Science Fiction
4:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
Character-Building Exercises
Some characters spring forth, fully realized as Athena. Others might be throwaways, or that guy who annoyed you in high school. Panelists share tips and techniques for keeping characters real and memorable.
Moderator: Julia S. Mandala
Panelists: Julia S. Mandala, David Carrico, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Ethan Nahté, Selina Rosen, Steven E. Wedel
Tracks: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Gaming, Writing & Publishing, Pop Culture & Entertainment
1:00 PM | Location: University C
Dr. Trek's Between the Cracks: The Anniversaries!
CON OF WRATH is 40! ST VI is 30! NEMESIS is 20! Join "Dr. Trek" Larry Nemecek for some lost facts, in-jokes, and behind-the-scenes insights from his Trekland archives — including his Star Trek Stellar Cartography maps/book set.
Moderator: Larry Nemecek
Panelists: Larry Nemecek
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fandoms
4:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Retrofuture: Visions of the Future from the Past
From robots that clean and tablet computers, to jetpacks and flying cars. Join the fun as our panelists discuss how the past saw the future! What did they get right, what did they get laughably wrong?
Moderator: Mel. White
Panelists: Mel. White, Mark Alfred, Tim Frayser, Sheila Hartney, Chaz Kemp, Kathleen M O'Brien
Tracks: STEM, History, Culture & World Affairs, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment
5:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Thrifty Revisions: Adding SF Genre Elements to Thrift Store Paintings
Artists insert sf genre elements or monsters into reclaimed paintings and prints. Final works are up for sale in the Charity Sale and Auction. (Paintings provided.)
Moderator: Sherri Dean
Panelists: Sherri Dean, Mitzi Bartlett, Joshua Cook, Mike Kennedy, Rachael Mayo, Harold Neal
Tracks: Art, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Noon | Location: Boomer B
70s Sci-Fi and Fantasy
The 70s brought lasting franchises to the big screen and small, some still going strong! Alien, Superman, Star Wars, Wonder Woman, Westworld, Battlestar Galactica, the list goes on! Can you define the 70s’ “certain something”?
Moderator: Matthew Price
Panelists: Matthew Price, Mark Alfred, James Hollaman, Ethan Nahté, Sue Sinor, ET Wardwell
Tracks: Fantasy, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fandoms, Comics
Noon | Location: Sooner A
Fantastic Connections
Stories explore the human condition in ways that help us think. Allegories analyze us and society. How does this work? Why are we so connected with fantastical people/places/stories? Can escaping into speculative fiction help us heal in the real world?
Moderator: Rhonda Eudaly
Panelists: Rhonda Eudaly, J.H. Fleming, Melinda LaFevers, Bradley H Sinor, Tommy B. Smith, Craig Wolf
Tracks: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Writing & Publishing, Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment
1:00 PM | Location: University C
Larry’s State of the Trek: Fan Forum 2022
“Dr. Trek” Larry Nemecek will intro and referee – YOU vent or share your thoughts with fellow fans about current Trekland: the changing face of media, fandom, culture – and what it all means for Star Trek. Comic Lower Decks, kid-centric Prodigy, Picard’s familiar faces, the evolution of Discovery, old-school Strange New Worlds, elusive “Star Trek 4.” All opinions welcome – as long as the emphasis stays on listening and reflecting.
Moderator: Larry Nemecek
Panelists: Larry Nemecek
Tracks: Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fandoms
10:00 AM | Location: Boomer B
Re-Covered Books, for Charity!
Artists create new cover art for books in our charity collection. Books and their custom covers will be available for sale in the Charity Sale. (Books and cover paper provided.)
Moderator: James Hollaman
Panelists: James Hollaman, Peri Charlifu, W J Hodgson, Johnnie Johnson, Harold Neal
Tracks: Art, Fantasy, Science Fiction
10:30 AM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Salon Philosophique
Open sci-fi-oriented philosophy public discussions. All are welcome. (1.5 hours)
Moderator: Dara Fogel, PhD
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Meetup, General Interest, Science Fiction
Noon | Location: Oklahoma G
Science and Religion: A Zero-Sum Relationship?
Some think religious faith precludes scientific objectivity. Others feel that science has outstripped “superstitions” like religion. Still others are calling for a New Enlightenment period in an increasingly misinformed world. How does the speculative-fiction writer address all sides and tell a compelling story?
