Comic-Con 2014

Which side of the convention table do you want to be on: fan or creator? And what's keeping you from getting there? What's holding you back? If you're having trouble starting or finishing your creative projects, then you need to attend this fun and informative workshop, designed specifically for the Comic-Con crowd. Douglas Neff (Epic Win! The Geek's Guide to the Journey from Fan to Creator) will give you simple and proven techniques for setting, working on, and achieving your goals. Whether you want to write your first novel, draw your own comic, or shoot your independent film, you'll walk away from this workshop with the energy and tools you need to bring your dream to life.

Origami master folder Chris Alexander (author of Star Wars Origami) demonstrates and teaches the master folding techniques to make Star Wars origami figures. Attendees will fold an exclusive Comic-Con model along with other art from the Star Wars universe. Materials included!

Day 2 of this four-day course on microbudget moviemaking focuses on the specifics of production, from shooting techniques, to lighting on the cheap, to crew positions you need (and don't need), to costuming, props, and set decorating for as little money as possible. Panelists for the class include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Vera Vanguard (producer of The Building of Good and Evil), Nick Murphy (writer/director of Pizza and Bullets), Jack Conway (producer of Machinima ETC ), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica).

After the successes of Harry Potter, Twilight, The Walking Dead, and Game of Thrones, not to mention the billions made by the Star Wars universe, the latest Batman trilogy and the Marvel Universe, its no surprise that Hollywood's appetite for comic book properties continues to rise. Now that geek is chic, the entertainment industry has increased its mining efforts through all forms of popular culture, but nowhere more than in the comic book industry. But with tens of thousands of characters and properties competing for attention, actually making money from your creations requires understanding the legalities and pitfalls of contracts and license agreements in general, along with an understanding of the business models used by the companies looking to make you an offer. Noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the acclaimed The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, and entertainment attorney Mona Metwalli present an interactive seminar tackling a number of the more advanced issues facing authors, artists, and designers (and the businesses that hire them) as they begin marketing their properties and creative ideas, including: the key things you should know when Hollywood comes knocking; production, merchandising, and distribution agreements; potential pitfalls when dealing in contracts, assignments and licenses; and (time permitting) participating in a contract negotiation role-playing exercise.Note: The Comic Book Law School® seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for 1.5 credits of California MCLE.]

From creator Chris Moore (Project Greenlight, American Pie, Good Will Hunting) and producer Zachary Quinto (Star Trek, Heroes, Margin Call), The Chair is a documentary competition series that follows two first- time feature directors, Shane Dawson (ShaneDawsonTV on YouTube) and Anna Martemucci (Break Up at a Wedding), each given the same screenplay and budget to make their own films. Zachary Quinto and both directors, as well as screenwriter Dan Schoffer and producer Josh Shader, join together for a panel moderated by Chris Moore, including exclusive clips from both films (Untitled Shane Dawson Movie and Hollidaysburg) and from the Starz TV show, premiering this fall.

Ron Lemen (Wizards of the Coast) demonstrates basic guidelines that will help you draw more convincing gestures and expressions in both the face and hands of your characters. Ron will demonstrate some quick anatomy and design principles, as well as share examples and diagrams simplifying the information for an artist to use. Regardless of your form of art-commercial or personal-these guidelines are universal in helping you build stronger expressions or actions. Bring a sketchbook and draw along and/or take notes.

Everyone has an origin story, the defining moment where they thrust themselves to greatness, and so do the comic industry's best and brightest. ComiXology's marketing maven Chip Mosher hosts a panel with comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger; executive editor at Marvel Comics in charge of the X-Men and Guardians of the Galaxy franchises Mike Marts; BOOM! Studios/KaBOOM! editor and Lumberjanes co-creator Shannon Watters; co-creator of the forthcoming Top Cow series Genius, television writer on Syfy's Alphas, and senior editor of The Hollywood Reporter Marc Bernardin; and writer of Five Ghosts, Black Market, and Solar: Man of the Atom, Frank J. Barbiere, who will fill you in on the extraordinary events that transformed them from everyday comics fans into comic industry heroes!

