Catherine M. Fisher (award-winning costumer), Bob Mogg (Steampunk expert extraordinaire and fabricator), Caitlin Brown (costumer and member of the San Diego Patcheteers), Allison Fulster (graphic artist and post-apocalyptic costumer), Vince Martinez (prop maker/builder), and Jen Hernandez (foam fabricator and costume mom) discuss the basics in costuming to help beginning costumers get started in the world of cosplaying. These talented panelists will show you how to get in on all the cosplaying fun even if you've never sewn a stitch in your life! Moderated by Anastasia Hunter (master class costumer and chair of Gaslight Steampunk Expo), panelists will show you that you don't need to be an expert to make a great costume.
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 08, 11:06PM Experts in music, costume and production design, as well as visual effects sit down to discuss the process of creating the worlds of your favorite films, television shows, and video games! Learn how they use their craft to shape the story, induce emotion through music, and enhance the setting in projects like What We Do in the Shadows (TV Series), The Handmaid’s Tale, NOS4A2, The Man in the High Castle, Preacher, Battlewake VR, Weird City, Key & Peele, Workaholics, Firefly, The Order, and more! Part 2 of 2 from Impact24’s “Behind-the-Camera Superblock” panel series. Panelists include Brendan Taylor of Mavericks VFX (What We Do in the Shadows, NOS4A2), Gary Kordan (Weird City, Workaholics, Key & Peele), Jeremy NathanTisser (Battlewake VR, Raw Data VR), Jill M. Ohanneson (Preacher, Firefly), Lawson Deming of Barnstorm VFX (The Man in the High Castle), Natalie Bronfman (The Handmaid’s Tale), Patric Caird (The Order, Ed, Edd n Eddy), and more panelists to be announced. Moderated by actor Harvey Guillen (What We Do in the Shadows) and content creator Chris Villain. Introduction by Impact24 PR's Andrew S. Cohen.
Thursday July 18, 2019 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
Fans can express what they love and connect with most in pop culture through fashion. From clothing to jewelry, options continue to grow each year as the industry expands and fans can be more than just consumers of it. Moderated by Lisa Granshaw (GeekFold), panelists Dan Richard (Development Plus Inc. and Bethesda Gear Store), Cindy Levitt (Mad Engine), Rosa Menendez (esports makeup), Jennifer Smilay (Her Universe), Allison Cimino (RockLove Jewelry), and Jeff Trexler (Fashion Law Institute) talk about their careers and the different ways people can work in the industry. There will be time left for Q&A between panelists and attendees.
Learn about various programs and initiatives librarians have successfully offered communities using comics and pop culture to increase literacy and build community connections. With Melanie Pentecost, Los Angeles Public Library; Anna-Marie Farquhar, Los Angeles Public Library; Emily Ratica, Arroyo Valley High School; Matthew Tabizon; Erik Jackiw, City of Commerce Public Library; Scott Gurolla, City of Commerce Public Library; Victoria Perez, librarian; Concepcion Flores, city of Commerce Public Library; Robert Gunderson, Long Beach Public Library; Hanako Redrick, Long Beach Public Library; Lyle Brogden, cosplayer and actor; and Nik Lillard, cast member at Disneyland, writer and cosplayer.
Makeup effects artist Jeff Barkley (Break of Dawn) will discuss and demonstrate using household materials and inexpensive makeup items to create a character makeup. He will be joined by professional cosplayers Trey Barkley (Sparrows Flight) and Desiree Preston (Enasi Volz) for Q&A during the demo.
For costumers, future costumers, and those who simply enjoy watching costume events, this overview of convention competitions will look at their history, differences among conventions, the judging processes, and what it takes to make an impact. Also tips on research, fabrication methods, music, reference materials for crafting and judging, and stage presentation ideas for taking original and re-created designs from concept to stage-ready. Panelists include award-winning costumers from past Comic-Cons and many other conventions Allan Lavigne, Judith Grivich, and Rebecca Roberts Ryan. Also, Ian Branson (Comic-Con/WonderCon Masquerade tech director), and moderator Martin Jaquish (Comic-Con/WonderCon Masquerade coordinator since 1992).
