News / 2012: How to destroy the world and save the planet
Having grossed a whopping $225 million in its opening weekend, disaster movie
2012 is one of Hollywood's biggest successes of the year. But the blockbuster's achievement goes well beyond box office takings thanks to its director's refreshingly green approach to production.
After making 2004's The Day After Tomorrow, which sensationalised the potential catastrophic effects of climate change, celebrated director
Roland Emmerich pledged to start practicing what he preached in his big budget big screen productions.
"I said to myself, from now on my movies should have a green footprint," proclaimed the German born director who drives a hybrid and uses solar energy to power his home.
Emmerich put his plan into place on the soundstage of 2012 by using biofuel for generators, recycling sets, and donating whatever couldn't be recycled to non-profit housing organisation, Habitat for Humanity.
...from now on my movies should have a green footprint
Although these measures weren't made with the pinching of pennies in mind, the eco-friendly nature of the shoot skimmed 0.5% off the reported budget of $260 million.
However, having seen the film, one suspects that the savings could have been slightly more substantial had 2012 not needed a brigade of computers to create the special effects needed to destroy the planet.
2012 is showing nationwide now.
Will Saunders
It's time to take
action
