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.
To see a list of our panelists click here
Special Events
KAG Kanada General Assembly
Klingons, humans, and non terrestrials of all stripes take note! Once again, our Warriors from across Canada gather to celebrate triumphant battles, receive Awards, Promotions. This Ceremony can only be held when KAG/Kanada's Senior Command Officer is in attendance, so expect Canada's finest showing how to celebrate victories in ways only Klingons can!
The Geek-Off
Do you know your sci-fi trivia? Come face off against other contestants to test your geekiness. Or just come
watch for a good laugh!
Costuming Workshop with Lena Breijer
How to make a costume pattern (specifically very fitted corset-like costumes) with duct tape
Panels
Sci-fi television & movies news & rumors
Interested in what's going to be happening on your favourite show? Want the latest buzz about upcoming sci-fi and fantasy movies? Tons of information will be packed into 50 minutes and presented to you here!
Current events in Marvel and DC comics
A lively discussion of ongoing events in the worlds of your favourite superheroes.
The new Doctor Who
How do we like Matt Smith as the 11th incarnation of the Doctor? How does he compare with the previous versions. How about the new companion? Come and discuss the latest in the world of Doctor Who!
The Death of Bookstores
Bookstores, especially independents, are closing everywhere. Does it matter? How do you buy your books? Order on line, e-books, bookstores, etc?
But When Do I Write?
Writing is wonderful, but finding time to do it can be a pain, especially if you have any or all or a day job, a family, a hobby, or a life. Writers talk about time management teechniques and how to get going on those days where you just don't want to!
Killing Your Babies
Sure, the scene was a great idea when you started writing, but now, not so much. Writers talk about that most painful of processes, editing, and give their tips for helping you to decide which scenes to keep and which ones to cut.
Trends In Fantasy
What are the new trends we see coming in Fantasy? New Movements? What DON'T we want to see?
Crossovers Revisited
Has SF and F now crossed over into every available genre? Are we missing any? Should we be?
SciFi for Young Adults
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?
The Mary Sue Phenomenon
Who is Mary Sue, and what's she doing in my story? What's behind this phenomenon, and how did it start? Is it becoming more prevalent? Is it a useful tool, or a debilitating crutch?
Fan Fiction Reading
We are looking for 4-5 amateur writers to sign up for this panel. Each will read from their work for approx 10 minutes.
"Dear Twilight Fans, Thank you for making us look sane and well-adjusted. Sincerely, Trekkies."
An exploration of the fandom phenomenon surrounding the Twilight movies. This is not a Twilight bashing
session. Much.
Torchwood
A discussion of the past and a look to the future of the series, now being picked up by Starz for a fourth
season.
Vampires on TV
From Forever Knight to Buffy to True Blood, why are vampires so appealing on the small screen? Why do some
shows last a long time while others such as Moonlight and Blood Ties die a quick death. And how are newcomers
such as The Gates going to fare?
Writing for Plot
How authors attack the idea of plot
Writing for Characters
How writers form characters and make them seem real
Writing a Series
A discussion of the pros and cons of writing a series of novels
The image of geeks/fans in society
Discussions about stereotypes and the image that the society has on those we name « geeks ». The geeks are
they doomed to a world of shadow and marginality?
Lost Myths
A multimedia performance culled from the archives of lostmyths.net, A playful medley of cryptomythological
fiction, pantheons, bestiaries, comics, art, games, readings, performances, and more -- by Claude Lalumière &
Rupert Bottenberg.
The Canadian Conrunners Conference
Canadian conrunners share their thoughts and "best practices". Open to all with an interest, even just a
casual interest, in what goes on behind the scenes.
Storytelling
Acclaimed storyteller Marie Bilodeau will spin a yarn that will entrance and entertain you! (Please note that this is fantasy and not a children's story)
Costume Photography
Need help getting the best photos of your costume? Having difficulty taking good photos of that really great
costume? Come and get tips on how to pose for the photographers and make the most of the photo ops you are a
part of! A great panel for novice costumers and cosplayers preparing for the Masquerade, as well as the
photographers eager to photograph them.
