Here’s a look at the sessions we’re planning for the 2012 MIPA Fall Conference on Oct. 23. Attendees will get a print program listing all of these sessions and where they will be held.
- Online Registration is now closed. On-site registration will open at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
- Get general conference information
- Download the grid to see all of our sessions on one sheet of paper
- Learn about Scott Winter, our featured speaker
Session Key
N = Newspaper
Y = Yearbook
VJ = Video/Broadcast Journalism
P= Photo
S = Sports
E = Everyone
A = Advisers
(Only) Grammar Geeks Allowed (N)
Git tips on hi-liting da heckk outcha AP Stylesbook, & you’re writings will not never go out of stile. (If that “sentence” bothered you, take this class. If that “sentence” didn’t bother you, REALLY take this class!)
Erin Perry, High School Journalism Director, Detroit Free Press
20 Tips to Improve Your Writing (N)
Get ready to improve your writing — and get more people to read your work. You will leave knowing how to be a better journalist for your paper. It’s all about the writing.
Tracy Anderson, Adviser, Community HS
A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words (P)
Learn how to cover an event and the basic elements that should always be included to tell a good photo story!
Paula Turner, Photographer, PT Images
Ad Design for the Faint of Heart (N, Y)
Designing advertisements for your publication can be fun and rewarding. This session will teach you what every ad needs and how to create awesome looking ones.
Pam Bunka, Adviser, Fenton HS
Be a Part of the Conversation (E)
Journalism in the digital age is about more than just talking at your readers or viewers. Today’s journalists are expected to engage their audience. That means being a part of reader comments and using multimedia tools to have public conversations about the news.
Jen Eyer, Statewide Community Engagement Director, MLive.com
Be Social But Be Smart (E)
This session looks at social media as a key part of building an online image for your publication and yourself. How to use it correctly as well as how not to use it will be discussed.
Betsy Pollard Rau, Instructor, Central Michigan University
Captions That Rock! (N, Y)
Everybody reads captions. So take care to write them well. What’s the secret? This session will show you. By the time you leave, you’ll be writing strong, story-telling captions.
Pam Bunka, Adviser, Fenton HS
Compelling Video Production (N, VJ)
Creating compelling video is just like crafting a story that sings. Details, structure, timing, impact and more all make for a successful multimedia story. Come hear some tips on how to get started — and create videos that stand out from the rest!
Tracy Burton, Journalism Instructor, Media Coordinator, Central Michigan University
Create a Social Hub (E) ………………………………………..Banquet 1
Social media is a powerful tool to get information out to your audience. But to use it successfully, journalists also need to be fully engaged with their readers and viewers on social media. Learn how you can use social media to engage with your community and get your audience talking with you.
Jen Eyer, Statewide Community Engagement Director, MLive.com
Create an Awesome Infographic (E)
Karl Gude is the former director of information graphics at Newsweek and knows all there is to know about creating amazing infographics. Plus, you won’t be able to resist this guy’s style of teaching.
Karl Gude, Faculty, MSU School of Journalism
Creating Music in GarageBand (VJ)
You’ve created a great video, but now it needs a backing music track. Don’t reach for that Justin Bieber CD – no matter how sweet his voice is, he won’t forgive you for infringing on his copyright. Instead, use Apple’s GarageBand to create your own soundtrack. We’ll show you how to find and create loops, sequence them on a track, and export everything for use in your favorite video editing program.
Jeremy Whiting, Broadcast Journalism Adviser, Ovid-Elsie HS
Don’t Be A Phony Photographer (N, Y, P)
You’ve got a camera, and it’s a nice one. Your photos are turning out nicely. But the only mode you know how to use your camera in is automatic. Shame on you! Learn the importance of knowing your equipment and how it will add to the creativity and quality of your images.
Julie Price, Adviser, Haslett HS
Don’t Lie, Don’t Cheat, Don’t Steal (E)
Journalists deal with challenging ethical questions all the time. Learn all you need to know about journalism ethics from this professional journalist and apply them to some real-life cases.
