Greening Hollywood Gambles on Fox Fall's Eco-Casino

One of the most common comments heard in the "green" movement is that voting with your dollars, on everyday personal and business decisions, is the quickest way to effect change. Fox has, once more, done it again.

Photo courtesy Elizabeth Zampolli

At their 4th annual Fox Fall Eco-Casino party, there was serious thought put into greening the entire event, from "soup to nuts" so to speak.
Photos Courtesy Fox Publicity

That the film studios have these huge kick-off parties each Fall to promote their new lineup of TV shows is nothing new. This year, the enthusiasm and relief felt in the air was palpable from the talent, producers, writers and all the associated professionals that will now have work for the season, as opposed to last year's writer's strike. David Boreanaz (BONES), Jennifer Morrison (HOUSE) and Chairman of Entertainment, FOX Broadcasting Peter Liguori

A film studio is one of those businesses that not only employs truckloads of people, but also contracts with businesses throughout the community and has an even wider influence throughout the nation and globally because of its media reach. That they enjoy this spot at the fulcrum of change is not lost on them.

Here's how the recent Eco-Casino went down: Upon entry, attendees were given a - recycled - poker chip worth 500 points. You could redeem that immediately for a prize, such as a Make Love Not Trash shopping bag which uses non toxic printing techniques, or a Gorgeously Green book and lots of other fun "swag" or you could gamble with your points at the various (mock) blackjack tables set up throughout the London West Hotel rooftop venue in WeHo.
Greening Hollywood's Paige Donner

An e-vite and a parking password were sent instead of printed material. Fox talent were transported to and from the event in Hydrogen 7 series vehicles from BMW and hybrid cars were made available from Diva Limousine.

All event furniture was rented and will be reused. Fox is offsetting all CO2 created by the event to make it carbon neutral. Even the venue bathrooms were stocked with all-natural soaps and sanitizers provided by Cleanwell. Here's an example of throwing your clout around to effect change: Sweetwater Video Productions is Fox's main supplier of audio/visual equipment and, encouraged by Fox, they've changed their entire fleet of trucks to run off more eco-friendly B20 bio-diesel and is powering their facility with solar power.

Raffle prizes included a Holistic Hospitality Weekend at the Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica; a Sustainable Luxury Weekend stay at the eco-friendly Hotel Palomar in Westwood; a One Swift Movement eco-friendly Bio-Foam surfboard from Wetsand.com; 1 male and 1 female Schwinn electric bike; and much more.

Donation tables were also set up benefiting nonprofits with Fox and sponsor Cisco who donated up to $25,000 to:

Earth Share of California - works to protect, support and improve California's natural heritage of clean air, safe water, diverse wildlife and healthy communities and families by raising funds through workplace giving. Earth Share is a statewide network of America's leading no-profit environmental and conservation organizations. www.earthshareca.org

The Nature Conservancy - preserves the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Their science-based strategy and collaborative approaches leads to their success. www.nature.org

Habitat For Humanity of Greater Los Angeles - Habitat builds and rehabilitates homes through volunteer labor and donations. Their mission is to achieve its goal of eliminating substandard housing and making decent, affordable housing a matter of conscience and action in our communities. www.habitatla.org