Green Gaia Films was founded in May 2010 by Susan Ronald and Julie Daly-Wallman
Making Films Green
We know that we can make great films and be green. Not films about the green movement, but films that are entertaining, well directed, shot beautifully, and with a fantastic story at the heart of it all. The film industry has traditionally been wasteful in how it uses all its resources. Green Gaia Films wants to change that, by making films that are as ecologically conscious as possible without compromising on the quality of the films we make. Read More
Caring for the team
Creating a new ethos and best practice for helping the film industry to go green as part of everyday film-making will be no easy task. Re-thinking the way the team approaches the process is the key and we have the team that can do it. That way we everyone can win. Read More
Caring for the Planet
It's not a gimmick being the first UK production company to make the green agenda part of its best practice. It's real, non-political and no secret in our opinion that the earth is struggling to cope with all we take from it. We are so committed to it that we will be posting our green experiences - what works and what doesn't work - on our website for each film we make. Please steal whatever works for you, use it and improve on it, but most importantly pass on the knowledge to others. Going green in film-making is a 'work in progress'. Read More
We champion sustainable film making!
Green Gaia Films was established in May 2010 by Susan Ronald and Julie Daly-Wallman with a view to make 'green films' with a difference. Though Julie has moved on to work on her own films in her company, Susan and her fellow producers continue to develop and define the films Green Gaia wants to make. We have two specialities: films whose stories are derived from books - be they novels or non-fiction books and films about people in history - whether famous, infamous or unknown - who have a poignant and relevant story for audiences today.
Being a sustainable or green film-maker means that we treat everyone involved in our films - from investors to runners - as a valued and valuable resource. We think that in running an open book with everyone on the production, we will make our investors and shareholders happy, our cast and crew feel valued, and the set a great place to work. This openness will sprout new ideas, new ways of working together and generate an atmosphere that will enhance profits for everyone involved with us.
At the end of the day, we know our success will only be judged by the caliber of film we make and the profits we generate for our investors. By being green, we can save on production costs without skimping on the quality.
Being a green film-maker means that we invest in 'new' film-makers - from screenwriters to set designers, from runners to directors, often mentoring the new talent with seasoned veterans. We know how tough it is to get a foot on the ladder, and want to see real talent nurtured, and in return expect everyone who works with us to give the film 100% of that talent in return.
Being green film-makers means that we are in the film business to create great films that we can be proud to put our names to, making films that are profitable, and leaving our personal footprint on the industry to help it conserve resources. To that end, we have developed a series of Green Standards in conjunction with GreenBe, which will accredit each of our films and our people to a new industry standard.
The GreenBe Standard
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GreenBe is a not-for-profit company that has developed a sophisticated, yet simple method for helping us all live more sustainably. Green Gaia Films has adopted this sustainability matrix for its filmmaking. At the heart of the Greenbe matrix is an understanding that:
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1. Humans cannot survive without adopting sustainable activities on the planet. Green Gaia Films undertakes to work in a positive and socially sustainable manner in all our activities, enriching and empowering our teams of people.
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2. Green Gaia Films understands that western cultures have huge ecological footprints. When calculated the 'GreenBe' way, this means that in the UK, most people have a carbon footprint that would require over 3 planets. in the USA this increases to nearly 5 planets.
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3. This means that we are destroyers of ecosystems and our home, the planet Earth, to meet our needs to be happy, healthy people. The reason why people 'over-consume' is a fundamental misunderstanding of what will meet our real needs.
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4. Green Gaia Films recognises all of this and more, and strives - and will continue to strive - to create an increased awareness of this through our best practices in the film industry, hopefully lighting the way for others to follow and improve on what we are doing for themselves.
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5. Our primary aim is to create films within a culture of beauty, art, belonging, freedom, creativity, protection and understanding that connects us to the world community of filmmakers and allows them to carry the social sustainability message forward in their own ways, benefitting us all.
