Bent-Con 2013 Booklet FINAL

SUNDAY
I GOT THIS: A WOMEN’S PANEL
A spirited discussion of the roles that women are asked to play
onscreen and within the entertainment industry in general, followed
by a question-and-answer session with the audience.
Featuring Guinevere Turner (American Psycho, Creeps: The
Movie, Go Fish), Magda Apanowicz (Caprica, Continuum, Kyle
XY), Alison Haislip (Attack of the Show! It’s Not Porn, It’s
HBO, The Voice) , Brad Bell, Tess Bodley (The Ellen DeGeneres
Show, Aaah! Zombies!!). (Room: Thundera)
THE HISTORY OF M/M STORIES: SLASH
TO YAOI MANGA TO M/M ROMANCE
Male/male romantic and erotic stories in the U.S. began with
slash fan fiction (the term slash coming from “K/S” – for the
Kirk/Spock pairing from the original Star Trek TV series). Then
yaoi manga translated from Japan by publishers like Digital
Manga Inc. found an audience among American anime and
manga fans. More recently, m/m romance fiction has become a
popular niche within the romance genre. Come hear about m/m
story writing from its beginning days to the present from Jan
Suzukawa, a freelance yaoi editor and translation rewriter for
Digital Manga Inc., Tokyopop and other publishers and m/m
romance author published by Dreamspinner Press. With panelist
Jan Suzukawa. (Room: New Earth)
2PM
NOH8: ENDING THE CYCLE OF FEAR AND HATE
Join this life-changing discussion on ways to overcome bullying,
and learn strategies to create witnesses and allies out of bystanders.
Join the panel as they discuss how media and entertainment
affect our attitudes toward bullying and aggression, followed by
a question-and-answer session with the audience. With panelists
Adam Bouska (Co-Founder & Photographer, NOH8 Campaign), Jeff
Parshley (Co-Founder & Executive Producer, NOH8 Campaign),
Victoria Hungerford (Co-Founder, Out of HP). (Room: Cybertron)
WHY IS THE FURRY FANDOM SO GAY?
The furry fandom is just over thirty years old, but ever since
the nineties, the gay presence in the fandom has been open
and strong, and continues to be so. Why are fans of anthropomorphic
animals so quick to embrace alternate sexualities,
when other science fiction and fantasy fandoms continue to lag
behind? Long-time furry and science fiction fans will talk about
the evolution of both fandoms. Moderated by Kyell Gold, with
panelist Kit Silver. (Room: New Earth)
SPIRITUALITY IN COMICS AND RELATED MEDIA
Panelists discuss the influence of spiritual themes in comics
and popular culture, and the importance of spirituality to readers,
creators, and the stories they tell. Spiritual themes weave a
significant pattern in the story arc of the entertainment world.
Moderated by Ralph Ellis Miley (Christian Comic Arts Society)
with panelists Buzz Dixon (Serenity), David Walters, and David
Sobolov. (Room: Eternia)
THE LESBIAN ROMANCE NOVEL
All humans crave romance. How are romance novels aimed
at the Lesbian reader similar or different from mainstream
romances. What are the misconceptions about them and
their audience. Are their challenges in marketing them?
Moderated by Barbara Ann Wright. (Room: Thundera)
3PM
MAGIC: THE BEHIND THE SCENES GATHERING
Have you ever wondered about the behind the scenes magic on
your favorite TV shows and movies? Don’t miss your chance to
see this magic first hand as our panel shares their knowledge
and experience with you followed by a question-and-answer
session with the audience. With panelists: Amber Funk (music
editor, Castle, Revenge, The Gates), Jennifer Quinteros (makeup
artist, Eden, X-Men: First Class, FDR: American Badass),
CJ Plyes (set dresser, Chuck, Super Fun Nights, Masters of Sex),
Nacia Schreiner (cinematographer, assistant camera, Zombie
Night, Night Eyes, Muse). (Room: Cybertron)
HOW TO: LIVE GAME CODING SESSION
Watch a professional game developer—Molly Jameson, Insomniac
Games—code a 2D space shooter game in flash and go
over introductory tools and engines for getting started in game
development. Ever ask yourself why there aren’t more games
focused on LGBT issues? It’s because you’re not making them.
Find out how easy it is to get started making your own games
and tips for getting into the industry. (Room: Eternia)
SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES AND
BLOGS: IS IT WORTH IT?
It can be daunting getting your titles and your ‘brand’ as an
author out there with all those others trying to sell their works.
However, it is a lot easier and less time consuming than it appears
if the author works smart. And a social network footprint
is essential for those of us who do not that tens of thousands of
dollars to advertise. We’ll show you how to navigate blogs and
Facebook pages and Twitter to get readers talking about your
work. Moderated by Kimberly Hunter with panelists David
Gerrold, DL Warner, and Sharon Barela. (Room: Thundera)
HOW TO: MAKE COMIC BOOKS
Do you love comics? Are you a lifelong comics fan? Have you
ever wondered if you could visually tell a story? Learn how
to make your own comics! Join our teaching comics panels
and find out what it takes to make a comic. Our expert guest
will share different approaches on how to make comics. Join
the workshop and see which approach works best for you. All
ages are welcome. With panelist Kevin Altieri (director/writer,
Batman: The Animated Series, Gen13, Stripperella, GI Joe,
Renegades, The Spectacular Spider-Man). (Room: New Earth)
4PM
HEROES: JUST LIKE YOU
In the ever changing landscape of the LGBT conversation, the
advocacy towards queer youth is still quite often a slippery
slope. While it can “get better,” those efforts to communicate to
stand strong and rise above the bullying and hardships are often
easier said than done. But what about inspiring by example?
Express and share those experiences in community — professionals
and peers from various backgrounds and walks of life
want to let you know that being better, starts with YOU. Moder-