Alternate History's Alternate Realities
Alternate history: SF or mainstream fiction? Or both?
The Multiverse and Alternate History
Current physics says that parallel universes may be real. How should that make us think about alternate
history fiction?
Deus Ex Authora
It's a cliché that authors are "gods" of their own fictional worlds. This panel explores the old SF trope that
authors create alternate worlds by the act of writing, or get their ideas by "eavesdropping" on parallel
worlds.
How To Not Look Like An Amateur With Video
Do you want to make your own movies or create YouTube videos that don't completely suck? How to get the most out of virtually nothing.
Future History
Panelists will present a brief possible, though not necessarily likely, future history of the next hundred years of humanity. Then, time permitting, they will field questions and comments from the audience.
Martial Arts, from Real to Fantastic
Movies and literature depict martial prowess of all levels, from the very mundane to the purely magical. Just how far can reality be pushed and still be real? Just how fantastic can a martial artist really be?
Mythology In Modern Media
A panel on how TV shows, movies and books are digging in to mythologies, such as the Greek/Roman mythologies, but warping them to fit their needs, such as with Clash of the Titans (old and new), Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, and others. While some of the myths aren't as well known, and so most won't realize the myth has been warped, others are more common and are more noticeable. Does it detract from the story if the myth is warped, or do people appreciate the new spin on the myth?
Ancient Astronomy
Prehistoric peoples knew more about the skies than many who are living today. Ancient man may have viewed the heavens differently, but they built astronomic structures such as Newgrange in Ireland, and the Solar Temple in Egypt all without the technology we now have.
Sky Lore
Stories from ancient times showing how ancient man coped with the world around him and the sky above. Such as how the Pleiades came to be, each culture had their own story.
Animal Mythology
Most ancient cultures made up stories and gave animals god-like features. Such as the Apis bull of Egypt and snake mythology of India.
Costuming 101
A beginner's guide to costuming
Pseudoscience
Create your own pseudoscience! What do folks want to believe, how can we "sell" it to the masses? Inspired by http://www.skepdic.com/skeptimedia/skeptimedia95.html
GLBT - How To Live With Alternate Sexuality
So you are different, or maybe you are not but people you care about are. How do you adjust, can you tell the truth, how do you find love and acceptance?
GLBT - How To Not Be A Virgin
Tired of being the proverbial geek? Why is it that some people have all the luck and you don't? Is there anything you can do to have your fair share of amorous adventure? A few panelists who have had more than their share of adventures try to spill a bit of their wisdom.
GLBT - The Evolution of Media Stereotypes
The world seems to be finally waking up to the idea that powerful heroic women are sexy, as evidenced by strong female characters being much more common in media nowadays than in the past. But much progress still remains to be achieved, especially with regards to gay and other sexualities. Is there anything we can do to further this agenda?
Social Networking
Is social networking good or bad? Discussing its effects on society as a whole, and in particular does it have a negative or positive effect on fandom.
BSG/SGU: Military vs. Civilian Authority
Both Stargate Universe and Battlestar Galactica have focused on conflicts between the military and civilian authorities. Is there a "right" and "wrong" to this conflict? Who should really be leading the fleets?
BSG/SGU: Dark Sci-Fi
Recent sci-fi shows such as Battlestar Galactica and Stargate Universe have been a lot darker than their predecessors. What is the reason for this trend? Does darker necessarily make the show more believable?
American Adaptations
Several British shows have been or will be adapted for American audiences -- Life on Mars, Torchwood, Doctor Who (the 1996 movie), The Prisoner, Being Human. Why do American adaptions of British shows generally fail?
The conclusion of the "Life on Mars" universe
For those who followed the whole Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes saga, did the conclusion meet with your
expectations? Would you like to see more?...
Shhhh! They'll Hear Us!
The idea that any alien species intelligent enough to master interstellar spaceflight would almost certainly prove to be friendly, peaceful has been around for some time. But recently, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking suggested that perhaps just the opposite might end up the more probable scenario. Taking European treatment of primitive African and American societies in centuries past as a template, Hawking argues that spacefaring aliens might well view we Earthlings similarly, even as mere animals or, worse, pests, a nuisance to be brushed aside should we get in the way of their intention to harvest Earth's resources or colonize the planet. What scenario seems the more likely? Should we continue to scans the heavens for signs of intelligence, or shut down SETI and other attempts to contact alien life in the galaxy lest we attract unwanted attention?
