Welp. It’s that time of year for Capricon, a Chicago-based science fiction convention to run virtually this year. Capricon 41‘s guests of honor include Aliette de Bodard, Brandon O’Brien, John Jennings, Michi Trota, and Dr. Cacophonie Tamayo, all exceptional individuals in general (and within their respective fields). Needless to say, Capricon is going to be on fire this year!
This year is unusual, too, for the fact that I helped a little with programming, though not nearly as much as I should have or wanted to when I first chose to participate. It’s been a learning experience, though, and I hope to continue growing and being better at this going forward!
With all that out of the way, here’s my schedule of panels (all times in CDT). Come hang out!
Friday Events:
- 2:00 PM: “The Future of a Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away?”
Panelists: William Frank, Red, Chris Barkley, and Me (Mod)
The Mandalorian, the return and conclusion of Clone Wars, the Obi-wan series, the new High Republic initiative, and more point to Star Wars having a vibrant and interesting transmedia future. But what does the future of the franchise really look like, especially now that the normal film industry has been massively disrupted? This panel will speculate about the future of Star Wars in all its forms. What do we look forward to? What worries us? And where exactly does one get their own Mandalorian armor? - 4:00 PM: “What Made You Do That? Podcasting & Interview Technique”
Panelists: Tracy Townsend (Mod), Barbara Barnett, Wendy Van Camp, and Me
It doesn’t matter how interesting a guest is if the podcast host doesn’t know how to ask good questions. This panel discusses the technique of the audio interview. - 5:00 PM: “Hey, You Got Your Fandom in My Social Media”
Panelists: Toni Lichtenstein Bogolub, W.A. Thomasson, and Me (Mod)
2020 brought us a year of surprises. While fandom has been online for decades, we’ve all watched as our conventions flipped on a dime to turn in-person events into parades of Zoom meetings, YouTube livestreams, and beyond. Even now, you’re at the first ever virtual Capricon convention. And the deeper we get into the 21st century, the more technology will influence how we engage in fandom, from virtual conventions to social media communities and beyond. This panel will explore some of the speculations and hopes for this future for fandom!
Saturday Events:
- 9:00 AM: “In the Tender, Spike-Covered Embrace of the Darkness”
Panelists: Jason Taylor (Mod), Cassandra Rose Clarke, Michael Cieslak, and Me
Horror writing provides shock and wonder. It terrifies us and make us look into the darkness of ourselves. Our panelists talk about why they are drawn to horror, and the ways it provides its own kind of escape from the horrors of the everyday AND makes us contemplate those horrors to better understand them. - 3:00 PM: “Hugo Awards Nominating”
Panelists: Helen Montgomery (Mod), William Frank, Casella Brookins, and Me
It’s our favorite time of year! Hugo Award nominating is happening now! Join our roundtable discussion for a look back at 2020 and some thoughts on who and what deserves to be nominated this year. (Note: This panel will provide a very brief overview of the process of how to nominate, but the focus is on discussing which works deserve nomination.) - 4:00 PM: “TV Year in Review”
Panelists: Sean Mead (Mod), Beverly Bambury, Joseph Stockman, and Me
2020 was a decidedly different year, TV-wise, with many shows being disrupted due to the pandemic. What we were watching? What are we looking forward to in 2021? - 5:00 PM: “The Skiffy and Fanty Show LIVE! w/ Brandon O’Brien”
Panelists: Brandon O’Brien, Jen Zink, and Me
Let the shenanigans ensue! Shaun Duke, Jen Zink, and GoH Brandon O’Brien join forces for a live recording of the 3x Hugo Finalist podcast, The Skiffy and Fanty Show! Together, they’ll discuss the power of science fiction to explore the present and uncover hope, from its technological imagination to its approach to social issues and beyond. They might even give you an absurdly long reading reading list… Bring your questions and thoughts! Audience contributions are strongly encouraged! - 9:00 PM: “Utopia Schmopia: The Visions, the Theory, the Reality”
Panelists: Pablo Vazquez, Ada Palmer, Anne Gray, and Me
Looking at utopian theory, utopian communities, and what we can learn from them.
And that’s it. I’m a busy boy, as usual!
I hope to see some of y’all there!
