is rolling out a new initiative: a permanent e-waste bin in the Members Hub.
Sustainable Futures Material Reuse Project - April 22, 2024
The Sustainable Futures Material Reuse Project is a circular economy program spearheaded by DGC Green Ontario. This initiative provides a solution for leftover production materials by putting them into the hands of film students, reducing unnecessary waste and ushering in a brighter and greener future for the next generation of filmmakers.
DGC GREEN ONTARIO
CO-CHAIRS
ASTRA BURKA
ANDREW GAINOR
DIRECTING DEPARTMENT CAUCUS REPRESENTATIVES
NIKKI COLE
RICHARD ROTTER
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT CAUCUS REPRESENTATIVES
MOE RAI
MARY ANNE WATERHOUSE
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS DEPARTMENT CAUCUS REPRESENTATIVES
FELIX GRAY
NANCY SORGE
LOCATIONS DEPARTMENT CAUCUS REPRESENTATIVES
ALEX MCNAUGHTON
LYNN BOLSBY
ART DEPARTMENT CAUCUS REPRESENTATIVES
ALEXANDRA LORD
STEVEN MANNING
PICTURE EDITING DEPARTMENT CAUCUS REPRESENTATIVES
ANN FOO
SOUND EDITING DEPARTMENT CAUCUS REPRESENTATIVES
KEVIN BANKS
POST PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT CAUCUS REPRESENTATIVES
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT CAUCUS REPRESENTATIVES
STACY MORRIS
VICTORIA COLACO
GREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
DGC Ontario is working towards a sustainable film industry in Ontario.
By initiating new training for our Members and employing best practices on set, we can join the circular economy to take film production towards a more sustainable future.
The Committee currently has two main focuses:
- To provide training to the Membership to prepare for a sustainable production
- To increase our Membership’s awareness of sustainability
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
In collaboration with the DGC Ontario Communications Department, we will be presenting new initiatives and practices that help support greener, sustainable production.
Make sure to check out the Sustainability Initiatives section in the weekly Member’s Newsletter, as well as DGC Ontario’s social channels:
SUSTAINABLE TRAINING AND EDUCATION STRATEGY
In collaboration with DGC Ontario’s Member Services Department, we have launched a new stand-alone ‘Sustainability Fundamentals’ course for all Members as well as created sustainability segments for all Departmental Fundamental courses. Effective March 6, 2024, the Executive Board has made the ‘Sustainability Fundamentals’ course mandatory for all incoming and re-joining Members in supervisory roles, those upgrading to such roles, and for completing DGC Rep Certification.
SUSTAINABILITY ON THE WIDER LENS
Click here to read an interview in the Wider Lens with Sustainability Committee Co-Chairs Astra Burka and Andrew Gainor about their work on the Committee, their goals for the future of the industry and circular economy, and what each of us can do to reduce our individual carbon footprint.
Click here to read an interview in the Wider Lens with Cream Productions Sustainability Strategy Manager Angelica Siegel on the development of the DGC Ontario Sustainability Fundamentals course, along with her journey toward becoming a sustainability leader, the challenges and opportunities of promoting sustainability in the film and television industry, and the importance of sustainability in today’s world.
Click here to read an interview in the Wider Lens with 3rd Assistant Accountant Stacy Morris on the benefits of sustainable practices within the industry and how creative thinking can save both dollars and the environment.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND INITIATIVES
The microsite provides “Top Tips” that each of the eight caucuses within the DGC can take to help reduce the climate change impact of screen production and highlights industry resources available from other organizations across Canada and internationally. Tips include everything from simple steps an individual can take, to suggested steps on a production level to cut the industry’s reliance on diesel generators by using grid power.
Ontario Green Screen (OGS) is the collaborative initiative between government, industry partners, unions, guilds, trade associations and companies that endeavours to make lasting change in the industry and empower individuals, production companies and studios to make sustainable choices.
The OGS webpage includes training, a carbon calculator, case studies, community building, resources, ambassadors, and partnership information.
CBC provides a valuable list of resources for greening your production.
Telefilm Eco-responsibility Action Plan
The plan aims to lead and support the industry through informed business practices and the establishing of science-based policies and targets. This commitment will be implemented throughout Telefilm’s programs, initiatives, promotion and communications efforts, research, training, business practices and HR policies.
This guide is a practical, shareable and actionable resource for producers and other leaders in the motion picture industry. It has been written by independent producers working with sustainability professionals and has been designed to apply equally across genres, company sizes and budget levels.
Your guide to sustainable production, brought to you by the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance. Developed by film industry leaders with environmental expertise, the Green Production Guide offers the tools, resources, and vendors you need to reduce the environmental impact of your production.
The Eco-Action for Climate Change Sustainability Survey
The Eco-Action for Climate Change Sustainability Survey was sent out to the DGC Ontario Membership to gather information from Members and gauge the current level of sustainability practices used in our workplaces. Click the link for an infographic aggregating some of the biggest takeaways from the first-ever Eco-Action for Climate Change Sustainability Survey.
Seeds of Change Webinar Series from CBC
The webinar highlights environmentally sustainable change and actions that have happened in our film & tv industry.
2024
Watch as DGC Ontario Sustainability Member Stacy Morris presents How Creative Thinking Saves Dollars and the Environment: How You Too Can Repurpose Production Waste
2023
Sustainability Committee Presents...Video Series
Click here for DGC Green Ontario's Terms Of Reference.
