The best thing about being the boss is I get to choose which tasks I delegate and which I do myself. Today, I chose this…

A client wanted to see a specific sample of what our RED One camera could do, so Bill and I grabbed an intern, set up and shot this sample in a couple hours. Often, giving the client something to look at can really help explain a concept. While we can’t always shoot a proprietary sample for a client, when we can do something like this, it really helps!

What was my “take away” from the experience? Man I love what Bill can make this camera do!

Very excited that I’ll be one of three speakers at the Studio Daily webinar May 12, 2009 at 10AM PDT on green production practices.  The entire Groovy team works hard to be sure we’re doing the right thing when it comes to our impact on the environment, and now I get to share that message and try to bring other production people along!

You can sign up for the webinar by clicking here!

It is official! Yesterday we got our green certification! Everyone here worked really hard at it and it took us only about six months to complete and I think the results are amazing.

Something for us all to be proud of. I hope other companies in San Diego would consider going through the program as well. It is totally painless, it’s good for the environment, and man.. it makes you feel good too..

Check out their website www.sdgreenbiz.org for more info on how you can go green!

Exciting news!! Groovy has been added to the Union Tribune/Sign on San Diego Green directory!
Take a look!

In the spirit of going green Brent sends me some links every now and again. Today he sent me a link to an article from signonsandiego (http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080508/news_1n8green.html0) that really got under my skin.

NEWS FLASK U.S. consumers come in last in survey on green habits

Well that sucks. Especially if everyone supposedly is trying to form habits like an American (spend more, have more, grow bigger badder faster). I think this is a horrible result and something we all need to take as a real problem that needs a real solution.

Changing our habits is not as hard as it sounds. You don’t have to make a sign and run to San Fransisco. You don’t have to write angry letters to your government (although…. that might actually help). You don’t have to stock up on the latest energy drink to get excited. It only takes three things.

1. a thought. “hmm. Do I really need 24oz of liquid refreshment that can eat the rust off of a bumper in a gianormous plastic cup that goes directly to the land fill? This is not so good, I need to find something better.”
2. about 5 minuets of research
3. action

It’s not really as hard as it sounds. We have only been in this green certification program for six months and the effect is starting to move past the work environment. People have made it their habit to take the extra 5 minuets to find an alternative. How much time do people spend at a grocery store? Mall? Shopping for a car? …. Well we are already looking. Why not spend that time and energy supporting things that will actually HELP in a reality based world with a quality sustainable product.

JUST STOP BUYING CRAP THATS BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. IF AS CONSUMERS WE ALL START DEMANDING OUR PRODUCTS BE MORE SUSTAINABLE… THEY WILL MAKE IT THAT WAY.

I don’t think people need to go crazy and completely out of their way but maybe next time you go to the coffee shop ask if you can have your coffee in a mug. Or instead of going out to lunch every day, bring your lunch once or twice. Read your labels, ask questions, or even on your next shopping trip pick something to replace with a sustainable alternative and try it out. Be motivated, and care. You can make a difference and this does matter.

Still stumped? Check out another link Brent sent to me the other day. It is 50 simple ways to help the planet. I promise this will take FIVE WHOLE MINUETS TO THINK ABOUT!! http://www.wireandtwine.com/green/50/

Oh you thought we were being great just by making stellar content for your marketing needs. Here at groovy, we are also taking steps to go green through the San Diego Green Business Program (www.sdgreenbiz.org).

For me actually getting to “do something” for the environment has been a great challenge to take on. Whether or not global warming is an actual affect it is my opinion that we do have a responsibility to make an effort in taking care of our environment. Ive spent about 6 months with the program so far and we have done everything from recycle our bottles, to changing the type of paper we use, and in the near future even changing the light bulbs. The green certification is actually a lot more in depth. Some of the tasks are easy or simple to complete, others are a little harder and take some thought on how to accomplish.

The Important part is the willingness to change our habits.

This week we have made it “everyone recycle week” and our mantra is “think before you throw”. Most people generally might not think about this but how you throw your garbage away is a pretty important thing. A lot of household brands are designed for one use which individually might seem ok to just chuck, but multiply that out by however many people live here and a real problem can get out of hand. We use Edco as our waste service (www.edcodisposal.com) Its a great service because they hand separate the recyclables for us at the Edco facility. We also have recycle centers set up through out the building to encourage putting recyclables in its proper home.

…Dont miss that killer video on the Edco website.. One of our producers, Bill Hefly made it. On their website they also give information on what can and can not be recycled as well as a term I think should be included with the old adage “reduce, reuse, recycle” which is “Precycle”. According to the Edco website “Precycling simply means that each time you reach for an item in the grocery store, department store, fast food restaurant, or wherever, you consider how your purchase and its packaging will affect the environment.”

At groovy we precycle by offering our staff and crew washable sports bottles to use in the building as well as permanent wear in the kitchen. We also buy in bulk, choose products such as 100% recycled action rain forest certified copy paper among others as examples.

Using permanent wear in the kitchen is a great example of precycling. Buying in bulk, choosing alternatives, using cloth towels instead of paper ones… these are all forms of precycling. The idea being creating LESS WASTE and/or LESS raw materials before you even have to get to the trash can.

You might be asking yourself.. great mike.. soo where exactly can I go to find out more information for things like batteries, oil and paint or the difference between household waste vs. business generated waste? Funny you should ask. Check out www.earth911.org. You can type in your zip code anywhere in the USofA and the site will search your area for the closest facility. The web site also gives nice bits on other environmental “how to’s!”