Pairing Science with Fiction
Silicon Valley Comic Con (SVCC), Steve Wozniak’s pop culture and technology expo, is almost here! Taking place April 21-23, 2017 in downtown San Jose, Silicon Valley Comic Con aims to inspire and entertain with celebrity appearances, science/tech discussions, film and TV screenings, panels with award-winning authors and artists, cosplay contests and more.
In addition to celebrating the pop culture and technology of today, SVCC 2017 will feature a series of themed exhibits and sessions focused on the “Future of Humankind: Where will we be in 2075?” SVCC 2017 attendees will be able to hear visions of the future from high profile guests and companies spanning a variety of industries. Here’s a look at the scheduling for SVCC 2017 on April 21:
5:00 pm
SVCC Doors Open!
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
6:00 pm
Everyone Needs A Superhuman Memory: Come Learn How To Improve Your Memory :: Room 212ABCD
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Come learn how to improve your memory from the 4x USA Memory Champion, Nelson Dellis. Nelson has a phenomenal memory, but his memory was average up until he decided to take some action and train it (inspired by his late-grandmother’s passing from Alzheimer’s). With his help, you too can have an incredible memory. He’ll go over the basics of memory and share some great tips to help your memory tackle those things you encounter on a daily basis that you wish you could remember! He will also perform some memory feats that demonstrates just why he is the 4 time USA Memory champ!
Figure Drawing for Popular Media :: Room 111
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Figure Drawing for Popular Media, Emilio Soltero, PhD (Draw the line; Figure It Out; John Buscema: A Life in Sketches) and, possibly a guest artist & guest cosplayer, present a primer on drawing the figure for popular media, including drawing for comics and character design. The focus will be on anatomy and figure drawing. Emilio will lecture and demonstrate on figure drawing. There will be time to draw as well. Join Emilio for this active presentation. Come ready to take notes and to draw.
6:15 pm
An Evening with William Shatner :: City National Civic
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 6:15 pm to 7:00 pm
William Shatner takes the stage to share his thoughts and to take fan questions. Immediately following, he’ll invite special guests on stage to join him for the WONDER WOMEN CHANGING THE FACE OF STEM panel event. It’s a double feature!
6:30 pm
Fic W(rec)K :: Room 114
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Fan fiction is a transformative medium that allows readers and writers to make media into more diverse narratives. We’ll explore diversity in fan fic through a feminist lens, focusing on sexuality, characterization, and representation; how these issues inform queer culture, consent, and identity politics. By addressing fan fic as a movement and what it’s done for fandom by using feminist theory, we’ll analyze themes of sexuality and abuse as well as provide a recuperative reading for fan fic.
Publishing: Indie vs. Traditional :: Room 211ABCD
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
In today’s quickly evolving and exciting world of publishing, aspiring authors have more options than ever before. Join national-award winning Fantasy author and screenwriter K.M. Rice (Darkling) and national bestselling Romance author Marina Adair (St. Helena Vineyards Series) for a discussion about how each local has achieved success in independent and traditional publishing, and how it’s possible to combine the two. The panel will open up to Q&A so come find out which route is best for you!
7:00 pm
Denise Crosby Photo Op :: Photo Op Area – Booth A
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:00 pm
Denise Crosby is best known for portraying Security Chief Tasha Yar in Season One of Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as Yar’s own daughter, the half-Romulan Commander Sela, in subsequent seasons. Fun fact: She had originally been chosen to play Counsellor Deanna Troi before Gene Roddenberry switched the roles that she and Marina Sirtis had initially been given. Prior to being cast in TNG, the granddaughter of Bing Crosby already had a list of credits that included a regular stint on Days of Our Lives and a role in Eddie Murphy’s debut movie “48 Hours.” Her TV career has seen guest-starring parts on many fan favorite series: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Crossing Jordan, J.A.G., Threat Matrix, L.A. Law, The X-Files, NYPD Blue, Southland, Dexter, Bones, Mad Men, Ray Donovan and The Walking Dead. Her film work includes a starring role in “Pet Sematary” shortly after she left TNG, along with appearances in “Deep Impact,” “Jackie Brown,” “Desert Hearts” and many others. Aside from TNG, Crosby has also made a significant mark on the Trek universe as host and co-executive producer of the feature documentaries “Trekkies,” and “Trekkies 2,” which provided an often-humorous look at Star Trek fans.