Louise Ahern, Reporter, Lansing State Journal
Duct Tape and High Funkadelity (E)
Just because we’re journalism-geeky enough to spend nights and weekends making newspapers and yearbooks and broadcasts, even traveling across the state and country to talk journalism,doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it. We’ll cover 437 ideas to make journalism more fun. And most of them aren’t even that naughty.
FEATURED SPEAKER: Scott Winter, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Editorial Leadership Answer Guy (E)
As editors, we can lead with Stalinesque tyranny, with Mother Teresa’s humility, with Will Ferrell’s funny, with Sitting Bull’s stoicism or with Flight of the Conchords’ genius. Editors, let’s solve all your problems on newspaper staff, from deadlines to morale. Bring me your problems, I’ll bring the answers.
FEATURED SPEAKER: Scott Winter, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
End Running Censorship (E)
How can you fight censorship? Get tips on how to get around Hazelwood’s restrictions and arm yourself with the latest information on student press law and open government laws so that you can report the important stories.
Jane Briggs-Bunting, Media Attorney
Download the handout
Everyone Can Go to MIPA Camp. Here’s How! (E)
Don’t let money get in the way of a great experience. Every summer, hundreds of student journalists spend a four days at MSU to hone their skills and take their media outlets to the next level. With a little planning, you could get your MIPA Camp experience paid for.
Chad Sanders, Director, MIPA Summer Workshop
Download the handout
Everyone’s a Critic: The Craft of Reviewing (N)
A hands-on discussion about reviewing the arts — the thought process, preparation and actual construction and writing of a potent, authoritative review. Attendees will have the opportunity to write a review about some new music that will be played during the session.
Gary Graff, Music Journalist, Journal Register Newspapers, Billboard, New York Times Features Syndicate, etc.
Five Fast Foto Fixes (P)
Oh no! This image looks lousy. How do we make it look better. Learn some quick Photoshop fixes that can help you to save those less than perfect exposures.
Ike Lea, Professor, Lansing Community College
Fundamentals of Yearbook Design (Y)
New to the yearbook staff? Even if you have some experience, this session will walk you through the basics of good design.
Sandra Strall, Adviser, Carlson HS
Get the Picture Without a Photo (E)
If you’ve ever struggled with filling that space above a story when you didn’t have a photo, not been sure how to draw the image you have in your mind’s eye or wondered what could illustrate the main point of an opinion piece, join us as we explore artistic options for the non-artist.
Lydia Cadena, Adviser, Novi HS
Get Your Website a Sparty! (E)
Do you already have an online publication? Excellent. Then let’s skip the basics – you know how to get content online. But are you connecting with your audience in the best ways? This session will give you tips for taking your site to the next level. We’ll consider the production schedule, types of content to focus on, and social media integration. Bring it all together and get your website a Sparty award this year!
Jeremy Whiting, Adviser, Ovid-Elsie HS
Getting the Most Out of Your Digital Camera (P)
New to the digital photography world? This session is perfect for both students and advisers who want to learn more about how they can maximize the quality of your digital images from capture to final output. Let us help clear up your questions about resolution, color modes, file types and more.
Ike Lea, Professor, Lansing Community College
Getting the Scoop: How to Find — and Tell — Big Stories About Your School (N,VJ)
High school newspapers, by their very nature, rarely break news. But student reporters still can tell big stories, if only they know how to find them. Go beyond personality profiles and entertainment reviews and learn how to find news stories that have a big impact on your readers in this interactive session.
Lindsay VanHulle, Reporter, Lansing State Journal
Good Audio & Video Is Possible On A Budget! (E)
In today’s world, audio and video supplements traditional written articles all the time, but how do we create high quality media without breaking the bank? Let’s talk about the basic requirements of production on a level that is understandable, high quality and affordable!
