Q and A with NPS Filmmaker David Ehrenberg

Haleakalā National Park has a new park film, Heart of Maui. This seven-and-a-half-minute documentary follows two biologists working to save Hawaiʻi’s forest birds, a group of species found nowhere else on earth. The film educates the public on factors that have contributed to decline of these rare and endemic birds and what is at risk of being lost if humans fail to act and stop this extinction event.

The film was directed and filmed by David Ehrenberg. Get to know the National Park Service filmmaker below!

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What did you enjoy most about making this film?

Interacting with park staff who were personally committed to helping the honeycreeper birds was the best part. These folks have decades of experience in the park, and I got a front row seat to see their unique skills (like calling the birds). Not only was it fun to watch them work, but their proficiency in the field allowed me to stay focused on my craft of cinematography.

What was the biggest challenge?

In a world filled with competing priorities, the biggest challenge was finding a way to highlight the importance of these birds. In the film, Erika says, “the birds were out of site and out of mind” and we needed a way to call attention to this issue.

What led you to this career path?

I wanted a career that would present new challenges daily. Working in documentary film means you’re always adjusting your approach to new information. It can feel like cooking a meal when someone is tossing you ingredients mid-cook, like “we found some carrots, what can you make with those?” You need a plan but must also weave surprises into the story. For example, these birds are rare enough that we didn’t know if we’d even be successful seeing them. When we finally saw the ʻAkohekohe and ʻIʻiwi bird I was excited but also didn’t want to miss the shots we needed for the film. I think moments like that are what make filmmaking such a great career.

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What advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers?

Go for it! My advice is to get out there and make movies. The sooner you start, the better you will become. Plus, you might get to go to some cool places!

What led you to be a filmmaker for the NPS?

I was looking for an opportunity to do more in-field production and the Harpers Ferry Center for Interpretive Design was seeking staff for their film team. I was offered the position and have served in this role for almost 8 years. Before I worked for the NPS, I was aware of big parks (like the Grand Canyon) but didn’t know that there were over 400 other places that needed their stories told. When I see people from all over visiting these places it’s a reminder of their significance and how fortunate I am to have this opportunity.