Marshall Vandruff (MarshallArt.com) will present over a hundred slides of Heinrich Kley's drawings to showcase his virtuoso skills. Kley's character design, knowledge of anatomy, mastery of form and movement, and wild pen & ink technique have inspired artists for the past 100 years. Marshall will explain the training involved for today's artists who want to apply these classic disciplines and standards to their work in any medium.

This program is not just a great opportunity for those interested in opening their own comic book specialty store, it’s also a chance to get a peek into the comics retail profession. Bring your best questions for this panel of veteran comic book specialty retailers. Hosted by Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics, CA). (This panel is open to all Comic-Con attendees.)

Popular media can be a powerful teaching tool that is easily accessible and engaging. Elementary educators share their experiences using popular media in the classroom. Summer Keller (Davis Magnet School, Newport-Mesa USD) will discuss the benefits of using media to design integrated lessons, develop student writing, and explore scientific concepts used in stories. Danielle Lopez (Davis Magnet School, Newport-Mesa USD) will discuss ways to geek out your classroom management and environment. Christy Flores (Davis Magnet School, Newport-Mesa USD) will share her observations from a principal's perspective.

Shelley Minnis (fine art specialist) will show you how to take Prismacolor Colored Pencils and Markers to the next level to get the effects you desire when you are creating your comic and manga drawings. Samples and door prizes provided.

Your project is going to make millions of dollars-but you have to sign this contract first-yikes! Andy Schmidt (Comics Experience, Marvel, IDW Publishing) and Joe Sergi, attorney and author of Comic Book Law: Cautionary Tales for the Comic Book Creator, offer an in-depth look at comics contracts. If you want to work in the entertainment industry-especially publishing-you can't afford to miss this panel!

A rare behind-the-scenes look as leading pop culture entrepreneurs share the secrets of building successful pop culture businesses! J. K. Parkin from Comic Book Resources and Robot 6 moderates an inspirational talk with comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger, the Harvey Award-nominated cartoonist behind Nimona and Lumberjanes co-creator Noelle Stevenson, Dark Horse president and founder Mike Richardson, and Valiant CEO & chief creative officer Dinesh Shamdasani. It's an inside look at the business side of pop culture no future comics entrepreneur can miss!

Moderator Francis Mao (Capcom) returns with another edition of this popular panel shedding insight on the wide variety of professions available in the video game industry. You'll find out that it's not all programming and digital art, as a panel of industry insiders from various companies share the unique ways that they got into the video game business, tell what they do each day, and most importantly share suggestions on how you can get into the industry, too. Q&A session as well as networking opportunity with panelists after the panel.

Award-winning VFX artists from the film Cosplay Dreams 3D show how to add special effects to your cosplay photos and videos using Adobe Photoshop and After Effects. Join Gulliver Parascandolo (director & VFX artist of Cosplay Dreams 3D) and other VFX artists to see how to add realistic laser beams, fireballs, glowing magical elements, and sci-fi backgrounds that will bring your cosplay photography or movie to the next level! Moderated by Christine Kasal Parascandolo (executive producer of Cosplay Dreams 3D).

Do you dream about quitting your day job to pursue your passion of being an artist, writer, or professional in the industry? Are you already in the business and need help with figuring out how to budget between paid contracts, or need to determine the best way to raise and save cash for future projects? Perhaps you just want to be a Financial Superhero for yourself and your family, and invest in your future! Karen Martin (Junior Achievement and WheelerFrost Wealth Managers) and Sean Nisil (Sigdestad Financial) will present an entertaining and educational panel on superhero financial planning for artists, writers, industry professionals, and all others interested. The discussion will follow with a Q&A of industry panel guests who will talk about financial challenges and successes in their fields.