Conzilla Program Schedule

Note: This is a preliminary schedule. Times, participants and places are subject to change!

Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Program Grid

Friday

Friday, 7pm

Pavilion

Vintage Dance!

On the evening before the Westercon, the San Diego Vintage Dancers, will be coming to the Pavilion at the Mission Valley Marriott for a evening of dance from the age of Jazz. Instruction will be provided. Dancing starts as 7 pm. There is no entry fee for this event. If you are arriving Friday so as to be able to start the convention early Saturday, or just live in the area, please join us!

Saturday

Saturday, 10am

Salon D

Run and Find Out: How to Do Research Without Specialized Knowledge

So you're not a scientist but you want in incorporate cloning in your next book and you need to get it right. Or perhaps you need background on the Vikings for your latest fantasy, but history is not your area. Our panel discusses the resources at your disposal and how best to use them.

Jean Lorrah, Francis Hamit, David Friedman, Leigh Strother-Vien

Salon A

NASA: Are the Big Projects Pushing out Science?

More and more space science projects are being put on hold but the international space station pushes ahead. Is this the best way to spend out money?

Jonathan Kotas, Bridget Landry, Dan Rankin

Salon B

The Fate of Humanity: Man Destroys Himself

Science Fiction has envisioned many paths that humanity could take in its future. In the first of a series of panels, our guests discuss literature in which man's destiny is simply to end.

Kevin Gerard, Marc Matz, Jefferson Swycaffer, Lynn Maudlin

Salon C

Costume Design: Principles and Elements

Have you ever wondered how designers think? During this lecture demo, the principles and elements of design are introduced — and then applied — to the process of costume design.

Dawn Devine

Cabrillo 2

Tai Chi

Stretch and wake up your body. Invented in China in the early 19^th century, Tai Chi is a "soft" martial art in which the muscles are relaxed rather than tightened and is often practiced as a form of physical and mental therapy.

Steven Barnes

Saturday, 11am

Salon D

Mars Exploration Rovers Year 2

NASA's two Mars Exploration Rovers have been traveling the red planet for over two years now. Each Rover has inspected over four miles of red sand and rock, craters and dunes, looking for evidence of water. Mars Society members will give you a tour of Mars by way of the twin Rovers' points-of-view.

Gerry Williams, David Rankin

Salon A

Basic SF library

What are the books that everyone should have in their science fiction library? The ones that are most outstanding and formative of their field?

John Hertz, Sheila Finch, Spring Schoenhuth, Leigh Strother-Vien

Salon B

Hogwarts: Sorting Hat

Our special summer introductory version of Hogwarts begins. Children who wish to apply should come to be assigned into their respective houses by the Sorting Hat.

James Hay, Mark Renshaw

Salon C

Out of the Closet and into the Halls: Creative Costuming with What You've Got

Not everyone has the time or the skill to create elaborate costumes. Our panel will tell you how to create costumes with what you already have available to you.

Arabella Benson, Sandy Manning, Andy Trembley, Karen Anderson

Salon F

Geeks as Heroes

When the brawny hero can't save the day, who are you going to turn to? Why the little guy with the calculator, the worn-out library card and the lack of social skills. A discussion of the hero that fandom can really relate to.

Bandit, Bridget Landry, Todd McCaffrey

Cabrillo 2

Games as Literary Art

Designing a game scenario or campaign can be just as much of a creative art as writing a story or novel. Mileau, plot, characters, background — all the elements are there. And just as with novels, sometimes your characters do other than what you had originally planned. A discussion of the parallels and how to apply the principals of writing to your gamemastering.

Cody Goodfellow, Allison Lonsdale, William Stoddard, Janet Tait

Sante Fe

Get Yourself in Print!

Well, you've produced 27 short stories and 3 novels but they are all sitting on your computer. How will you get your tales out there to the masses?

Jefferson Swycaffer, Mike Moscoe, Dylan Birtolo, Dawn Devine, Evo Terra

Dealers' Room

Autographs: David Ross

Saturday, 12 noon

Salon D

Opening Ceremonies

Join us for the official opening of Westercon 59, featuring our Guests of Honor.

Walter Jon Williams, Bob Eggleton, Bobbi Armbruster, Kevin J. Anderson

Salon A

PC Nation: Who Is it Okay to Offend/Make Fun Of?

You can't use sports team names referring to Indians — oops — Native Americans. Universities have speech codes which designate how we can refer to one another. Are we getting more sensitive to each other's sensibilities or just more easily offended?

Jeannie Graham, Steven Barnes, Jane Mailander, Lorna Freeman

Salon B

Technology of Writing

We'd hate to be producing this program book on clay tablets. How has the instrumentation that has been available effected not only how much gets written but what gets written?

Sheila Finch, Henry Melton, Vernor Vinge, John DeChancie

Salon C

Trek as Metaphor

The mutual prejudices of Blacks and Whites become a fight between people who are black on opposite sides. Drug addiction becomes a predatory relationship between two worlds. A look at how all versions of Star Trek have used the future to comment on the current society.

James Hay, Michael DeMeritt, Kevin Gerard, Marc Scott Zicree

Salon F

Decorating Your House the Fannish Way

Our differences as fans not only come out in the way we dress, but in the way we decorate where we live. And not just in the number of bookshelves. This can range from fannish art and photographs of your favorite actors to schemes based around some SF premise.

Nancy Hay, Thomas Oliver, Allison Hershey, Judy Lazar, Sue Dawe

Dealers' Room

Autographs: David Friedman, Jenna Rhodes

Saturday, 1 pm

Salon D

Fantasy World Building #1: Place And Races

Come join our guests as they create an entire new fantasy realm over the course of two days. In the first of our sessions, panelists create a world for events to take place in and the people who inhabit it.

Deborah Ross, Kevin J. Anderson, Jenna Rhodes, Dylan Birtolo

Salon A

How (and how well) do writers maintain consistency across series?

