SUMMARY
Who
	This Environmental Report is a report of Steel Head Films, LLC and their production, The River Why. The film was primarily shot in Portland, Oregon during the summer of 2008. It was implemented to investigate and implement green practices on set and identify was in which waste management and water systems could be implemented on rural locations.
Why
	This green program was initiated by the producers of the film who wanted to make a commitment towards sustainable production practices. Throughout the project, Steel Head Films and Ambush Entertainment granted Reel Green Media consultants access to key departments, shooting locations, waste management monitoring and water management. The outcomes of the green filmmaking program are detailed in this report.
What
	The green program concentrated all departments with an emphasis on water systems and recycling management. The departments were monitored to establish their key waste streams and waste management practices; of which detailed figures can be found within this report. Improvements for reducing, reusing and recycling waste types and quantities were recommended and wherever possible waste management costs were determined.
Results
	During the production of The River Why,  there was approximately a daily 40-50% diversion rate of solid waste. This differed on days when composting was present but recycling included—paper, aluminum cans, bottles, plastic, foil and cardboard.
Costs
	Overall the cost for recycling in the Portland, Oregon area is about $10/per dumpster. In Oregon, there is a policy about hauling organic waste and the cost. In order to compost, you need to hire a private hauling company (different from the recycling haulers) to come and pick up your recycling. This results in higher costs. With regards to cost savings, with the elimination of bottled water, the production saved approximately $2,000. Other fiscal choices, such as gas budget and travel could have been reduced by location proximity. This would have been advantage to the production and to the environment.
Conclusion
	Steel Head LLC achieved a significant diversion rate considering the locations and minimal prep time for the production. Most staff was supportive of the initiatives, however, there were some members of the staff who were in vocal opposition of the efforts being made. This made it difficult to align the commitments and gain full support of the crew. Throughout the course of the film, some individuals became supportive. Additionally,  many individuals who were in support of the nature of the project came up with their own solutions and suggestions.

OVERVIEW: STEEL HEAD PRODUCTIONS, LLC. – The River Why

The River Why was managed and produced by Steel Head Films, based out of Marin County, California. Shot on location in Portland, Oregon, the filming took place in areas surrounding Portland, Wilson River and neighboring communities over a 1 month period from June 2008 to July 2008. Steel Head LLC was based Hillsboro for the duration of the project, meanwhile, the production moved to new locations.

The River Why was a small sized production of approximately 100 people incorporating small crews, cast, extras and other resources including Location & Unit Crews, Production Office, Transport and Logistics, Special Effects, Art and Construction and Catering Services.

Below is a break down by department with regards to the environmental choices that were made on set:

ART DEPARMENT
	√	Camped and stayed on site when possible
	√	Used Latex Paint
	√	Used On-Location Materials
	√	Corpse Creek Materials
	√	Used Chemical-Free Paints & Solvents
	√	Very little painting on set
	√	Reused Brushes
	√	Used Canvas Drop Clothes
	√	BYUTAL was used
	√	Avoided Spray Paints
	√	Not Avoided
	√	Used spray painting a kiddy pool
	√	Magic Laterns
	√	Willmette River Signs
	√	Dock Signs
	√	Used Water-based glues
	√	During building flies and poles super glue was used
	√	Used rechargeable tools and electric tools
	√	Used rechargeable weed wacker
	√	9 volt batteries for laterns, too expensive to buy rechargeable
	√	Donated and sold leftover material
	√	Recycled as much material as possible
	√	Donated to ReBuild Center
	√	Metro Central (NW Industrial)
	√	Nothing of this scale was built
	√	Second-hand foam and lumber
	√	New environmental regulations of foam
	√	Ensured proper ventilation and safety procedures at all times in construction spaces.
	√	All cutting was outside
	√	During wrap of a scene there was a separating materials according to recycling categories.
	√	This was especially successful for the Halloween scene
	√	There was little to no painting on this job and signs
	√	No paint was bought
	√	Tempura paints
	√	Offered product placement discount to green products to be featured on set.
	√	With consultation of Gina Crane and Lauren Selman
	√	Had “funkins” shipped from Los Angeles over real pumpkins from China, financial savings!
	√	Shopped at local stores. Local antique stores, Really Good Stuff, Salvation Army, Re-run
	√	Rented props from local fly fishing shops
	√	Used existing books and rented books
	√	Used Craiglist to facilitate renting and purchasing
	√	This saved money on prop scouting and transportation
	√	Emailed for option photos instead of printing
	√	Set up a website for prop-show-and-tell instead of printing photos

