UPDATED: Thu, Jul 11, 10:12PM Panelists includeWhilce Portacio (comic writer/artist), Ryan Benjamin (comic creator/artist), Alex Sinclaire (DC comics colorist) and Carlos D'Anda (comic artist).
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 10, 10:00PM Do you dream about quitting your day job to pursue your passion of being an artist, writer, or professional in the industry? Are you already in the business and need help with figuring out how to budget between paid contracts, deal with taxes, or determine the best way to raise and save cash for future projects? Perhaps you just want to be a financial superhero for yourself and your family and invest in your future. Sean Nisil (certified financial planner) and Karen Martin (The Princess Project) will present an entertaining and educational panel on superhero financial planning and best practices for artists, writers, industry professionals, and all others interested. Eric Atilano (loan officer, Guild Mortgage), Steve Grady (owner, Steve Grady Insurance Services), and Neil Narvaez (Pro Tax Services, Nerdy Finance) will also be on hand to discuss building good credit, health insurance, and tax issues. The discussion will follow with a Q&A of industry professionals including Erik Arreaga (comic illustrator, Erik Arreaga Art), Chris Neuhahn (Emmy Award–winning producer and animator, Dreamworks Animation, Activision), and Alonso Nunez (founder and art director, Little Fish Comic Book Studio) who will cover business successes and challenges in their fields.
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 10, 04:53PM Today our world needs real heroes. Through example and practice, this panel empowers and harnesses the potential of fans and creators to communicate and inspire social good. Starting with a guided audiovisual tour of POC writer-director Andres Useche's collaborations with artist-activists like Ben Stiller, Paul Rudd, Woody Harrelson, and Jennifer Aniston as well as leaders like Barack Obama, the presentation will dig into how everyone, including underrepresented and oppressed folks, have taken a stand for themselves and for others. Learn about how comics, films, and transmedia can engage others and voice your calls for social and environmental justice, equality, and diversity. Includes short screenings, live performance, and Q&A.
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.
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 16, 07:44PM Sarah Hebbler (executive producer, Psyonix),Janessa Christine (account manager, Online Performer's Group), Candela S. Rebot (founder/chief creative officer, Sparkd Studios), and Helen Theriault (store manager, Microsoft) are the panelists who will be discussing the ways to improve the cultural differences and experiences of women in the gaming industry. A Q&A session will follow the panel discussion. Moderated by Donnell Hilliard (assistant store manager, Microsoft).
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 17, 10:38PM Rick Loverd (National Academy of Sciences, The Science and Entertainment Exchange) will moderate a discussion with Dr. Rebecca Thompson (physicist, Fire, Ice, and Physics: The Science of Game of Thrones), Dr. Donna J. Nelson (chemist, The Science of Breaking Bad), and Dr. Clifford Johnson (physicist, science advisor for Marvel, author of the graphic science book The Dialogues) discuss the science behind some of the most remarkable scenes on TV. What do they get right? What do they get wrong? And what's it like to be a science advisor on set?
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 19, 12:03AM Do recent shows like The Hot Zone and Chernobyl peak your interest in what calamities the human race may face in the future? Have you ever wondered how reality relates to what we see in the entertainment space? Join an illustrious group of scientific experts and advisors to discuss some of the real challenges facing mankind and how to separate fiction from fact. Featuring Dr. Elaine Seasly, NASA deputy planetary protection officer; FBI Special Agent John Gill, FBI San Diego weapons of mass destruction coordinator; Dr. Jessica Petrillo, State Department senior health security officer; Dr. Gregory Bernard, Homeland Security innovation officer and former Domestic Nuclear Detection Office assistant director; and Dr.Joe Masiero, group supervisor of Near-Earth Object survey projects at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the panel will discuss such existential risks as asteroids, emerging biological technologies, nuclear terrorism, and threats from space and beyond, and engage the audience in their questions about where the real risks to our planet and society may lie and how this often translates into popular fiction.
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 09, 04:40PM A woman's place is anywhere she wants on a Hollywood set! Ever wonder what all the titles mean in the end credits? Do you dream of making movies, but not sure how or where to start? Join a discussion with Kacie Kane (director of post production, Marvel Studios), Amanda Rohlke (producer, Nat Geo's MARS), Temma Hankin (unit stills photographer, The Invitation), Meg Wilbur (SFX makeup artist, ALIEN Anthology), and Stephanie Gangel (assistant music editor, HBO's Deadwood) as they explore all the ways to get involved in film and television. Following Q&A session moderated by entertainment publicist Brittany Sandler.
UPDATED: Thu, Jul 11, 08:08PM Entertainment industry professionals Ted Biaselli (executive of development, Netflix original programming), Gordon Bellamy (CEO, Gay Gaming Professionals/visiting scholar), Michael Vogel (animation showrunner/producer), Patrick Gomez (senior editor, Entertainment Weekly), Cat Staggs (comic book artist), and Chandler Poling (White Bear PR) discuss how to turn your favorite geeky fandoms into flourishing careers, the challenges and rewards of growing up gay, and how being a member of the LGBT community influenced their work. Moderated by Chris Riley.
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 10, 07:50PM Prepare for an exclusive preview of independent genre films coming in 2020 and beyond with host Chris Gore (Film Threat) and Film Threat staffers Alan Ng, Bobby Schwartz, Walter Areas, Anthony Ray Bench, along with other special panelists. Through trailer premieres and exclusive clips, get a glimpse into movies that can only be seen in limited release, including the best indie sci-fi, fantasy, and horror.
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 09, 04:15PM Come learn about Muslim comics creators, gamers, cosplayers, and superfans! David Anthony (The Scarlet Spire), Huda Fahmy (Yes, I'm Hot in This), Charles 3X Alexander (We Are Our Ancestors' Keepers), Blair Imani (Modern HERstory), and Nabi H. Ali (The Bright Agency) will discuss their work and what's happening in the industry. Moderated by Dr. Shamika Mitchell (State University of New York, Rockland/Women in Comics).
UPDATED: Thu, Jul 11, 06:49PM Local conservators Christina Bean (805 Conservation), Abigail Duckor (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), Anna Laganà (Getty Conservation Institute), and Sophie Hunter (Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) discuss the best ways to preserve your comic books, memorabilia, and costumes. Learn helpful tips for protecting your collection and managing potential disasters. The panel will conclude with a Q&A session in which the audience is invited to share concerns and problems they have encountered with their collections.
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 12, 04:27PM Whether your X-Wing is chasing down a TIE fighter or you're whispering "dracarys" as your pet dragon turns your enemies to ash, it's undeniable that sci-fi and fantasy are linked. These forms of storytelling both do one thing: provide a way to imagine what could be. Hear from this panel of “wizards” as they discuss the subtle differences that separate sci-fi and fantasy or even if there truly is a difference at all. Featuring Geoff Mark (Serenity, The Orville), E. J. De la Pena (Jingle All The Way, Nobility), Geoff Thorne (Avengers: Black Panther's Quest, Librarians), Gillian Horvath (Sanctuary, Beauty and the Beast), Steven L. Sears (Xena, Stalag X), Ellen Dubin (Lexx, Skyrim), and moderator Joe Ochman (Naruto, Bones).
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 15, 04:48PM This panel will be a spirited family discussion to determine which stories/characters/toys/activities are for girls and which are for boys. Professional educator Tony Bianca will stimulate conversation as Nancie Helders (18), Charlotte Herrick (10), and Alizarin Todd (9)speak from the heart, balanced by experienced debate moderator Laura Todd. Bring your questions and experiences to share.