BayCon 2008 Preliminary Schedule

SATURDAY

Community led Saturday morning Shabbatt Torah service.

Family Friendly will be open from 9am to 7pm today. See the schedule details in the descriptions below or stop by for more information.

You were there for part 1, right? Quick! Time travel! In this part, we go over the plan, figure out the gear, work up a story, write the script, plan the shoot, and pretty much anything else we can think of. That's right, from soup to nuts, we're going to make an entire movie here at BayCon. This is your chance to be a part of the annual fun and learn how to make a movie on a budget so tiny calling it "shoestring" would be an insult to shoestrings. The key to making a movie, of course, is good planning!

Who really wore that propeller beanie first? (Hint: His nickname is "Buzz") Who is SMOF Number One? Find out the answers to these and many other fannish questions.

Shoes are an oft overlooked vital component to costuming. Our panelists discuss options for completing your costume with good-looking and comfortable footwear.

Todd Lockwood, our Artist Guest of Honor, has had a varied career, ranging from covers to gaming. Join us as fellow artist James Stanley Daugherty leads him in a discussion about their wide-ranging interests.

Dealer's Room — Saturday hours are 10:00am - 7:00pm

Art Show — Saturday's hours are: 10am to 7pm. Direct sales start at noon. Bids may be placed throughout the day. Please see the Art Show summary for bid and buying rules.

Our authors have all written stories in the same worlds, with many of the same characters. What makes them return to their worlds? What are the pros and cons of writing in the same universe?

The factory of the future — What will it look like, and what exactly will it do? Will it churn out mass production items, or focus more on personal fabrication? Listen to Dr. Linda Clements and Dr. John Crowley discuss these issues which form the basis for their company, 2PhaseTechnologies, Inc.

What do you need to take good photos of costumers? Our experts highlight tips for staging, lighting and posing.

What is the origin of The Jolly Roger? Is it always a black flag, or should it really be red? Is the name from England, France, India or the Knights Templar?

This Week in Science, a weekly radio/podcast hosted by Kirsten Sanford and Justin Jackson, comes to BayCon.

Scott's first novel was serialized and released as a podcast. Join him as he reads from other selections of his works.

When is it art and when is it smut? How do you decide, and how do you fight for your rights if someone does not agree?

What are you willing to do to get published? What does it take to break in as an artist or writer? Does your genre or media make a difference?

Fans of the popular show get together to talk about all things proven or busted.

Join Davenriche, and the members of DEMAS, as they demonstrate the various styles of fencing used in the Renaissance era. Using both rapiers and side swords, they will show the evolution of sword play through the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Bouts-Rimes is the Iron Chef for sonneteers. Invented by the French and popularized by the Bluestockings of 19th Century England, the contest gives the poet not one but fourteen mystery ingredients which must be used, in order, as the end words to complete a sonnet of their own devising.

The list of words for this presentation were posted on the web site prior to the convention.

The list of words for Iron Poet 2 will be presented here and printed in the newsletter.

The San Francisco Maritime National Park Association has been bringing maritime history to life since 1950. The association was instrumental in developing Aquatic Park, Victorian Park and Hyde Street Pier, starting in 1954 with the acquisition of the tall ship Balclutha. More details are available on their website, www.maritime.org

Our panelists have all volunteered for a WorldCon, and been on the Convention Committee. They will discuss the process of bidding for and winning a WorldCon, along with the work involved in hosting WorldCon.

Operating Systems have gotten bigger and bigger over the past few years, requiring more and more processor capabilities. What exactly is an Operating System supposed to do? And do the latest versions from Microsoft, Apple and Linux actually hurt more than they help?

Environmental problems need solutions, no argument. But, how far ahead should we be planning? Is it better to fix things early or late? Do we even get a choice? Can the solution be worse than problem? How do we deal with people who "Go Green" because it's seen as politically correct?

Join fan Hugo nominee Chris Garcia as he shows you how to create your own Fanzine in an Hour.

Are you entered in the Masquerade tonight? If so, you MUST attend this meeting. Scripts and music will be checked, presentation order will be set and all your questions answered. Costumes are not required, but if you have a particular concern (ceiling clearance, for example) you may bring it along.

