New York Times bestselling authors Laini Taylor and Kiersten White talk writing, monsters, and magic. Laini Taylor is the author of the Printz Honor winner Strange the Dreamer and its upcoming sequel, Muse of Nightmares. She will be interviewed by Kiersten, the bestselling author of the And I Darken series and the upcoming The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein.
Friday March 23, 2018 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300D
Some of your favorite TV writers and directors discuss the television series that inspired them to do what they do, from The Six Million Dollar Man to Star Trek, The Twilight Zone to Hill Street Blues,Battlestar Galactica (1978) to Battlestar Galactica (2004), and Mannix to Manimal (okay, maybe not that one). They’ll look back at the series that helped make the medium great. Panelists include Ashley E. Miller (X-Men: First Class, Thor), Mark A. Altman (The Librarians, Agent X), Sean Crouch (The Exorcist, Lore), Steve Kriozere (Castle, NCIS), David Rogers (director, The Office, The Mindy Project), Steve Melching (The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), Deric A. Hughes (The Flash, Warehouse 13), and Amy Berg (Counterpart, DaVinci's Demons).
Friday March 23, 2018 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300D
Interested in writing for cartoons or video games? Then you'll want to hear three people who've done it tell you how they've done it: Marv Wolfman (Epic Mickey 2, The Adventures of Superman), Shelly Goldstein (Shelldon, Flying with Byrd), and moderator Mark Evanier (The Garfield Show, Scooby Doo). They'll talk about script formats, breaking a story, getting the assignment, dealing with sinister forces, and everything else.
Friday March 23, 2018 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300D
Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff, Jr. (co-founders of the Oscar Award–winning FX studio) discuss their work creating practical characters and effects for films like Alien 3, The Predator, Starship Troopers, and It, as well as share info about their upcoming projects. Q&A will follow.
Friday March 23, 2018 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300D
UPDATED: Fri, Mar 23, 03:45PM An iconic film that debuted in theaters 25 years ago, Jurassic Park forever shaped audiences around the world and dug into their love for dinosaurs. Steven Spielberg's beloved film has now spawned several sequels, including the upcoming Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.Jessica Tseang (co-host, The Kaiju Kingdom Podcast), Megan Kathleen (Film Threat, Jurassic Park franchise film critic), Anthony Ray Bench (film critic Film Threat) and special guest Dr. Nathan Smith (paleontologist for the Los Angeles Natural History Museum) come together to discuss how this franchise evolved from novel to film to a worldwide phenomenon.
Friday March 23, 2018 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300D
En el estreno de Comics Con Comics en WonderCon, presentador Juan-Manuel Rocha va a traer grandes de los mundos Comedia y Comics. ¡Unete con nosotros esta noche y desfrute la risa!
Friday March 23, 2018 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 300D
UPDATED: Fri, Mar 23, 08:56PM Writers discuss the art of storytelling, whether in prose, games, cartoons, comics, or other media. Sam Sykes (Bring Down Heaven series, Brave Chief Brianna), Judd Winick (Hilo series, DC Comics), and Sarah Kuhn (Heroine Complex series, Barbie comics) converse about the commonalities and differences of storytelling formats with librarian Judy Ann Neeb.
Saturday March 24, 2018 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 300D
UPDATED: Fri, Mar 16, 04:19PM Featuring creatives from Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, The Simpsons, BoJack Horseman, Star Trek, Fast and the Furious, Paranormal Activity, HALO, Uncharted, and more. Explore the latest technology in film and television, learn about some of the industry’s most iconic scores, and get an in-depth look at the script-to-screen process for some of your favorite stories. Panelists include Bryan Grill (visual effects supervisor at Scanline VFX - Black Panther, Captain America: The Winter Solder), Jordan Crockett (art director - Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange), Mike Hollingsworth (supervising director - BoJack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie), Paul Lipson (senior vice president at Formosa Interactive - Uncharted: Lost Legacy, Halo Wars 2), Peter Brown (supervising sound editor at Formosa Features - Star Trek: Beyond, Paranormal Activity), Russell Emanuel (chief creative officer at Bleeding Fingers Music - The Simpsons, Blue Planet II), and Andrew Shulkind (director of photography and co-founder of Headcase VR - The Ritual, Gone: VR 360). Panel moderated by Conner Schwerdtfeger from CinemaBlend.
