FAQs
Is the Green Handshake a contract?
No, the Green Handshake isn’t a contract, but an offer for collaboration between artist and production. You can amend it to reflect your circumstances and the production. Download the Green Handshake and schedule a call with your agent to discuss what you’d like to aim for.
I’m an agent, how can I get involved?
The best first step is to send the Handshake to your clients, then discuss what actions they would like to take to improve their impact. Get in touch if you’d like members of the Green Rider team to come to your offices to run a workshop on the Green Handshake and sign up to our mailing list for updates.
I’m an Equity member, is the Green Handshake built into my terms and conditions?
The Green Rider team are actively working with Equity to negotiate green measures into collective agreements with Equity and PACT (the Producer’s body). This will mean that as an Equity member working on a PACT contract, you should be guaranteed a certain level of sustainability on your jobs. This negotiation is ongoing, so we will share updates when we have them. In the meantime, check out Equity’s PACT negotiations updates.
I'm a producer, how can I get involved?
Send the Handshake agreement to cast, and assemble a Green Team in pre-prod to meet throughout production to share ideas. The Green Rider team are happy to come to read-throughs to discuss the Green Handshake and get productions excited about being part of a bigger movement - get in touch if you’d like to arrange this. You can also sign up to our mailing list for updates.
I’m not number 1 on the call sheet, can I still use the Green Handshake?
Yes!
We encourage actors at all levels to get involved in the way that’s right for you. This could be through sending a personalised Green Handshake to production on your next job, attending our events, or enlisting your actor friends!
Are productions using the Green Handshake to cut costs?
Actions like ridesharing and using 3-way trailers do save production money. But they may also be spending this elsewhere - In proper waste disposal, train travel and cleaner energy sources. Ultimately, the focus is saving the planet, so if we can prove to the industry that it’s greener AND cheaper, surely that’s win-win!
What if I can't do all the terms in the Handshake?
No problem! Adapt it to your circumstances. Keep the discussion alive with your agent and other actors. There may be some projects where you can do more than others. Remember, you are part of a bigger community pushing for systemic improvements across the entire industry. This is so much more effective than placing all the responsibility for change on a few individuals.
I'm worried about being called a hypocrite when the actions I take in my own life are not always sustainable.
Nobody can be perfect. We live in a world that still relies on fossil fuels for many things, meaning affordable, sustainable options are not always available to us. In order to move to a healthier, fairer economy, we need everyone to get involved. Do what you can. It’s much more powerful to have 99 imperfect people working together than one puritan.
What if production tell me my contract has already been signed off?
Firstly, don’t worry! Reassure production that the Green Handshake is not a contract. It’s a two-way collaboration to improve the production’s impact - and you want to help.
Invite them to look at the Green Handshake and see what things they are already doing, what they could aim to do with your support. Remind production that Green Rider is about progress, not purity. The industry-proven actions should be used as a list of potential opportunities for collaboration, not a list of demands.
If production or your agent are still being unresponsive - don’t panic. This is a movement and you don’t have to fight on your own. Just engaging with this issue demonstrates that actors want change too. Please feel free to contact us if you’d like further support on approaching agents, productions or other actors.
What if production tell me they are BAFTA albert accredited so I don’t need to worry?
Don’t be deterred! Let them know that BAFTA Albert have endorsed the Green Handshake and are actively encouraging productions to use it. By getting involved, actors can help productions hit their climate targets. It will benefit them to work with you!
I’ve already used the Green Handshake on a production, how else can I get involved?
Congratulations! If you haven’t already, please fill out this feedback form to let us know how it went. We are always looking for supporters and advocates. This could include posting on social media, attending our events, featuring in a campaign video, or simply providing us with a quote. If you are uncomfortable with taking action publicly, we can also work with you behind the scenes, for example in convening other actors to discuss greening our ways of working in a safe space. Get in touch to request a comms pack or if you want to discuss how you can take more action.