011: Friday Programming Schedule + Expanded Santa Rosa Room Programming

Our Friday Programming Schedule is up … click here to read it!

Expanded Santa Rosa Room Programming

A big part of what we love to celebrate and highlight at Comic-Con each year is the work of talented artists, comics, game, and fashion creators! This year, we’re presenting professional development panels for industry folk to participate in during the show. Check out the panels taking place in the Santa Rosa Room in the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina hotel, next door to the Hall A side of the Convention Center*, to see which ones might be best suited to your needs! You may find a partner to help bring your ideas to life on the page or you may find a brand-new job opportunity in gaming! So many amazing opportunities are available to you—just read the descriptions and see for yourself!

Thursday, July 18

1:00–2:00 State of the Tabletop Industry—Leaders from publishing, design, and media in the tabletop industry discuss growing trends, the changing market landscape, and how Kickstarter, Twitch, and social media are changing the shape of the industry.

2:30–4:30 Writers’ Coffeehouse at Comic-Con—Led by authors Peter Clines (Paradox Bound, Dead Moon), Delilah Dawson (Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire, No Country for Old Gnomes), Jonathan Maberry (V-Wars, Joe Ledger), and Scott Sigler (Earthcore, Generations Trilogy), this session focuses on the business of prose publishing. The Writers Coffeehouse is a bunch of writers sitting around talking about writing. No agendas, no requirements—just chat about markets, pitching and selling, conquering frustration and defeating writers block, and all of the good things that come from the community of writers. It’s open to everyone—from absolute beginners to award winners and bestsellers. Just show up, hang out, and talk. Or don't talk—lurk in the back and take notes.

5:00–6:00 Comic Story Clinic—Have an idea for a comic story or character but can’t seem to focus it? Veteran comic writer/editor Barbara Kesel (Watchmen, Hellboy, Star Wars), editor/writer/educators Danny Fingeroth (Spider-Man, Write Now magazine), and Dani Colman (Image, Academy of Art University), along with Archie Comics co-president Alex Segura (Pete Fernandez Miami Mystery series, Lethal Lit podcast) and others offer tips on how to strengthen your pitch, characters, or story concept and help you look at the project from the standpoint of an editor or artist who will have to draw it. In this combination panel and workshop, they’ll also address specific obstacles that attendees might have with their projects. Moderated by Fast Company's Sue Karlin.

7:00–9:00 Comic Creator Connection—Comic-Con is proud to once again host the Comic Creator Connection, a fast-paced networking event that puts writers and artists together to help them meet potential new creative partners. Here’s how it works: Writers and artists will sit down across from each other at a table (artists meaning pencillers, inkers, colorists, etc.—all are welcome!). Then, in 5-minute sessions, you will talk one-on-one with each other about your ideas and skills. At the end of each 5-minute period, you will get up and move on to the next person. If you’re interested in furthering the conversation, you can exchange contact information. If not, then politely move on. Think of it as speed-dating, but for writers and artists!

Friday, July 19

10:30–12:00 The Her Universe Workshop—Want to get into the business of geek fashion? Calling all designers, artists, lawyers, entrepreneurs. Hear from the founder of Her Universe, Ashley Eckstein, and a panel of industry professionals, and take a deep dive into the business of fashion, fandom, and licensing.

1:00–2:00 Becoming a Board Game Designer—Learn from board game industry professionals as they share stories about how they become board game designers and provide tips on how to pitch to publishers, how to build prototypes, and general best practices.

2:15–3:15 Finding Your Way in the Current Middle Ages—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. 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!

3:30–4:30 Tabletop Game Design: From Idea to Reality—Emma Larkins (co-host of Ludology, game designer), Joseph Z Chen (co-creator/artist, Metafactory Games), Matthew Austin (president, Mirror Box Games), and Kevin Hamano (Ignite Wonder Games) take attendees on a journey where tabletop game ideas are cultivated and turned into playable games. Panelists will explore various steps of tabletop game development, including playtesting, publishing, and getting one's game self-published. The panel will end with audience Q&A.

7:00–9:00 Comic Creator Connection 2—Comic-Con is proud to once again host the Comic Creator Connection, a fast-paced networking event that puts writers and artists together to help them meet potential new creative partners. Here’s how it works: writers and artists will sit down across from each other at a table (artists meaning pencillers, inkers, colorists, etc.—all are welcome!). Then, in 5-minute sessions, you will talk one-on-one with each other about your ideas and skills. At the end of each 5-minute period, you will get up and move on to the next person. If you’re interested in furthering the conversation, you can exchange contact information. If not, then politely move on. Think of it as speed-dating, but for writers and artists!