Details are vital and necessitate accurate research — how to make sure your story makes physical sense, even if the science is weird. And it's not just the hard science, either. People notice when the toll is paid the wrong way on the Golden Gate Bridge or your Ringworld has an obvious design flaw that would make it slide into the sun, or your alternate history barbarians are using a flintlock that they cannot physically operate. The era or country you use as a setting has to be accurately portrayed, even if other details of your story are invented. Panelists discuss research methods, including how the Internet has changed their habits.

Come see what you can become with fabric scraps, safety pins, cardboard and tinfoil.

Mad Scientists (Sparks), failed experiments, travel adventures — Agatha Heterodyne has it all, of course, since she's a Girl Genius. Join her fans for a free-form discussion.

In case you're behind on your reading: www.girlgeniusonline.com

Five hundred years of dueling tradition remains alive and well in Italian foil play. Developed from the movements that worked in the days of the duel, Italian foil employs tight, fast, and elegant actions to hit the opponent efficiently. The foil was the practice weapon for rapier play and was used to teach the student the full range of offensive, defensive, and counteroffensive actions needed in the duel. In this seminar, a basic Italian foil lesson and fencing bout will be demonstrated. Audience members will be able to participate in a basic group lesson with foil in hand. (All equipment supplied.)

Philip K. Dick was a science fiction writer with a unique vision. His short stories and novels have formed the basis for many of Hollywood's most successful blockbusters, while his world-twisting style has kept fans and scholars fascinated for more than two decades.

Join PKD's friends and fans for a retrospective on his life and work. This panel will discuss many unanswerable questions, such as: What happened to him in February and March of 1974? What shaped his extraordinary worldview? And how has he shaped our world?

Comics have escaped from the four-color ghetto of the funny pages into the wilds of the Internet. Now anyone with a computer, basic artistic ability, and a unique outlook on the world can be a cartoonist, and a rare few are making a living at it. Is this a good thing for comics in general? Which of the thousands of online comics are the ones to watch? Are there useful tips for budding cartoonists or unwary readers? Unless we're careful, some of these questions may be answered.

Where is my Geek? Panelists discuss what makes someone a geek, and what makes them sexually attractive.

The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. John Senior Astronomer Seth Shostek as he updates us on the status of the project.

How do you raise a fannish child? Does being fannish automatically mean you're a geek? What do you do as a second generation fan? How do you deal with the utter confusion from your own classmates when you read your "what I did over the summer" paper? And just how many books have you read?

Join art collector Jim Handzel as he leads a tour of the Art Show. Meet outside of the Art Show, Ballroom D.

Are there really only so many basic plots? Are there really 7? or 20 or 3 or 36? Does it really matter when you try to build a unique framework for your story? Does it make writing easier or harder?

Looking for a hard-to-find book or a role-playing game? We have lots of interesting donations to auction in support of our charity, the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association.

Join the Family Friendly team for a naval battle in the pool.

Members of the Chateau de Camville demonstrate their medieval weapons, armor and fighting styles.

What do you need to know before bidding in an art auction. What decisions must you make beforehand? What is the role of the auctioneer? What bidding strategies are best? How do you avoid buyers remorse?

Interior Decorating for Non-Humans may be considered a requirement of many science fiction stories. Just exactly how do you go about designing a chair for an alien? How do you prevent your fur or tentacles from getting caught in the cracks? Our panelists speculate on the underlying psychology and artistic design.

It's getting easier to gaze at the stars, no matter where you are. Our experts discuss some of the new gadgets, from refractors to reflectors to planetarium software.

Hindsight is 20-20. Looking back, how would you change your works?
Is there a concept or idea that you wish you'd never used, or is there a plot that you did use that you think you would do differently if given a second chance? Our panelists discuss lessons learned from the "retrospectoscope."

Join Kathryn Daugherty for a casual discussion with Author Guest of Honor Tim Powers.

What exactly are the Fan Hugos? How are they different from the "regular" Hugos, if at all? (hint: they're not). Join Hugo Nominee Chris Garcia in the Fanzine Lounge to talk about Fan Hugos.

In the more than 40 years since the series started, the Doctor has regenerated 8 times, had a host of companions (including K9) and visited time and space as no one else has. After a several year hiatus, the show is back and more popular than ever, and has even sired a spin off, Torchwood. What next for the BBC's favorite shows?

Join Steve Savitzky and friends as they play filk at Family Friendly.

