David Allen Paine is 38 years old and living the dream… no, seriously, he is! He quit a very stable, decent-paying job — probably with a union — one that your parents told you to get after college, where after your 40 years of services you’re on Easy Street. But he wanted more out of life and wasn’t going to settle just for a decent job. Dave had dreams and he made them come true. At a young age he always wanted to skate and film. Growing up in the Philadelphia area is where he cut his teeth, and in the early ’90s, like most of you now, found that filming could be just as gratifying as skating. Now he’s been rolling and filming for 17 years. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Irene, and works for the action sports TV channel Fuel. — Mike Opalek

You just got married, how’d that go?

One video speaks a million words in this case. Publish this link for the kids. Memory of a lifetime. I am a lucky man. I waited for the right woman. Never settle for second best. The Philippine people were some of the nicest, hardest working and most humble people I have ever met in my 20 years of traveling.

How did you get into making videos?

I was 14, and I started making skateboard movies with a friend. Then got into TV sports during high school in 1987. We started the first TV sports program at our high school — Pennsburry — that still exists today. I was an announcer, filmer, editor… you name it. We worked on VHS cameras and edited tape-to-tape. NFL Films, Warren Miller and Stacey Peralta (Bone Brigade trilogy) were huge influences on me. Then in Pittsburgh I got back into it with some friends who rollerbladed and skateboarded. We figured that the blades were better and smoother to film follow-cam lines. I moved back to Philly after I graduated and sent a tape to Shon Tomlin of Groove, and the rest is history. I left corporate life money that helped me pay my way through college for a shot at the good life. I guess it was the right decision, huh?

What drove you to move out to California and film “18 Days”?

I was sleeping on my brother Rob’s couch in Philly, working at a skate/snow/golf shop called Wilburgers, when I got a call from Shon to come take over the VG series after they released “VG1.” So, it took 18 days for me to make my way out to California shooting skaters from Canada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York along the way. (Editor’s note: New York is not on the way to California from Philadelphia.) I had already worked a summer as a director of the inline program at Camp Woodward that summer of 1993. Shon Tomlin is my hero; he gave me both dream jobs.

What was it like to work with Groove in the beginning?

We worked out of the Groove house in Huntington Beach and did all the rough edits, and then onto an online edit bay for a day or two. I lived with Shon (Tomlin), Morgan (Stone), and Remy Stratton from Volcom. It was so freaking fun. I got to DJ my first party, where Sublime played with me. Insane. Tom Fry was over from Australia all the time. I spent a lot of quality time with all the Aussies: Scott Crawford, Cal Mulvey, Blake Reed and Jon Polard. The 714 Posse was in full effect too: Roadhouse, BK, Jess D., Dan Jensen, etc. I traveled like 150 days that year.

What challenges did you face when you bought Groove Productions and ran it all by yourself?

Well… I had no money. I had no office, and VG was continually sinking. Sales did not look promising. I hit up Gary Ream to front the money for the Media 100, because of my long relationship with Camp (Woodward) and the “Colony of Summer” series. Thanks Gary and ED. I did side work on commercials and other things to help out. “Battle My Crew” was the first release under the new ownership. That was crucial on many levels. I was definitely ready to do it; Shon and Morgan had been grooming me the whole time. I did it out of my room; a very small room. A lot of kids thought we were in some big VG office somewhere.

You mentioned Woodward a couple of times. Is it true that the Woodward Camps are owned by Disney?

Hell no… Camp Woodward is owned by Camp Woodward. I mean, I am not the official spokesperson for camp, but as far as I know… NO.

Why was “Battle My Crew” so crucial?

It was crucial on many levels. First, it was the first VG coming out under new ownership. Second, I wanted to bring the industry closer to me; every crew was making a video, so I wanted them to be a bigger part of VG and start something special that no one had done before. Third, it was put up or shut up time; everyone got a taste of what it was like to be a VG director.

How long have you been at Fuel?

Shon Tomlin called me when I was in Miami for the Winter Music Conference working on a music project and VG was hanging on by a thread. I was barely paying myself. He said he was involved in a new channel for Fox called Fuel and wondered if I was ready for a “change.” This was March 2003. I think VG would have died soon thereafter if not for FUEL TV. I put out three more issues when I got the job, just to finish it up properly. I worked on weekends and spare time to get “VG22,” “VG23” and “Best of VG23” done by the time 2005 rolled along. So I was working on both ends basically. The Fuel TV checks let me keep it alive for two years after the fact.

What do you do for Fuel TV?

I am a senior producer in charge of specials and events. I am the only producer still here at the channel from the four originally hired at launch in 2003. I still film and edit my own work. I have produced and directed almost everything in house: Firsthand, Check 1-2’s, Documentary Series (Camp Woodward), etc. It’s been a great six years. I feel like it’s been like TV school for me. I work with really talented friends and peers who push each other. It was time to make a move… and it worked out, what can I say? It’s an incredible story to be working at FOX after dreaming about working in TV and film.

