DGA Monthly

4 I D G A M O N T H L Y Get Smart For A Sustainable Future: Clean Power & Right-Sizing Diesel Generators The DGA's Sustainable Future Committee wants to help raise awareness of what productions can do to reduce carbon emissions and waste in film and television production to mitigate the adverse impacts on the environment. Here we take a look at how creating a smart power plan can help achieve that goal. As DGA members and leaders on set, we should be informed and encourage our employers and crews to decarbonize and lower fuel use by making a smart power plan and right-sizing the use of diesel generators. Take these important steps now to increase health and safety and bridge to the eventual electrification of our fleets. Studies show that on average, 80% of the time we use less than 20% of the capacity of our diesel generators. We are over-powering and thus overspending and emitting unnecessary carbon emissions. In addition, generators run most efficiently when using a load of 60-80% of capacity. Running a low load can create problems, including more frequent breakdowns. Ask your transportation and electric department to monitor the daily load on their diesel generators. It is a good place to start a discussion about how we can right-size our generators and encourage the use of smaller and appropriate size generators on set and base camp. Well-planned power distribution and utilizing clean energy options can often eliminate a diesel generator. Pair smaller diesel generators with battery packs that power video village, craft service, DIT, sound, and smaller sets. Use solar trailers when available. At night, power working trucks and catering with battery sources. Also check out emerging new hybrid systems that switch between a diesel generator and lithium batteries. Once the battery is depleted, it switches to the generator power which also recharges the battery. Once charged, the system switches back to battery power. When available, use renewable diesel and whenever possible, tie into the power grid to eliminate a generator completely. Covid-19 Safety Agreement Extended Through April 1, 2023 On January 27, the DGA, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and the Hollywood Basic Crafts and SAG-AFTRA) announced the extension of the COVID-19 Safety Agreement through April 1, 2023. The Agreement ensures continued protection for industry workers while reflecting updated modifications consistent with current conditions. The new agreement maintains the bedrock principles and practical approaches that have kept the industry working safely since shortly after the onset of the pandemic. This extension maintains core protocols in case the current situation rapidly changes while permitting additional modifications reflecting improved conditions in most areas. Specifically, there are no changes to Part 1 of the agreement, which requires the strictest protocols be implemented on productions occurring in any metropolitan area or county with 14 or more COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population. At this time, most production areas are working under Part II of the agreement or expected to be shortly, however, should conditions change with a new surge in cases, the proven effective stronger protocols would be required. The new agreement has the following two specific modifications to Part II, which are the protocols most productions are working under currently. For Zones B & C pre-employment testing is no longer required. Additionally, weekly testing is no longer required for employees in Zone B, however, if an employee in Zone B (or C) has come into "close contact" with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, the Producer is required to make a COVID-19 test available to the employee upon the employee's request. There are no changes in the agreement regarding Zone A testing. In addition, the agreement grants a bank of five additional sick days and no longer requires the Covid Compliance Supervisor to be physically present on the production, provided that a member of the compliance team is accessible at all times during working hours. Other than these modifications, all other provisions remain in full force and effect. In all cases, the full set of stricter protocols will be reintroduced if there is a COVID-19 surge. The parties will continue closely monitoring COVID-19 developments. If you have any questions or need to report safety concerns on your set, please call the Contracts line at: (310) 289-2010 or email contracts@dga.org. For more information visit the Covid-19 Resources section on www.dga.org. For more about the DGA Sustainable Future Committee, see the Committees section of www.dga.org.

• Cover