#philcon 2020

[philcon-programming]

Philcon 2020′s programming schedule is now live!

Philcon 2020 is a virtual convention that will be running November 20 - 22 on a combination of Zoom and Discord. This year it is FREE TO ATTEND, although we do have a gofundme up to help cover our costs.  ~ Philcon is the Philadelphia area's annual science fiction conference. The first of its kind in the United States, Philcon started out in 1936 as a literary-centric con, but has expanded over the years to include coverage of science & technology, performative media, comics & graphic novels, anime & animation, art, costuming, gaming, filk, and fandom issues. Philcon's programming features talks, panel discussions, demonstrations, workshops, readings, performances and other events focused on the content and creation of works in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres.  https://philcon.org/

[lynati]

...I should go sign up for all the stuff I hope to see NOW, while I’ve got a few minutes to myself, shouldn’t I?

[philcon-programming]

Philcon 2020!

The links to sign up to attend panels via Zoom at Philcon 2020, a Virtual Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention running November 20 - 22, are now live! (After the first time you enter your info, you only have to put in your name and email for the other panels / program items you want to register to attend.) We’ve also JUST added several items to our Art Track, in the form of Demos that will happen in the #Artist Demos channel in the Art Show on our Discord.  Philcon’s panels start at 5:30 EST on Friday, November 20th, but our Filk track is kicking off at 11am EST Friday morning. We have a track of Science & Technology, two tracks focused on Literary & Craft of Writing Discussions, a mixed track for items related to Fandom, Gaming, and Media, a track running on Saturday & Sunday focused on Anime, and one of Author Readings. Gaming Sessions, Art Demos, and Text-Based Media Discussions will be happening on our Discord throughout the weekend as well.  Philcon 2020 is FREE TO ATTEND. (Donations to our GoFundMe are, of course, greatly appreciated.) Hope to see you there! ~ Lynati Head of Programming, Philcon 2020

[philcon-programming]

Programming starting on November 21st at Saturday, 1pm EST: Artificial Intelligence: Past, Present, Futures  -- From Oz’s Tik-Tok to the Mechanical Turk, from Neural Nets & Genetic Algorithms to Chess & StarCraft, from fighting the Coronavirus to flying Killer Drones, from Facial Recognition to Fakes, Deep Fakes, & Anti-Fakes, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere today. How did it start? What do we mean by AI? What are the basic AI techniques? How is it being used? What are the benefits? risks? and how should we manage AI going forwards? Approaching Diversity --  While the current push for more diverse representation is viewed by most as a good thing, the way it is handled doesn’t always satisfy the hopes or desires of those looking to finally see someone like *them* in a relevant role. When trying to write characters with backgrounds different from our own, how do we make the lives and realities of those characters- and the stories they are a part of- informed by their identities, rather than treating "diversity" as merely a checklist of character traits to include in our cast? Writing For Aliens: Cities Without Stairs? --  Things to consider when designing architecture, urban planning, and space stations for non-humanoid aliens. How Gaming Is Important To Fandom --  Despite being an intersection of innovative storytelling formats, fantastic visual artistry, audio dramas, and community interaction, Gaming's place in science fiction, fantasy, and horror is often overlooked. How do games continue to influence the way genre stories are told? How else does Gaming affect fandom? A Heart Made Fullmetal: A Fullmetal Alchemist Panel  --  FMA ended over ten years ago, but how did it leave such an impact? Where did the author get ideas for this beloved series, like Equivalent Exchange? Join us to learn and further discuss the series in detail! (2pm) Discord #Artist Demos channel in the Art Show: Tiara Construction -  Join Sara Felix talking about her weekly tiaras she makes for Tiara Tuesdays.  She will discuss how she came up with the ideas for some of them, talk through basic steps, and answer any questions you might have about their construction. Readings:  Alyce Wilson (1pm),   Tobias F. Cabral  (1:30pm),  Max Gladstone (2pm) Filk: Concert by Gary Ehrlich The invite to the Philcon Discord server is https://discord.gg/2XSZQ3e Register for the Zoom items at the bottom of each panel listing at: https://www.konopas.philcon.org   ~ It’s easier to navigate by hitting “Expand All” so all the panel descriptions pop open!

