You’re an amateur filmmaker getting ready to wrap filming on your latest project, and the next item on your to-do list is finding a way to clean the set thoroughly. It’s a daunting project, but one of the highest priorities on any film set.
We’ve got you covered if you’re looking to find ways to keep your film set neat during and after filming. You’ll gain a wealth of knowledge on keeping a film set clean when you learn to dispose of trash and haul it away correctly.
1. Plan
Before filming begins, conduct a thorough walkthrough of the location to identify potential mess hazards. Address areas that could become problematic and introduce preventive measures to keep them clean.
Once you know what your film sets will look like and which elements you can eliminate when you’ve wrapped, start deciding what to keep and throw away. Dedicate one space as a discard pile and another to reusable items you want to hang onto for your next shoot.
2. Recycle
While you’ll likely need to demolish part of your set or throw some props out, you can also recycle some trash you accumulate from your shoot.
As you wrap filming on different sets, stay organized and keep the area tidy by maintaining a running list of what you’d like to reuse on another shoot.
3. Trailers
If your shoot moves among several locations, consider a trailer for storing your debris. You will naturally accumulate trash during filming, and a rental trailer will give you additional space, keeping every site clean without putting too much of a dent in your budget.
4. Enlist Help
Cleaning up a film set is a full-time job. The mess will accumulate throughout filming, and leaving it until the end will create a massive challenge. However, you can make it more manageable by getting the cast and crew on the same page.
Ask everyone to pick up after themselves every day, proactively taking care of their trash between scenes, during breaks and at the end of each shooting day. Cleaning as you go prevents clutter from accumulating, eliminating headaches.
If your budget allows, hire a professional cleaning service to handle more extensive tasks, allowing you and the crew to focus on the production.
5. No Littering
Film locations often retain some props or aspects of the set, but they also accumulate miscellaneous litter from daily activities like eating. You can prevent this by establishing a zero-tolerance policy for on-set trash. Reward those who tidy their areas and lead by example by keeping your surroundings clean.
Place plenty of trash cans and recycling bins. Clearly label the bins to encourage proper disposal of waste and recyclables. Having convenient disposal options reduces the likelihood of littering.
6. Create Teams
A lack of leadership and direction makes cleanup more challenging. Delegate teams to streamline the process and ensure nobody neglects tasks. Assign specific tasks to each team member to ensure efficiency, purpose and a smooth operation, ultimately speeding up the cleaning project. Consider rotating duties to share the workload evenly.
7. Implement Daily Debriefs
Hold brief meetings at the end of each shooting day to review issues that arose, including on-set cleanliness. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a tidy location allows the cast and crew to suggest necessary adjustments to the cleanup strategy.
8. Remember Your Environmental Impact
Filmmaking is financially and environmentally costly. Here are some tips for incorporating sustainability into your filmmaking strategy.
- Leave the land as you found it: Many location scouts choose areas with breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Leaving the site the way you found it will reduce your footprint on the land and allow it to return to its former glory sooner.
- Switch to solar energy: Most on-location shoots use gasoline-powered generators that release air pollution. Using solar energy eliminates this risk factor.
- Bring in environmental engineers: Though this goal may be financially unrealistic now, it’s worth considering as you gain experience and can afford to hire experts.
- Use less water: If possible, use minimal water on sets. Water is essential for many core activities on a film set, but try to eliminate its usage in miscellaneous areas, like AC units.
- Opt for eco-friendly cleaning products: You are responsible for maintaining a healthy on-set environment. Nontoxic cleaning supplies ensure that the location remains safe for everyone without releasing dangerous chemicals into the air.
Cleaning Up, Moving Forward
Cleaning up your shooting site after filming is an excellent place to start when thinking of sustainability, so perfect that art first. Once you have a more generous budget and possibly a larger team, you can bring in assets like solar power and hire contractors to keep the set environmentally friendly.
Incorporating these mess management strategies will ensure your filming locations remain debris-free, contributing to a safer, more pleasant environment for everyone involved.