Thursday July 18, 2019 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 17, 07:14PM Presented by Her Universe, Hot Topic, and She-Ra in partnership with Cartoon Network, the Her Universe Fashion Show has become one of the must-attend events on Thursday at Comic-Con, as 24 designers compete with their original "geek couture" designs to win the ultimate prize: the opportunity to design a Her Universe fashion collection for Hot Topic. Hosted by actress and Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein.Room
Field experts Fon Davis (25-year veteran of miniature VFX), Don Wistos (worked as director of prop fabrications/mold making for Productions/Strategic Operations), and Sam Girgis (owner of BiggerBoxModels/3D printing and prototyping) will share their knowledge.
Thursday July 18, 2019 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 11
Take a walk on the dark side of Steampunk as these panelists discuss the wealth of supernatural-inspired novels, TV, and movies complete with vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons, mummies, and more! Although many are based on actual Victorian spiritualism and superstition, you'll discover there is a lot more to these traditionally evil miscreants and villains than meets the eye. Hear from author Madeleine Holly-Rosing (Boston Metaphysical Society), Carol and Emily Taylor (owners of the Brass Planchette), Lady Shadow (Vampyre Fashionista), and moderator Anastasia Hunter (chair, Gaslight Steampunk Expo).
Ivy Doomkitty (SYFY's Heroes of Cosplay, international professional cosplayer), DPiddy (YouTuber, professional cosplayer), and David Baxter (Legion M, LTL Cosplay) discuss body image, skin color, age, disabilities, genderbent cosplay, and more. Panelists will discuss how to push past boundaries that others try to place against you and various techniques to build confidence. After all, cosplay is for everyone; it is not limited to one demographic. Q&A to follow.
Thursday July 18, 2019 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Members of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club provide a primer for cosplayers looking to start their first set of Mandalorian armor. Discussion will include techniques for shaping, painting, and weathering.
Friday July 19, 2019 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 7AB
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 08, 08:58PM Come and listen to John D. Callison (award-winning cosplayer, CEO and founder of Over30Cosplay), Patricia Tallman (actor and stuntwoman, president of Qwest Retreats, best known as Lyta on Babylon 5 and Barbara from Night of the Living Dead), Andrea Seale (Cosplay Mom, award winning cosplayer, costume builder), Cara Nicole (AZPowerGirl, award-winning cosplayer, master level costumer, and experienced model), Bernie Bergman (president and CEO of XLE Experience Level Entertainment), Chad Edward Lee Evett (president and chief designer Stoopid Buddy Stoodios), Shelly Grace-Bowers (ScarlettCosplay, award-winning and published cosplayer and costume designer), Sherman Blakeley (GreenMileCosplay, stunt double bodyguard, and published actor), and Jen Greeley (award-winning cosplayer, senior reporter at Over30Cosplay, administrator at Costumers with a Cause) as they celebrate the history of comic and cosplay culture, offer couples cosplay ideas, and give advice on combating negative, age-related stereotypes. Plus, tips on costume choice, dating and family, social media/marketing age awareness, and how to combat bullying in the community.
Learn what it takes to perfect your cosplay by having great makeup to go with it. Panelists will cover beauty makeup, appliance application, special FX makeup, sculpting, molding, casting, and wig styling.They include Keaghlan Ashley (Face Off season 7 and Face Off All Stars, key makeup artist Severus Snape and the Marauders), Chrissy Lynn (Bat in The Sun's Super Power Beat Down, Sideshow's Queen Gethsemoni from their Court of the Dead series), Ashley Troub (winning looks SDCC Her Universe Fashion Show 2015 and 2016, Sideshow Collectibles Queen of the Dead makeup 2017 and 2018), Cara Zozula (E! Entertainment Oscars show, History Channel's Party Like It's . . . series), and Jessica Mills (Truly Outrageous: A Jem and the Holograms Fan Film; Damsels, Dice, and Everything Nice: A Royal Role Playing Adventure). Moderated by Dawn Banks (plus-size model and fashion blogger Stygian Siryn, lead makeup artist/designer on Batgirl: Spoiled).