Jon Whiting, Academic Specialist, MSU Department of Telecommunication
Good to Great Gamers (S)
The art of asking the right questions – and getting the best answers – to transform a game recap into a game story.
Geoff Kimmerly, Media & Content Coordinator, MHSAA
Heads Up! A New Way to Write Headlines (N, Y)
You think you know how to write headlines? This approach is the closest you can come outside of the QVC or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to a guaranteed way to better headlines. Sharp pencil recommended, sharp mind required.
Joe Grimm, Faculty, MSU School of Journalism
Hey Mom, I’m in the Yearbook! (Y)
Yearbook staffers have a responsibility to include as many people as possible in their book. Learn tips on how to design spreads to include more coverage of events and people. See examples of how other schools make complete coverage appealing.
Sandra Strall, Adviser, Carlson HS
Hobo Journalism (E)
How to travel with all the tools you need to tell a great story – and what to do when you find one.
Tricia Bobeda, Reporter, WBEZ – Chicago Public Media
How Can You Avoid Copyright Infringement and What is Fair Use? (E)
Can you download pictures, music or text from the Internet and use it in student newspapers, yearbooks or broadcasts? Or is it copyright infringement? Discuss the do’s and don’ts of using another’s work in student press and when fair use applies.
Nancy Costello, Director of the MSU First Amendment Law Clinic , MSU College of Law
How to Get People to Read Your Sports Pages (N, S)
Sports pages are normally filled with old, boring information. This session will teach you about ways to write better stories, come up with better visuals, and make your pages generate active readers.
Jeff Nardone, Adviser, Grosse Pointe South HS
How to Tell a Really Big Story (N)
Last year the students at the Bucs’ Blade faced a dilemma. Five students were injured in a horrible car accident on their way to the girls’ state basketball semifinals to cheer on their team. The team came from 18 points down in the last 10 minutes to win at the buzzer. How could the paper tell this big, complex story including triumph and tragedy? Find out what newspaper staffers did and what lessons they learned.
C.E. Sikkenga, Adviser, Grand Haven HS
It’s Not Over Until the Fat Lady Edits (N, Y)
Improve the professionalism, consistency and flow of your copy by following a set of writing and editing rules that make sense. You’ll understand why “That’s what,” she said is no joke.
Lydia Cadena, Adviser, Novi HS
It’s OK to be Funny (N)
Journalists need to speak truth to power. They need to uphold high standards and ideals. But that doesn’t mean everything they write needs to dry, boring and dull. In this session we’ll explore ways to add some lightheartedness to your publication yet keep your integrity in tact.
Rod Satterthwaite, Adviser, Dexter HS
Journalism and Common Core Standards (A)
The Common Core isn’t just the latest buzz term to hit education, it’s a new model for K-12 curriculum that could actually encourage the development of more journalism programs in Michigan. Come discuss what you need to know to be ready.
Brian Wilson, Adviser, Waterford Kettering HS
Light It Up (VJ)
Standard florescent lights create bad looking video. Learn what it takes to light up your subjects with demonstrations of basic lighting setup, basic lights (open face, fresenl, and kino flo), staging the interview and controlling shadows.
Jeff Hamlin, Professor, Lansing Community College
Let Us Entertain You: The Changing Landscape of Arts and Entertainment Reporting (N)
Arts and entertainment reporting is one of the most fertile areas in the new media landscape, but doing it well requires more than just blogging your opinion. We will talk about how the field has changed in recent years and how young journalists can rock that world in an effective manner. You’ll leave with ideas you can use in your own publication.
Gary Graff, Music Journalist, Journal Register Newspapers, Billboard, New York Times Features Syndicate, etc.
Making Journalism Fun (E)
Doing a scholastic publication is hard work. If we figure out ways to make it fun, it will be a better life. Come to this session for pointers on how to have fun each and every day … and hopefully not hurt anyone along the way.