Saturday March 24, 2018 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300D
Marvel Animation presents a behind-the-scenes journey through all aspects of production and development. You’ll get an exclusive look at how Marvel assembles acclaimed animated series and projects such as Marvel’s Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, and the highly anticipated Marvel Rising, as well as an inside glimpse at the popular Marvel Funko animated shorts and Marvel LEGO Super Heroes—Black Panther: Trouble in Wakanda. Led by Cort Lane (SVP, Animation and Family Entertainment) and featuring several special guests, the Marvel Animation team will share insights into the writing process, voice direction, production, never-before-seen sneak peeks of upcoming projects, and tons of scoops on future storylines.
Saturday March 24, 2018 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300D
Scott Snyder explains the pain and joy of writing your favorite superheroes. Learn where the Dark Multiverse first came from in Dark Nights: Metal and about his upcoming plans for the Justice League. Also find out which characters from Dark Nights: Metal we might see lurking in the pages of upcoming DC titles. Room300D
Saturday March 24, 2018 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300D
In June 1993, Malibu Comics launched a new universe of characters unlike anything fans had ever seen. The Ultraverse brought writers, editors, and artists together to create a well-conceived world before the first title was released. The Ultraverse burned exciting and bright. There was a live-action short, a TV series, action figures, and an animated series—and then suddenly it was all gone. Titles like Prime,Freex,Mantra,Sludge,Firearm,Nightman,Ultraforce, and Rune still boast a large fan following. Join panelists Chris Ulm (Ultra editor-in-chief), Ross Richie (BOOM! publisher/Ultra marketing), Terry Dodson (Mantra artist), Aaron Lopresti (Sludge co-writer/artist), and moderator Dave Olbrich (Ultra publisher) to celebrate the Ultraverse.
Saturday March 24, 2018 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300D
Illustrators of the Star Wars films discuss the creation of these and other sf/fantasy films: Mauro Borelli (The Last Jedi, The Hateful Eight), Benton Jew (The Phantom Menace, Venom), and Tani Kunitake (The Last Jedi, A Wrinkle in Time); moderated by Tim Burgard (ID4: Insurgence).
Saturday March 24, 2018 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300D
UPDATED: Tue, Mar 13, 10:48PM Meet the VFX wizards behind Oscar-winning The Shape of Water. For award-winning VFX house Mr. X, Crimson Peak ’s ghosts, vampires of The Strain, and the undead of the Resident Evil franchise were preludes to its most acclaimed creature yet: The Shape of Water ’s Amphibian Man. In this session, VFX supervisors Chris MacLean and Trey Harrell will join animation director Kevin Scott and VFX producer Luke Groves to illustrate how they use visual effects in these films and TV shows to breathe believability into supernatural characters and enhance story, mood, and personality. Moderated by Fast Company’sSusan Karlin.
Saturday March 24, 2018 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 300D
UPDATED: Mon, Mar 12, 05:19PM Back by popular demand this team of actors, TV writers, and psychologists discuss the psychology of your favorite TV shows, such as Supernatural, Star Wars Rebels, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Doctor Who, and many others. Join psychologists, Dr. Janina Scarlet (Therapy Quest; Harry Potter Therapy), Dr. Travis Langley (Supernatural Psychology; Daredevil Psychology), peer counselor Travis Adams (Supernatural Psychology) actor and Type I Diabetes advocate Austin Basis (Supernatural; Beauty and the Beast), TV writer Deric Hughes (Flash; Beauty and the Beast) in geeking out and discussing your favorite TV shows. Dr. Billy San Juan (Supernatural Psychology) moderates.
Saturday March 24, 2018 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300D
Battle-weary hosts Vito Lapiccola and Tim Powers are joined by the galaxy’s most fearsome mercenaries: Haughty Hannibal Tabu, Treacherous Tom Franck, Chaotic Klee Wiggins, and Dastardly Dani Fernandez. They will battle it out to find out who is the last Jedi.