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(Philcon is free to attend this year!)

[philcon-programming]

Programming starting on November 21st at SATURDAY, 10pm EST:  The Adventures of Baron Munchausen --  An improv storytelling round robin where each panelist tells the most extraordinary anecdote from their travels with the Baron...based on a prompt just given to them from the previous storyteller. The Science of "Away"  --  Netflix's recent miniseries depicts life aboard a spaceship en route to Mars. How realistic are the crew's solutions to the problems they are faced with? Bookclubbing for a Brighter Tomorrow --  A discussion of the rewards and challenges of forming small discussion groups, practical advice on finding members and keeping them interested in coming back, and an overview of considerations such as: How is reading different when you know you will have to articulate your reactions and interpretations to a group of peers? Presented by members of Million Year Picnic Book Club. millionyearpicnic.org Q&A: DisCon III, the 79th Worldcon --   The 79th World Science Fiction Convention has a lot planned in Washington, DC August 25-29, 2021. If you're asking questions like, "What kind of plans?", "What is there to do in DC?", or even, "What's this 'Worldcon' thing you're talking about?", then you are cordially invited to come hear about all the amazing things that will be going on next August! Bring your curiosity and your questions! [Presented by Colette Fozard and Bill Lawhorn, co-chairs of DisCon III, and Lisa Adler-Golden, Head of Programming.]

Discord #media-discussion : The Magnus Archives --  What's YOUR theory on how it's going to end? Saturday Night Open Filk --  Saturday Night Open Filk starts at 6pm EST and runs until the last person turns in for the night. (Or morning.) The invite to the Philcon Discord server is https://discord.gg/2XSZQ3e Register for the Zoom items at the bottom of each panel listing at: https://www.konopas.philcon.org   ~ It’s easier to navigate by hitting “Expand All” so all the panel descriptions pop open!

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(Philcon is free this year!)

[philcon-programming]

Philcon 2020!

~   Programming starting on November 21st at SATURDAY, 8:30pm EST:   ~ The Atlanta Radio Theatre Company Presents: "Solution Unsatisfactory" by Robert A. Heinlein --  Based on the short story by Robert A. Heinlein (and granted to the ARTC to adapt by Mrs. Virginia Heinlein) first published in the May 1941 Astounding, "Solution Unsatisfactory" predicts a prescient version of the end of WWII and atomic stalemate after it.   This is a recording of "Solution Unsatisfactory" was recorded live at DragonCon in 2001. The play was written by Daniel Taylor and directed by William Alan Ritch.  Included in the cast is SF and comic book writer, Peter David.

Imagining the New Normal --  The changes in environment and behavior in response to pandemic conditions; observational and speculative discussion by the experts. 

What Else Might Have Changed? --   There is far more to the alternate history fiction than speculations about the fallout from a different side winning a notable battle. What if historically significant ideas were different? Think of de Camp's ARISTOTLE AND THE GUN in which a time traveler messes up the very conception of science.

How to Sell the Story You Wrote vs How to Write a Story 'That Will Sell' --  Many books provide tips to improve your likelihood of selling a book or a film treatment by making the story follow a certain formula. But what if you're looking to sell something that intentionally breaks the popular molds, rather than conforming to them?

Discord #media-discussion : Westworld Saturday Night Open Filk --  Saturday Night Open Filk starts at 6pm EST and runs until the last person turns in for the night. (Or morning.) (9pm) Game: Jackbox Games with Ginny Swann (2 Hours, T for Teen) https://www.jackboxgames.com/what-is-jackbox/ https://www.jackboxgames.com/how-to-play/ The invite to the Philcon Discord server is https://discord.gg/2XSZQ3e Register for the Zoom items at the bottom of each panel listing at: https://www.konopas.philcon.org   ~ It’s easier to navigate by hitting “Expand All” so all the panel descriptions pop open!

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(Philcon is free this year!)