Saturday, July 20

10:30–12:00 Game Pitch Review—This pitch review will be conducted by a panel of professional game developers who will offer their advice and insight to those seeking to further their dreams of making their game a reality. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch a game for 3 to 5 minutes and then receive constructive criticism on the concept and the pitch. This session will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, and sign-ups will be taken on site for the six pitch slots. To participate in the Game Pitch Review, you must be prepared before you sign up. Those not prepared will forfeit their pitch session. Preparation includes: (1) A well-practiced, 3- to 5-minute verbal pitch that clearly explains the game concept, how it’s unique to the marketplace, why it would be worth funding, etc.; (2) any hardcopy or digital visuals (images, video, etc.) that help illustrate the concept and viability of the idea (you must bring the device on which you will display the visuals); (3) being imaginative and passionate—imagine you’re making a very quick pitch to receive funding for your idea. Sign-ups will begin at 10:00 AM.

1:00–3:00 Gaming Creator Connection—The Gaming Creator Connection is an opportunity for game developers—whether currently working in the industry or aspiring to do so—to receive valuable advice, insights, and mentoring from seasoned veterans of the game industry representing diverse professional backgrounds. The GCC is a perfect opportunity to seek expert guidance in art/design, narrative, and business. Participants will have around 15–20 minutes to speak with a mentor and will be able to rotate between mentors in their field of interest in order to maximize the amount of feedback.

3:30–4:30 Rockstar Games—Rockstar Games is hiring. They are in search of talented illustrators as well as graphic and conceptual artists to join their team and become part of some of the most creatively rewarding, large-scale projects to be found in any entertainment medium. Please come by with your C.V. and portfolio to discuss opportunities.

5:00–6:00 Browncoats Meet Up—Meet up with the California Browncoats and see what's new in the ’Verse! And if you come dressed in your tightest tight pants, you can participate in the Firefly-themed cosplay contest, judged by Susie Searight (con chair of Browncoat WayStation, a charity event that benefits The Wounded Warrior Project), Chelsea Monroe-Cassel (Firefly: The Big Damn Cookbook), and Firefly costume designer Shawna Trpcic. Prizes include VIP badges for next year's Browncoat WayStation.

Sunday, July 21

11:30–12:30 Secret Origin of Good Readers—Reading at an early age is crucial. Early reading can spark a child’s imagination and build lifelong interest in learning. Find out how with Brian Michael Bendis (Superman), NYT and USA Today bestselling author Anne Elizabeth (Zombie Power series), Dave Elliott (Weirding Willows), NYT critically acclaimed author Alisa Kwitney (Mystik U), Marjorie Liu (Monstress), and Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics). Panelists discuss and demonstrate how students can create their own comics in a classroom as well as benefits of utilizing graphic novels in academic settings.

12:30–1:30 Secret Origins Kids Club—A beginner’s introduction to comic book reading and the exciting choices available for kids. Anina Bennett (Boilerplate, Frank Reade), NYT and USA Today bestselling author Anne Elizabeth (Zombie Power series), Dave Elliott (Weirding Willows), NYT critically acclaimed author Alisa Kwitney (Mystik U), NYT bestselling author Marjorie M. Liu (Monstress), and Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics) will discuss creating a comic book from scratch. Depending on audience attendance, the organizers would enjoy sharing a game called Duck Duck Comics, which mimics Duck Duck Goose but utilizes comic creation techniques and invites the players to create an original interactive comic concept. Secret Origin of Good Readers, the free 70+ page companion resource book [PDF] and reading lists, is available at night-flight.com/secretorigin.

2:00–4:00 Comics, Coffee, and Conversation—Creators Danielle Colman (The Unfinished Corner), Jason Lutes (Berlin), and Brian Schirmer (Fairlady), educator John Shableski (UDON/Manga Classics), retailer Rachel Parker (SoCal Games & Comics), comics librarians including host Moni Barrette (Chula Vista Public Library), and fellow comics enthusiasts will engage in fandom conversations over coffee! Topics will range from how graphic novels are used in education, how diversity is spreading in the comics community, and information about the new Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table of the American Library Association.

*The Santa Rosa Room is on the lower level of the Marriott’s South Tower just before the escalators that take you up to the Starbucks on the lobby level of that building. Follow the walkway between Hall A and the Marriott, through the parking garage entrance. See the map below.