You’ve said from day one of you working there that you were going to fight to get rollerblading on Fuel TV. It’s been years and I haven’t seen it. What’s up with that?

There is the famous question. I have answered it every time. I am not the man in charge anymore, so the buck does not stop with me. All I can do is make my opinion known and keep trying. I know I can wake up in the morning and say I have done that. I put Fabiola in one of my Firsthand segments with Mat Hoffman. I pushed to have a rollerblader in the Camp series I am working on now. Fuel TV just does not cover any of the fringe sports outside of the six core ones we cover. Trust me, there are other action sports wondering the same thing: body boarders, mountain bikers, etc. If it were as easy as everyone thinks it is, it would already be on the air. Why would I not want rollerblading on TV? Think about it. It’s stupid. I have a freaking rollerblading tattoo on my leg. Every pro from surfers, to skaters, to snowboarders knows my background. I don’t hide from it, I am proud of it. In fact, I still use the blades to film.

Who or what decides the “six core sports” that FUEL can cover? The sports they do cover were all at one time fringe sports, so why exclude venues that have potential to get bigger? Isn’t FUEL supposed to be cutting edge?

How many times do you want to rephrase the question of why rollerblading is not on TV? Trust me, I get it and will not hide from answering the question. I spent 13 years of my life wondering the same thing about other media outlets prior to working here. My understanding is that Fuel TV is young (only five years as a channel) and is focusing on the six main sports. I cannot answer for other people who make decisions here, but I do trust them and know that they have open minds. Rollerbladers should be looking inside their industry to strengthen itself. I am not one to be negative, but it seems we all are looking for excuses why things are the way they are. It just is; I wish it wasn’t. The more of us who work hard in and outside of the industry to make it stronger, the better we have a chance to influence what goes on the air, in print and in film. No one more than me wants to see rolling on TV. Yes, I understand that I am in an influential position and so is Shon, but we don’t make all the decisions. All we can do is keep on trying, moving forward.

Here’s a sidebar for you: Ask the question, why does ESPN X Games cut out not just rollerblading, but now skateboarding and bike events too? Apparently, it’s not just because they don’t like what they ride, huh? Yeah, we were the first to go, but these are events that used to be premiere time slots for them? Answer: NUMBERS.

It’s reality, you guys, the numbers just are not there. Yeah, I hear the argument about “if we had more exposure we could get more numbers.” Well, surfing, skateboarding, BMX, etc., at moments in history grew their numbers with minimal or no exposure from TV. There was not even an action sports channel until Blue Torch.

In that same thread, what is it that blading is missing in order for us to get that sort of exposure? You ever gotten any hints as to what that is?

I also don’t know the answer to that question. All I know is I work with open minded people here at Fuel TV who come from all sorts of backgrounds in action sports and sports. No one here hates on rollerblading, at least in the open. Sure, we joke about it, but that is part of the misconception. If you decide to take up rolling you know that it comes with a tag. That tag means you are going to have to prove every day that we are not dancers on Venice Beach on Sundays. Rollerbladers are more original than most people; they aren’t afraid to step outside of the “what’s cool” crowd. So, at this point, who cares? Just be a rollerblader and keep growing and evolving. Time is the only answer I can give right now. Time to keep changing people’s opinion about rolling.

How involved are you in rollerblading these days?

I hope as much as I can be. I have been judging the local LA All Day comps and whatever else I can. I support the video premieres around the LA and OC area. I still skate from time to time, more in the summer.

It’s easy to get a good camera and film, but how hard is it to make a video?

I think it’s easy to make a video but harder to make a memorable skate video. There is just so much out there these days, and the prosumer camera and editing setups are built to bring everyone on the same playing field. I really like what Connor (O’Brien) is doing with his work experience and bringing that back into the industry with his latest film.

When are you coming back to make another VG?

Well… I am glad you asked, Mike.

No problem, that’s what I’m here for!

Yeah sure. I would love to. Will I? Who knows? Maybe, I just don’t like to make promises I can’t keep. I think one day I’d like to get one out with the help of my good friends (Chris Majette, Drew Bachrach, Lonnie, Dan Jensen and Beau) for one return issue that blows everyone away, and then be out.

What are a few words of wisdom to inspire videographers?

I always want to support kids in any way I can. I am always here for advice. Seize the day. If you really love something, go for it. Don’t live your life in regret; do all you can for this moment right now. No one is going to hand it to you; make your own opportunities and kick through the door.

What’s the future look like for the Paine family?

Well, we hope to buy a place in two years and start a family here in LA. Irene wants to have one, and then we might adopt our second child. It’s exiting. We want a dog too. And… keep living the dream as long as possible.

Is there one person you’ve watched drift away from skating that makes you think, “Damn, that’s a real shame?”

I don’t want to put anyone out like that. As I get older, I realized that everyone has their own story and background and reasons for making decisions in life. I am not here to judge.

Last words?

I just want to say that VG was 100 percent rollerblading. We always gave it our best. A huge thank you to all the skaters who have supported me and VG throughout the 13 years of work. It was a very special time.

Portrait © 2009 Wes Driver