Technicon 24: Heroes of the Frontier
March 30 - April 1, 2007 :: Blacksburg, VA 24060
Holiday Inn: University - Blacksburg

A Convention Celebrating the Arts of Science Fiction and Fantasy
Featuring Guests of Honor: John Ringo & David B. Mattingly!

Schedule of Events:
As with any event of this size, the schedule changes a lot!
This page will automatically update to reflect changes, so please check back regularly.
This page will be updated with our schedule as we get it designed. For now, take a look at our Programming Page to find out some of what we're planning.



Friday Events:
Check-in
14:00-16:00, Cascades Dealer's Room

Dealer only check-in and setup

Children's Room Open
14:00-17:00, 128 Children's Prog.

Children's Programming Room will be open and available.

Open
16:00-21:00, Cascades Dealer's Room


Check-in
16:00-18:00, Montgomery Art Show

Artist only check-in and setup

Ouran Highschool Host Club 1-4
17:00-18:45, 146 Anime


Open Programming
17:00-18:00, 116 Panels B

Have a panel idea? Write yourself in and have fun with it.

Opening Ceremonies
18:00-18:30, Olin Preston Main Program


Open
18:00-21:00, Montgomery Art Show


Meet the Guests
18:30-19:00, Olin Preston Main Program


Gun Smith Cats 1-3
18:45-20:00, 146 Anime


An Hour With David B. Mattingly
19:00-20:00, Olin Preston Main Program


Quiet On The Set! - Organizational Meeting
19:00-20:00, 116 Panels B

Does your life have a voice over? Do you hear a musical score where ever you go? No? Well, why not!

Join the cast and crew of the second, irregularly periodic, Concept-to-Can Weekend Film Project. Long ago, some fool saw a cheap PCI card that could do S-video in and out. He naturally concluded that technology was ripe to do a digital video film project over Technicon Weekend. From concept to can, they toiled over the course of the weekend, attempting to produce something ....err.... something! They succeeded. Now, nine years later, the same hearty fool is going to try it again! The technology is much better now!

Be you muse, be you thespian, be you foley -- be a part of the story

An Hour With John Ringo
20:00-21:00, Olin Preston Main Program


Amateur and Independent Film Panel
20:00-23:00, Boardroom Panels A

Come enjoy a discussion of producing films on a tiny budget, see a presentation of some local independently-made films, or exhibit your own!

Ruggiero Reading: Operation Immortal Servitude
20:00-21:00, 116 Panels B


Afro Samurai
20:00-22:00, 146 Anime


Sex in Spec Fic - Keeping It (Un)real
21:00-22:00, Olin Preston Main Program

50 exotically dressed virgins (of any gender) may sound like fun, but will your reader believe they happen to be skilled commando troops as well? We'll look at the ridiculous and the sublime in speculative
fictional sex, and discuss how to convert one to the other. (In either direction.)
(This is an adult-only panel; no one under 18 years of age will be admitted entry.)

Open Programming
21:00-22:00, 116 Panels B

Have a panel idea? Write yourself in and have fun with it.

Erotic Art - I Know Smut When I See It
22:00-23:00, Olin Preston Main Program

When a popular portfolio site proudly advertises its "deviance", how do you separate erotica and porn in the 21st century? Where would the line be in a perfect world? Which side would you want to be on? Help us hash this one out.
(This is an adult-only panel; no one under 18 years of age will be admitted entry.)

Hi no Tori 1-4
22:00-23:30, 146 Anime


Open Programming
22:00-23:00, 116 Panels B

Have a panel idea? Write yourself in and have fun with it.

Ron's Trailer Park
23:00-00:00, Boardroom Panels A

Come see a smattering of trailers, complete with commentary from presenter, Ron.

Poly Mythology - What the Websites Won't Tell You
23:00-00:00, Olin Preston Main Program

Sure, you've been to all the intro panels (we've a handout if you haven't) and researched it all on the Internet. You've ready to tackle poly head-on! But a year later, you discover that some of the most popular ideas, from the most famous advocates, don't match to reality. Here's an advance look to save you that year.
(This is an adult-only panel; no one under 18 years of age will be admitted entry.)