Jeff Nardone, Adviser, Grosse Pointe South HS
New Writing for New Media (E)
Journalism has changed. The way students gather and process information has changed. So why are many student publications telling stories in the same old way? Let’s look at things effective publications are doing to gather and keep an audience in the 21st century.
Rod Satterthwaite, Adviser, Dexter HS
Photo Composition (P)
Basics for beginning photographers to help make our pictures stand out and take you from snap shooter to photographer!
Paula Turner, Professional Photographer, PT Images
Photoshop Whiz Bang Wow – Tips and Tricks (P)
Ever wonder, “How’d they do that?” Sure you have! We all have. Learn some great new Photoshop tips and tricks that will help you to create better images and graphics while speeding up your skills and shortcut knowledge along the way.
Ike Lea, Professor, Lansing Community College
Prevent a Coup: Tips for Leaders (E)
Andrew Krietz wasn’t the staff choice to be editor of The State News at MSU. But that’s hasn’t stopped him – or the newspaper’s staff – from doing great journalism. Learn the steps he’s taken to keep the staff united and focused on their goal: producing one of the best campus newspapers in the country.
Andrew Krietz, Editor, The State News
Put a Dress on That Pig (N)
In the newspaper business, there’s an old saying that the best ideas are stolen from someone else. The Argus-Press in Owosso provides printing services for more 65 high school and middle school newspapers. See some of this publisher’s favorite content ideas from school newspapers all over the state. Here’s your chance to steal a few ideas and dress them up for your publication.
Tom Campbell, Publisher, The Argus-Press
Putting Together the Perfect Portfolio (E)
If you plan to enter the All MIPA, Student Journalist contests, or if you want to nominate your adviser for a Golden Pen award, you’ll want to go to this session. Learn how to make a memorable and exciting portfolio from one of the people who help found these contests.
Gloria Olman, Board Member, MIPA
Search Smarter (E)
Sort out the clutter and find what you really want when you search the Web. Learn about search tools and get searching tips at this session.
Serena Carpenter, Faculty, MSU School of Journalism
Shake Your Money Maker (N, Y)
From the basics of ad sales to ACT fundraisers, this session will help spark your money making ideas.
Sara-Beth Badalamente, Adviser, Grand Ledge HS
Shoot Like a Pro (VJ)
Get tips for shooting video for better storytelling.
Randy Scott, Adviser, Davison HS
Should I Go to Journalism School? (E)
Thinking about J-School in college? These two professional reporters take a point-counterpoint view about whether journalism school is the best path for students who want to be professional journalists.
Matthew Miller & Lindsay VanHulle, Reporters, Lansing State Journal
Smile, You’re on Camera (VJ)
Get a quick course in being an on-air talent. Learn about your on-air voice, look and personality and get some tips to improve your overall presence as a reporter and anchor.
Jesse McLean, Adviser, Waterford Kettering HS
Social Media Mining (E)
How to use social media to find story ideas, connect with expert sources and engage your audience.
Tricia Bobeda, Reporter, WBEZ – Chicago Public Media
So You Want to Work on the College Paper? (N)
Learn from staff members at MSU’s student newspaper what it takes to get a job in the campus media.
Andrew Krietz, Editor The State News
Sports Ain’t About the Games (S, E)
Gary Smith, a lowly sportswriter, has won four national magazine writer of the year awards. In sports. Among the many reasons for his success is this: He doesn’t rehash games, write predictions or write about great athletes. He finds the people and the issues that move us, and make our Aunt Gladys want to read the sports pages.
FEATURED SPEAKER: Scott Winter, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Start a Movement (E)
Student publications should be doing the kinds of media that would leave a mark on their schools. The kinds of stories that start movements in their hallways. We’ll look at some examples of journalists who are making a difference.
FEATURED SPEAKER: Scott Winter, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Take Me There, Make Me Care (VJ, E)
Emmy-award winner Bob Gould will show you how to create powerful stories with video that will impact viewers. He will discuss the importance of making viewers feel like they were at the scene of an event and how character-driven stories are essential for giving the piece “personality.”
