Making the Switch to Energy Saving Lighting

​Lighting is a fundamental part of the art of film and TV making. It helps form the mood and atmosphere of a shot, creating a sense of meaning for the audience.

However, conventional lighting typically uses a huge amount of electricity, especially for large productions. The film and TV sector is more conscious than ever before of reducing the carbon footprint and going greener.

Albert has estimated that ‘an average hour filming equates to the carbon footprint of a return flight from London to New York. The average tentpole film’s fuel-use is the equivalent to a car driving 3.4 million miles’ (Source: A Screen New Deal: A Route Map to Sustainable Film Production).

One of the simplest and most-effective means of reducing carbon emissions in the film and TV sector is to switch from high carbon light sources, such as tungsten lights, to LED lighting. The emergence of LED and energy saving lighting has made a real impact on the industry.

75% Less Energy

Making the switch to energy saving lighting can reduce carbon emissions on productions by around 15%. Some organisations have even estimated that LEDs use around 75% less energy than other forms of lighting (Source: BBC Low Energy Lighting Guidelines for TV Productions). Ultimately, shoots should be cheaper to run if LED lighting is used.

Energy efficient lighting sources such as LED lights use less power, but shine just as bright as more traditional lights, so lighting quality during filming is not compromised in any way. Because LED lights emit energy as light instead of heat, they release significant amounts of light without generating heat or wasting much energy.

The directional nature of LED lighting also ensures that users have better control whilst wasting less energy and light. LED lights don’t ‘burn out’ when reach the end of their lifespan. They start to dim over time and quality LEDs have an expected lifespan of up to 50,000 hours or even longer.

Large Scale Investment

Key companies are making large scale investment in energy saving lighting to help organisations in the film and TV sector meet their carbon reduction targets without compromising on lighting quality. Sunbelt Rentals, which offers one of the widest ranges of film and TV rental equipment in the industry, has invested over £4 million in state-of-the-art lighting equipment in the last year alone.

Sunbelt Rentals’ fleet of new lighting equipment includes advanced LED lighting products from manufacturers such as ARRI. With intelligent control options, the LED lights can be used in conjunction with a lighting control app which allows lighting to become faster, easier and more intuitive than ever before. These products speed up the lighting workflow and allow more time for creativity.

Another new investment in the Sunbelt Rentals fleet is the 200kW Stage V Generator Truck which has a Euro 6 chassis and is capable of powering the largest productions.

Renting is Financially Viable

Renting lighting equipment is a viable option for many companies in the film and TV sector, as customers can hire the equipment they need for the exact time they need it, and offhire when the production is finished.

To find out more about how Sunbelt Rentals can help reduce your carbon footprint and reduce the environmental impact of film and TV making, get in touch today.