Quiet On The Set! - Script Writing Workshop Trial by Fire
23:00-05:00, 116 Panels B


Robotech - The Untold Story
23:30-01:00, 146 Anime


Saturday Events:
BDSM Mythology - Show and Tell from the Front Lines
00:00-01:00, Olin Preston Main Program

Yes, Virginia, there's more to a kink scene than candles, handcuffs, and an Enigma CD. Forget the story sites, and the downloaded photos - here's a frank discussion and demonstration of the realities of the lifestyle. (Yeah, we're especially fond of the 'demonstration' part too.)
(This is an adult-only panel; no one under 18 years of age will be admitted entry.)

Gungrave 1-4
01:00-02:30, 146 Anime


Dragon Ball Z Movie #12
02:30-03:30, 146 Anime


Tales of Phantasia 1-4
03:30-05:30, 146 Anime


Inu Yasha 1-4
05:30-07:15, 146 Anime


Naruto OVA - 1
07:15-07:30, 146 Anime


Nana 1-4
07:30-09:15, 146 Anime


Open
09:00-18:00, Cascades Dealer's Room


Open
09:00-19:00, Montgomery Art Show


Sculpting
09:00-10:00, 128 Children's Prog.

Sculpting in the Children's Room.

Bartender 1-4
09:15-10:45, 146 Anime


Quiet On The Set! - Summon the Actors!
10:00-11:30, Boardroom Panels A


Puzzles
10:00-11:00, 128 Children's Prog.

Puzzles in the Children's Room

Open Programming
10:00-11:00, 116 Panels B

Have a panel idea? Write yourself in and have fun with it.

Naruto OVA - 2
10:45-11:30, 146 Anime


Iron Costumer
11:00-14:00, Olin Preston Main Program

You've seen Costume Call. You've seen Hall Costumes. Who are these
people who are waking dreams? Iron Costumers! The Best of the Best.

Now there arises a new breed of costumer, new Master Class Costumers. A
Challenger comes forth.

Behold the culmination of one fan's quest for fantasy become reality. To
realize his dream he chose the top costumers in various styles, and he
named them the Iron Costumers: the invincible sewers. Con Stadium is the
arena where Iron Costumers await the challenges of master costumers from
around the world. Both the Iron Costumer and challenger has two hours to
tackle the theme costume piece of the day. Using all their senses, skill,
and creativity they are to prepare a fitted costume piece for a fan they
have never seen before. And if ever a challenger wins over the Iron
Costumer, he or she will gain the people's ovation and fame forever.
Every battle, reputations are on the line in Con Stadium, where master
costumers pit their artistic creations against each other. What
inspiration does today's challenger bring? And how will the Iron Costumer
fight back?

Cuciamo!

(that's Italian for Let's Sew!)

Join us for an amazing display of costumery! See the experts in action!
Will the Challenger win and claim the honor of an Iron Costumer? Will the
Iron Costumer successfully defend their honor? Fans will be chosen from
the audience to have a costume piece expertly tailored to them. Judges
will scathingly evaluate the finished piece. And, of course,
sportscasters will deliver running commentary.

Belly Dancing for Small Ones
11:00-12:00, 128 Children's Prog.

Amira here for an hour to show the children some of the basics of Belly Dancing

Reading by Tom Kratman
11:00-12:00, 116 Panels B

Audience choice from among Carnifex, A Desert Called Peace, or Yellow Eyes

Ghost Talkers Daydream 1-4
11:30-12:30, 146 Anime


TWF Movie Time
11:30-13:00, Boardroom Panels A

TWF Films shows off Act of Balance and some never-before-seen clips from their upcoming film, Balance of the Prophet.

PODIOBOOKS: Serialized Fiction...for FREE?!
12:00-13:00, 116 Panels B

Are they crazy? Authors are giving away their books for free, one chapter at a time?! Well, yes, we are! Podiobooks began with three authors, Tee Morris, Scott Sigler, and Mark Jeffrey; and their podcasts set the standards for other writers, publishers, and podcasters to follow. But is it as easy as PodioBooks.com (founded by Evo Terra, Tee Morris, and Chris Miller) make it out to believe, or is it a real dedication to delivering quality content. Come talk with Tee Morris (and others) to talk about the past, present, and future of Podiobooks.com and how you really CAN get something for nothing...although donations are welcome!