Is Geek Cred, Like, So Last Week?
Has the so-called "geek stamp of approval" lost its appeal to Hollywood producers? A positive reaction from hard-core fans at Comic Con and other such events to special trailers, sneak peeks, and advance screenings of sci-fi films and TV series has often been viewed favourably by producers. If the "geeks", who are most familiar with the genre and best know the material, like it, the general public most likely will, as well. But the Watchmen movie a couple of years ago, beloved by fans, and more recently Scott Pilgrim, did not live up to expectations at the box office, despite much fan acclaim. Has the influx of so many star-chasing casual or quasi-fans to the big media cons diluted the impact of good buzz for a project introduced at these events? Are fans, hard-core or not, loosing their ability to predict a winner? Did they ever really have "the touch" to begin with?
LIFE and DEATH in the American Comics Universe
How has death been portrayed and used in the past and currently in the American Comics Universe? How can death be more than just a plot device, and what is the public's reaction to the death of one of their favorite characters? And what of characters coming back from the dead?
Fantasy Films of Ray Harryhausen
Presentation, augmented by Powerpoint slide show.
Motion Picture Special Effects Before the Digital Age
Presentation, augmented by Powerpoint slide show.
Movie Poster Design and How to Tell What the Producers are Pushing
Presentation, augmented by Powerpoint slide show.
Where is Science Now?
There have been a lot of political and cultural attacks on the role and value of science in modern society. Are we in danger of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs? What role should science and scientists play in our social and cultural future?
Do you have the Writer's Gene?
Find out what it makes writers who they are and if they are born that way or simply become by sheer will.
Filmmaking on a Shoestring Budget
What would you need to make a decent movie without the million you don't have in your pocket?
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Influences
The question of "Who inspired you to write this?" often comes up when people read your work. So, are stories always based on previous work or is it possible to reinvent the wheel?
I have An Idea but where to Start?
Writing workshop. How to start, develop and finish your story.
Male and Female Heroes
The depiction of men and women in Sci-Fi and Fantasy. How have they evolved and how they reflect our modern world? Are they sexist or do they reflect the glorified version of what we wish we could be?
Remakes, remakes, and more remakes...
Is it a good thing they are remaking all the old movies, cartoons, and stories in all their forms? Why aren't there any new ideas? And what would Hollywood rather cut when out of budget, the story or the special effects?
The Empire Strikes Back
The second Star Wars movie (or is that the 5th?) is 30 years old this year. Come join us for a retrospective of this groundbreaking motion picture!
Fandom, Roman Catholicism, Relics, and Costumes
Is fandom really a secular version the Roman Catholicism and its veneration of relics and statues? Is there any difference between people who buy Brother Andre devotional statues and people who collect Star Trek action figures? Are Roman Catholics really costumers at heart?
The Future of the Space Program
As the end of the Space Shuttle era is upon us and the George W. Bush Space Initiative was cancelled, what does the future hold for NASA, Private Enterprise and the rest of the world in the future of Manned space
flight, and exploration.
Vampires Evolving
The vampire has shifted and changed over time. The current incarnation is mainly YA vamps. Is this all there is? Can the undead evolve further? If so, what can we expect to see in the future?
Why is Anime so Popular with young fans?
Anime North attracts over 16,000 members, from a standing start in 5 years Otakuthon has 7000 on site. Discuss.
The Perfect Storm?
The senior scientific advisor to the British Government predicted that the world would face a perfect storm of problems in 20-30 years. Climate change, resource depletion, population growth and demographic unbalance will challenge our social and political structures. Routine doom and gloom, or is the future really dark.
The End of the American Empire
If America's reign as the only 800 pound gorilla superpower on the block is coming to an end, how will Canada adjust to a multi-power world.
Make your panel suggestions here
More to come check back regularly
