1. Comics Experience: How to Write a Pitch!
Date - Thursday, July 24thTime - 5:00-6:00
Room - 30CDE
"Hosted by Andy Schmidt (IDW senior editor, GI Joe, Star Trek), panelists Mark Waid (BOOM! Studios editor-in-chief, Flash, Kingdom Come), James Lucas Jones (Oni Press editor-in-chief), Rob Levin (Top Cow Entertainment editor-in-chief), Chris Gage (The Authority, Invincible Iron Man), C. B. Cebulski (Drain, Wonderlost, X-Men: Divided We Stand) and Nick Lowe (Marvel X-Men editor) offer tips on writing pitches, pitching verbally, and getting your pitch read! Want to write a comic? Don’t miss this panel! Questions from the audience welcome."
You might have an idea, a plot, or even a script, but if you don't have a pitch, you don't have much.
2. So You Want to Do a Graphic Novel
Date - Thursday, July 24thTime - 6:30-7:30
Room - 3
"Writer and publisher Larry Young assembles a team of writers and artists to unlock the secrets and unveil the mysteries of completing your own graphic novel. Panelists Adam Beechen (Final Crisis), Steven Grant (Two Guns), Kirsten Baldock (Smoke and Guns), Matt Silady (The Homeless Channel), and Manny Bello (Dugout) kibbitz, cajole, and inspire you."
These are some great professionals to learn from and I'm sure you will come away with some great information to make your own comic.
3. Professional Writing: Threat or Menace?
Date - Thursday, July 24thTime - 11:00-12:00
Room - 5AB
"Let's talk writing, creativity, and selling (and selling out), and what the world of professional writing is like. Questions that you've always wanted to ask? Creative blocks bugging you? Wondered what the H*O*L*L*Y*W*O*O*D life is really like? Show up and get answers to those questions. This no-holds-barred talk is moderated by J. Michael Straczynski."
JMS is a guy who knows writing. He's written multiple television shows, comics, and more. You will definitely get some insight into the comic writing business from this man.
4. Grant Morrison and Gerard Way: Born Under a Black Sun
Date - Saturday, July 26thTime - 2:15-3:15
Room - 6B
"Grant Morrison (The Invisibles) and Gerard Way (The Umbrella Academy) discuss death, death, and everything: comics, culture, the war on youth, and how you can fight back. This panel will change your life!"
An up and comer and a comic legend? There has got to be something good here.
5. Writing 101: Creating Characters
Date - Saturday, July 26thTime - 1:30-2:30
Room - 30CDE
"Marv Wolfman has been writing comics for more than 40 years and has created such legendary characters as Blade, Bullseye, Black Cat, The New Teen Titans, Deathstroke The Terminator, and hundreds more. As he's done for the past four Comic-Cons, Marv conducts his personal writing seminar, this year discussing the art of creating characters. There will be time available for Q&A."
Marv Wolfman has been writing comics longer than some of us have been alive. He is sure to be a fountain of knowledge with his long experience in writing comic books.
6. From Fan to Creator: Goal Setting for Creative Types
Date - Thursday, July 24thTime - 6:00-7:30
Room - 30CDE
"Which side of the convention table do you want to be on: artist or fan? And what's keeping you from getting there? If you have an idea in your head that you've had trouble bringing into reality, you might benefit from this fun and practical goal-setting workshop, designed specifically for the Comic-Con crowd. Teacher and life purpose coach Douglas Neff will give you simple, proven techniques for achieving your most important goals. And this year, a surprise guest panel will fill your head with inspiration before you leave."
Most fans have thought of jumping the fence to creator, but do you have what it takes? Find out.
7. How to Tell a Story
Date - Thursday, July 24thTime - 1:15-2:00
Room - 4
"Get a deep insight into the craft of storytelling from these masters in the field: David Gerrold (TV writer, author of 30+ novels), William F. Nolan (TV and film writer, author of over a dozen novels), George Clayton Johnson (Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Ocean's 11, Logan's Run), John Truby (owner, John Truby's Writer's Studio, author, Anatomy of Story), and Marc Scott Zicree (TV writer, executive producer, Sliders; author of The Twilight Zone Companion). Moderated by Chas Holloway with Shadowstar Games president Mark O'Bannon."
Even a comic book starts as a simple story. Learn more about crafting here.
8. How Not to Break into Comics
Date - Thursday, July 24thTime - 12:00-1:00
Room - 10
"There have been countless articles and panels on how to break into comics, but very few on how not to. Randal C. Jarrell (managing editor at Oni Press), Jennifer de Guzman (editor-in-chief of SLG Publishing), and other industry insiders discuss the common and often-hilarious mistakes people make when trying to pitch or get work in the comics industry. This unique inside perspective will help any prospective creator learn how to navigate the potential pitfalls that doom far too many in their attempts to break into comics."
This looks to be a humorous and informative approach to breaking into comics. You can bet you will be hearing some interesting stories.
9. Superhero Superfiction
Date - Thursday, July 24thTime - 4:00-5:00
Room - 5AB
"Superheroes don't appear just in comics anymore. Authors discuss how to write superhero prose. Panelists include superhero prose authors Kevin J. Anderson (Last Days of Krypton), Michael Carroll (Quantum Prophecy: The Awakening), Professor Christopher Chambers (The Darker Mask), Vicki Pettersson (The Signs of the Zodiac series), Gary Phillips (The Darker Mask), Melinda M. Snodgrass (Wild Cards), Caroline Spector (Wild Cards) and Doselle Young (The Darker Mask). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy."
Writing about superheroes doesn't have to take place in a comic book. There's a lot of work out there for writers in different fields so be sure to take a look.
10. Comic Book Law School 303: Let’s Make Lots of Money!
Date - Saturday, July 26thTime - 10:00-11:30
Room - 30CDE
"Noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the sold-out The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, covers some of the more complicated issues facing creators who are looking to actually market their creations and ideas, including transfers and licensing of rights, marketing, merchandising, and distribution agreements, and what to do when Hollywood comes knocking. This interactive seminar gives attendees the opportunity to participate in the discussions as Lovitz covers various means for profiting from your creations..."
Be sure you protect your ideas as they are truly worth so much to the right person. If you aren't careful, you can lose it all.
11. The Art of Adapting Comics to the Screen
Date - Thursday, July 24thTime - 12:30-1:30
Room - 5AB
"The cinematic renaissance of comic book-based films continues, and here's your chance to learn what it takes to adapt these dream projects to the screen! Creative Screenwriting magazine's senior editor Jeff Goldsmith hosts an amazing panel of Stan Lee (co-creator of Iron Man), Zak Penn (screenwriter, The Incredible Hulk), and Mark Fergus (co-screenwriter, Iron Man)."
Take that comic to the next step and adapt it for film! Find out how these writers did it themselves.
12. Marvel: Women in Marvel
Date - Sunday, July 27thTime - 10:30-11:30
Room - 6A
"She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel are powerhouses in the Marvel U, now meet the real women powerhouses who work in Marvel Comics today! Writers Robin Furth (Dark Tower), Marjorie Liu (NYX), Sherrilyn Kenyon (Lords of Avalon), Jen Grunwald (editor), colorist Christina Strain (Runaways), and Occasional Superheroine's Valerie D'Orazio are here to answer your question about their titles, announce new projects, and explain how more women are breaking into comics every day!"
This should be a great panel for men and women alike. The knowledge contained here about this male dominated industry should help out young creators from encountering any pitfalls.