Please note this is just a preliminary list of ideas for panels and workshops. We're still working on our final schedule and we can't guarantee that every item on this list will make it into our final program - and we may end up with a few ideas that aren't on this list before our program is complete. We'll also have readings, autographing sessions, Guest of Honour speeches, special events and more.
Our panelists inlude
Andrew Gurudata, Barb Schofield, Brian Lorne Maged, Christian Sauve, Claude Lalumière, Daniel Gauthier,
Darren Hann, Derwin Mak, Donna L Young, Gord Morrow, Jean-Philippe Cardin, Joe Aspler, Liz and Hayden,
Lou Israel, Mark Shainblum, Nancy Kilpatrick, Odellia Firebird, Pete Pettit Peter Cohen, Trenholme, Violette Malan.
Sci-fi television & movies news & rumors
Join in a lively discussion of what is happening out there in TV and movie land!
It's a big year for comics, with huge events such as Dark Reign, War of Kings, and of course, Blackest Night (for which fyi I'm hoping to find a t-shirt this summer!). And just who is Red Hulk anyway?
Doctor Who Old or New?
Come and discuss what has happened and what is happening in Dr Who.
Torchwood
A discussion of The Children of Earth. What did we think of it? And where would we like the series to go next season now that it has been officially renewed?
Vampire shows: Blood Ties, Moonlight, True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Twilight, Forever Knight, Buffy, Angel. Why the fascination with this particular genre? Which of these shows were done well, which were not? What did we like, what did we not like? What would we like to see in future vampire tv/movies?
Kids television
What's currently out there for the young ones? Ben 10, Wolverine & The X-Men, Spectacular Spiderman, Iron Man Armored Adventures, Bakugan, Brave and the Bold, Clone Wars, and so forth. Let's hear what the kids have to say!
What's Next In Fantasy?
What are the new trends we see coming in Fantasy? New Movements? What DON'T we want to see?
Crossovers What we really think!
Can SF break into more crossover genres, such as we've seen with phenomenon like the paranormal romance? Do we want it to?
Young Adult Fantasy Where???
We've seen a lot of attention paid to YA fantasy, where is the YA SF? Who's writing it? Will it draw readers to other aspects of the genre?
How Do They Do That?
How do authors attack the idea of plot, form characters and make them seem real.
How committed are you?
What are the pro's and con's of writing a series? Does it limit or help you?
How to get Published
Exactly what the title is! Come and get tips and hints from the pro's!
Science Fiction, Fantasy and Action
Ever read a book that put you to sleep because it was so slow? Come and discuss what you want out of a book, and is there a possiblity of too much action?
From the Written Word to the Big Screen
How do authors feel about having their books made into movies? Is it something that they dream of, or is it something they fear?
Pod Casts, E books and Audio Books
Come and discuss these different mediums and how you feel about them. Do you listen to audio books? If you hear something on a pod cast does it hold your interest? Will e-books take the place of paper books???
Sci Fi and the environment.
Why are so many sci fi books based on having to look for a new home after we've distroyed this one? How do you fell about that, and do you think that it's art imitating life?
Magazines versus Books.
Would you rather read On Spec? Or do you prefer a big novel? Are magazines just for a quick read, or do they fill some other void?
ConRunning... Why????
Come and listen to our panel of conrunners discuss what they do and why? Whatever could possess someone to give up all their free time to run a con?
Continuity in popular media - why isn't there any?
It's almost impossible to maintain continuity when you're constantly churning out new movies and TV episodes, but jeez, are they even trying?
What are the guidelines of scriptwriting format and how not to get busted by technicalities when you have a great story to tell!
Writing Workshop
Rediscover the magic of words, learn how to start your story, come up with twists and enchant your readers to keep reading.
Acting Workshop
Discover the art of make belief and how actors recreate emotions on command, including bursting into tears.
Strong Female Leads
Beautiful, sexy, or simply strong in body, mind or soul. Who do they attract and why? Men or women? You'd be surprised!
Science-Fiction and Fantasy, do they reflect contemporary life?
Many sci-fi fans don't like fantasy because they feel fantasy is mush more far-fetched than sci-fi and do not reflect everyday
issues. Is this true and does it really matter?
Costume Photography
Get tips from the pro's on how to best show off your costume, and make the most of those photo ops!
Military SF & F
How important is the military culture and protocols to writing this type of novel? Do the fans really care, or do they feel it
gets in the way of a good story? Come and share your views!
The New Star Trek Movie
What did you think of the latest Star Trek movie? Do you feel that JJ Abrams helped to revive what some feel is a tired franchise, or do you think that it was a total waste of time?
Watchmen
For years we've waited for this graphic novel to come to the big screen. It finally did, to mixed reviews. Come and share your thoughts on the movie, and whether or not you feel the graphic
novel was done justice.
The DCU direct-to-video movies
How do you feel about direct to video movies? Is this a dumping ground for substandard work, or a starting place for up and comers?
Collectors 'R' Us
We all know a collector or two. Or maybe you collect. Come and talk about what you like to collect, why you collect and how you protect those treasures!
The Saw Movies
The franchise is alive and well. Just when you think you're safe, Jigsaw is back! Why does this series of movies appeal to us so much?
Is there hope for the future?
Optimism versus cynicism, economic crisis, global warming, limits to growth... Is humanity doomed or can we still dream of science fiction utopias?
Illustrating Science and Science Fiction
Both science and science fiction illustrators have the same goal - to capture the attention and imagination of the public. Science illustrators do not have the same freedom as science fiction artists do. How does their "artwork" compare with the science fiction artists in attaining their goals?Getting Started in Costuming
What beginners need to know. How to get started, and what tolook for.
Steampunk Costuming
Come and learn about this exciting and interesting costuming genre.
The sexual evolution of the Vampire
How vampires have changed and evolved over the years.
25,000 Quatloo Pyramid-
Lou Israel
KK (Klingon Komedy Korps)
Lou Isreal3
Buildings in Science Fiction.
These can be of subterranean, terrestrial, oceanic, or spaceship variety. Structures on other worlds or a building, farm, or fair fantasies. Horrors involving buildings such as the attack on the world trade centre will also be discussed.
More Than Anime and Godzilla: there's much more to Japanese science fiction and fantasy than anime and giant monsters. What else have the Japanese made in print, film, and TV? Why isn't it imported into North America and how can we get it?
Quatermass Saga: it's been 30 years since the last TV show about Quatermass, the first British doctor to save the world from aliens. Nigel Kneale and Quatermass have influenced British science fiction since the 1950's
TV and movie hunks
What more do we need to say?