Film- A behind the scenes First Look :: Room 111
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
In 2013 a group of filmmakers went out and decided to shoot feature films in the Bay Area with bare bone budgets and a dream. Today their movies are widely available nationwide in Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, Hulu, etc. Meet the cast and crew of the projects and learn how you can be a successful filmmaker in the Bay.
Marvel versus DC: Who is the most powerful superhero? :: Room 230ABC
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
When Ant-Man hit the big screen in 2015, the microscopic (and relatively unknown) Marvel superhero introduced the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to the concept of the quantum realm. Since then, Dr. Strange showed the world how to harness the power of the mind to access parallel realities, a nod to the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. But what are the true implications of Marvel superheroes harnessing the powers of the quantum realm and how will DC superheroes, like Superman and The Flash, keep up with superheroes whose superpowers have origins that defy the very laws of physics? Come find out what the future of superheroes could look like as Dr. Spiros Michalakis, the Caltech quantum physicist who introduced the quantum realm in the MCU, debates writer Deric Hughes (Flash, Warehouse 13, Scream) and USC theoretical physicist Dr. Clifford Johnson (Agent Carter, Agents of Shield) on who the most powerful superhero is. Moderated by Laetitia Garriott de Cayeux.
Syfy and Digital Domain Present VR-Powered Immersive Second-Screen Experiences :: Room 212ABCD
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Virtual reality experiences have become synonymous with film and TV show premieres; these immersive second-screen experiences have the power to extend the reach of film and TV and change the way audiences view entertainment. Digital Domain and Syfy will discuss their background in creating immersive VR experiences for Syfy’s hit series, Incorporated and The Expanse, outlining the key factors in creating innovative second-screen mobile experiences and how to overcome development obstacles. Original immersive content is growing and impacting mainstream media, with virtual reality extending the reach of film and television. Digital Domain’s vast experience in Hollywood, VR and 360° video production can shed light on how viewers consume entertainment, and how VR transforms content into more engaging experiences. Syfy can also speak to the importance of connecting audiences with their brands, and utilizing the new medium to create a successful immersive experience.
Wonder Women Changing the Face of STEM :: City National Civic
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm
William Shatner and Steve Wozniak interview two ladies who are showing the next generation of women that the possibilities are endless in science and engineering. You can be pronounced a Queen or a Genius, and be interviewed on stage by a Captain and a Wizard. Hear from Sabrina Pasterski (23-year old physics phenom) and Simone Giertz (YouTube’s Queen of Shitty Robots) about their inspirations, hopes for the future of science and technology, and more. “Women are the wave of the future, and sisterhood is stronger than anything!”
7:15 pm
Pam Grier Photo Op :: Photo Op Area – Booth A
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:15 pm
7:30 pm
Robert O’Reilly Photo Op :: Photo Op Area – Booth B
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:30 pm
If Aliens Exist, What Are They Doing to Make Themselves Visible? :: Room 210CDGH
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
For more than a half-century, SETI scientists have been pivoting their antennas skyward, hoping to pick up signals.
But is this approach too parochial? Peculiar phenomena, such as Tabby’s star and Fast Radio Bursts, hint that our searches could be missing truly advanced cosmic intelligence. If so, what’s the fix? Seth Shostak, who directs the Search for Extraterrestrial Life at the SETI Institute in California, will share his thoughts.
Marina Sirtis Photo Op :: Photo Op Area – Booth A
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:30 pm
Counselor Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Trailer Park 2.0: What’s Coming To A Theater Near You :: Room 211ABCD
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Join Aggressive Comix Editor-In-Chief Mary Anne (Mab), Ace of Geeks former editor-in-chief Mike Fatum, and Mae Lihn as we share the latest and greatest film and tv trailers. Hear panelist thoughts on what films will deliver the goods based on their trailers, offer your own thoughts on what movies you’re most looking forward to seeing.
