Shadowing Dave Dahl
As you all know, I was unable to attend class this week because I had the opportunity to shadow/interview Dave Dahl, who is the chief meteorologist for KSTP Channel 5. I had to shadow him for an assignment for another class, but I would like to reflect on my time at the studio and connect it with the discussion of art and technology, and the discussion of stress.
Dave has worked at the studio for 31 years, so he has seen the gradual and drastic changes in technology over the years. When he started, they used an easle with a map set on it. Technology was nowhere near what it is today. After his first few years at the studio they started using a big plexi glass map that they would draw on with markers while giving the forcast. A few years after that, KSTP Channel 5 was one of the first studio's in the country to use a computer graphics generator as a part of their weather forecasts. This eventually led to using multi-colored maps with graphics and satellite photos to show cloud cover.
Here's an interesting factoid about the satellite photos: in the beginning, all of their satellite images were individual still frames put together to make an animation of clouds. Dave said it was a lot like claymation. I thought this was really interesting, because the technology used in the studio is extremely connected to art. When I asked Dave to comment about the progressive technology he said that meteorology is a mix of art and science. The science aspect is all of the research and monitoring of radar and the art is how they present the forecast. Weather forecasts would not be what they are without the use of graphics and advanced computer technology. If you think about it, it really is a form of art. Artists capture the various aspects of nature in their work, and this is what meteorologists do as well. They show the viewers images of clouds traveling across the green screen, or moving fronts that are shown in vibrant colors.
As far as the idea of stress in connection with my trip to the studio. Basically, the studio is full of stress constantly! Dave didn't have a moment to himself. He was either on the computer checking the weather, getting ready to do the "teaser" before the newscast aired, doing the weather forecast on KS95 or being interviewed on 107.1 Talk Radio. He's obviously used to what he does everyday no matter how busy it may be, but it still gets stressful from time to time.
One final point before I wrap this long entry up. Not surprisingly meteorologists get complaints about the weather, expecially if they predicted the wrong forecast. Reporters also get complaints about stories they write. The broadcast journalism business really teaches people how to deal with criticism and deal with stress. It's an intense business and my trip to the studio confirmed that, but it's amazing what these people do on a daily basis.
Thanks for reading!!!