Sustainability and modular workflow: new keys for live production

Norbert Paquet, head of live production at Sony Europe, addresses with a renewed perspective the great opportunities that companies dedicated to live production in all its aspects have in front of them.

In 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted that temperatures would increase 1.5 °C, which would cause irreparable damage to the global ecosystem. During this year alone, almost 660,000 hectares in forest fires throughout Europe. There is no doubt that we are suffering from environmental emergency that is getting worse all over the world. As global organizations address the challenge of sustainability, businesses must become part of the solution.

Legislative changes and improved accessibility to sustainability reports help companies companies take action regarding climate change. He sector del broadcast has advanced together and important entities such as the BBC, RTE and STV have committed to measure the impact they generate, halve carbon emissions by 2030 and use its content to help the public understand the meaning what addressing climate change may have for them.

With a modular approach to live production, it is possible reduce resource consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions.

However, it continues having doubts on live production initiatives to adopt sustainable practices. What is observed is that live production depends on certain features to function correctly and, therefore, changes in the process would compromise productions.

However, as a key partner in the sector, Sony has analyzed this challenge and has sought opportunities that allow incorporating more sustainable solutions in specific parts of the process. We believe that, with a modular approach to live production, it is possible reduce resource consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with this type of production. In this way, the overall carbon footprint would decrease.

The business environment is increasingly focused on environmental, social and governance criteria, so companies that do not follow the same path they will not survive. If the live production sector can find a way to meet rigorous sustainability credentials, it will not only secure the future of the planet, but also the success of the sector in the future.

Becoming the greenest link in the chain

Transportation currently represents almost a quarter of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions (and of this 70% is road transport). In the live production, las mobile units, which usually weigh more than 40 tons, are the solution to transport the large and heavy equipment from one location to another. They are probably the responsible for at least a large part of the emissions of a production.

Take advantage of the cloud technology for processing could promote sustainability initiatives.

In practice, these units cannot simply be removed from the process. However, with IP and remote technologies that allow us to separate the production functions in smaller parts and connect those that are needed in each production, we can prepare smaller units that they carry a lot less equipment and personnel. We can also reduce the number of mobile units in circulation. In this way, emissions and costs would be considerably reduced.

Furthermore, take advantage of the cloud technology for processing could promote these sustainability initiatives. In this way, not only would reduce the equipment and resources needed, but to have a single processing location and allow work remotely offers many advantages to reduce on-site emissions and those from logistics (staff travel, equipment transportation, etc.).

Adopting a modular workflow

Although there is already various solutions, like the remote and centralized functionalities, by adopting a modular approach of the live production (separate operations and production systems into independent modules), productions can see the sustainable solutions from a new perspective.

Separate the operations in modules It may take a long time, but it will bring important benefits in the long term.

You have to carefully analyze each comprehensive production process to identify opportunities with which to achieve that sustainable change. Ultimately, the changes must be in line with the business objectives broader and take into account the effectiveness, quality, cost and sustainable impact. Adopt the modularity implies that can change (and not "must change") parts of the production process for which there are sustainable solutions, and that productions can access opportunities to be more sustainable without sacrificing quality or reliability.

Separate the operations in modules It may take a long time, but it will bring important benefits in the long term. By using the technologies of IP, software and cloud For the primary processing functions of previously monolithic mobile units, operations can be streamlined. As we have mentioned, the unit is divided into functional modules that are interconnected via IP, and they are combined and separated according to the needs of each production. Teams can use resources more efficiency and use what they need when they need it, nothing else.

Achieve a sustainable sector

A partner like Sony It will provide what is necessary for live production companies to adopt sustainable solutions tailored to their specific needs. Each production has unique requirements. A modular system will allow operators to choose solutions to address their specific challenges and will also help them to reduce overprovisioning and minimize resources, waste and carbon emissions from travel.

Alex Mahon, executive director of Channel 4, has stated that it is a crucial moment for the sector. Audiences and broadcasters are enthusiastically coming together to tackle the climate crisis. By following environmental, social and governance criteria, live production companies can contribute to the broader commitment of the Paris Agreement on climate change and achieve net zero emissions. When they occupy a greenest place in the sector supply chain, will be able to pass on these credentials to their broadcast clients and move forward together to achieve a sustainable future.

Visit this link to learn more about Sony's sustainability initiatives for sustainability professionals

Norbert Paquet

Head of Live Production at Sony Europe