From Buffy to Serenity, TV to the big screen, this is the place to discuss all things in the Joss Whedon 'verse.

Boarding actions and ship to ship fighting, weapons of the high seas and pirates, chain mail, bladed weapons and injuries of the medieval and fantasy genre. I would also like to teach a boarding actions class that will walk the participants through the use of some of the weapons used in pirate ship to ship fighting. I would like to do this panal in addition to my regular demonstration of medieval weapons and their uses.

How is collaborative writing different from solo writing? Why would you want to do it? Our authors have all been parts of collaborative writing teams, and will discuss the pros and cons.

Grace (Granier) O'Malley, Anne Boney, Madame Cho.
Each of these women gained fame (and fortune) as a pirate. What would influence a woman to become a pirate? Would their femininity make them better or worse pirates? And who says they wore a leather bustier and had ostrich plumes in their hat?

The "great debate" about Evolution versus Intelligent Design keeps taking stranger and stranger turns. His Noodliness, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the Pontiff of Noodletarianism, appeared here at BayCon two years ago, along with representatives of the Pastafarian and Raviolite sects. This year they are joined by the Gnocchians. Join them as they continue their discussion on the concept of "Intelligent Design"

Please note that a sense of humor is required to attend this panel!

The Digital Art World has become an integral part of artistic life. Michael Dashow describes the digital process, how computers can be used for painting — from book covers to video games, and how it can help you be a better artist.

Do you have the survival skills? Mass extinction themes in books and movies always seem to overlook the REAL basics. Can you find a clean water source, do you have a green thumb, can you deliver babies? Characters in these predicaments don't seem to be selected for long term survival.

Can't get enough of Serenity and Firefly? Come join the Silicon Gulch Browncoats for a lively round of Bingo. Don't worry if you don't know all the facts, there's help out there in the 'verse, and it won't cost you much!

One Laptop Per Child is working not only on basic education, but on telemedicine, Geographic Information Systems, minilathe kits (The Industrial Revolution in a Box), e-commerce for students, and a great deal of what used to be pure science fiction in other areas. The whole John Brunner program, in fact, as in The Shockwave Rider, Stand on Zanzibar, and The Stone That Never Came Down. Join like-minded folks for a casual discussion.

Twelve-step members only, please.

Take a bizarre reproductive pattern from known terrestrial examples, build an intelligent species on that basis. Extrapolate culture, religion, attitudes and technologies to your heart's content. Alien Sex — the fun and profitable way to build a *really* different kind of alien!

The L-11 Project. On Loan From the Haunted Mansion. JinRo Warriors. All have been seen at past Masquerades. Who knows what you'll see this year. Be there, and you'll know why they won Best in Show!

Boffer wars will commence at 8pm. Remember, have fun but let's be careful out there!

The Anime room will be open after 8:00pm and will be running all night. Everyone is welcome to view our offerings. The exact schedule will be posted at the door.

Vixy & Tony have a folk/rock musical style, and with science fiction and fantasy lyrics, combine to tell engaging stories. Tony's skillfully played acoustic guitar and Vixy's smooth, pitch-perfect voice highlight their live performances.

Sci-Fi themed game based on the NPR News Quiz, including the "Not My Job " segment with Seth Shostak.

The filk lounge will be open all night. Bring your instruments, your voice and your songs, if you can. But definitely bring your ears!

Uglytown: Nightmares & Travelogues. Your Kindly Uncle Nitnorth sings* about life, love, art, death, philosophy, and penguin lust. Come along and take a journey around my head in 80 ways. Fancy guitar playin', no extra charge.

*in a voice any frog would be proud to own.

Quark's Bar on DS9. Joe's Place on Battlestar Galactica. The Maidenhead of Firefly. The Cantina on Tatooine. Every pirate has a place like that to go for a little R&R. Take a spin on the dance floor. Have something to drink. The music stops when you do.

Hearing Avalon Rising perform, one is hard-put to say just what kind of music they're playing — just that it rocks, it screams, it soars, it whispers. Elements of classical, Celtic folk, French Medieval, psychedelic jam band and funk interweave, conflict and finally coalesce into a stunning, surprising whole.

The Eye of Argon — arguably the worst piece of fiction ever published — or is it? Come join in the reading and be your own judge. You only have to read until you laugh!