[philcon-programming]

Philcon 2020

**  Programming starting on November 21st at Saturday, 4pm EST:  ** Drift Compatible: The Science of Neural Interface Technology --  What can be done with current technology? Are we going to be piloting mechs with our minds before the decade is out? The Other Sciences (in Fiction) --  For years, Science Fiction was most closely associated with space travel, time travel, and alien life forms- but astronomy, physics, and biology are hardly the only scientific fields that inspire speculation. How have the other sciences, both hard and soft, been utilized or explored in the genre? When to Set Something on Fire --  If your plot feels like it is dragging, maybe it's time to consider a major change in the route you had mapped out for your characters. How can you tell when it would benefit your story to torch the boats and send your characters traveling by foot instead? Creating More Inclusive Games --  What kind of changes can you make to both your game world and your game play that lets potential players know that they are welcome in your group? Let's focus on considerations in game design to promote inclusion and accessibility.   Discord #media-discussion : Doctor Who Discord #Artist Demos channel in the Art Show :  Hats and Spats presents Polymer Clay Sculpting #1 --  Nora Echeverria uses different colors of polymer clay to create a marbled pattern, then uses that to sculpt dragons and tentacles for wearables or curiosities.  Polymer clay cures in a regular oven, no kiln needed. (A second demo will be running on Sunday at 2pm!) Broad Universe Rapid-Fire Readings! --  Members of The Broad Universe take turns reading short selections from their works. This year's presenters include Elizabeth Crowens, Roberta Rogow, Kathryn Sullivan, D.H. Timpko, Sally Wiener Grotta, Anne E.G. Nydam, Randee Dawn, Deirdre Murphy,  L.J. Cohen, and Carol Gyzander. Filk:  Concert by Deirdre Murphy (5pm) Filk:  Concert by Rhiannon's Lark Game: HomeRunnerZ - The Trivia Game that Plays Like Baseball! https://meet.jit.si/HomeRunnerZwithAlex All-new edition of HomeRunnerZ! My online party game that anyone can play!!! It's an easy trivia game that plays like baseball! Two teams compete by sending up their best batters!How many bases can they score? Or will they get caught OUT by the opposition? Very simple rules will be taught at the event. There will be prizes! NOTE: this event requires a minimum of 6 participants, and a maximum of 18GM: Alex Strang * The invite to the Philcon Discord server is https://discord.gg/2XSZQ3e Register for the Zoom items at the bottom of each panel listing at: https://www.konopas.philcon.org   ~ It’s easier to navigate by hitting “Expand All” so all the panel descriptions pop open!

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(Philcon is free this year!)

[philcon-programming]

Philcon 2020

Programming starting on November 21st at SATURDAY, 7pm EST:   Pandemic Fiction vs Pandemic Reality --  What stories written before 2020 match up to our experiences with the current pandemic? Which predicted vastly different reactions by the populations affected? How might living through Covid-19 impact the ways people will write viral outbreak scenarios in the future? Writing for Unreliable Narrators --  How is an author's approach to a story impacted when their point of view character isn't necessarily telling the truth about events, whether by intent or by other factors occluding their understanding of what happened? 

Do Different Genres Have Different Editing Needs? --  Are there problems that only seem to arise in specific genres? Are similar narrative flaws resolved differently in Horror vs. Fantasy vs. Science Fiction storytelling? Creating While Chronically ill --  Writers (and others) who've had to deal with long-term illnesses discuss the methods that help them stay motivated and see works through to completion. Discord #media-discussion : The Old Guard Readings: Catherine Asaro (7pm), Teel James Glenn (7:30pm),  Saturday Night Open Filk --  Saturday Night Open Filk starts at 6pm EST and runs until the last person turns in for the night. (Or morning.) (8pm)  Book Launch: "The Twofer Compendium" by Celestial Echo Press -- The Twofer Compendium is an anthology on the theme of twins. The anthology consists of 36 stories from 34 international authors. Stories run the gamut from mirror images, to conjoined twins, to evil/good twins … All manner of twin-ness is explored. The book launch will include readings by contributors Dawn Vogel, Lee F. Patrick, Bruce Meyer, Gary Zenker, Frank Kozusko, and Nicole Fratrich. The invite to the Philcon Discord server is https://discord.gg/2XSZQ3e Register for the Zoom items at the bottom of each panel listing at: https://www.konopas.philcon.org   ~ It’s easier to navigate by hitting “Expand All” so all the panel descriptions pop open!

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(Philcon is free this year!)