Ruin Explorers 1-4
12:30-14:30, 146 Anime


Breaking Writer's Block with Tarot Cards
13:00-14:00, 116 Panels B


The Business Side of Books
13:00-14:00, Boardroom Panels A

Sure, getting into cons for free is cool, and receiving the accolades of fans (and creating your own fan base) is good fun...but don't kid yourself -- this is a business. How serious is the business of aliens and elves, and how seriously should you take it? Is it possible to take yourself too seriously? How do you prevent yourself from being puffed up with vanity when your work reaches print? How do you behave at a con? Listen from the pros some of the common sense tactics needed and some sage advice on representing yourself in the continuously changing world of books.

Story Hour
13:00-14:00, 128 Children's Prog.

An hour of stories in the Children's Room.

Lucid Dreaming
14:00-15:00, 116 Panels B


How Authors Get Covered
14:00-15:00, Olin Preston Main Program

What does a cover artist like to get from an author? What do the authors hope to see when their book gets published? What does the dialog between the two look like? We bring several of our published authors and artists together to discuss what they want from the process of making a book's cover art.

Filking 1024
14:00-16:00, Boardroom Panels A

Ever wanted to make your own filks and parody music? Got some you've already made you want to share with the world. White Plectrum is here to help nurture your inner filker!

Bubbles and Balls
14:00-15:00, 128 Children's Prog.

Need we say more?

Naruto OVA - 3
14:30-15:00, 146 Anime


Space Opera and Mil Sci-Fi
15:00-16:00, Olin Preston Main Program

Is Space Opera still around, or is there only Mil Sci-Fi. Is Space Opera just fantasy in space? Our panelists discuss the terms, their differences, and their current states.

Fruits Basket 1-4
15:00-16:30, 146 Anime


Children's Hour with David Mattingly
15:00-16:00, 128 Children's Prog.

David Mattingly will spend an hour with the Children.

Open Programming
15:00-16:00, 116 Panels B

Have a panel idea? Write yourself in and have fun with it.

I'm Not Evil, I'm Misunderstood: Playing Fair with Villains
16:00-17:00, Boardroom Panels A

Let's get real. If you are going to tell a story with an evil character and be fair, do we not owe them a little bit of time to explore what they have done and why they have done it? Our panelists examine the motives behind villains, and how they play fair (or don't) with those motives in their stories.

Construction Zone
16:00-17:00, 128 Children's Prog.

Children building things! Small hardhats all around!

Open Programming
16:00-17:00, 116 Panels B

Have a panel idea? Write yourself in and have fun with it.

Sympathy for Lady Vengence
16:30-18:30, 146 Anime


On-the-Job Training: Or, Military Men Writing Sci-Fi
17:00-18:00, Boardroom Panels A

Did the time in the military that John Ringo, Tom Kratman, and Tony Ruggiero spent inform their writing? Do they ever implant real-life stories they experienced in their writing? Find out how the real military lives of these two authors affects their writing.

Sock Puppets
17:00-18:00, 116 Panels B


Painting and Drawing
17:00-18:00, 128 Children's Prog.

Classic artistic endeavors.

Whose Con Is It, Anyway?
18:00-19:00, Olin Preston Main Program

Take four improvisational artists, add a stack of hats, a heaping dose of alphabet and a pinch of questions only. Stir well with a frazzled host and simmer until the buzzer sounds. What do you have? The large amount of wackiness known as "Whose Con?"

Cover Art: One Artist's How-To
18:00-19:00, Boardroom Panels A

Artist David Mattingly discusses his process for making the art that goes onto the fronts of books, from initial concept and sketches to the final product.

Writing with Both Brains
18:00-19:00, 116 Panels B

Writers who write both non-fiction and fiction describe how the two
disciplines interact and interfere with each other. How do you carve
time for writing fiction from a schedule filled with non-fiction
projects? Why do authors float between reality and fantasy, and what
are the challenges between the two? Tee Morris and Tiffany Trent throw both halves of their heads at these questions, and more.

Naruto - Sports Special
18:30-18:45, 146 Anime