Much like the objects he works with so closely, Austin Dave is a machine. The multimedia journalist and head of digital operations at The Signal newspaper spends close to 20 hours a day on the job, working as video journalist, writer, techie, mechanical whiz and, at times, plumber. He even does windows (the kind on a computer screen, at least).
And the same way Americans rely on their computers to work non-stop, turning to them for information – anytime they need them – Santa Clarita's daily newspaper looks to Dave.
A cup of Peet's Coffee is first on Dave's list every day, but nothing ranks above Dave's commitment to serve the best interest of the citizens of Santa Clarita.
"We listen to what people are saying. We work for them," Dave said. "We take what people in the community say seriously. We can use our power for good."
His service to the newspaper – and the public – is mobile. He keeps a car load of equipment ready to go: his MacBook (always charged), his iPhone ("It's the fastest camera I have"), his Digital Single Lens Reflex camera and his Electronic News Gathering camera. He even has a brush coat (fire resistant jacket) in his car.
NBC gave a credit to @AustinDave last month, when the news agency obtained its footage of the Fox Feed fire from Dave's tweet. Sitting in the drive-thru at Everest in Canyon Country at 1 a.m. on a Saturday, he heard about the blaze on his emergency broadcast radio and almost drove away – food or no food – to get to the scene ASAP. He initially tweeted video from his iPhone, then grabbed his more sophisticated cameras to follow the story.
"I will tweet out something if we're the only ones there," Dave said. "But we try to find out the details. It's not 'Let's get this first.' Let's actually develop this. It's really a team effort. All of us come together to form the full picture."
Katharine Lotze and Austin Dave cover the Sierra Fire. Photo by Skylar Barti
Once an extremely quiet child, who remained shy into his teen years, Dave's nature is to share his glory with others around him, such as fellow journalist Katharine Lotze, whose 26th birthday was just one day before his. And like most millennials, both Lotze and Dave seem acutely aware of the fast-moving nature of technology and the importance of social media in the current journalistic climate.
"Information is more accessible now," Dave said. "It's just knowing where to go get it."
His job involves making The Signal's digital products appealing and informative. When asked how his employer's online sites are doing, he said, "We're really far ahead of everyone else. Engaging with the public – giving them what they need to know."
Originally from Los Angeles, Dave lived in Nevada until his mid-teens with a goal to someday become an attorney. But a presentation at Las Vegas High School inspired him to change his course. "It was a digital journalism program," he said. "I was really intrigued by it."
Unfortunately, his mother announced they were moving to Santa Clarita, but good news came in the form of video production instructor Charles Deuschle at Golden Valley High School. Entering as a junior, Dave quickly accelerated to the role of co-producer with another student, and Deuschle created an atmosphere that further ripened Dave's abilities.
"He gave me carte blanche," Dave said. "He said, 'This is your sandbox. Plant whatever seeds you want and grow some crops.'"
Dave saw further growth when watered by the mentorship of Dave Brill, chair of the Media Entertainment Arts Department at College of the Canyons. The practical education he got there led to employment at SCVTV, and his connection to COC continues today, as Dave offers his services in the form of teaching and consultation.
That kind of cross-pollination is a hallmark of Austin Dave's modus operandi. He shares his video footage with local and regional news services and they, in turn, offer him helicopter videos and contact him to tip off The Signal when stories break.
Dave wakes up at about 5 a.m. and tunes into his emergency scanner. If something is "interesting or suspicious," he investigates it.
"The goal is to find a story, or have a story, before we come in," he said. "If it's a threat to public safety it's best to let the people know."
When you talk to this master of metaphor you're likely to hear him compare his mind to a freight train, or say that a website should "sing." It's no wonder that he considers his greatest strength "video-based storytelling."
The motherboard of Austin Dave's brain is probably investigating, writing, repairing or tuning right now – and for a very long time, if the newspaper has its way. He rarely unplugs and one can only assume that any news in the SCV, or any drama with computers, radios, monitors or anything else, will continue to be tended by him.
After all, Austin Dave seems hard-wired to do so.
References
- ^ Posts by Martha Michael (santaclaritafree.com)
- ^ News (santaclaritafree.com)