7:45 pm
William Shatner Photo Op :: Photo Op Area – Booth A
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 7:45 pm
William Shatner is an actor, singer, author, producer, director, spokesman and comedian. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T. Kirk, Captain of the USS Enterprise, in the “Star Trek” franchise. Shatner also played the eponymous veteran police sergeant in “T. J. Hooker.” He hosted the reality-based television series “Rescue 911,” which won a People’s Choice Award for Favorite New TV Dramatic Series. He has since worked as a musician, author, director and celebrity pitchman, and starred as attorney Denny Crane in the television dramas “The Practice” and its spin-off, “Boston Legal”, for which he won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
8:00 pm
Death from the Skies :: Room 230ABC
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Asteroid impacts! Cometary debris! Extinction level events! These are the ways the world might end, and these are the topics of “Death from the Skies!”, a scientifically-based but fun look at giant impacts from cosmic objects. Astronomer Phil Plait talks about how these events have shaped our history, how they may do so again, and why Hollywood always seems to get them wrong. And lest you think it’s all doom and gloom, it’s possible to prevent a huge impact from ruining our whole day… if we choose to do so.
Guilty Pleasures: Science Fiction and Fantasy :: Room 212ABCD
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Some of the best genre books are written for thirteen-year-old girls! Others are parodies, comics, romances, vampire crossovers and silly things a far cry from lofty Jules Verne or the six-hundred-page clunkers. But they’re all just such fun! Bring your reading lists and come prepared to add the hottest new books.
8:30 pm
Crossing Between Worlds: Dramaworld Screening with Viki :: Room 211ABCD
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Ever wished you could teleport into your favorite show or drama? In Dramaworld, Viki’s Original K-drama series, we meet Claire – the intensely passionate fan who is obsessed with her favorite K-drama, so much so, that she literally falls into the drama. Join us for a screening of Dramaworld episode one and a Q+A. We’ll be talking about life as fans and the blurred lines between fantasy and reality. Dee Yongpradit Team Lead, Content Marketing, Viki, Inc. Dee Yongpradit has a strong background in the tech and content industries. She has made significant contributions to early stage and post-acquisition startups. For the past three years, Dee has grown Viki, a global video streaming site with crowdsourced subtitles available in more than 200 languages. Dee leads a team of international marketers to strategize and execute plans to increase engagement around content by leveraging all marketing channels. Previously, Dee worked at Flinja, which was venture-backed by Kaplan and Techstars. There, she oversaw everything from product management, marketing and social media, to operations as well as community support.
So You Want to Be a Jedi: The 101 on Jedi Costuming :: Room 114
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm
One of the easiest ways to get started in Star Wars costuming is to be a “generic” Jedi. But being generic doesn’t mean grabbing a brown bathrobe and a stick. Let us help you create a character and outfit with ideas from tunics to boots to the symbol of a Jedi – a lightsaber. We will offer links, resources and tips on how to make yourself look like you’re really part of the galaxy far, far away.
9:00 pm
Special Screening: Armageddon :: Room 230ABC
Friday April 21, 2017 :: 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm
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General admission tickets are now on sale for Silicon Valley Comic Con (SVCC), Steve Wozniak’s pop culture and technology expo taking place April 21-23, 2017 in downtown San Jose. Pairing science with fiction, Silicon Valley Comic Con aims to inspire and entertain with celebrity appearances, science/tech discussions, film and TV screenings, panels with award-winning authors and artists, cosplay contests and more.
Three-day and single-day passes for SVCC 2017 can be purchased today at www.svcomiccon.com. Fans who purchase three-day passes before October 1 will be entered into a drawing to ride around SVCC 2017 with the Woz in his VIP golf cart.
To purchase tickets, visit www.svcomiccon.com/tickets.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For more information, email marketing@svcomiccon.com or visit http://svcomiccon.com/sponsors/want-to-exhibit.
Be sure to stay with PopCultHQ as we bring you more pre-convention news as well as our live and on-the-scene coverage at Silicon Valley Comic Con this weekend!
<Silicon Valley Comic Con 2017 (April 21-23): The Celebrities>
<SVCC 2017: Artists, Authors & Exhibitors + Downloadable Maps!>
<Silicon Valley Comic Con 2017: The Special Events>
ABOUT SILICON VALLEY COMIC CON
Silicon Valley Comic Con celebrates the Age of the Geek by bringing together America’s two greatest superheroes: pop culture and technology. Featuring top celebrities, comics, independent artists, cosplay, video game creators, consumer electronics, music and apps, Silicon Valley Comic Con is where entertainment and our electronic worlds intersect. The second annual Silicon Valley Comic Con will be hosted at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, CA the weekend of April 21-23, 2017.
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*** info courtesy of Silicon Valley Comic Con
