During her time at university, Emily has been a true advocate for film production sustainability and made changes that will impact the future of the course
As we reflect on the last two weeks of graduation, we bring you the final instalment of this year’s Meet our Graduates series.
In this series, we introduce a handful of 2023 graduates that have made a big impact during their time at university. One of these is Emily Langdon, BA (Hons) Film Production. With her passion for film production and sustainability, she has inspired changes to the course which will have a lasting impact on the university and industry.
During this blog, Emily will share her story, university experience and plans for the future. She also tells us about the importance of understanding the high carbon emissions currently in film and how people can participate in free training programs to learn more about lowering them:
Tell us about your journey to university.
When I was fairly young, I took a photo at the beach and it was the first time I’d thought about perception. During my time at secondary school, my Guidance Counsellor pushed me to enter a photography competition where I got special recognition. I wasn’t doing well in school and this was an area where I felt good about myself and my results.
I was leaning towards a career making sets for theatre shows because I met a lady who took photos of performances. This is when it clicked that I could do something that combined using cameras and telling stories. This influenced my decision to do a BTEC in Media Studies where I learnt more about the premises of basic media practices.
I have always been a water baby for as long as I can remember. Portsmouth caught my eye because of the underwater modules as a lot of other universities didn’t offer this. I wasn't very academically inclined so I knew the hands-on course and lifestyle would work best for me. Portsmouth was the one due to the course. The fact the city itself was on the waterfront also helped too!
What has student life been like?
Student life is an experience. It can be non-stop and there are good and bad times – but university life will mould you. COVID was quite damaging to my mental and physical health in the first year but, by the second year, I remembered why I was there. I was now studying in-person too which was incredible. I also got to look at big fancy cameras, play with them and take them underwater!
It was also around this time that I began to make changes - I found peace and immersed myself in the course which lent to finding environmental aspects in film.
I also learnt the key fundamentals to healthy living: good sleep, better diet and exercise; all of which will set you up for happiness!
I feel calm when I look at nature doing its thing so I don’t want that to be destroyed.
Have you always been climate conscious?
I haven't always been climate conscious. When I was younger, I was a very different person. I wanted to live in a penthouse with a white-collar job, purely for fashion! Now, I am very overwhelmed with climate anxiety. It’s hard to not worry about the future.
When I grew up, I realised how lucky my mum is to be alive. She has epilepsy and every day is a blessing. My dad turned his life around and I discovered how incredibly bright my brother is. All other dramas feel superficial now. We are nothing in the timeframe of the universe but we are integral to the planet's life. It’s been a scary realisation.
I don’t remember when I became an activist, I have always loved nature but I don’t think the way we treat the planet is right. Climate change isn’t ours as an individual's fault but if we can help, we should. Instead of trying to change the world, I’m trying to make changes where I can, knowing that others are doing the same. I feel calm when I look at nature doing its thing so I don’t want that to be destroyed.
I’ve always been very curious and I wanted to know what the film industry's emissions were like so I did some research.
How do you think the film industry could be more carbon positive?
I think it’s important to know how much Co2 a film is emitting. A tentpole production (a standard blockbuster from Hollywood) emits 33 metric tons each shooting day. Filming for a ten-minute film takes around five days and for an hour-long film, months. To find out more, read Sustainable Production Alliance’s *(SPA) report to find out what film industries emissions are really like.
The majority of Co2 emissions will go towards transportation and food. Below are some of the ways I believe we can make film production more climate-friendly.
Vehicles and coaches on set could be changed to electric. Food on set could be plant-based, and not only would this be cheaper for the company and better for the environment, but kinder to the body. Everyone could bring their own reusable bottles and catering could not serve disposable plates and cutlery.
Emissions can also be lowered by using reusable batteries in the cameras, LED lighting and green generators. Producers could budget for carbon offsetting, minimise paper use, ensure bins are available and hire a sustainable supervisor.
The influence of film is not to be mistaken. It’s a form of education and propaganda. If scripts are more green this can educate and inspire others. For example, after Seaspiracy how many people stopped eating fish?
Tell us more about Reel Green and albert.
What’s so amazing about the above is that you can learn more for free! Reel Green and albert offer virtual training programs covering lots of production areas about the environment and how we can lower emissions.
They give information that we all should probably know, but, when you live in a time of constant indulgence, it’s good to be reminded we are not apart from nature. We are a part of the cycle and should find a balance.
During my studies, I reached out to staff in the directory to promote the courses. And now I have been told the course will partner with albert in September 2023. This means that students should come out of university more mindful and hopefully, find the balance of working for nature and not against it.
What does the future hold for you?
I recently directed, produced and shot a film with the help of an incredible crew. The Blue Men’s Riddle is a film which adapts Scottish folklore of the blue men of the Minch but with a climate twist in the story.
The Blue Men of the Minch are also known as storm kelpies, in Scottish Folklore they are known to be mischievous/playful. They riddle sailors and if they answer wrong, they drag the captain down to their caves. They are respected by locals who pour ale into the water in the hopes that seaweed will be brought to their shores. They are a lovely metaphor for respecting the water.
There are underwater sequences and we made the production as carbon-neutral as possible. It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this feeling of making something that’s not getting graded was strange to overcome.
Making the film has allowed me to get experience in underwater filming as well as telling a story that has the aim to educate, inspire and uplift the audience about the environment.
It was nearly all self-funded, I was saving up to make a graduate film but that fell through. I continued to save but then met a wonderful producer, Viktoria Zhelyazkova who gave me the push I needed to get the film back on the ground! You can find us on Instagram and Facebook.
Looking forward, I’m not 100% sure of what’s next but I know there will be lots of outdoorsy adventures! I want to climb mountains, watch the seals in Cornwall, play with more cameras and get my divemaster. I am thinking of doing a Master’s in Ecology or Conservation with the end goal of filming wildlife or getting into carbon-neutral action and adventure film-making.
To find out more, please email alumni@port.ac.uk and the team will introduce you to Emily.