Swancon 2019

Swancon is Western Australia's annual speculative fiction convention celebrating SF in books, TV and pop-culture. It is the longest continuously running SF convention in Australia.

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Thursday is the new Friday! This year Swancon will kick off with a Sundowner Social in the park on Thursday 18 April. Formal programming will start on Friday, so this will be an opportunity to meet and greet our fabulous guests in a more casual setting, with added pizza and outdoor games! The Sundowner will run from 5pm to 8.30pm. Alcoholic drinks aren't permitted in the park, but the hotel bars will be up and running so you can continue conversations with friends old and new into the night. Read the latest email here

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OMG JUST 20 DAYS TILL SWANCON. (That's also 20 more days of 10% discounts on your purchases from our very good friends at Stefen's Books and Rabble Books & Games until 17th April, but only if you buy your membership asap.)

We're also really excited to announce our new invited guest: Travis Johnson, former Perth boy, film critic and man whom cats literally walk all over. He's written for Flicks.com.au, Mr Movie's Film Blog, SBS, and also manages his own blog, Celluloid and Whisky, and Facebook page. He'll be sharing his thoughts on film, and about criticism in the age of algorithms and open comment threads. Read the rest of our latest email update now

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"Time is this really fluid thing. Now is now, but the past is now and the future too." - Niama Safia Sandy Our fab guests are talking about the future of futurism this week on their podcast, Our Opinions Are Correct. Check them out for a preview of the smart, fun conversation they'll be bringing to Swancon at Easter. Charlie Jane also spoke to our Australian guest Jonathan Strahan on the Coode St Podcast about her new book, The City in the Middle of the Night. We're so excited to meet our guests next month, and we hope you'll be joining us for the fun too! Watch this space for further Swancon 2019 announcements, and if you haven't already got your membership, what are you waiting for? The future is now, get a move on! Read our latest email here

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Holy forking shirtballs! 42 days till Swancon 2019!! From now until the Con, members will get a 10% discount on purchases from our besties at Stefen's Books and Rabble Books & Games until 17th April. So the sooner you buy your membership, the sooner you can save money on books and games. No downsides! (Unless you run out of shelf space but that's not our problem, sorry 😉) Read the rest of our latest email update now

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Podcast: Mortal Engines actor Menek Gooneratne

Take a listen to our latest podcast episode, we chat to Mortal Engines actor Menek Gooneratne.

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Win a pass to see Robin Hood

  Thanks to Studiocanal Australia we are giving our members the chance to WIN an in-season double pass to ROBIN HOOD, in cinemas November 22. The legend you know. The story you don’t.

A war-hardened Crusader and a Moorish commander mount an audacious revolt against the corruption of the Church in a thrilling action-adventure from director Otto Bathurst (TV’s ‘Peaky Blinders’). Packed with gritty battlefield exploits, mind- blowing fight choreography and a timeless romance, ROBIN HOOD is the never-before-seen story of how Robin Hood became the iconic legend we know today.

ROBIN OF LOXLEY (Taron Egerton) returns to England after years of fighting in the Crusades, where his skill and valour in battle have won him the admiration of even his foes, including enemy commander LITTLE JOHN (Jamie Foxx), who provides Robin with safe passage home. Upon his return to Nottingham, Robin discovers his estate destroyed and his neighbours impoverished, all by the command of the ruthless SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM (Ben Mendelsohn).

Learning that his death has been falsely reported and his long time love, MARIAN (Eve Hewson), is involved with local politician WILL TILLMAN (Jamie Dornan), Robin and John launch a covert personal crusade against the corrupt Sheriff and Church. Disguised in a Saracen hood and trained by John in a new style of fighting, Robin uses his lethal archery skills to intercept tax collections destined for the Sheriff’s coffers, which he turns over anonymously to Marian, now a leader of a clandestine grassroots rebellion.

As Robin’s activities gather quiet support from the people, he finds an unexpected ally in FRIAR TUCK (Tim Minchin), an influential friar who has been stripped of his duties. After they discover a larger conspiracy that threatens the stability of Europe, Robin and his men launch an attack that solidifies his status as the legendary rebel leader of an unstoppable new kind of army.