In a series of novels, or television shows, a lot goes on. There are plot lines, relationships, and even simple facts to keep track of. (And you know that some nit picker is going to notice any problems.) How do you deal with all this information? How well are writers out there doing it? This panel is sponsored by the San Diego SF/F writers.

Vernor Vinge, Nancy Holder, Karen Taylor, Corby Kennard

Salon B

Hogwarts: History of Magic (Stories)

We've sent Professor Bins on retreat and brought in some new professors to regale our summer students with tales of fantastic people and events.

Kevin Andrew Murphy, Cody Goodfellow

Salon C

Anthropomorphics in the Visual Arts

A discussion of styles of painting and other arts used to represent anthropomorphic creatures.

Bob Eggleton, Allison Hershey, Jefferson Swycaffer, Michael Underwood

Salon F

Energy Options for the 21^st Century

Here we are in another energy crisis, not to mention global warming. Among the many proposed options — conservation, nuclear, wind, solar, hybrids, ethanol, even new uses of coal — what are our actual best possibilities for energy sources to get us out of these holes we are digging (in the ozone layer)?

Ctein, Jonathan Kotas, David Ross, James Young

Cabrillo 2

If We Ran the Networks

The offerings of the networks can often be pretty disappointing. What would we get if we let fans set the agenda? Find out.

Val Ontell, Janet Tait, Marc Scott Zicree

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Marc Matz, Karen Anderson

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Heather Alexander

Saturday, 2 pm

Salon D

Behind the Cameras of Star Trek

Crew taken photographs detail life behind the scenes on Star Trek Enterprise.

Michael DeMeritt

Salon A

San Diego for Book Lovers

What stores and book groups are available for fans in San Diego

This panel is sponsored by The San Diego Fandom Meetup

Allison Lonsdale, Jennifer Marchese-Ernst, John Oliver

Salon B

Anachronistic Details in Literature

Ever notice those little details that were not quite right? The Roman cavalry in this book gets up on their stirrups to attack. But the stirrup wasn't invented in 50 BC! Yeah, things like that. A discussion of when historical SF does bad things and how best to avoid it yourself.

Robert Reginald, David Friedman, Joy Oestreicher, Amy Sterling Casil

Salon C

The Great Evolutionist Conspiracy

What do things look like from the other side of the Creation/Evolution controversy? Two of our panelists grew up in that world and discuss the beliefs and mindsets of the born again and how they look at the perceived conspiracy against their world view.

Jeannie Graham, Chuck Graham, James Hay

Salon F

Backrub Workshop

jan howard finder

Cabrillo 2

Organizing a Con

You don't think these things just happen, do you? It takes a lot of work and what is more a lot of planning. People who have been there discuss what it takes to do a convention right.

Bobbi Armbruster, Kevin Standlee, Craig Miller, Ed Green, Nora Rankin

Santa Fe

Concerts

Tom Tuerff, Steve Savitzky, Jane Mailander, Timothy Griffin

Pavilion

Movie: Destination: Mars!

Presented by The Mars Society: San Diego Chapter

Balboa 2

Reading: Todd McCaffrey

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Denise Dumars, Steven Barnes

Art Show

Docent Tour: Sue Dawe

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Lorna Freeman

Saturday, 3 pm

Salon D

Fantasy World Building #2: Gods and Mythologies

Okay, so we have a world, but how did it get here? Our world creation project continues as our panel creates gods for the races that were created in our first session and the mythologies surrounding them.

Deborah Ross, Jenna Rhodes, Larry Niven, Joy Oestreicher

Salon A

It Works Great on Paper: Political SF

Science Fiction isn't just alien creatures and super science. Such famous works as 1984 explore human government, its problems, its possibilities, and its dangers A look at various works about man (and other beings) as a political animal.

Dafydd ab Hugh, Nora Milner, Mike Moscoe, Marc Matz, jan howard finder

Salon B

Hogwarts: Wandmaking

Our instructors give a lesson in the fine art of wand making and help students construct wands of their own.

John Hart, Susan Gleason

Salon C

Logistics of LARP

When you are sitting around a table, you can go anywhere or do anything easily enough. All it depends on is your player's imagination. But in live-action role play, you need to create the places and provide the objects and people for your players to interact with. Members of the ShadowLords LARP discuss how to do this.

Leslie McEuen, Jason Miller

Salon F

Human-Machine Interface: Neural WiFi and the Telepathic Internet

This program book is being entered by old fashioned typing. Verbal translation programs have been available for a while. But what about more advanced human input devices? What if you could directly interface with the computer with your thoughts?

Glenn Glazer, L. Blunt Jackson, Jonathan Vos Post

Cabrillo 2

Accessories Make the Costume

You think you're done now that you've sewn that Elizabethan dress or wizard outfit? Heck, you've just begun. You've got hats, shoes, belts, fans, weapons, glasses, even giant cold capsules. (No, really.) The accessories that you ad can change the entire nature of the character you have chosen to portray and make even the simplest outfit something special.

Arabella Benson, Kevin Roche, Kate Morgenstern, James Hay

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Todd McCaffrey, James Young

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Dawn Devine

Saturday, 4 pm

Salon D

Alternate Histories: Suddenly the World Changed

Remember when Cordelia wished that Buffy had never come to Sunnydale? In some fiction, the alternate timeline is not a fixed feature but happens within the story, placing the protagonist is a very different world. How will they cope? Can they change things back? Do they even want to?

Steven Barnes, Vernor Vinge, Sheila Finch, Jim Webbert

Salon A

Things I Wish Some Pro Had Told Me When I Was Starting Out

No-nonsense advice on how to manage your writing career, the publishing business, and staying alive in the industry.

Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta

Salon B

Raising the Dead: Remaking Old TV and Movies

Batman Began — again, Kolchak got more sexy and Galactica became a WHOLE lot grimmer. Old television shows and movies are being recreated for a new generation. How have they been changed? What worked and which revivals were not such good ideas?

Lee Whiteside, Marc Scott Zicree, Janet Tait

Salon C

Time Travel

A presentation showing the actual science behind the theory of time and the ramifications of time travel.

