Sunday, October 22, 2017
Main Stage
11:00 am
Jim Cummings
Jim has played many iconic voices for Disney and Warner Brothers, and he will discuss his role in shaping your childhood.
12:30 pm
Gates McFadden
The person who played Dr. Beverly Crusher in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation” TV shows and movies discusses the role as well as being a producer and director.
2:00 pm
Kevin Sorbo
The star of “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” and “Andromeda” discusses his roles in the well known TV series as well as what the future holds for him.
3:30 pm
Kids Costume Contest
“Batman: The Animated Series” Costume Contest
Grand Gallery A-C
11:30 am
Catherine Sutherland
The second Pink Ranger on “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” takes us behind the scenes of the iconic 90’s television show and its long lasting impact on pop culture.
1:00 pm
James Marshall
The “Twin Peaks” star discusses the bizarre David Lynch creation, its resurrection, and where it is headed next.
2:30 pm
Rob Miller
“Armor Fabrication On A Budget”
A participant in the SyFy show ‘Face Off” as well as giant prop builder, Rob discusses the art of making armor and larger fabrication items with limited funds and resources.
Grand Gallery D
11:45 am
Blue Box Timelords
How To Handle The Science Of Wibbly Wobbly, Timey Wimey Stuff
Grand Rapids’ newest Doctor Who cosplay group discusses their cosplay group, what they are trying to accomplish, and how you can join them in their adventures.
1:15 pm
The Finest
Recruitment In The Fight Against Cobra
The Finest is a GI Joe cosplay charity group that has chapters all over the country yet is just starting in Michigan. Learn how you can be involved in this new group. Yo, Joe!
2:45 pm
Erica O’Rourke
Successful Worldbuilding
A vivid, compelling fictional world draws readers in and makes them never want to leave. An inconsistent, implausible one, however, makes them flee, and an overly detailed one will put them to sleep. It’s easy to write yourself into a corner or lose yourself down the rabbit hole of internet research. The key is balance – between story and setting, detail and pacing, research and creativity. This program will examine the elements of successful worldbuilding, demonstrate techniques and resources, and identify common pitfalls to help you strike the most important balance of all – creating a world and actually writing in it.
Grand Gallery E-F
11:15 am
Comfort and Adam
How to Make Comics and Not Suck!
There are a whole lot of mistakes you can make when starting out making comics, but you don’t have to! Join award-nominated creators Comfort and Adam as they teach you all about writing and drawing comics by examining the missteps they made early in their careers. Come see a fun (if potentially embarrassing) presentation of all Comfort and Adam’s rookie comic creation flubs and how they grew and improved, learning to be your best by avoiding their worst!
12:45 pm
Clive Revill
Clive discusses his role as The Emperor in Star Wars episodes 5 and 6 as well as his other voice acting roles throughout his career.
2:15 pm
Stuart Sayger
Drawing With Dramatic Light and Color
The artist from The walking Dead and Bionicle gives a drawing demo and show how he makes his pieces.
3:45 pm
Derek Padula
Goku's Hungry! What's for Dinner?!
Discover the over 100 food-based puns in Dragon Ball, including carrots, chestnuts, radishes, apples, and vegetables of all kinds! You'll learn the secrets behind the names of your favorite Dragon Ball characters, and see how Akira Toriyama uses food as a source of inspiration.
Grand Gallery Overlook C
11:00 am
Cosplay Stars
Cosplay and Confidence
Join our cosplay guests as they discuss conquering body image issues and gaining confidence in cosplay. Everyone can cosplay, regardless of weight, height, race, gender or even financial status! Learn ways to boost your self-confidence, and deal with bullying and adversity in cosplay!
12:15 pm
Karmada Cosplay
Schlepping Like A Cosplay Pro
Making a costume at the last minute? Hey me too! Join Karmada Cosplay to learn all sorts of techniques and basic designs that'll get you a costume in a hurry. Topics covered will include how to create simple costume pieces from basic shapes, and some general sewing techniques to help you on all costumes. Recommended for intermediate to advanced cosplayers, but all are welcome!
1:30 pm
Cosplay Stars
Intro To Makeup
Our cosplay guests give an introduction for the use of makeup, contacts, and wigs. They also give tips on how to pose for photos and more.
2:45 pm
Eric Anderson
Celebrating 20 Years of SG-1
We will look at characters, props/items and stories that made “Stargate SG-1” so amazing.
4:00 pm
Charles Carden, April Carden, and Marjorie Steel
Star Trek - 50 Years and Growing!
Come enjoy a discussion about the history of this majestic franchise with some super fans! All ages welcome
Grand Gallery Overlook D
11:30 am
Brent Clark Rogers
Several Decades of Strong Female Characters
Strong females in the comic book world is nothing new. Join comic historian Brent Clark Rogers as he discusses the history of women in the comic book world, their strength over the years, and their impact on today’s culture.
1:00 pm
J. David Spurlock
Wallace Wood Estate
J. David Spurlock remembers Wally Wood, Frazetta & More: Spurlock is an award-wining author and publisher who has worked with many of the top names in comics. Spurlock has worked on a number of documentaries and also represents the estate of the late, great, EC, MAD, Mars Attacks and Daredevil comics creator Wally Wood. Stop by to hear behind the scenes stories about the greatest comics creators of all time.
2:30 pm
Cole Cummings
Turning a Comic into an Animation
Cole will be explaining the varies steps on how to turn a comic strip/comic book into an animation short or series.
Grand Gallery Overlook E-F
11:00 am
Jim Benton
Description coming soon
12:30 pm
Ray Pointer
The Life and Creations of Max Fleischer
Ray will present a combination Power Point and video highlights presentation on the achievements of Max Fleischer and Fleischer Studios. Very unique panel for those into classic animation!
2:00 pm
Vegan Black Metal Chef
The Most Evil Vegan Cooking Demo Ever
Watch Vegan Black Metal Chef as he delivers his incantations to create some yummy vegan dishes. Food so evil it will even impress your Mom!
3:30 pm
Eric Hodson
Join Erik Hodson and other great comic artists for a quick, 1 hour sketch! Purchase a $1 raffle ticket for a chance to win original art pieces from Hodson and other various artists. All proceeds benefit the Scleroderma Foundation Michigan Chapter. Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease, in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Scleroderma affects children, men and women. Scleroderma ranges in severity from mild to life-threatening. The Michigan Chapter helps Michigan patients and their families cope with scleroderma through mutual support programs, peer counseling, physicians referrals, and educational resources. This is a fast-paced family friendly event and audience members are welcome to offer their ideas to the artists!
Monroe Rooms A-D
11:00 am
Lucie Pohl
The voice behind Mercy in the Overwatch franchise will discuss her unique role in the most popular video game available today and where her career is headed.
12:30 pm
Brandon Vietti, Greg Weisman, Christopher Jones, and Jason Spisak
Transferring Comics To The Screen and Vice Versa
Directors, producers, comic artists and voice actors discuss the challenges of taking a comic book and transferring it to a television show or movie and the expectations that fans have in this delicate and complicated process.
3:00 pm
Harp Twins Concert
Camille and Kennerly perform an hour set of their movie themes and rock/metal covers performed on duo harps.