Eco-costs of filming Star Wars in UK to be revealed in Southampton talk
A film expert claims shooting the movies in the South may have caused more hidden harm than we realise
The shooting of Star Wars in the South may have proved a boon to the area's film industry, but a film expert is warning it may have caused hidden harm to the environment too.
Dr Rebecca Harrison from the Open University will be talking in Southampton today (Tuesday 1tth) about how the blockbuster's production affecting natural habitats and communities.
Locations across the UK have been used to film scenes from the franchise's movies since the release of A New Hope in 1977, including Winspit Quarry in Dorset and Fawley in Hampshire.
Dr Harrison, who has been spearheading a project which explores the ecological harm and carbon footprint of the silver screen industry, said:
"Lightsabers, stormtrooper helmets, Rey costumes – the Star Wars franchise has produced a vast array of recognisable props and costumes, many of which have been designed and made by creative talent in the UK.
"Yet the saga’s reliance on UK materials and infrastructure and its relationship with different locations and communities are not well understood.
"We’ll be exploring the environmental impact of those famous Star Wars productions on the UK, with insights from people who lived or worked near a shoot, and consideration for the disruption of wildlife."
The talk is taking place at the University of Southampton's Highfield Road campus from 4pm this afternoon.
Event chair Dr Megen de Bruin-Molé, from the University of Southampton’s department of Art & Media Technology, said:
"Dr Harrison’s project supports the screen industries to work in more eco-friendly ways to minimise harm to the environment.
"Her past work on Star Wars, including her brilliant archival and historical research on the Empire Strikes Back, has established her as a leading expert on the franchise, and we are excited to have this chance to engage with her work here."