Bob Gould, Faculty, MSU School of Journalism
Taking Journalism Instruction Online (A)
Are you putting some of your journalism instruction online? Some advisers are finding this is one solution if advanced and intro-level students are combined into the same class. Come discuss the options you’ve explored, and pick up tips from advisers who are using this technique in their classrooms.
Marilyn Hess, Adviser, Plainwell HS
Team Building and Student Leadership (N, Y, VJ)
Student editors need to establish their leadership and bring the staff together in the beginning of the year. It’s their staff and publication, NOT the adviser’s. So how do you get people to listen to you? How do you build your team? By developing a plan of action and team building.
Erica Kincannon, Adviser; Lindsay Moore, Yearbook Editor; Kayla Varicalli, Newspaper Editor; Eisenhower HS
The Ethics of Photojournalism (E)
Study photojournalism from an ethical perspective. Could you? Should you? This session will cover the concepts of conflict of interest, photo manipulation, grief, suffering, violence and the private moment.
Tisha Pankop, Adviser, Loy Norrix HS
The Library: It Ain’t Just for Books (N, Y)
Learn how to use Adobe InDesign to quickly modify a simple design inspired by a magazine clip into multiple templates to be used in your publication for alternative story packages, mods or infographs. This could change your life. (Seriously.)
Lydia Cadena, Adviser, Novi HS
The Online College Publication Experience (E)
Editors from Central Michigan University’s online magazine, Grand Central, will share what life is like on an online publication. What are the demands? What are the perks? And what is the difference between commitments to print and online at the college level.
Betsy Pollard Rau, Instructor, Central Michigan University
Trade the Classroom for a Newsroom (E, A)
Did you know that newspapers across Michigan host advisers and high school students every summer for PAID internships? Learn about the MPA Foundation’s teacher intern and student match programs.
Janet Nellis Mendler, Michigan Press Association Foundation
Twitter, Facebook and You: Social Media Guidelines for Publications (E)
College media across the country have looked to the social media guidelines prepared by The State News as a model for how to manage the social media accounts of individual staff members and the publication. Learn how you can adapt these rules for your student media outlet.
Andrew Krietz, Editor, The State News
Video Swap Meet (VJ)
See what programs across Michigan are doing. Bring copies of your newscasts, shows, stories and PSAs. We’ll watch, share ideas and comments on each program.
Randy Scott, Adviser, Davison HS
What Newspapers Can Learn from Magazines (N)
Make your newspaper an exciting, vibrant publication by thinking more like a magazine. We’ll talk about short reads, creative illustrations, designed headlines and more.
Cheryl Pell, Faculty, MSU School of Journalism
Writing Stories: What’s Your Alternative? (N, Y)
This writing and design session will show you how to use and create alternative story forms to compliment coverage or stand alone on the page.
Betsy Pollard Rau, Instructor, Central Michigan University
Writing Stuff They’ll Actually Read (N)
We all write, but how much of our stuff actually gets read? Walk away with 10 great tips to ensure that your stuff does get read.
C.E. Sikkenga, Adviser, Grand Haven HS
Yearbook NOW, Not Once a Year! (Y)
Yearbook tends to be a secret society that releases its surprise each year, but we live in a world of instant gratification with Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn how to use these tools to enhance your publication and make connections with your readers. You may even increase your sales.
Ava Butzu, Adviser, Grand Blanc HS
Yearbook Writing: The Chicken or the Egg? (Y)
Are students not reading your yearbook copy? If not, it might be because it’s bad! Discover ways to make it irresistible.
Brian Wilson, Adviser, Waterford Kettering HS
Sessions for New Advisers (A)
Learn about the business of scholastic journalism, how to grade, and how to organize your classroom from established student media advisers.
Kim Kozian, Adviser, L’Anse Creuse HS-North