Jonathan Vos Post, Christine Carmichael

Salon F

Vampire/Human Relationships

They are an entirely different species and we are their prey. But it's not so simple since we are both intelligent races. And just as among humans, the relationship can take infinitely many forms.

Nancy Holder, Jean Lorrah, Jeannie Graham, Jenna Rhodes, Karen Taylor

Cabrillo 2

Star Wars Trivia

The San Diego Star Wars Society and 501^st Legion (Vader's Fist) present a Star Wars trivia competition.

Balboa 2

Reading: Amy Sterling Casil

Pavilion

Movie: Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

A parody of 1950's B movies.

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Michael DeMeritt, Deborah Ross

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Walter Jon Williams

Saturday, 5 pm

Salon D

Ecology of Dragons

In some works they are just convenient villains who pop up to cause trouble for the heroes. But these are large predatory creatures who are going to have quite an impact on their surroundings. Fleshing out what we know about these creatures.

Joy Oestreicher, Atanielle Rowland, Judy Lazar, Patricia Mathews

Salon A

Sex and Romantic Themes in Role-playing Games

Role Playing doesn't have to be all fighting and solving problems. Characters can explore all the different aspects of human relationships, not to mention each others' characters. (Okay, who did I hear out there going, "Ewww!"?)

Allison Lonsdale, William Stoddard, Janet Tait

Salon B

Firefly Costuming

Members of San Diego Browncoats discuss how to create outfits for characters from the world of Firefly.

David Becker, Elizabeth Wade

Salon C

Science of Art

What are the chemical, physical or even psychological principals that allow artists to create their works? How can these be used to create new effects and even new types of art?

Susan Gleason, Ctein, April Lee, San Le

Salon F

Types of Stories

The central element of a story might be a particular character, his foibles and development. This is called "character-driven". Or the characters could be subservient to the plot. Or the story could be driven by an idea, an event or even a milieu. Panelists discuss the different types of stories, uses their advantages and disadvantages

Dafydd ab Hugh, Marti McKenna, Mike Moscoe, Marc Matz

Cabrillo 2

Writing Funny Filk

Dying (on stage) is easy, comedy is hard. Some experienced filkers discuss how to put your humor into song.

Tom Tuerff, Jane Mailander, Steve Savitzky

Balboa 2

Reading: David Friedman

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Cody Goodfellow

Evening

Saturday, 7 pm

Pavilion

Cabaret Show and Meet the Guests

Please join our convention mascot Conrad T. Lizard in the Lizard Lounge on Saturday Night for his nightclub act and meet the guests roundup! Conrad will sing some great standards and a special song debuting at Conzilla. Sample the green drinks at the no-host bar, and stay for the dance after the show! Curtain time is 7:00pm, dark Tuesday.

Kevin Roche, Walter Jon Williams, Bob Eggleton, Bobbi Armbruster, Kevin J. Anderson

Saturday, 8 pm

Salon B

Furry Reception (runs through evening)

Celebrating the 20^th anniversary of Furry Fandom parties — returning to Westercon in San Diego! Call them funny animals, talking animals, or rabbits-in-waistcoats — They're everywhere, and they have a fandom all to themselves. Come see what we've been doing since 1986!

Salon C

Mars in the Movies (2.5 hours)

Since 1910, when Thomas Alva Edison lensed "A Trip to Mars", the red planet Mars has been a favorite topic of over 100 feature films. Gerry Williams, creator of the MarsMovieGuide.com, takes us on a multimedia tour of some of the best (as well as the worst) movies about Mars ever made.

Gerry Williams

Santa Fe

Classic Trek Song Circle (Filk)

Saturday, 9 pm

Salon A

Shadowlords LARP

Experience live-action role-playing in the World of Darkness.

Leslie McEuen, Jason Miller, Vickie Liebrand

Saturday, 10 pm

Pavilion

Buttonhead Ball

Lynx

Sunday

Sunday, 10 am

Salon D

Humans to Mars

It has been 34 years since we last stepped foot on the Moon, and Mars is beckoning to us. Plans are bring laid right now to return to the moon and from there go on to set foot on the Red Planet. Mars Society members takes a look at all the current plans for exploring and eventually colonizing Mars.

David Rankin, Gerry Williams

Salon A

Cosmic Supernatural Horror

Creatures beyond your imagining are coming from the stars and they want to suck your brains!

Cody Goodfellow, Matt Pallamary, Alan Rodgers

Salon B

Alternative Electoral Systems

With some modifications, we have been using our system of electing people to office for over 200 years and it seems to work pretty well. Except when it goes to the Supreme Court. Or the Congress. But there are many other systems around the world that also work. Better? And then there are the ones no one has even tried yet. (Hey, this IS a science fiction convention.)

Scott Norton, Kevin Standlee, Bill Taylor, Jefferson Swycaffer

Salon C

Poor Tactics in SF Movies and Television

Ever notice how SWAT and military personnel always seem to get picked off one-by-one by the villains or monsters? How the enemy always seems to slip out the back when this home or base is attacked? How would they do it in the real world?

Janet Tait, Michael DeMeritt, Mike Moscoe, John Hart, Jim Webbert

Salon F

SanSFIS meeting (2 hours)

A meeting of the San Diego Speculative Fiction Society, Inc., sponsors of Conjecture and the San Diego Fandom Index. (No breakfast rule in these bylaws.)

Cabrillo 2

Morning Dance & Stretch

Need a fitness break from the con? Sneak in a fun low-impact aerobic class that is infused with moves from Jazz Flamenco, Latin Ballroom and Belly dance. Great for all ages, genders and fitness levels.

Dawn Devine

Sunday, 11 am

Salon D

Art of Bob Eggleton

A look at the works of our Artist Guest of Honor

Bob Eggleton

Salon A

The Fannish Inquisition

Here at Conzilla, we are voting on the location for the Westercon in 2008. Come hear the various bids explain why you should be voting for THEM.