Costume Designers Guild member Laura Jean Shannon (costume designer, Stargirl, Doom Patrol, Titans, Black Lightning), Sarah Mgeni (assistant costume designer, Stargirl, Doom Patrol, Titans), Miracole Burns (super-suit supervisor, Doom Patrol), Gina DeDomenico Flanagan (costume concept artist, Stargirl, Doom Patrol, Titans S2), and Lesley Becerra (director of production creative character engineering, Stargirl, Doom Patrol, Titans), discuss the behind-the-scenes process that goes into designing and manufacturing the superhero costumes for several of the DC Streaming TV shows. The panelists will also take questions from the audience with an autograph table to follow. Special guest moderator, April Bowlby (actress, Rita Farr / Elastic-Woman from Doom Patrol).
Marc Aaron Bright (fashion professor for Saddleback College) and Elizah Siegel (product development for Stance) are here to establish detail-oriented foundations for those aspiring to create their own garments and to correct bad habits for current stitchers. Essential sewing, fitting, and pattern-making techniques will be covered from the ground up: fabric selection, fabric/grain preparation, pattern placement, cutting, seams, finishings, closures, fitting/ease, the value of hand sewing, and pattern-making advice.
Mark Chu-Lin (Avengers Initiative club president, event coordinator), Sandy Correa (administrator, Department of Pediatrics, LAC+USC Medical Center), Jeff Campbell (Avengers Initiative costume volunteer), Lady Toxie (cosplayer and Avengers Initiative volunteer), James A. Powell (founder and vice president, Monster City Studios; senior fabrication advisor, Magic Wheelchair), and Christine Getman (executive director, Magic Wheelchair) discuss how cosplayers and prop builders serve their communities through their love of pop culture. Hear about their experiences, learn how to join organized groups, learn about some of the organizations that receive help, and find out how to get involved in service efforts.
With the continued rise of role-playing games, costuming, and active events, learn how the Current Middle Ages has found its foothold in the modern era. Listen to Scott Farrel, Kristina Gundersen-Rudmann, Makoto Mason, and Alyssa Kollgaard, leaders from various Southern California medieval organizations share how to get involved, how each club and organization has grown, and how pop culture has helped grow current medieval reenactment groups across the United States. From the Battle of Nations, Society for Creative Anachronism, Historical European Medieval Arts, LARP, and more, come find your way in the Current Middle Ages!
As cosplay continues to evolve, so does the art of cosplay photography. Photographers Jay Tablante (author, Geekology series), Eric Ng (author, Project: Bazooka), and Pat Loika (author, Four Color Realities), along with cosplayers Stella Chuu (cosplayer, influencer), Rian Synnth (cosplayer, influencer), and Amanda Lynne (cosplayer, influencer), discuss the evolution of cosplay photography. They'll chat about process, planning out a cosplay image and photoshoot, and so much more!
Costume Designers Guild member Whitney Galitz (costume designer, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Ivy Heather Thaide (assistant costume designer, Altered Carbon season 2, The Orville, How to Get Away with Murder), Imogen Chayes (costume concept artist, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Terminator: Dark State, Deadly Class), and Lauren Silvestri (assistant costume designer, The Mandalorian, The Orville, Man in the High Castle) discuss the process behind designing, illustrating, and manufacturing the costumes for some of the most iconic sci-fi genre shows. Panelists will take questions from the audience with an autograph table to follow. Special Guest Moderator Zoe Hewitt (reporter, Variety).
Friday July 19, 2019 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
After a costume has been designed, the next important step is choosing the right materials. Building or altering a textile can take a costume to the next level, or even out of this world! Get a close-up look in a classroom setting at the work of some of Hollywood's most prestigious custom made costumers: Marilyn Madsen (manufacturing fore person), Dorothy Bulac-Eriksen (key specialty costumer), Jeff Himmel (key specialty costumer), and Laura Wong (fabric buyer).
Boldly going into its 26th year at SDCC, IKV Stranglehold presents a lighthearted foray into the Star Trek Universe from the perspective of everyone's favorite alien race, Klingons! Fleet Admiral K'Han Den faces his greatest foe, diplomacy, while on a mission to a Starfleet vessel unveiling. Meanwhile, a secret alliance is formed between two of the most mischievous forces in the quadrant. Join fellow costumed Trek fans after the show to celebrate #StarTrekFriday with a group photo and receive a collectible button. All alien races welcomed.
