Session One:

 

From Silver Age to Silver Screen: Superhero Cinematic Universes

Panelists: Terra Clarke Olsen, Arthur Wyatt, Casey Hayden

11am-12pm in VU 565 A/B

 

It is no secret that superhero movies have experienced incredible success in the last decade. From Blade to The Dark Knight Trilogy to The Avengers, it seems like big screen heroes are here to stay. How did we get here? What effect do expanding cinematic universes have on Marvel and DC? Will we ever see superhero movies decline in popularity? Join in a discussion of these questions and more.

 

Lights! Camera! Kickstarter!: How to Make an Epic Kickstarter Project

Panelists: jim pinto, Kodi Sershon, Tro Rex, Margaret Trauth

11am-12pm in VU 565 C

 

Get schooled in the art of the Kickstarter! Learn the ins and outs of making an awesome video, see how to market yourself successfully, and get insight on how to encourage a crowdfunding audience to support your project. Successful Kickstarter creators will give you their best tips and tricks on turning your dream into reality.

 

The Women of Webseries

Panelists: Jen Page, Tabitha Bastien, Leila Blue Aram-Panahi, Samara Lerman

11:00am-12:00pm in VU 567

 

Join some of the amazing ladies of webseries in a discussion about the niche nerdy women have carved out in the world of internet video content. We will discuss gender disparities in Hollywood, the importance of media representation for women, and how webseries are helping to make space for women in an internet age.

 

Session Two:

 

To Batwoman and Beyond!: Queer Heroes and Representation

Panelists: Justin Saint, Gwyneth Yeh, Charles Logan, Susan Matthews

12:15-1:15pm in VU 565 C

 

The geek world can seem very isolating and alienating, especially for those who identify as queer. Why aren't there more queer heroes comics, video games, and television? In what ways has representation thus far been good or bad? Why is it important to include queer characters in nerd media? Come and join an exciting conversation that delves into the heart of these kinds of questions with a mission to understand how the queer and geek communities relate with one another.

 

Young Justice: How Heroes Affect Children

Panelists: Alma Alexander, Susan J. Morris, Tro Rex

12:15-1:15pm in VU 567

 

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Some have awesome superpowers that break the laws of reality, while others rely on smarts to face the schoolyard bully or stand up to peer pressure. No matter what the persona, children and young adults are greatly influenced by these heroes in today's media. Who do young adults look up to? How are heroes different today than they were in the past? What do they reflect about the present youth today? Join our panelists as they attempt to answer these questions and more.

 

Session Three:

 

Text Me, Scotty: The Blur Between Science Fiction and Fact

Panelists: Greg Bear, Susan Matthews, Robert Slater, Jason Andrew

1:45-2:45pm in VU 565 A/B

 

The imaginary worlds of science fiction creators have always been linked with real-life science, technology, and innovation - like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy + the iPad and Wikipedia. Explore the relationship between science fiction and actual science in this panel, where we will learn where science fiction creators draw their inspiration from and see how sci-fi creations can steer the course of the future.

 

The Boogeyman's Journey: Shifting Roles of Monsters in Fantasy

Panelists: Alma Alexander, Bruce R. Cordell, Gwyneth Yeh, Susan J. Morris

1:45-2:45pm in VU 565 C

 

Monsters have always been a vital part of the fantasy genre. However, their role as simple villains for the protagonist to defeat has shifted and become more complex in more modern fantasy stories. This panel will discuss this morality shift in monsters, and their change from simple beasts to complex beings, as well as what it means for the heroes of the story.

 

Anyone Can Make Video Games

Presenter: Alexander Bevier

1:45-2:45 pm in VU 567

 

For years, the idea of making games was reserved for the programming-savvy. People thought that game design required years of math and study and only a few people can get jobs in the industry. However, this is not the case. The barrier to enter the games industry and make games has never been lower and learning to make games has never been easier. Alexander Bevier, Narrative Designer at Biblioludico and Game Writing committee member for the International Game Developer's Association, will talk about getting into the games business and easy ways to start making the game of your dreams!

 

Session Four:

 

8-bit to Orchestral: Video Game Music Masterpieces

Panelists: Barry Dowsett, Teo Acosta, Marcus Zuhr, Christi O'Donnell

3:00-4:00pm in VU 565 A/B

 

The most defining feature of many video games is the music. After all, who could forget the main themes for Super Mario Bros. or The Legend of Zelda? These melodies are often as crucial as the graphics and the gameplay, and will forever strike a nostalgic chord in the hearts of millions. Come join a discussion that revolves around the importance of VGM to the finished product, as well as the creation process itself.

 

Cosplay & Prop-Making 101

Panelists: Justin Saint, Cassandra Lopez, Chris Menges, Leila Blue Aram-Panahi, Bill Duran

3:00-4:00pm in VU 565 C

 

A panel for all fans of things crafty and nerdy, Cosplay & Prop-Making 101 will take you through some of the basic tips and tricks for creating replica costumes and props. Panelists will offer in-depth looks into props and costumes that they have created, the difficulties they overcame, and the skills they learned. There will also be a Q&A where attendees can ask for tips on their own costumes and builds.

 

Terraforming the Tabletop: World-Building in Tabletop RPGs

Panelists: Bruce R. Cordell, Ben Robbins, jim pinto, Jennifer Brozek, Jason Andrew

3:00-4:00pm in VU 567

 

Tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons rely heavily upon their rich worlds and interesting lore to generate interest among players. However, the process for building a world for a pen-and-paper game is not the same as building one for a novel or television series. This panel will explore those differences with the help of some of the industry's world-building greats.