Moderator: Jan S. Gephardt
Panelists: Jan S. Gephardt, David Carrico, Charles Dane Clark, Rebecca Jackson, B J Thrower
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, STEM
5:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Welcome to Larry's Trekland Briefing Party!
Come sample Portal 47 and hear about Larry's Trekland Treks location-site tours—visit with P47ers, try for door prizes, get sign-up gifts! Perfect time to vent or ply Dr. Trek with your questions, too.
Moderator: Larry Nemecek
Panelists: Larry Nemecek
Tracks: Science Fiction, Fandoms, Meetup, Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment
2:00 PM | Location: Sooner B
Writers Change the STEM World
Talk about “a wish to build a dream on”! From Edward Bellamy's prediction of the credit card to Clarke's projection of communications satellites, we survey how imagined tech in science fiction has influenced the world.
Moderator: Pigeon
Panelists: Pigeon, Aaron Bossig, Rhonda Eudaly, Everyday Futurist, Brian A. Hopkins, Ted Pennella
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, STEM
11:00 AM | Location: Sooner A
Writing Nonhuman Characters (for Humans)
Writing nonhuman characters can present its own set of challenges. What works well and what is just, no.
Moderator: Steven E. Wedel
Panelists: Steven E. Wedel, J.H. Fleming, Carolyn Kay, A. Lee Martinez, Selina Rosen, Mel. White
Tracks: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Writing & Publishing
Noon | Location: Embassy Hotel: Bedlam 2 Boardroom
Building Better Futures
How to use Design and Foresight tools to build plausible futures for writing, games, movies, cosplay, and more. Professional futurist Tim Morgan aka Everyday Futurist guides this introductory session on future-minded thinking. (2 hours. Limit 14 participants.)
Moderator: Everyday Futurist
Panelists: Everyday Futurist
Tracks: STEM, Culture & World Affairs, Business & Marketing, General Interest, Science Fiction, Workshop
Noon | Location: Sooner B
Entertaining the Climate Crisis
According to the 2022 World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report, climate change is THE greatest global threat today. Speculative fiction is uniquely suited to explore these issues. From the wry satirical allegory of Don't Look Up, to Solarpunk futures, to biodiversity and ecosystem loss, natural disasters, survivalism, and what hope the future holds, how can we explore climate change in our specific media?
Moderator: Tyrell Gephardt
Panelists: Tyrell Gephardt, Tim Frayser, Brian A. Hopkins, Carolyn Kay, Caleb Masters, Selina Rosen
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, STEM, Culture & World Affairs, Film & TV, General Interest, Science Fiction, Writing & Publishing
1:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Salon Philosophique
Open sci-fi oriented philosophy public discussions. All are welcome. (1 hour)
Moderator: Dara Fogel, PhD
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, General Interest, Meetup, Science Fiction
11:00 AM | Location: Boomer B
You Mean Star Trek Star Maps Are Kinda Real?
Join “Dr. Trek” Larry Nemecek, the author of Star Trek: Stellar Cartography (2013/2018) and a Trek star-mapper since 1976, for more than you ever realized: How much of Star Trek’s stellar layout is based on real science? Where does everything go? And does anyone working or playing on Star Trek really pay attention?
Moderator: Larry Nemecek
Panelists: Larry Nemecek
Tracks: Fandoms, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Film & TV, General Interest, STEM
2:00 PM | Location: Sooner B
Your Own Away Mission: Star Trek Location Sites
We love the stages and the sets of Star Trek – but those are under lock and key ... or even long gone. But hey, away-team wannabe – did you know there’s plenty of Star Trek out there you can visit on your own? Let “Dr. Trek” Larry Nemecek, host of Trekland Treks, take you on a virtual tour of just a few of the iconic L.A.-area locations used across the generations of Treks – and even how some sites have shifted, like Starfleet Academy and Chateau Picard.
Moderator: Larry Nemecek
Panelists: Larry Nemecek
Tracks: Fandoms, Pop Culture & Entertainment, General Interest, Film & TV, Science Fiction
1:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
“I Love You.” “I Know”: Romance in SF & Anime
Talk about the iconic sci-fi, fantasy and anime onscreen love interests that gave us squeeeee.
Moderator: Karen Thrower
Panelists: Karen Thrower, Charles Dane Clark, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Sally Hamilton, Lyde Van Hoy
Tracks: Film & TV, Fantasy, Fandoms, Science Fiction