- Our People
- Susan Ronald
- Douglas Ronald
- Joan Lane
Our People
At Green Gaia Films, the very centre of each film production's success will be the ability of cast and crew to work well together. This can be achieved by making those in front of the camera and those behind it, significant stakeholders in the production. From the producers and directors to the basic wage earner, everyone will be expected to pitch in and carry their own weight. To achieve our goals - to make fantastic films in a 'greener way' all round - Green Gaia Film's founders will only work with people who believe in and want to share in working as a cohesive team.
- Do you think you have the moxy and want to work with us? Do you know what moxy is? If so, let us know. E-mail us at:
- Email: webmaster@greengaiafilms.com
"We must all hang together, or assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Benjamin Franklin
Susan Ronald (Founding Director)
Susan has over twenty years mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance experience in the City in the Creative Industries. She has been an advisor to five British government departments, foreign governments and the National Trust in commercial development of their Creative Industries. She is also an award-winning author and historian. Susan has written 3 history books 2 novels and is writing the sequel to her award-winning book The Pirate Queen about Queen Elizabeth I and her merchant adventurers. Susan's business acumen will keep Green Gaia Films on a straight financial track by strict pre-planning, multiple planning of film projects to eliminate waste in pre-production costs, and introduction of appropriate product sponsorship to enhance all aspects of the films we make.
- You can reach Susan on:
- Email: susan@greengaiafilms.com
- Phone: +44-20-7233-9397
- Website: www.susanronald.com
Making films is one of the hardest things to do on earth. But what if there is no earth to make them? Why can't we have both? Let's make great films and give earth a break !
Doug Ronald (Producer)
Douglas has over thirty years' experience in merchant banking with ten years at Kleinwort Benson. He left Kleinworts to set up his own and mergers and acquisitions business, CDB Merger Services which had a Swiss minority shareholder.
For over twenty years, CDB Merger Services was FSA Regulated and provided specialist M&A advice, technology transfer licensing and creative industries consultancy to a wide client base primarily comprising major multinationals, high net worth individuals and governments. He understands the importance of sound financial management, and marrying that skill to the artistic process. Three years ago he embarked on a new career as a writer, and has published his first book Young Nelsons (Osprey, 2009) while completing his PhD in maritime history at Exeter University. Douglas offers his advice to the directors in all financial and business matters.
- You can reach Doug on:
- Email: doug@greengaiafilms.com
- Phone: +44-20-7233-9397 .
Films have been done the same way for over a hundred years with not a lot of thought to the environment, this is film's chance to give a little back.
Joan Lane (Producer)
Joan Lane began her career producing choral concerts, tours and operas. Having been involved in the music world for twenty years, she went on to found her own company and moved to theatre production. As well as running Wild Thyme Productions, early specialist training enables her to enjoy a parallel career as a freelance Vocal Consultant and Casting Director, where her knowledge allows her the opportunity to mentor classical and musical theatre singing stars of tomorrow. Joan was recently instrumental in green-lighting both the stage play and the film adaptation of THE KING'S SPEECH by David Seidler (Weinstein films); and she is currently working on several exciting new stage to screen adaptations.
Nick Sherard (Film Director and Director of Photography)
Nick has worked for over twenty years in the industry, having started out as a runner and advancing through most of the technical side of filmmaking to editor, film director and director of photography. His work comprises music and corporate videos, promotional videos, documentaries, editing and filming on major BBC TV programmes and commercials. In over thirty films that he has to his credit, Nick has proven himself to be a hands-on director with an excellent understanding of each role that is key to making any production run smoothly and to budget. His creative flair coupled with his practical and professional approach offers a fresh injection of confidence during any project.
For information on the following films please contact Julie Daly-Wallman: Julie@greeneyeproductions.com
- The Crooked Mile
- Living with the Enemy
- Elvis and Us
Please note that Green Gaia Films' slate is full and we are no longer accepting unsolicited manuscripts. Feel free though, to browse through our latest projects.
