MA Production Management for TV Film and Digital Media

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

Course content related to sustainable development

The ‘Production Managing the Planet’ initiative is an innovative and comprehensive approach that ensures future media workers are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage resources and reduce carbon footprints in a holistic manner, that considers all aspects of production management. Learners are encouraged to take action towards promoting sustainability, while also developing their creativity and employability skills. The initiative was a finalist in the Next Generation Learning and Skills category of the 2024 Green Gown Awards.

The initiative engages students in a reflective exercise that encourages personal investment in sustainability. Students watch a series of documentaries, such as 'Chasing Coral’ and ‘Before the Flood’ and then fill out a questionnaire about their own carbon footprint. This personal reflection is then complemented with an industrial lens, where students work towards a qualification in sustainable practice accredited by Bafta Albert (an Albert certification on the end credits of a production means it has actively taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint), and learn how to utilise current technologies to support this work. In terms of assessments, students work on a fictional production, creating budgets and schedules to figure out how to approach production in a sustainable way. This work is then analysed and discussed in a 2000-word essay, followed by a 12-minute vlog that allows them to reflect on the personal impact the course has had on them. 

Competencies for sustainability

A key element of ESD is supporting learners to develop competencies that will help them to tackle and cope with sustainability challenges. Within the MA Production Management for TV Film and Digital Media the key competencies developed are: 

• Anticipatory, systems and critical thinking
• Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
• Strategic practicing and leadership
• Collaboration 

Pedagogical approaches

ESD uses action-orientated and transformative pedagogical approaches to facilitate taking sustainability knowledge and competencies into practice. Teaching methods and pedagogical practices used in the MA Production Management for TV Film and Digital Media include:

• Stimulus activities 
• Case studies
• Experiential project work
• Self-directed learning
• Virtual Production technology transforms the University television studio into a fully interactive Metaverse space which enables students’ to ‘virtually’ visit studio spaces in advance of onsite production meetings.

Questions to Perelandra Beedles

How do you link ESD to industry?

Sustainability is now a core professional competency for Production Managers, with broadcasters and production companies increasingly expecting production teams to demonstrate environmentally responsible decision-making. The Production Managing the Planet initiative reflects current industry practice by embedding BAFTA albert principles throughout the curriculum and exposing students to the tools, technologies and workflows used on professional productions. 

Industry professionals, including Production Coordinators and Heads of Production from organisations such as True North, BBC Sport and ITV, deliver guest sessions demonstrating how sustainability influences budgeting, scheduling, travel, catering, resource management and reporting on real productions. Students also complete BAFTA albert Carbon Literacy training, giving them an industry-recognised qualification that enhances their employability.

Partnerships with Dock10 further demonstrate how emerging technologies, including virtual production and green screen environments used on programmes such as Match of the Day, can reduce material waste by replacing physical set builds with digital alternatives. Alumni Production Coordinators also return to share how they have implemented sustainable production checklists and other albert resources in professional practice, helping students see how sustainability is applied beyond the classroom and into employment.

Why did you include ESD in your teaching?

Production Managers make hundreds of decisions that influence the environmental, social and economic sustainability of every film and TV production. From transport and catering to procurement, scheduling and resource management, they are uniquely positioned to lead sustainable change across the screen industries. I wanted students to recognise that sustainability is not an additional responsibility but an integral part of effective production management and professional leadership.

The initiative was designed to move beyond raising awareness by giving students the confidence and practical skills to embed sustainability into everyday production decisions. Through reflection, industry engagement and authentic production management tasks, students learn that sustainable practice can improve efficiency, reduce waste, support crew wellbeing and contribute to more responsible and resilient production cultures. By aligning teaching with current industry expectations, the programme ensures graduates are prepared to meet the sustainability challenges of a rapidly evolving television industry while enhancing their employability.

Feedback from students about the programme

• “One of the most surprising things that I'd learned was how catering during a production can potentially have one of the biggest impacts on our carbon footprint and I also didn't know that most Productions cater for a meat free day…I've definitely taken this on board whilst planning the production for my assessment and I will take it on board when working in the industry.”
• “The carbon literacy training I found super insightful…I was looking at my production and the little changes so for example like switching to reusable coffee cups and water bottles was a big thing, obviously only having a core crew on location was also a big thing …. this is definitely something I'm going to be looking at with future projects because it's just astounding at how much effect a simple thing can have.”
• “The training in sustainability I gained from working with Pere gave me the edge when applying for roles as a production coordinator. In fact, I would say it’s the most important skill any aspiring production coordinator can have when entering the graduate employment market.”
• “It is a big part of production, and it is important for undergraduates to learn it as most of the time the production coordinator is the one who is completing this work.”