Phoenix in 2008, Las Vegas in 2008

Salon B

Hogwarts: Transfiguations: Origami

In the first of our Hogwarts classes in transfigurations, our instructor will show students how to turn a plain square of paper into many things.

Jane Mailander

Salon C

How to Write in an Established Universe

Okay, you need to create the next Star Trek novel. Or perhaps carry on a beloved novel series. Those who have been there discuss how to live up to the legacy you've inherited.

Kevin J. Anderson, Nancy Holder

Salon F

(SanSFIS meeting continues)

Santa Fe

Fate of Humanity: Man Evolved

Homo Habilis, then Homo Erectus, then Neanderthal and Cro Magnon. So who says humanity is the summit of evolution (or even a dead end)? This session of our series looks at tales of what man might evolve into.

Mike Moscoe, Amy Sterling Casil, Marc Matz, Marty Massoglia

Cabrillo 2

Can't We All Just Get Along? The Lack of Civility in Political Discourse

Attack ads, the red vs. blue state split, even panels at conventions often show it is — increasingly? — difficult to have a level-headed, logical and reasonable discussion of political issues. A look at the problem and a discussion of what might be done. (Play nice, kids.)

Steven Barnes, Michael Underwood, Dafydd ab Hugh, Val Ontell, David Friedman

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Dylan Birtolo, Sheila Finch

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Deborah Ross

Sunday, 12 noon

Salon D

Fantasy World Building #3: History and Culture

In our third installment, our panelists look at how the world developed under the gods and what kind of societies exist in it now.

Kevin Andrew Murphy, Marc Matz, Joy Oestreicher, Kevin J. Anderson

Salon A

Westercon Business Meeting (2 hours)

Salon B

Female of the Species: Women as Lycanthropes

Feminine and Feminist interpretations of the werecreature. Is she really more deadly than the male?

Sarah Clemens, Bridget Landry, Patricia Mathews, Alan Rodgers

Salon C

Heinlein's Mobile Infantry — For Real

A former contractor discusses the U. S. Army's attempt to create a system similar to that worn by soldiers in Heinlein's Starship Troopers.

Charles Cady

Salon F

Found Filk

Many songs out there in the mundane world would qualify as filks and often show up in circles. Tom Lehrer, Weird Al and the choices of Dr. Demento come to mind. A discussion of filks created outside the world of fandom.

Lynn Gold, Tom Tuerff, Jane Mailander, Steve Savitzky

Cabrillo 2

Writers Workshop

Bring pen and notebook plus a list of your own greatest story ideas. Whether you've written them or not, bring us only the idea. Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Prof. Jean Lorrah will show you how to select the best of your own ideas and generate various stories or novels from it. Then you will learn how to pick the most commercial one from those possible stories. Everyone must be committed to staying through both hours of this workshop. No late admittance. No guarantee of a sale.

Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Jean Lorrah (2 hours)

Santa Fe

Fused Appliqué for Costuming

With this method — which involves no sewing — you can add stars to your wizard robes or lizards to your pants. Come see hands on demo of this fast and fun technique.

Nancy Hay

Balboa 2

Robot preparations all day

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Bob Eggleton

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Michael DeMeritt

Art Show

Docent Tour: John Hertz

Sunday, 1 pm

Salon D

Octavia Butler Tribute

A remembrance of the late Hugo and Nebula Award winning author.

Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Denise Dumars, Evo Terra, Allison Hershey

Salon A

(Westercon Business Meeting continues)

Salon B

Hogwarts: Potions

Put away your wands and discover the subtle art of crafting potions.

James Hay

Salon C

Star Trek: The New Voyages

The New Voyages is a fan-produced, internet-distributed "television" series which continues ST: TOS with the fourth year of the original five year mission. Meet some of the creators who will discuss this addition to the franchise.

Marc Scott Zicree

Salon F

Non-Fabric Costuming

It's not all about sewing. Our panelists discuss the possibilities of costuming using plastics, metal, molding, heck, even CD ROMs.

Arabella Benson, Sue Dawe, Kate Morgenstern, John Hart

Cabrillo 2

(Writing Workshop continues)

Santa Fe

Anatomy of the Face

An artist's perspective.

Sarah Clemens

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Cody Goodfellow, Nancy Holder

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Larry Niven

Art Show

Docent Tour: Connor Freff Cochran

Sunday, 2 pm

Salon D

Walter Jon Williams Interview

Walter Jon Williams, Lynn Gold

Salon A

Fantasy World Building #4: Stories

We now have constructed a fleshed-out world with people, gods and a history. Our panelists discuss how this world could serve as a backdrop for storytelling and maybe will regale us with a few stories of their own.

Kevin Andrew Murphy, Deborah Ross, Marc Matz, Dylan Birtolo

Salon B

Harry Potter: Rampant Speculation

It's time for the last — well maybe — book. And Ms. Rowling certainly isn't telling us what is going to happen. But we're not going to let that stop us. Panelists speculate on how the author will resolve the various plot lines developed over the series.

Andrew Carmichael Post, Lorna Freeman, Ed Green, Nora Milner

Salon C

Is Mars the Wrong Goal?

President Bush announced that he wanted a trillion dollar effort to get a man on Mars. Many see Mars as the logical step for humanity on its way to the stars. But is this the best route? Are there other, better ways for man to establish himself in space, or other things we should be doing in space now instead?

Ctein, Jonathan Kotas, Spring Schoenhuth, Jonathan Vos Post, Gerry Williams

Salon F

Trivia for Chocolate

Test your knowledge of genre trivia and reward your sweet tooth. No teams, everyone gets to play!

Christian McGuire

Cabrillo 2

Convention Traditions We No Longer Need

Convention fandom as a culture is over 60 years old. A lot of activities have become standard, even some which aren't are popular any more or aren't catching on with the most recent generation of fans. What practices should go by to wayside so that convention resources can be spent more productively?

