Climate Impact

On-location media production has a massive impact on the climate

According to the New York Times, a major studio production can generate 2,840 tons of CO2–as much as 11 one-way trips to the moon.

Many factors contribute to this impact. Shooting on-location requires transporting a full crew to your target region. This often requires multiple long-distance flights, one of the most climate-intensive forms of transportation.

On-location shoots also require transporting props and gear to your destination and providing accommodations for your crew members. Again, this adds to the production’s climate impact, as well as its financial cost.

Even if your company purchases offsets or otherwise works to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of your shoot, on-location shoots can still disrupt cities and risk damaging sensitive environments. Many shoots in remote locations require the use of portable generators, which lead to both greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution.

build on CGI.Backgrounds | HDRi Map ID: HAH_058169

Virtual Production Reduces Climate Impact

Virtual production offers an alternative to on-location shoots, reducing both costs and climate impact substantially. Shooting client-ready content in a virtual environment requires less travel, less transportation of props and equipment, and generates substantially lower emissions.

According to Sony Pictures, virtual production in the media space can reduce emissions by 75% or more versus traditional shooting. As Variety reports, in some cases, emissions may be reduced by 90% or more.

Virtual production also reduces impacts on sensitive environments and avoids disruptions in cities. By eliminating the need to close streets or to film in ecologically-sensitive areas, virtual production has immediate, positive impacts on local environments and communities.

The Way To Zero campaign, with this studio, we made it possible that we did not have to use a single plane for this whole production.

Peter Shilling

Director

Volkswagen Group

International Advertising, eMobility Campaigns - Volkswagen ID

Jan-Erik Franz

International Advertising, eMobility Campaigns - Volkswagen ID

Volkswagen Group

Using CGI.Backgrounds

Content for Virtual Production

CGI.Backgrounds provides premium HDRi Maps and Backplate Images for 3D designers. Because our HDRi maps are high-resolution, professionally-shot, and include the information you need to light your scene accurately, they are ideal for virtual production.

Our customers use our HDRi Maps and environments on LED walls in virtual studio environments, as well as in fully-virtual productions using 3D product models. Both uses have the potential to reduce your climate impact dramatically.

Subscription Access

Our subscription plans offer access to our collection at price points tailored to large enterprise users, smaller studios, freelancers, students, and even hobbyists.

CGI.Backgrounds wants to ensure that all 3D designers and companies can access the climate benefits of virtual production.