New Documentary On NPS Premiered

Filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan joined the ranks of honorary National Park Service rangers yesterday at the Washington premier of a new film they’ve produced for the NPS.

Acting Director Dan Wenk surprised the men when he presented each of them a traditional ranger “flat hat” shortly before they were set to preview a film that they produced for the NPS. The film, which will eventually be seen by National Park Service employees everywhere, is related to but won’t be a part of their 12-hour national park film series, which airs on public television this fall.

“This is the world premiere of a 45-minute film we’ve produced for you, for the National Park Service,” Burns said as he spun his tan Stetson in his hand. “This is really a surprise and an honor.”

Duncan, Burns’s long-time collaborator, friend and man of ten thousand descriptive words on any number of historical subjects, seemed a bit stunned as he stepped to the microphone. “Gee, Dan,” he told Director Wenk. “Thanks for the hat.”

The award-winning duo were on the afternoon program for a nationwide training session of public affairs and public information officers hosted by David Barna, chief of the Office of Public Affairs and Communications for the National Park Service.

About 50 communication professionals met for a day to discuss current issues, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the emergence of social media and how that and media such as the Florentine Films production of “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” contribute to public discussion of and appreciation for national parks.