Glenn Glazer, Scott Norton, Kevin Standlee, Andy Trembley, Nora Rankin

Pavilion

Heather Alexander Concert (2 hours)

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Robert Reginald, Tim Powers

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Sheila Finch

Sunday, 3 pm

Salon D

Alternate History: Science Before Its Time

"The Difference Engine" was predicated on the idea that a mechanical computer — one actually proposed historically — was developed using the technology of the Victorian Age. What other inventions were or might have been thought of earlier than they were and what might the historical consequences have been?

Vernor Vinge, David Friedman, John DeChancie, Karen Anderson

Salon A

Putting a New Spin on Old Horror Tropes: How Do You Make Them Fresh?

Vampires, werewolves, ghosts. Tales of these creatures have been told since before writing. Yet some authors still find new avenues to explore.

Matt Pallamary, Nancy Holder, John Hart, Denise Dumars

Salon B

Hogwarts: Wizard Hats

If you're going to be a wizard, you need to look like one. Come and create your own headgear.

Arabella Benson, Kate Morgenstern

Salon C

Physics of Superheroes

What would really happen if Superman tried to lift your building by its corner? Could Magneto really levitate a human being? A scientific look at the mistakes in comics books, and what they got right.

James Hay, Jefferson Swycaffer, Andrew Carmichael Post

Salon F

Writing for TV

Professionals discuss what you need to know about creating scripts and how it is different from writing other prose.

Craig Miller, Michael DeMeritt, Steven Barnes, Marc Scott Zicree

Cabrillo 2

Running a Con Suite

The fans have arrived and they are hungry! And your con com has given you only so much money to provide for them. How to make ends meet, with style. This panel is sponsored by ConDor.

Alice Massoglia, The Hive Mind

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Lorna Freeman, Mike Moscoe

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta

Sunday, 4 pm

Salon D

Imaginary Sexes

On Alien Nation, binaums — ahem — prepared the way for males to inseminate their mates. Asimov's aliens in The Gods Themselves also had three sexes. In nature sex isn't always the male/female dichotomy that humans have, so why should it be true of aliens?

Larry Niven, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Ctein, Deborah Ross

Salon A

Advancing Machine Intelligence and the Singularity

As computers get more and more intelligent, there will be a theorized future point at which humans, at least as they currently exist, cease being the dominating force in scientific progress. This, theoretically, will be followed by a steep increase in the rate of progress which will leave ordinary humans behind. When might this be? Can we even imagine the shape of such a civilization?

Charles Cady, L. Blunt Jackson, James Young, Todd McCaffrey

Salon B

It's About Time Someone Told You the Truth: Secret Histories

That stuff the taught you in history class? Largely accurate but entirely wrong in terms of the real forces behind civilization. In The Da Vinci Code, the Catholic Church is suppressing the truth about Jesus. In The Illuminatus Trilogy pretty much everything you know is wrong. A look at literature that tries to give you the REAL truth.

Tim Powers, Allison Lonsdale, Christine Carmichael, Allison Hershey

Salon C

Art Show as Marketplace

How to best utilize convention art shows to sell your wares.

Sue Dawe, Dawn Devine, Bob Eggleton, Susan Gleason, April Lee

Salon F

Guilty Pleasures: TV

Sure the plots were improbable and the effects were laughable and the acting was questionable, but we loved it anyway. All the shows that we're still embarrassed to admit we watched.

Nancy Hay, Janet Tait, Rebecca Moesta, Lee Whiteside

Santa Fe

Reading: Hamit "Robot Dreams"

Cabrillo 2

Hogwarts: Herbology

Orundo Donax! The language of herbology is the language of Hogwarts magic. Examine plants of the conference grounds for their myth and magic. Create a floral decoration for yourself or your wand.

Atanielle Rowland

Quad

Robots Running Rampant!: Robot Sumo!

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Jane Mailander, Nora Milner

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Joy Oestreicher

Sunday, 5 pm

Salon D

Writing from a Non Human Point of View

Many aliens in literature and media have personalities which are human only with extreme emphasis on one trait: aggression, fear, greed, etc. But what would a creature, physically unlike us with no shared background, really think like? Can we even imagine the sort of logic or emotions they might have?

Steven Barnes, Henry Melton, Sheila Finch, Karen Taylor

Salon A

Lost: No, No, What's Really Going On

Well, Dharma — which hired the guy who turned Sayid into a torturer — is running this behavior experiment — which has results which are ignored — in one of a series of bunkers — another of which is just a door, which is defended by "the others", who are faking that they are primitive but actually have scientific facilities, and are kidnaping people... What? Can anybody explain this to me?

Nancy Hay, Andy Trembley, Jane Mailander, Janet Tait

Salon B

Diana Warrior Princess

Based on the game, in which Princess Diana and her followers fight bizarre gods and villains in a wildly anachronistic view of the 20^th century. Our panelists give their own hilarious version of the world that you lived.

Christine Carmichael, Jonathan Vos Post, Nancy Holder, James Young

Salon C

Superhero Gaming

An overview of the various role-playing games dedicated to superheroes and the many variations possible in this popular type of RPG.

Ed Green, Chris Weber, Jefferson Swycaffer, William Stoddard

Salon F

Jewelry Making

A discussion of techniques for the creation of beautiful baubles.

Dawn Devine, Spring Schoenhuth, David Friedman, Doreen Webbert

Cabrillo 2

The Spice Must Flow

A discussion of the new Dune novels, the resurgence of the classic novel, new movie plans, and other things Dune.

Kevin J. Anderson

Santa Fe

Flint Knapping Demonstration

Learn the ancient technique by which many of the earliest tools and weapons were created.

Susan Gleason

Pavilion

Movie: Surge of Power

Surge of Power: The Stuff of Heroes is an independently produced campy action-adventure story of an original comic book superhero. Director Mike Donahue will be in attendance to answer questions.

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Marc Scott Zicree, Michelle Welch

Art Show

Docent Tour: Geri Sullivan

Sunday, 7 pm

Salon A-D

Regency Dance

John Hertz

Salon F

Are You A Good Witch or Bad Witch?

A discussion of the various images of witches in literature and the media.