Would you like to learn how to bring any character to life through makeup? Stephanie Nery, professional makeup artist and cosplayer will teach you how to transform yourself into any character using easy tips, techniques, and tricks, and she'll explain how to create more while spending less. Don't miss out on this amazing learning opportunity to take your cosplay skills to the next level.
Experts in the educational role-playing field offer an audience-driven demonstration. They'll give you an overview of role playing and games used for learning, then demonstrate and deconstruct the process by running a simple sample game with the audience as participants (voluntary). Learn about the educational benefits and how to design and run role-play exercises and games in different learning environments like classrooms, home schools, and adult education. With Jade Asher (engineer), Shawn Crosby (NASA Immersive Education lecturer), Emily Nguyen-Hoai (social media coordinator, The Game Academy), Scott Stubbe (co-founder, Angeles Workshop School), Fiona Rene (actor/director, Method for Being Masterclass), and and Aaron Vanek (board secretary, The Game Academy).
Friday July 19, 2019 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Costume Designers Guild members Alan Villanueva (costume concept artist, Watchmen, Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Titans), Gina Flanagan (costume concept artist, Stargirl, Doom Patrol, The Boys), Greg Hopwood (costume concept artist, Star Trek: Picard, Birds of Prey, See), Luca Nemolato (costume concept artist, Swamp Thing, Westworld, Titans S2), and Phillip Boutte Jr. (costume concept artist, Avengers Infinity War and Endgame, Black Panther, Captain Marvel) discuss the process behind creating costume concept art for some of the most exciting productions in film and television. The panelists will also take questions from the audience with an autograph table to follow. Special Guest Moderator Zoe Hewitt (reporter, Variety).
Saturday July 20, 2019 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
An introduction to the International Star Wars Fan Groups: The 501st Legion, The Rebel Legion, Mandalorian Mercs, Saber Guild, and Droid Builders, with moderator Ramey Chanadet (executive officer of the 501st Southern California Garrison). Hear from the local and international leadership of each club on what the clubs are all about and how to join. Panelists include Todd Mullin (501st San Diego Garrison Commanding Officer), Blair Douglass (Rebel Legion Membership Officer), Victor Silva (Mandalorian San Diego Clan Commanding Officer), Kelley Moreno (Saber Guild Los Angeles Assistant Local Director), and Ashly Jo (Southern California Droid Builder).
Explore the various positions behind the scenes in Hollywood's costume industry with Leo Castro (supervisor), Laura Wong (fabric buyer), Marilyn Madsen (manufacturing fore person), Dorothy Bulac-Eriksen (key specialty costumer), and Federico Cervantes (costume wrangler). Learn about the journey each costume takes to become your favorite on-screen character.
Incorporate your love of your fandom into everyday fashion. Panelists explore the multitude of designers creating heightened formal, business, athletic, and casual looks for men, women, and children. Up-and-coming brand designers will talk about their lines and how to dress fashionably while expressing yourself and the things you love. Panelists include Mandy Roman (Geeky Glamorous), Tiffany Mink (Whosits and Whatsits), Meli Lovio-Sanchez (Melificiant), Danielle Reichman (Little Petal), Jordan Ellis (Jordandené), Camille Falciola (Frakkin Frocks), and moderator Stephanie Pressman (Fashionably Nerdy).
The stage becomes a celebration of costuming with a fun competition of comics and pop culture creativity, with impressive re-created and original design costumes crafted by talented attendees. Not a dance or party, it's part talent show, part fashion show, with trophies, cash prizes, and other awards. Doors open for audience seating at 8:00, but the line for choice seating will begin hours earlier. Since the ballroom can fill up, tickets are distributed and will be given out free at noon to those lined up. Any seating tickets that remain will be given out at the Masquerade Desk after 3:00. The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies will again be writers/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio, with special live entertainment from The Corps Dance Crew and the Saber Guild performance group during the Judging Intermission. Overflow seating available in the Sails Pavilion and Room 6A (tickets not required for those rooms).
Saturday July 20, 2019 8:30pm - 11:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20