Green Gaia Films is proud to announce Ashley Pearce Director of Downton Abbey, Garrow's Law and Bouquet of Barbed Wire is attached to Green Gaia Films' feature Shakespeare's Daughter
The story of Susanna who sets out on a mission to fulfil her father's dying wish - to reclaim his lost manuscripts and guarantee his place in history as the world's greatest playwright. But as the journey unfolds, Susanna finds herself locked inside a puzzle. Unable to separate fact from fiction, love from hate, tragedy from comedy, as William Shakespeare weaves his storytelling magic and gives her the greatest gift a father can give. The gift of love.
Trained as an artist, who plays the Flamenco guitar, Ashley brings an artistic eloquence to all his work. A sought-after director for his work on historical dramas, including Poirot, Garrow's Law and Downton Abbey, we are thrilled that Ashley feels that Shakespeare's Daughter is just the right project for him. Pre-production is in full flow with Ashley leading the team. Welcome Ashley!
The Greatest Art Fraud of the 20th Century, Genuine Fakes
Based on Myatt's true life story, Genuine Fakes is about the greatest art fraud of the 20th century. Our story begins in 1985 and ends ten years later. Our hero lives in a tumbledown cottage in a sleepy Staffordshire village with his wife and two infant children. He is an art teacher, she's a nurse. Nothing could be a more serene and idyllic family way of life, particularly in grasping Thatcher Britain. The only hint of a more daring existence once led by our hero is that ten years earlier he wrote a top 40 hit on the Brit-Charts.
Then our hero's wife leaves him for another man, and he finds himself juggling two children under two, a job, and life. all badly. So his friend, Dave asks him to paint a painting for his wife in the style of her favourite painter for a Christmas present - just to help out with the bills - and our hero gets the idea to place an advert in a magazine to try to earn enough money for baby sitters by painting artworks 'in the style of' modern masters.
The rest, as they say is history. A forger answers our hero's ad, and before he knows it, he's embroiled in the greatest art fraud of the 20th century involving all major museums and auction houses around the world. The truth - in this case - is stranger than fiction!
Script in development.
For queries please contact:
Julie@greengaiafilms.com
susan@greengaiafilms.com
Short film 'Bird Brain' gets Green Gaia green light
Company Directors Julie Daly Wallman and Susan Ronald are executive producers on Leoni Kibbey's short film, 'Bird Brain'. It is a story of Love, Obsession and Birds. When a career obsessed ornithologist, Steven, becomes unemployed, his wife, Mary, discovers her own obsessions and fears, that haunt the couple's home and relationship. Written by Leoni Kibbey and Colin Moody, 'Bird Brain' promises to be an exciting and dramatic film noir thriller that will be shown at festivals submitted for BAFTA consideration.
Notes to editors:
About Leoni Kibbey
Leoni has worked in the film industry for over ten years as Casting Director & Actress and now for the second time takes on the role of Producer. She is currently an associate producer on a $2million US Horror feature film. She has 5 features in Development as Casting Director including $25M budget film SHAKESPEARE'S DAUGHTER.
Green Gaia's Spending Spree
We are delighted to announce the acquisition of options on two scripts from the multi-talented Carl Rigg for film.