Bridget Landry, Leigh Strother-Vien, Jefferson Swycaffer

Sunday, 8pm

Salon F

Eroticism and Horror

What is the link between fear and sexuality? Why are vampires so seductive? A look at fiction that both attracts and repels. This panel is sponsored by the San Diego SF Writers.

Allison Lonsdale, Kevin Andrew Murphy, Karen Taylor, Corby Kennard

Santa Fe

Cindy Circle filking

A filk circle in honor of the late Cynthia McQuillan

Pavilion

Movie: Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

A parody of 1950's B movies. (second showing)

Sunday, 9 pm

Salon F

Horror Reading

Cody Goodfellow

Sunday, 10 pm (approximate)

Pavilion

Dance

Scott Beckstead

Salon F

Camerilla LARP (Part one, part two Monday Night)

The Camarilla, official role-playing club of White Wolf publishing, is hosting a night of Live Action Role Play (LARP). A mysterious force calls out to the vampire's beasts, the inner-demon raging inside all Kindred, drawing them to The Gate, a nightclub closed for renovation, in the busy Gas Lamp district. Pregenerated character's available; chronicle and new characters welcome.

Monday

Monday, 10 am

Salon D

Science Behind Fantasy

Just because its fantasy, doesn't mean its random. Once you have a fantastic premise, you need to maintain an internal consistency about it for your readers. Authors discuss how to do this.

Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Judy Lazar, Steve Boyett, Kevin Andrew Murphy

Salon A

Second Generation Writers

Writers discuss the how the have been influenced by their predecessors.

Kevin J. Anderson, Larry Niven, Mike Moscoe, Deborah Ross

Salon C

Classic, non Genre, Literary Works as Sources

Forbidden Planet was a reworking on Shakespeare's The Tempest. The Three Musketeers inspired many works. A discussion of the use of the classics that have been used in F&SF and what other works inspiration, and even characters, can be drawn from.

John Hertz, Joy Oestreicher, Amy Sterling Casil, Jean Lorrah

Salon F

The Changing Movie Industry

A look at the new technologies of the movie industry and how they will influence the sorts of movies that you will be seeing in the theater.

Michael DeMeritt, Craig Miller, Francis Hamit, Kevin Gerard

Monday, 11 am

Salon D

SF/F and Spirituality/Religion/Ethics

In James Blish's A Case of Conscience a priest must confront a world which challenges his Catholic beliefs. A great deal of science fiction deals with matters, not technological but metaphysical. A discussion how matters of religion and ethics are dealt with in the genre.

Jeannie Graham, John Hertz, Lorna Freeman, Sheila Finch

Salon A

Building a Website

What, you mean you don't have your own web site yet? Or didn't yours work out? Our experienced panelists discuss that it takes to make successful web site, and maintain it.

Susan Gleason, Steve Boyett, Sharon Sbarsky

Salon B

Comparative Anatomy in Art: Drawing Aliens, Furries and Fantastic Creatures

Ever see a painting of a unicorn in which the legs didn't bend the right way? Or there was just something wrong about how the dragon held himself? A discussion of basic anatomy information which will help you draw that creature right.

Sarah Clemens, Sue Dawe, April Lee

Salon C

Fandom as an Ethnicity

An anthropological look at science fiction fans as a quasi-subculture, with its own rituals, traditions, customs, dialects, and tribal leaders.

Bridget Landry, Kevin Andrew Murphy, Allison Lonsdale, Alice Massoglia

Salon F

Future Firearms

The army is currently working on a new generation of armaments, including one which will allow soldiers to kill enemies hiding on the other side of a wall. What other types of weapons are under development?

Ed Green, John Hart, Jefferson Swycaffer, Charles Cady

Cabrillo 2

Stage Movement

How to present yourself and carry yourself across a stage. Vital information for those interested in presenting themselves in a masquerade.

Kevin Roche

Santa Fe

Origami for Adults

Learn the ancient Japanese art of paper folding in this workshop.

Jane Mailander

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Walter Jon Williams

Art Show

Docent Tour: Bob Eggleton

Monday, 12 noon

Salon D

The Appeal of Evil

Probably the most popular character to come out of Star Wars is Darth Vader. The Silence of the Lambs had two sequels because people wanted more of Hannibal Lector. Why do we love characters we should fear and hate?

Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Sheila Finch, Kevin Gerard, Rebecca Moesta, Alan Rodgers

Salon A

Westercon Business Meeting, part 2

Salon B

Hogwarts: Transfigurations: Masks

Students transform themselves through masks that they create and their own imagination.

Kate Morgenstern

Salon C

Anachronistic World Views in Fiction

In much period fiction, the people react to situations just they way we would. This makes it easier to empathize with them but it is generally not accurate. Attitudes change with time. What we would consider a barbaric might in an earlier period be terribly progressive. Panelists discuss the problem of dealing with people as they actually were and making them appealing to a modern audience.

Amy Sterling Casil, Michelle Welch, Lorna Freeman

Salon F

The Concept of the Fisher King

The Fisher King a wounded figure, an embodiment of the land, which suffers and prospers as he does. He is the keeper of the Holy Grail and an important concept in Arthurian legend. Our panel discusses the concepts behind this character, his mythological significance and his use in fiction.

Tim Powers, Allison Hershey, Allison Lonsdale, Lynn Maudlin

Cabrillo 2

Global Warming/Global Dimming

Virtually the entire scientific community now accepts that the Earth is getting warmer. What are the forces influencing this process. What are the potential consequences? And how does a more recently discovered trend, which would seem be a contradiction of this effect, relate and possibly indicate and even greater problem?

Ctein, Marc Matz, Todd McCaffrey, James Hay

Balboa 2

Robot preparations all day

Santa Fe

Reading: The Stravinsky Code - Leonard Carpenter

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Larry Niven

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Karen Taylor

Monday, 1 pm

Salon D

Who Wants to Live Forever?: The Implications of Immortality

"Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon"—Susan Erz.

