Kalish faculty and participants talk about what makes the workshop experience unique. Video production by Kent Truog.
The Kalish
The Kalish Workshop is an inspirational and intense five-day experience in editing visual storytelling. It is designed to benefit anyone who touches photography with a narrative storyline for online and print. It is a hands-on, collaborative learning environment with daily in-depth discussions and exercises about the best practices to edit, produce and publish successful multimedia and interactive stories. Most faculty attend every session and are accessible to participants (AKA Kalish Kampers) the entire week, making the workshop unique and rewarding in a casual environment. Faculty includes Emmy and Pulitzer Prize winning editors: Brian Storm, Geri Migielicz, Sue Morrow, Kenny Irby, Mark Edelson, Randall Greenwell and Scott Sines. Additional leaders in visual storytelling also join us during the week.
We kick it old school in the world of new media. The Kalish embraces multimedia storytelling across platforms while staying grounded in the foundations of picture editing and photojournalism. Participants discuss and problem-solve tough ethical issues, how to select the best pictures, how to effectively sequence and help solve riddles for successful user generated content.
Priorities of the week. Our focus is how to establish narrative, select media mix (stills and/or video), post-production techniques and interactive storytelling in non-linear editing. A mix of lectures, hands-on exercises, critiques and group discussions create a stimulating learning experience. Participants will decide how to edit and present a story for various online platforms as well as how to present a complex story in print.
All sessions embrace picture editing: what is visually compelling, why stills may work instead of video, what is good video. Audio is the cornerstone to great multimedia. Participants will learn how to approach audio to achieve the best results.
The end goal: The workshop engages participants to develop an exceptional eye for excellence in visual editing, its value, the process and its purpose in the workplaces of the participants.
Who should apply
Coming from all corners of the world with diverse backgrounds, Kalish participants have varied experience: radio, non-profit organizations, traditional newsrooms, designers, freelance photographers and editors who work directly with image sequencing, audio and video storytelling. Graduate students and educators also benefit.
This is not a workshop about the tools; this is a workshop about storytelling where content is Queen. All content is provided for the exercises.
It is advantageous for chosen participants to have working knowledge (the ability to do basic functions) in Adobe Premiere and InDesign, but a working knowledge in at least Final Cut, Premiere and/or InDesign is acceptable. Working knowledge of the tools will deepen the experience of the workshop. Participants who don't know the basics are strongly encouraged to do online training before attending.
MediaStorm will offer attending participants a discount online training, which can be found here: http://mediastorm.com/train/online
The Facility
Ball State University – in lovely Muncie, Indiana – hosts the workshop in state-of-the-art computer labs in the Art and Journalism building. Each participant has exclusive use of a Macintosh computer. Free WiFi is avaialable throughout the campus.
NOTE: Bring a sweater. The AC is cranked low in June.
Lodging
Residence halls/dorm rooms: Residence halls/dorm rooms: The rates for a single dorm room in Park Hall are around $33 per night. This includes all taxes plus linens, towels each day and a made bed upon arrival. Rooms are single occupancy with a bathroom shared between two rooms (we group room pairs by gender). Park Hall is on campus with high-tech accommodations and is in easy walking distance to the workshop. Here is a link to its description: http://cms.bsu.edu/campuslife/housing/halls/map/parkhall.aspx Rooms need to be paid in US dollars/cash or by personal check at check-in at the dorm.
To reserve a dorm room, contact Tom Price at tprice@bsu.edu . Please let him know if you will need a parking permit.
Off campus: Nearby motels are in the range of $70/day, but are not within walking distance. You will need transportation. If you choose to drive, university parking passes will be available at no cost. Beware, campus parking can be challenging.
There will be additional housing updates closer to the workshop dates, which may include a hotel with discounted rates for the workshop.
Meals and Fun
The workshop provides two group dinners. Thai Smile is the best Thai food in town and there will be a pizza night. (Yes, dietary needs can be accommodated.)
There is a diverse food court in the Journalism building for a quick breakfast and/or lunch. A limited selection of beverages and snacks will be provided in the labs during the afternoons.
Bowling. Five bucks gets you in the door. The workshop provides transportation. No prior online training – or even skill – is required.
Travel
We will have a shuttle from Indianapolis International Airport to Ball State. The shuttle fee: $50 round trip (one-ways can also be provided for $25). There will be limited pick-ups, which means there may be a wait at the airport. Updated information will be available closer to the workshop dates. To arrange a shuttle ride, contact Tom Price at tprice@bsu.edu. The shuttle fee is cash or personal check (made out to NPPF). Either way, a receipt will be provided.
If you drive/rent a car, parking passes will be provided (at no cost) upon registration.
**Kampers have split the cost of rental cars and shared hotel rooms.
Arrive: Plan on being in Muncie on Sunday. Registration will be 4pm-7pm in the Journalism building. The workshop begins at 9:00 a.m. Monday.
Depart: The workshop ends at 3:00 on Friday. Shuttles to the airport will be available Friday and if needed, Saturday as well.
related links
- Local hotels and motels (via Expedia)
- Local hotels and motels (via Travelocity)
- Map of Muncie
- Map of Ball State University
- Directions to Ball State University
The History of the Kalish
STAN KALISH
Stan was a daring, innovative picture editor at the Milwaukee Journal from 1937 to 1950, when few papers had picture editors and it took guts and vision to achieve recognition. With the University of Missouri's Professor Clifton Edom, Stan wrote a book on picture editing that became the Bible of the picture editing community and was the only guide until recent years. Stan died in 1985 and his widow, Betsy Kalish, chose to honor his memory with a contribution to the National Press Photographers Foundation, making this workshop financially possible.
JOHN AND LOIS AHLHAUSER
John served as The Kalish director for the first eight years of the workshop. Lois oversaw operational details, both putting in countless hours. Through their insight and energy, The Kalish grew to become the premiere picture editing workshop in the country. John and Lois did it all without monetary compensation.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
In 1997, the Ahlhausers felt it was time to turn over the management of the workshop by forming an advisory board. Its function is to develop curriculum that is current, innovative and relevant to the visual storyteller. This group provides direction, oversight and labor to assure the success of the Kalish from year-to-year. They are: Randy Cox, Danny Gawlowski, Kevin Martin, Geri Migielicz, Sue Morrow, John Rumbach, Brian Storm and Scott Sines.
THE FACULTY
All are passionate visual journalists who are widely recognized and serve without compensation. Past directors have been John Rumbach, Mary Jo Moss, J. Bruce Baumann and Scott Sines. Sue Morrow is the current director.
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
The workshop was held at Marquette University in Milwaukee for 14 years. In 2004, Ball State University journalism chair, Marilyn Weaver, and Tom Price, director of the BSU photojournalism sequence, offered their state-of-the-art facility as the new home for The Kalish. Here, the workshop continues its excellence in visual storytelling, leadership and inspiration.
