Source: University of Otago
Department of Science Communication graduate Lauren Schaer camped at her remote location in Mount Aspiring National Park filming the rock wren for her Master of Applied Science in Natural History Filmmaking.
“Every time I see a rock wren, I’m in a place I love.”
That’s the opening line of the short film Rhapsody for a Rock Wren produced by Department of Science Communication graduate Lauren Schaer, referencing her love of nature and wild mountain environments.
The remote habitats are home to Aotearoa’s only true alpine bird, the endemic and endangered rock wren/pīwauwau, this year’s winner of Forest & Bird’s New Zealand Bird of the Year contest.
The first time Schaer saw a rock wren, in 2008, she was tramping near Lake Castalia in Mount Aspiring National Park.
“He seemed to be playing peek-a-boo with me from behind a rock and I thought he was so cute – they instantly became my favourite bird,” Schaer recalls. “In 2012, I wanted to vote rock wren for Bird of the Year, but they weren’t on the ballot. So I led a very small campaign just to give them a chance.”
Schaer later began a Master of Applied Science in which she majored in Natural History Filmmaking in the Department of Science Communication.
Following a career which includes content writing and web programming, Schaer decided a move into the visual arts and filmmaking was a good next step, especially given the chance to learn from nature documentary pioneers such as Rob Brown.
When it came to choosing a subject for her own film to complete the requirements for the degree, it was only natural that rock wren would play a starring role.
“I’d been doing a lot of reading on human-nature relationships and in particular the topic of biophilia that explores our connection and relatedness to the natural world.
“The film turned into quite a reflective piece that drew on my own experience in the mountains, and my relationship with rock wren weaved the story together.”
Over the course of one summer, Schaer spent about 15 days filming in an isolated valley in Mount Aspiring National Park.
“Rock wren aren’t exactly easy to film – they’re constantly on the move,” Schaer says.
“But it was a real privilege to spend so much time with them in such a stunning place. They’re endearing, tiny birds with big attitudes.”
Bird of the Year 2022 highlighted little-known ‘underbirds’, and Schaer jumped at the chance to lead #TeamRockWren with her colleagues at Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission, where she works as a communications adviser. A humorous rap video, Wrenegade, that she wrote and edited has since been viewed more than 10,000 times across various channels.
“Halfway through the voting process we found out rock wren were in first place, which stunned us – for a moment I thought maybe the rankings were in reverse order,” Schaer laughs.
“When the final results came through and they were officially announced as the winner we were absolutely thrilled.”
There is very little footage available of rock wren in general, so sequences from Schaer’s film were played on television and other media for the announcement.
Her 14-minute film Rhapsody for a Rock Wren is just sublime– verging on a visual meditation of mountain ecosystems – with an insight into the rock wren’s world as seen and experienced through the eyes and lens of Schaer.
The film has now been viewed widely, including making the official selection at the International Wildlife Film Festival, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Eho Mountain Film Festival, Stockholm City Film Festival, the University of Idaho Fish & Wildlife Film Festival (Winner, Best Student Film), Wild & Scenic Film Festival and the Short Film Factory (Winner, Best Nature).Reflecting on her time studying at the Department of Science Communication and producing the film, Schaer says she’s especially grateful for supervision from Emmy-winning head of filmmaking Dr Gianna Savoie.
“I couldn’t have made this film without Gianna’s support,” says Schaer. “She really got what I was trying to do and encouraged me to go out on a limb.”
Dr Savoie says that it was an absolute gift to supervise Schaer on this beautiful film. “I knew Lauren was producing something quite special as she poured careful, critical attention into every shot, sound and word,” Dr Savoie says. “Her personal connection with this tiny, yet indomitable bird is completely infectious and through that relationship, we all come to celebrate the infinite power of ‘wildness’.” Dr Savoie adds that as a filmmaker herself, she appreciates the painstaking effort and energy it took for Schaer to craft a visual story that doesn’t merely inform, but deeply resonates. “Lauren took risks with this film – and we all reward from it.” Schaer says that since the rock wren won the contest and the film is now screening widely, she can no longer complain that no one knows the rock wren exists.
“Next time I see them, I’ll just be tramping, doing what I love in the mountains, and I’ll enjoy simply being present with them in their space without a camera.”Links:Rhapsody for a Rock Wren film Wrenegade (humorous rap video)Rhapsody for a Rock Wren website- Kōrero by Guy Frederick (Sciences communications advisor)
