An Intersection Between Film and Sustainability

Antonio Saillant will present "An Intersection Between Film and Sustainability" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017 in Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center, Room 101. His presentation explores the emerging phenomenon of ‘green filmmaking’ in film production and television industry, whereby the process of filmmaking is conducted with a view to minimizing environmental impact.

Salliant will explore the motivations behind green filmmaking and survey a range of international developments in this area. After identifying the challenges faced by the film industry worldwide, Salliant will highlight promising initiatives that have emerged from within the international film industry. One is specifically explored in more detail: the emerging role of a designated crew member or ‘ecomanager’ to oversee environmental initiatives on-set.

In addition, Salliant will show the negative impact of films that do not adhere to environmental best practices. He will conclude with a discussion of policy proposals that have the potential to move the film industry towards environmental sustainability.

About the Speaker

Antonio Saillant is a noted sustainable performance consultant, strategist, filmmaker, writer, aerospace/environmental engineer, speaker, sustainable film/tv producer, and executive sustainable coach.

He says, "As a filmmaker, I feel it is my responsibility to continue the commitment to reduce the impact on climate change and the environment, and be on the forefront of sustainable business practices."

His companies, Angel Light Communications and Angel Light Energy Environmental Consulting, is dedicated to assisting individuals and companies in achieving the sustainable edge quickly through enhancing both personal and business performance and raising awareness with a positive attitude about our ability to save the planet.

Saillant worked on other high level filmmaker’s projects, learning the nuts and bolts of production. He spent several years shadowing his mentor, Ted Kotcheff and learning from him, not to mention learning in a highly popular television drama series, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Saillant gained knowledge and insight into how the industry works at the studio level.

Saillant trains a lot of students for careers in entertainment — be it film, music, drama, sports, or TV and radio — and enjoys the excitement in providing them with this glimpse into the green future of entertainment. He loves the action of words but love the action of 'doing' better.

Saillant's visit is sponsored by the Donald and Winifred Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership.

Grinnell College welcomes the participation of people with disabilities. Accommodation requests may be made to Conference Operations.

The College also welcomes the presence of minors at all age-appropriate public events and for informal visits, with the understanding that a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult assumes full responsibility for their child’s safety and behavior during such visits or events. In these cases the College expects that an adult responsible for the visiting child takes measures to ensure the child’s safety and sees that the child complies with directions of College personnel. Grinnell College is not responsible for supervision of minors on campus.