CRAFT SERVICES
	√	With the use of reuseable water bottles, we saved over 6,000 WATER BOTTLES from being used. All members were issued with reuseable Camelback water bottles.
	√	The Green Consultants of Reel Green Media, assisted with water and waste management system
	√	Serve local/organic food from Costco, TJ, Safeway and New Seasons
		o 1/6 of budget went to Trader Joes, 2/3 Costco, Safeway and New Seasons, local for ice
	√	Serve organic/free trade/local coffee (Starbucks-donated), Sometown Local Coffee, and San Francisco
	√	Educated crews about where their food comes from when asked
		o Berries from California or Washington
	√	At the end of the day, share leftovers
		o One day there was old food that was then tossed in compost bins
	√	Reused serving platters rather than buying plastic setups and tossing them.
		o Platters were made of Monkey Pawed Wood
	√	Used plates, utensils, napkins, mugs and cups that were either biodegradable or recyclable
		o However, due to cost of private hauling company and regulations about composting could only fully compost one day of production.

LOCATIONS
	√	Used Private Lands
	√	Provided a cabin for shooting to avoid building a set, this saved on natural resources being used for construction, however, this increased the distance driven between locations
	√	Attained proper state parks permits for state lands. This scene was shot on the last day.
	√	Advised crews on safe and environmental paths when shooting on location. (Wilson River)
	√	Marching orders to find best locations within time and budget restrictions. If you had marching orders. Crew shuttles from Portland, we were going to have small buses. Never happened.
	√	Locations reported that “When I scouted the Wilson River, was under the impression that there was an airport shuttle transporting crew.” However, this did not happen, however, many crew members did camp on site for Lee’s Cabin.
	√	Two and a half weeks of shooting/scouting/transporting was thrown out. There was a cabin on Sandy River the production didn’t like, so Locations found another locations 15 miles further.
	√	With Reel Green Media, Locations established a transportable waste management system that was clearly labeled and marked.
	√	Encouraged shuttle/carpool options for cast and crew between their homes and set and between crew parking at set.
		o One day at World Forestry Center, Locations encouraged light rail system, however, it was not supported by the production because of the possibility of picture cars and having consistent cars for continuity.

THE OFFICE
	√	Placed paper recycling bins at each desk
	√	Separated into recycling and dumpster parties outside
	√	Encouraged employees to reduce paper usage - by reading documents on the computer, printing double-sided (when possible) or on the backside of used paper, and decreasing paper margins.
	√	Used toner saver mode
	√	Purchased paper with post-consumer recycled content when possible.
	√	Few reams at 100%, most at 30%
	√	100% was twice the price
	√	30% was slightly more expensive than virgin paper
	√	Lots of paper from previous productions “Twilight” and “Without a Paddle”
	√	Binders, file folders, and envelopes and other supplies from previous productions and from Good Will.
	√	Worked off laptops primarily. Employees shut off computers, monitors, and peripheral equipment such as speakers at the end of the day or when not in use for more than an hour.
	√	First office had lots of windows and therefore rarely turned on the lights, so had fans and would open windows. Second office, had lights off for most of the day. Typically turned on lights around 5pm.
	√	Recycled ink and toner cartridges.
	√	Replaced light bulbs to incandescent in first office.
	√	All lights turned off at the end of night
	√	Tried to buy paper in Bulk (saves money and shipping)
	√	Printed double sided
	√	Some individuals printed emails for legal documents
	√	Tried to make mini-scripts but ended up being very expensive!!
	√	Reused boxes and used them for Mailing Materials
	√	Encouraged Online Communication
	√	Reasonably successful, but it got harder and harder as production picked up. Therefore as speed and population increases green initiatives were put on the side.

TRANSPORTATION
	√	Used fuel additive (Lucas Environmentally Friendly Solutions) to increase fuel efficiency
	√	Used Biodiesel 15% in diesel engines
	√	Many departments carpools and used bikes (foldable) on set to reduce transportation runs.

CAMERA DEPARTMENT
	√	Used filmless and digital cameras: THE RED, to decrease film use and chemical use in development

Thank you for your commitment towards a cleaner film.

Yours for a greener industry,
Lauren Selman
President & Founder,
Reel Green Media, LLC
(510) 604-2617
Lauren@reelgreenmedia.com