Shoot for the moon

FILMMAKERS TO BE MORE ECO-FRIENDLY WITH STAR WARS STUDY

Nestled in the heart of Gloucestershire's Forest Dean lies an atmospheric ancient woodland, home not only to the wonders of nature, but a location where Stormtroopers have rubbed shoulders with dragons, and even David Attenborough, in the opening title of the Our Planet episode on Forests. Now 'Puzzlewood' the filming location for productions as varied at Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Merlin and The Secret Garden, is being studied for its impact from the 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' just over 10 years ago.

Can you help? The Open University's Environmental Impact of Filming project (EIF) is asking for feedback, both positive and negative, from those who lived and worked around the area at the time. The EIF project aims to help studios and filmmakers to adopt more eco-friendly production practices and the location study is the fourth and final piece of research being conducted as part of the project, with earlier studies on Star Wars props and costumes having been already completed.

Dr Rebecca Harrison, Senior Lecturer in Film & Media at The Open University and the lead academic on the project, said the study was really interested in the filmmakers' impact upon the surrounding area, whether they had affected different communities, whether nature or wildlife had been impacted, as well as what differences people noticed while the shoot was going on.

'Puzzlewood' is one of the 14 sites Dr Harrison is studying across the UK, but each has its own considerations. "One of the areas we are particularly interested in is wildlife. Even the tiniest bit of disruption can lead to habitat loss. We're really keen to make sure that we're not losing any more for the excitement of seeing locations on screen."

"It could be people who were working on agricultural land nearby, dog walkers, people looking at nature - anyone and everyone who has observed something about filming, I'm interested in speaking to."

So, if you have experience of being in or near a location used by the Star Wars franchise please do get in touch HERE as it could have ramifications for the health of our natural world going forwards.