Eli Roth, Fran Drescher and others urge Hollywood to prioritize environmental issues at Hollywood Reporter/EMA Sustainability

As the world turns and temperatures change, sustainability has become a pressing issue across all industries, including the entertainment industry. Hollywood, known for spreading images and messages, is at the forefront of cultural change, dedicated to environmental priorities and the challenges it faces, industry leaders said Thursday. the hollywood reporter Images of the planet event presented by Walmart at the Environmental Media Association’s Impact Summit.

Confab’s keynote lecture, held in Pendry West Hollywood, was dedicated to the award-winning documentary by award-winning filmmaker Eli Roth. Finnish, which follows Roth and a team of scientists, researchers and activists from around the world to uncover the truth beyond the deaths of millions of sharks (100 million a year). Moderated by environmentalist Philippe Cousteau Jr. and accompanied by underwater photographer Michael Mueller, Roth discussed the five years he spent filming in hopes of combating the “fear propaganda” surrounding sharks.

“I grew up in Boston and jaws “It was my favorite movie,” Roth began, but he hadn’t been invited to present it before. shark after dark at Discovery’s shark week, He ordered him to dive, which changed his life, making him realize that the fearsome underwater creatures “looked a lot like dogs.” Mueller’s relationship with sharks and his defense began about 20 years ago when he first looked at a great white shark.

The trio discussed global human rights issues affecting the multibillion-dollar fishing industry, as well as international fishing vessels that are illegally depleting local fisheries. Health is a concern, and Scalen, a compound in shark liver oil commonly found in skin care products, is very loosely regulated.

Regarding the sharks, Roth said: “We shouldn’t see them. … This is exactly what the fishing industry expects. …many other things to worry about; Why do you care about sharks? [Because] It’s a multi-billion dollar industry… and they really keep our air and water clean. We are talking about education”.

The morning began with comments from EMA Executive Director Debbie Levine, who greeted guests and said, “We are all here because we know that respect and responsibility for our natural resources does not limit innovation or lifestyle.”

Alan Fuerstman, co-founder, president and CEO of Montage International and Pendry Hotels, called the EMA a “strong force for positive change” and praised the summit for the second year in a row on Pendre Sunset Boulevard. As hotel guests, “we are all guests of Earth,” he said.

Delivered with a variety of action-packed discussions with changemakers in the environmental and entertainment industries, the one-day event was held at the start of the set. of THR An inaugural issue of digital sustainability: dedicated to exploring Hollywood’s greener future. Nekesa Mumbi Moody, Editorial Director THR, He said in a statement on Thursday: “The talent, executives and content we showcased this morning represent some of our industry’s most compelling achievements in the environmental storytelling space. “Their stories are incredible in their common mission to sound the alarm about the worst threats to our planet, but also remind us of all the beauty that still surrounds us.”

The first panel of the day asked the question: how can talent take the reins to make products green? SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, who actively led the presidential campaign on sustainability and launched a “Green Council” designed to create “eco-responsible entertainment” during his presidency, said he intended to “impose a one-time ban on the industry.” . . the plastic [in productions] “Our first effort is to build our heritage.”

“What we have to assume as an industry is to normalize environmentally responsible living,” he said. “We are the most affected on the planet.”

Asher Levine, EMA creative director and panel moderator, introduced the organization’s talented jockey, which he describes as “a list of things we can move forward in negotiations when an actor wants to have a cleaner stage.”

Hart Boehner, actor, director and EMA board member, shared ideas on what a more sustainable kit could look like: less waste (like paper scripts for all actors) and turning off trailer generators when not in use. And John Rego, vice president of sustainability at Sony Pictures Entertainment, spoke about the bright future of virtual production (used for shows like Mandalorian), which is the next iteration of the green screen background: a completely virtual version of reality used to create new worlds.

The next panel is the Moderator. THR Associate editor Degen Penner focused on the story of our changing planet. In recent years, mainly thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, documentaries and feature films about our natural world have grown among viewers. “They really missed what they couldn’t. … They couldn’t travel. They wanted space, they wanted a patch of grass, their backyards became a kind of altar,” said Janet Han Wissering, senior vice president of production and development, National Geographic Natural History Content and NatGeo on Disney+, who also shared tips for filmmakers. . . How to get funding for similar projects. “They used our movies as an escape and vacation, whatever they wanted.”

“Natural history really has its moment,” added James Hannibourne, the series’ executive producer. Our Great National Parks! Narrated by former President Barack Obama). “[We must] Help the public care for and connect with nature, so we have to show the beauty and wonders of nature.”

Howard Swartz, Discovery’s Senior Vice President, Documentaries and Specials, Facts and Streaming Networks, shared insights into the impact of these initiatives. shark week He had human relationships with the environment. “The first year was 1980; “It’s now become what our Super Bowl is every year: it’s a pop culture phenomenon,” he said. And John Chester, film director and documentary subject The The biggest farm! Speaking about her and her husband Apricot Lane Farms in Murpark, California, the experience of meeting guests on both sides of a political divide, she said: “Shame and fear are what polarize and divide our people as a country and a planet. . ”

All movies and series covered in the morning panels were included. The the biggest little farm (National Geographic/Disney+), Our great national parks (Netflix) and Roth Finnish (Discovery +), “We reaffirm the importance of protecting our planet,” said Jane Ewing, Senior Sustainability Representative at Walmart, adding: Trust. “

Ewing recognized the role that the megacorporations Walmart and Hollywood play in inspiring real-life changes in society. “We have the same customers, people who watch the entertainment industry (films, documentaries), come into our store and buy online; “We serve 130 million customers every week,” said Ewing. THR After its opening. “So we’re talking about the same people. “Hollywood in particular has the potential to inspire and engage in a really powerful way, and if we can be consistent with similar types of messages that are bought from us, I think we can change behavior.”

The last event of the afternoon was the first live recording by Phil Rosenthal (Netflix Creator and Host). Someone handed Phil) and Peabody and Emmy Award-winning television writer and producer David Wild naked lunch A podcast with special guest Wolfgang Pak (whose new restaurant, Merois, is on the top floor of the Hotel Pendry). The presenters asked Pak a few questions about the moments he saw in the new Disney+ documentary WolfgangWhich tells the story of the early life of a world-famous chef and his rise in the food world.

When Rosenthal was asked whether his superstar (thanks in large part to the success of Spago, a Los Angeles staple) had overestimated people’s perception of him as an excellent cook, Pack said, “In the kitchen, I don’t think about the stars. I think they’re very good cooks and businessmen. We do our craft, maybe some of it as art, but this Hollywood thing with stars and stars and stars is just too much. [messed] Above.”

Wilde called Puck a “sinatra cook”, to which Puck replied “I want to be a week cook” with his trademark warm smile.

The event was held in accordance with local health and safety guidelines.