This Summer’s must-see blockbuster, ROBIN HOOD opens in cinemas November 22! We’ve got five double passes to giveaway. To win one just send an email with the subject heading ROBIN HOOD to [email protected]  We’ll be drawing the winner on Thursday morning. 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/kTK_QxOd3Fo

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WASO are going to be playing all your favourite sci-fi and fantasy soundtracks

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra is set to deliver a concert filled with some of the greatest sci-fi and fantasy themes. 

 In 2019 the orchestra is inviting audiences to experience the spine-tingling soundtracks of your movie, gaming and TV bingeing dreams in Symphonic Fantasy. 

Grab some mates, jump into the DeLorean and journey into Middle Earth for the spectacular award-winning music highlights of Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Avengers, Final Fantasy and many others. 

 Perth-raised conductor Christopher Dragon returns to lead this epic symphonic geek-fest. With Dragon’s reputation for surprise costumes and onstage antics, who knows what could happen. He's previously appeared as a dinosaur and Darth Vader. 

The concerts are on 12 and 13 April 2019, and are sure to sell-out fast. Head to the WASO website to grab tickets. 

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Pridefest began yesterday and Perth will celebrate the LGBTIQ+ community over the next three weeks.  The highlight of the festival is the annual Pride Parade through the streets of Northbridge. Last year we had a great marching entry in the parade and this year we’d like to do it again.  If you’d like to take part in the event sign up to our special mailing list and we’ll send you regular updates on how to be involved. The parade route winds its way through the streets of Northbridge and it’s quite  a brisk walk. You don’t need to identify as LGBTIQ+ to take part - just be committed to the principles of accepting diversity and fostering inclusion.  The parade is on Saturday 24th November at 8pm, usually marchers are required to arrive at 7pm. The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Together’.   After the parade there is the official after-party in Yagan Square, plus huge parties in many Northbridge venues.       Join in and show that Swancon is a place for everyone

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The Orville comes to SBS on Demand

Seth McFarlane’s sci-fi comedy The Orville comes to SBS on Demand this month, almost a year after it screened in the USA.

The comedy series sees McFarlane star as  as Ed Mercer, an officer in the Planetary Union's line of exploratory space vessels whose career took a downturn following his divorce, and who is given the titular ship as his first command, only to discover that his ex-wife, Kelly Grayson, has been assigned to be his First Officer.   The cast includes Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes and Victor Gerber. Guest stars include Rob Lowe, Jeffrey Tambor, Holland Taylor, Steven Culp, Robert Picardo, Charlieze Theron, Rena Owen and Liam Neeson guest star. Reviews for the series have been mixed, but it has been renewed for a second season that hits US television in December.  Catch in on SBS on Demand from Monday 24 September.  

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Doctor Who - see it on the big screen

Doctor Who is returning on Monday October 8th. 

There will be a special screening of the feature-length premiere of The Woman Who Fell to Earth, the first episode of the new series of Doctor Who, and special behind-the-scenes content on 8 October to Luna Cinemas Leederville & Luna on SX, Fremantle

The highly anticipated series sees Jodie Whittaker take control of the TARDIS as the Thirteenth Doctor, along with a new line-up of friends, including Bradley Walsh as Graham, Tosin Cole as Ryan and Mandip Gill as Yasmin. As well as the feature-length first episode, cinema-goers have the chance to go behind-the-scenes of the eleventh series. There will be additional footage featuring exclusive interviews with Jodie, new series showrunner Chris Chibnall and the first episode’s director Jamie Childs, who also directed Jodie’s thrilling reveal as the new Doctor last year. Fans throughout Perth will be able to enjoy the event at our cinemas and can purchase tickets at www.lunapalace.com.au This series heralds an exciting new era for Doctor Who, which promises to be bigger and bolder than ever. Audiences can expect plenty of adventure, action, humour and heart, making it unmissable entertainment for everyone. The ABC is expected to play the show on Monday night as well, but how it will fit in around it’s political heavy Monday night programming is not clear at this point, It will also be available on iView. The BBC recently released a new teaser trailer for the series which saw Jody Whittaker breaking a glass ceiling. In the background Macklemore’s tune Glorious plays with the lyrics “ I feel glorious, glorious Got a chance to start again.”  Rove McManus and his team of Doctor Who die-hards will also be returning with their show Whovians.

