Story By Trudy Crowson
Montevallo, Ala. If you have ever watched an episode of Vallo Vision News, you have seen the students of the University of Montevallo’s mass communication program hard at work. The anchors are students in journalism concentration that deliver the news to you. Behind the scenes, are the students from the broadcast production concentration. These students have been taught how to run and manage all parts of a broadcast so that it flows seamlessly by their instructor, Mr Daniel Vest.
Background
Vest was born in California. “I was a military brat.” His father was in the Air Force, while his mother was in the Navy Reserve. His parents did not stay together, so Vest and his siblings lived with his father. They moved a few times and he changed schools along the way. He graduated from Clay Chalkville high school in Alabama and later from the University of Montevallo with a degree in mass communication. He is a devoted father to his eight year old son, who is the favorite part of his life.
Early dreams
His pathway to the mass communication field started early. He always wanted to be a play by play announcer like Jim Fyffe of the Auburn Tigers. “He was the voice of Auburn for years”. He started writing news stories for his own team’s games when he was around 13-14 years old. One of his coaches noticed and notified the yearbook of his school. He was invited to join. Later, he was involved in competitions at the University of Alabama where he placed first. This and his desire to do play by plays was his catapult into mass communication. “I am really fortunate to have some sort of role in something that I have wanted to do since I was a little kid. It’s a natural role for me.”
Mr Vest oversees the scheduling of the new paid FloSports crew positions, and also develops the crew list for each game. He’s passionate about the success of the FloSports project, so we’re very grateful for his assistance.
Jay Cofield
Along the way, Vest diversified his skills by attending the University of Montevallo and being a part of the mass communication program, where UM helps students learn by being hands on. Vest was a part of Falcon Fever and learned all of the parts that go into making a broadcast production: scriptwriting, being talent, prompter, graphics, tape, camera, audio, technical director, director, producer, lighting and floor manager.
IT knowledge…Vest explains…is becoming paramount if you want to evolve in this industry as it evolves.
Daniel Vest
Later after graduation, he worked at places like ABC33/40 and Raycom gaining experience and making connections while honing his skillset.
Returning home
Vest eventually returned home to UM while becoming part of the IS&T department. This leg of his journey has had the biggest impact on him as he learned new skills that would take him into the future. Learning IT is an integral part of mass communication as everything has moved from analog to digital. Now, instead of having everything locally on a tape or cd, videos and audio are now streamed over networks. “IT knowledge…Vest explains…is becoming paramount if you want to evolve in this industry as it evolves.”
Mass communication department
After three years in the IS&T department, Vest finally returned to the mass communication department as both Operations Manager and Instructor. “As our Operations Manager, Daniels plays a critical role in the maintenance of technology and equipment in Strong Hall,” comments Ray Ozley, the communication chair. “I don’t know how we could function successfully without the support his insights and expertise provide for our productions and other instructional goals.”
Vest was a part of Falcon Fever during his student days, but now, the mass communications department has grown to have many different shows: Vallo Vision News, The Buzz, Montevallo Music Machine and livestreams of university events. The sports program has grown so much, the university is now a part of FloSports. According to UM professor Jay Cofield, “Mr Vest oversees the scheduling of the new paid FloSports crew positions, and also develops the crew list for each game. He’s passionate about the success of the FloSports project, so we’re very grateful for his assistance.”
Giving it back
As a teacher, Vest feels like you should always desire to learn, broaden your horizons and learn as many skills as you can. HIs journey has been a quest for knowledge as he tries to keep current in new technologies within the field. He has benefitted from all he has learned and now he passes that knowledge onto his students as they take on the journey to be the next generation of broadcasters and creators.
Vallo Vision News 