Fantasy and science fiction is full of individuals who will just not die: Highlanders, vampires, the Wandering Jew. But what kind of life could such a person make for themselves? How would it affect their work view? Would it be a blessing or a curse? And what would society be like if we were ALL immortals?

Jefferson Swycaffer, Bill Taylor, David Friedman, Alice Massoglia

Salon A

Tangible Interfaces: Getting a Grip on the Molecular World

Novel human interfaces for understanding and exploring the molecular world. Slides and live demonstration of auto-fabricated models and augmented reality interfaces.

Arthur Olson

Salon B

The Blog Ate My 'Zine

Blogs are hip. Blogs are immediate. And like many modern inventions they are replacing older ways of doing things. Fanzines used to be a very popular fannish activity but they have waned in the computer age. Should they be held onto or can blogs provide a real substitute?

Lynn Maudlin, Andy Trembley, Bobbi Armbruster

Salon C

Literary Filks

A discussion of filks that are based on popular (sometimes not so popular) works of literature and their creation.

Jane Mailander, Lynn Gold, Steve Savitzky, Karen Anderson

Salon F

Customizing Alignments for your own Campaign

Some gaming systems, most notably D&D, come with a system of alignments: categories of personality and morality. A player chooses one for each character which broadly determines how that character will react to situations. But these systems don't always fit the campaign you want to run. Our panel discusses hacking the systems.

Michael DeMeritt, Kevin Andrew Murphy, Janet Tait

Cabrillo 2

Art of Collaboration

More than one brain to contribute, but what if you don't agree? The advantages, the difficulties and a lot of how to.

Matt Pallamary, Allison Hershey, Joe Pearce

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Karen Taylor

Ashley's

KaffeeKlatch: Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Jean Lorrah

Monday, 2pm

Salon D

Horror with Subtlety

H. P. Lovecraft often didn't even show his monsters. Today, horror often consists of one bloodbath after another. Panelists discuss how to make readers shiver without them sometimes even knowing why.

Tim Powers, Alan Rodgers, Cody Goodfellow

Salon A

Spintronics Demonstration

Spintronics — technology that harnesses electron spin as well as its charge — has already dramatically changed the world we live and work in today. IBM Almaden Research Center scientist Kevin Roche will introduce you to this emerging technology: what spin is, what it does and how we are beginning to harness it, as well as a virtual tour of his laboratory and the giant robots they use to study these nano-engineered materials. He also promises to do it in terms that won't make your head spin.

Kevin Roche

Salon B

Hogwarts: History of Magic

Tuesday

Tuesday, 9 am

Quad

Robots Running Rampant! Submarine Races (3 hours)

Tuesday, 10 am

Salon D

Future Warfare in Space

How would wars actually be fought in space? Would they be like Star Trek or more similar to ancient sailing combat when the oceans were vast places where you were lucky to even find your opponents? What kind of weapons are likely to be used?

Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Charles Cady, Jonathan Kotas, Mike Moscoe, Gerry Williams

Salon A

The Biophysics of Fantastic Creatures

Could a giant actually exist? Could a pegasus actually fly? A look at the scientific problems and possibilities of creatures of fantasy.

Judy Lazar, William Stoddard, James Hay, Karen Anderson

Salon B

Catastrophic Population Loss: How it could effect society?

We used to think that a nuclear war might wipe out most of the people on Earth. Now we're afraid the bird flu will have much the same effect. If something of this nature happened, how would society have to change to deal with the loss of a significant part of its people? (At least unemployment wouldn't be a problem, right?)

Lorna Freeman, Lynn Maudlin, Val Ontell

Salon C

Why do we still need conventions?

In this age with a hundred channel, tons of clubs (at least in San Diego) and the Internet, what are the roles that a good old-fashioned convention serve?

John Hertz, Susan Gleason, Bridget Landry, Bobbi Armbruster, Janet Tait

Cabrillo 2

Morning Dance & Stretch

Dawn Devine

Tuesday, 11 am

Salon D

The Fate of Humanity: Man Plus

Another possible future for man envisions us being changed not by nature, but by ourselves. Genetic modification, cyborgs, downloaded personalities. What various notions has science fiction has of what we might do with ourselves?

Mike Moscoe, Larry Niven, Marty Massoglia, Lynn Maudlin, Charles Cady

Salon A

Mind/Brain: Software/Hardware?

Many think of the human mind as a sort of program, running within the system called the brain. What is the evidence for this? What are the implications? (Can anybody get me a memory expansion?)

Todd McCaffrey, William Stoddard, Allison Lonsdale, Jonathan Kotas

Salon B

Hogwarts: History of Magic

More stories of magic and magical creatures

Chris Weber

Salon C

The Future of Publishing

Trends in the industry and what other possibilities might be around the corner.

Steve Boyett, Evo Terra, Marti McKenna, Francis Hamit

Salon F

But It's British! Comparing British vs. American Genre Television

Even if you took away the accents and the obvious locals, there would be something different about British SF. Perhaps it is the larger than life characters. Maybe it's the attitude. What are the differences, what is the same and is one better than the other?

Heather Alexander, Jeannie Graham, Jane Mailander, Lee Whiteside

Cabrillo 2

Retro Styles in Art

A discussion of the use of older styles, even movements, of art in more modern pieces, how these influences are used and what it says about the newer art.

Sue Dawe, Bob Eggleton, Spring Schoenhuth, April Lee

Santa Fe

Prosthetic Makeup (1.5 hours)

A demonstration of the use of prosthetic appliances for costuming and how to use makeup to blend them to your skin.

John Hart

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Kevin Gerard

Tuesday, 12 noon

Salon D

Ambiguity of Evil

The Cylons are evil. Or are they? We always demonize our enemies, whether in politics or war. Sometimes it is not so easy to tell whether an opponent is actually bad to the bone or just has different views and goals? And could it be that my side actually in the wrong?

Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Michael Underwood, Bill Taylor

Salon A

You're Traumatizing Little Suzy!: Limits in Children's Fiction

In literature, there are often boundaries that a writer fears to cross, and that is especially true when writing for children or young adults. Yes, children should be exposed to ideas and facts that are unpleasant if they are to develop but, on the other hand, you're not going to give them detailed depictions of death camps. What kind of boundaries should there be? How can we play with them?

Tim Griffin, Val Ontell, Spring Schoenhuth, Kevin Andrew Murphy, Jane Mailander

Salon B

Hogwarts: Muggle Studies

Our panel of wizardly experts tries to (poorly) divine the uses of various muggle artifacts.

Lorna Freeman, Jean Lorrah, Jeannie Graham, Judy Lazar

Salon C

Decline of Copy of Editing

In this age of almost instant publication, spell checking programs and corrupted internet English, the checking both of grammar and of facts is often considered superfluous, even at some major publishers. Panelists discuss what we are losing.

Dawn Devine, Leigh Strother-Vien, Marti McKenna

Salon F

The (Sometimes) SciFi Channel

A look at the history of the SciFi Channel and how it has changed over the years. From low budget reality shows to marquee miniseries and everything in between.

Lee Whiteside

Cabrillo 2

Art Auction (2 hours)

Pavilion

Match Game SF (2 hours)

Fandom's own take on the classic game show.

Kevin Standlee, Cody Goodfellow, Andy Trembley, Nora Rankin, Scott Norton, Lynn Gold, Kevin Roche

Dealers' Room

Autographs: Heather Alexander

Tuesday, 1 pm

Salon D

Reading: Walter Jon Williams

Salon A

How Dare You Edit Me?

When he became a literary superstar, Stephen King put out a new version of The Stand with 400 more pages. Often even unknown writers feel offended by changes to their prose. A discussion of such people (no names please), what they really need and how to get them to accept that.

Alan Rodgers, Leigh Strother-Vien, Robert Reginald, Karen Anderson

Salon B

The Fall of America: Adjusting to Being Number Two

China was the major Asian power then the Mongols swept in. Britain ruled the waves but their empire shrank as the 20^th century progressed. Even mighty Rome fell. Will American lose its single superpower status as other nations — look out, China's coming back — become more important players in world politics and economics? What will that mean for us? What kind of adjustments will we have to make?

Larry Niven, Todd McCaffrey, San Le

Salon C

Decline of the Masquerade

Worldcon in 1984 has a masquerade whose first run-through ended at nearly 1 am. Things have changed. It seems masquerades are not as long or spectacular as they once were. What is causing this trend? What can be done to reverse it?

Bridget Landry, Kate Morgenstern, Sandy Manning

Salon F

New Media of the Internet

Podcasting, viral video, livejournal. As this is being written someone is probably inventing some new way of getting content onto the internet. Our panelists discuss, explain and access the seemingly infinite number of new time sinks available on your computer.

Corby Kennard, Evo Terra, Nolly Mullican, Steve Boyett, Janet Tait

Cabrillo 2

(Art Auction continues)

Pavilion

(Match Game continues)

Tuesday, 2 pm

Salon D

What Constitutes Evil?

It's terrible if their side tortures, but we can do it. We say the methods used by our current enemies are evil, but they would argue "How else do we fight someone so much more militarily powerful than us?" Are there specific behaviors we can say are evil no matter what? Or do your motives matter?

Michael Underwood, William Stoddard, Jeannie Graham, Kevin Andrew Murphy, Kevin McAlonan

Salon A

The Economics of Ebooks

Ebooks might just change the way your read. But they definitely will change the way we buy books. And how they will be sold. And who gets the profit. And how they will be marketed. And...well, you get the picture.

Dawn Devine, Francis Hamit, Henry Melton

Salon B

Hogwarts: OWLs

Before our summer session ends, students will be given the opportunity to test their knowledge of the Harry Potter books and movies. Will you earn an "O" in potions?

James Hay

Salon C

How Does How We're Seeing Television Effect What We Will See?

Tivo, Internet Delivery, I-tunes. All these technologies are changing how we watch television. And shows are adapting already. As people zap commercials with TiVo, product placement expands. What other consequences will these new methods of viewing have?

Evo Terra, Jean Lorrah, Janet Tait

Salon F

Brilliantly Written but I Didn't Care about the Characters

The style is great, the characterizations are well developed, the language is beautiful. So why didn't you finish it? Because you just didn't need to see what happened to those characters. Examples and discussion. What could the authors have done to keep you reading?

Lorna Freeman, Marty Massoglia

Santa Fe

Concerts

Mark Horning, TBA

Pavilion

2006 Dramatic Hugos Nominees Presentation

This year, two productions from the 2005 Worldcon made the cut to become nominees for the Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form. Conzilla has the pleasure of presenting "Lucas Back in Anger" and The Prix Victor Hugo Awards Ceremony.

Tuesday, 3 pm

Salon D

Closing Ceremonies

Walter Jon Williams, Bob Eggleton, Bobbi Armbruster

Salon A

Overcoming Writer's Block

You're staring at the blank sheet of paper or empty screen and nothing is coming. What do you do when those creative juices aren't flowing?

Kevin Gerard, Jacqueline Lichtenberg

Salon B

Nitpickers Anonymous Meeting

Can't stop noticing those little inconsistencies and factual errors in your favorite SF programs? Then you should attend Conzilla's very own 12 step program for nitpicking. Remember, first names only.

James H., Nancy H., Todd M.

Salon C

From the Scarlet Pimpernel to V: Superheroes as Subversives

Captain American symbolizes and supports his country. Superman didn't object when Lex Luthor was elected president. But some heroes have felt that their responsibility to the people demanded they NOT support the government. What happens when a hero takes on REAL evil.

Allison Lonsdale, Jane Mailander, Scott Norton, Chris Weber

Pavilion

(Dramatic Hugos continues)

Tuesday, 4 pm

Salon D

Con Talk Back

Come and throw your bouquets and brickbats at those responsible for the 2006 Westercon.

James Briggs, Sandra Childress, James Hay, Christian McGuire, The Hive Mind

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