His screenplay entitled Elvis & Us was optioned earlier this month, exclusively to Green Gaia Films. The screenplay is a heart-warming story of a group of young working class boys whose black-and-white world in austerity Britain was transformed in the fateful summer of 1956 by the music of Elvis Presley. For further information, please contact: julie@greengaiafilms.com
Carl's second script optioned is called Green-Eyed Chinese Idol, and portrays the hilarious misadventures of the worst art thieves in the world. A cross between The Maltese Falcon and the original Lady Killers, this harkens back to the golden age of British comedy. For further information, please contact: susan@greengaiafilms.com
Acquisitions from World War II historian and biographer Helen Fry
Green Gaia Films is proud to announce the purchase of its recent option acquisitions from World War II historian and biographer Helen Fry:
Unusually, we have acquired an unwritten script by Helen to one of the most compelling untold World War II stories we have ever heard. Based on the true story of US Sergeant Howard Triest and his sister Margot, Helen is writing the screenplay with the working title The Letter. Howard's journey of rediscovery of his German roots are both chilling and heart-warming. His personal strength, basic humanity in the face of man's inhumanity to man, and unstinting quest for his sister and parents make this a 'must-tell' film. Howard's and Margot's true story will also be Helen's next book, working title Inside Nuremburg Prison.
We have also optioned the rights to Helen's next screenplay after The Letter, entitled Freud's War based on her book of the same title. This is the unusual and very human story of Sigmund Freud's escape from Vienna to France, and how he needed to readjust his own life as he settled in England.
Helen has completed the first draft of her first screenplay working title Music & Men, about the incredible life of world-famous pianist Harriet Cohen. It is tentatively scheduled to shoot in autumn 2012.
Filming Green
We will be examining with our carbon cost centre prior to and during shooting in an attempt to minimise our ecological footprint (this includes carbon). This is without comprimising on film quality and our cast and crew's comfort. Everyone in the industry knows that making a film takes its toll on the planet's resources. From catering trucks, to equipment delivery, to battery charging, most elements that make a film require a constant electricity source. At Green Gaia Films this will be our goal: Making great films whilst reducing our ecological footprint. More over we are not interested in green-washing, we are interested in finding solutions that work. Here are just some of the ways in which we hope to make our films greener.
Food, water, waste
Anyone knows that a crew marches in it's stomach. That's why an average crew in the US uses approximately 300 plastic water bottles per day and wastes over 600 pounds of food a day. We have considered a variety of ways to eliminate all water bottle and food waste and we'll be testing various solutions on each film an posting our results on our news page. Wherever possible we will be distributing reusable water containers on set. We additionally will be working with caterers & craft services to implement healthful and reusable food service, that combines organic food practices with eco-friendly food distribution.
Commercial production alone generates approximately 18 million pounds of waste per year. From gels to drinks cans, set dressing to set construction, we will ensure that anything that can be recycled, composted or repurposed will be.
Renewable Energy (where possible)
Electricity is a big deal on set. Lights, camera batteries, cranes, monitors, will be powered, wherever we can, by renewable resourced generators, that at least will run off their own renewable energy source.
Transport
As part of our pre-production analysis we will develop an indiviualised eco-transport policy for each film. We see that many companies are already using electric vans, lorries and trucks for transport, and most if not all of the companies we work with, catering and delivery and crew, will be using electric or hybrid vehicles, wherever and whenever possible. We are aware that electric vehicles charged by fossil feul, carbon is emitted from the power station rather than the exhaust. We hope to charge our vehicles using renewable energy.
Donations
The Art Department and Production team will work throughout the shoot and during wrap to connect all usable leftover materials with local non-profits, organizations and schools. We will give leftover wardrobe, set dressing, used expendables and other miscellaneous materials directly to those who can benefit from them. Each film will have one nominated charity which will benefit in some way from the film's production. Are you an organisation, non-profit, theatre or school in the UK interested in receiving donations? Get in touch here
Contact information
Green Gaia Films is open for business. As well as creating our own projects we want to work with lots of other companies to help make exciting, interesting and thought provoking films, having little or no impact on the environment. We hope this ethos will spread throughout the industry.
Please note that Green Gaia Films' slate is full and we are no longer accepting unsolicited manuscripts
- Address:Green Gaia Films Ltd., 79 Marsham Street, Suite 6.17, London SW1P 4SB Company No.7257210
- Phone: +44-20-7233-9397
- Email: susan@greengaiafilms.com
- Email: doug@greengaiafilms.com
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