Saturday March 24, 2018 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300D
UPDATED: Fri, Mar 09, 10:15PM A panel of Bond-sperts who may not have a license to kill but do have license to thrill debate the best and worst James Bond movies of all time. From Dr. No to Spectre, they’ll travel the globe as they debate Bond and beyond and count down to the greatest and worst 007 movies of all time. Tuxedos not required. Moderator Mark A. Altman (Agent X, The Librarians) is joined by Edward Gross (author, Slayers & Vampires, So Say We All), Steve Melching (Star Wars Rebels), Marc Bernardin (Castle Rock), David Rogers (The Office, The Mindy Project), and Charlie de Lauzirika (documentary filmmaker, Die Another Day). And, of course, no panel on 007 would be complete without Bond: Jeff Bond (Geek Magazine).
Saturday March 24, 2018 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 300D
UPDATED: Fri, Mar 23, 05:04PM Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Dash, LiteCoin... Crypto currency or digital currency or digital coin or blockchain or whatever you want to call it is arguably one of the most talked-about topics in the ether right now. Beyond the speculation of altcoins, tokens, and ICOs, at the heart of it all is an innovative tracking technology that is now also affecting gaming, entertainment, and everyday life. Companies like Gameflip, for example, are using blockchain tech to optimize the way gamers can trade their in-game bounty. Tech companies such as Kodak have entered the market, creating currency and bitcoin mining opportunities. Come find out what is coming down the pike in the world of crypto! From gaming to animation to music to entertainment to lifestyle, this world will never be the same. This panel will feature Sohrob C. Farudi (Fan Controlled Football League), John Blaisure (CEO, Max-D), Eric Mitchell (CEO, Writ Media), Manshu Agarwahl (CEO, Ponder) and moderated by Josh Lawler (Zuber, Lawler and Del Duca)
Sunday March 25, 2018 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 300D
This is your chance to meet the staff, get your questions answered, and take a sneak peek at some of the great stuff upcoming in Arena of Valor. Bring your phone to participate in live matches, and expect plenty of fun and some great prizes. Hosted by Chris Castagnetto (DJ Helsing).
Sunday March 25, 2018 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300D
Fellow Steampunks discuss the ultimate in Steampunk competitions: teapot racing and tea dueling. Teapot racing inspires makers to mash up remote-controlled racers with teapots to race against the clock and are judged on best time to complete the course. In the wonderful world of tea dueling, two contestants dunk their cookies into a hot cup of tea for a count of three then turn them over and fight gravity and soggy chemistry to be the last one standing before their cookie literally crumbles. Shenanigans and laughter are guaranteed! Brought to you by Chris Sturhann (head of the San Diego Splendid Tea Pot Racing Society), Tim Silver (teapot race winner 2016), Wendy Hoke Hartline (tea dueling assistant to Madam Askew), Karina Walsh, and moderator Anastasia Hunter (chair, Gaslight Steampunk Expo).
Sunday March 25, 2018 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300D
Immerse yourself in the world of comics. Literally. Expected panelists include representatives from MIRA (AR Marvel/ Black Eyed Peas Masters of the Sun), Madefire (Marvel & Magic Leap), and Square Enix (VR).
Sunday March 25, 2018 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300D
UPDATED: Wed, Mar 14, 07:10PM Ever wonder how those explosions and battle scenes in the movies really happen? Can those crazy gunfights onscreen and blasts actually happen in real life? These pyro and firearms experts will divulge how they did it. With lots of cool videos and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, they'll also offer tips on getting into the business and the kinds of certifications and training you'll need. Panelists include Thomas Seymour (Criminal Minds), miniatures expert Robert "Hutch" Hutchins (Apollo 13), Dimitri Timohovich (Team America World Police, Burning Man), and Larry Zanoff, Hollywood Weapons star and head of armor at Independent Studios Services. Moderated by Fast Company'sSusan Karlin.
Sunday March 25, 2018 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300D
UPDATED: Tue, Mar 20, 11:07PM A woman's place is anywhere she wants on a Hollywood set! Lauren Haroutunian (cinematographer, Fangirling), Meg Wilbur (SFX makeup artist, Face Off), Katrina Sainz (art department, Doctor Strange), Sylwia Dudzinska (1st AD, Brooklyn 99), and Jasmine Chiong (Writer's Assistant for The Tick) discuss working in traditionally male-dominated fields of production. Followed by a Q&A session moderated by Brittany Sandler.
Sunday March 25, 2018 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300D
