I’m thrilled to be an invited participant at CONvergence in Bloomington, MN, just outside of Minneapolis, which runs June 30-July 3, 2016. I’m on 4 panels this year, all of which look like they’ll be great conversations:
- Resetting the Default, Friday, July 1, 12:30-1:30, DoubleTree Edina
Diversity (or lack thereof) can be painful and messy. In movies, games, TV, etc., what are some successful examples of getting away from the default white male character? Panelists: Michi Trota, Tanya DePass (mod), Briana Lawrence, Jonathan Palmer, Trisha Lynn - Soundtracks in Movies & TV, Friday, July 1, 3:30-4:30, DoubleTree Plaza 1
What are the best movie and TV soundtracks, from classic to current? What makes a soundtrack good? How well it fits the story? How objectively good the music is? A combination? Panelists: Scott Keever (mod), Michi Trota, Bryon Stump, Derek “Duck” Washington, Ansley Grams - Diversity in Writing, Saturday, July 2, 3:30-4:30, DoubleTree Atrium 6
“If you want more diversity, you should go out and create it.” That’s just part of what needs to be done to get more representation in fiction. We will discuss the importance of creation, good representation, and support. Panelists: Michi Trota, Briana Lawrence, Jessica Walsh, Mark Oshiro, Abra Staffin-Wiebe (mod)
- Panels are Dead, Long Live Panels, July 3, 12:30-1:30, DoubleTree Atrium 3
Cons use panels the way the dark side goes through death stars. The sit-and-talk format has many problems, yet it’s the most common form of programming, everywhere. Let’s discuss the problems of panels . . . on a panel. Panelists: Michi Trota, Ben Blanchard, David Walbridge (mod), Jen Manna
We’re off to the con EARLY this morning (must. have. more. coffee.). Can’t wait to see everyone!