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What did we chat about at the Open Programming Meeting?

We had a second open programming meeting a while back to discuss what people would like to see in the program in 2019.  Here’s some of the things that came up in the wide ranging discussion.

How does the new series of Lost in Space compare to the original series and the feature film?

Imagining how some of our favourite character’s stories continued, what if several creative people put forward their thoughts on what happened to Counselor Troi, what were the further adventures of Nyssa, what happened to Heath on The Walking Dead?

What are our favourite reboots?

Roseanne is back, Will and Grace is back, Full House is back, Picard is coming back - who else what we like to return?

It would be great to have an old school paranormal romance panel.

A competition where you write a short story to match a picture.

Dave Cake’s Cyber Crime presentation was great, more things like this.

The program should be locked off much sooner - weeks before the convention is on.

What is the Road to Lovecraft?

Storytelling is getting faster - how fast will it get. 

April 19th 2019 will be the 10th anniversary of the death of JG Ballard.

Panel idea - looking back on 1999

Panel idea - Does classic TV hold up?

Panel idea - TV series that were set in a future that is now in the past

Panel idea - 81 years of Superman

We’d like to get more regular communication from Swancon  

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A chat with Star Trek’s Doctor Crusher

It’s no secret that Grant Watson, one of Swancon’s programmer for 2019, is a massive Star Trek fan.  Over at Film Ink Grant got to chat with actor Gates McFadden who played Dr Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Take a read of Grant’s interview.  

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‘Blake’ 7′ actor Jacqueline Pearce dies aged 74 

Jacqueline Pearce who played Supreme Commander Servalan on the TV series Blake’s 7 has passed away after a short illness, she was 74.

Pearce was originally only book to appear on the 1970′s sci-fi show for one episode but her character was so popular she became a constant nemesis over the show’s four seasons that aired between 1978 and 1981. She also had a memorable role in Doctor Who appearing in The Two Doctors alongside Patrick Troughton and Colin Baker in 1985. Pearce also appears in several Big Finish Doctor Who audio dramas playing a Time Lord.  The actor passed away at her home in Lancashire after being diagnosed with lung cancer just a few weeks ago. 

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Stellar Echoes - Jesse Andrews and Foz Meadows

Here's another edition of the podcast Stellar Echoes. This edition features two interviews with authors.  Firstly we chat to Jesse Andrews about his new book Mun Mum, and then a conversation recorded at Swancon 2018, an interview with guest of honour Australian author Foz Meadows.  

Have you registered for Swancon 2019?

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Matt Smith rumoured to be joining Star Wars IX

There are reports that former Doctor Who actor Matt Smith is signing on to appear in the next installment of the Star Wars saga. The upcoming film doesn’t have a name yet, but it’s got Richard E Grant, Kerri Russell  and Dominic Monaghan are also said to be joining the cast. Matt Smith has completed tow seasons of The Crown but does not appear in the next series as all the roles have been recast with older actors.     If you love Matt Smith check out this Tumblr that tracks his everyone move.   

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The Innocents

Netflix’s new sci-fi series ‘The Innocents’ has just dropped. 

The story starts in Scotland with a 16 year old girl plotting to run away with her secret boyfriend.  June ( Sorcha Groundsell) has a controlling father who watches her every move. Tomorrow on her 16th birthday he plans to move their family to a remote island, but June has hatched a getaway plan.  Meanwhile in Norway a doctor (Guy Pearce) is working with a group of people in a remote community, where they too must follow strict rules.   Teaming up with her secret boyfriend Henry (Wizards vs Aliens Percelle Ascott) June sneaks out of the house and begins her escape. Things quickly go off the rails though when they meet a mysterious pair of men who try to kidnap June.  Soon its revealed that June has a scary and special power.  This was an intriguing series (from the first episode) Check it out on Netflix. Graeme Watson  

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Stellar Echoes

Graeme Watson, Todd Rowlands and Jay Watson and joined by Grant Watson to hear about what makes a good Swancon panel, plus they chat about Doctor Who, books and soundtracks.