*pssst* Want to be on a panel?
I have a small list of CT panels needing more panelists. Interested? Email me at jennifer (at) chicagotardis (dot) com if you are.....
Friday
--ism ism ism: “Everybody’s talking about racism, sexism, ageism, -ism, -ism, -ism.” Russell T. Davies’ era of Doctor Who has been accused of all sorts of biases, especially in the most recent series. Do these biases actually exist? If so, how do they effect the viewers’ enjoyment of the series?
Ethics of Downloading: Ooh, it’s tempting, isn’t it, to coerce those Magic Internet Delivery Pixies to go seek out and return to your hard drive the latest Doctor Who episode just aired in the U.K.? Or… what if you missed an episode of CSI? Isn’t it so easy to get those Pixies to find the episode for you for free and for keeps, instead of buying it off of iTunes or watching it stream from the network’s website? But… dare you feel guilty about committing an illegal act? And… do you support the network by buying the DVDs anyway when they finally come out? People on both sides of the issue discuss.
Internet Property Rights: It’s become de rigour now for various networks-the BBC in the U.K. and the SciFi Channel in the U.S. being the prime examples-to put on the web a plethora of extra content for various television programs that people outside the home country can’t access. Does building the brand at home at the expense of foreign fans ultimately benefit the networks? Or does it just foster a culture of illegal behavior?
Companion Wars: The RTD era has introduced us to several strong women who have travelled with the Doctor. Like the classic series companions, each have their strengths and appeal. But… unlike with classic series companions, the new series women have induced a ton of fan in-fighting. Why is it that if someone likes one companion, they loathe to the point of flaming the other two? And why don’t people fight over the classic companions the same way?
Tenth Doctor Celebration: It’s the end… and the moment is being prepared for! Come discuss your favorite things about the Tenth Doctor with fellow fans, as we brace ourselves for another regeneration.
Masquerade 101: Wondering why you’d want to participate in a Masquerade, when you get plenty of accolades roaming the halls in your costume? Confused as to what makes a good presentation? Hesitant to enter a Masquerade because you don’t know what to expect? Our panel of experienced Masqueraders answer all your questions.
SATURDAY
Sarah Jane’s Adventure: From plucky young girl to Earth defender, we’ve seen Sarah Jane Smith grow and mature for decades now. But… does the New Series version of Sarah live up to her Classic Series potential? Or has New Series Sarah surpassed her Classic Series self? Join in on the debate!
Roleplaying in the Doctor Who Universe: There are a LOT of games out there. How do you, as a roleplayer, decide where the lines are between recreation, reinterpretation and original ideas? Does canon matter? Should it matter?
Cosplay 101: What's the difference between costuming and cosplaying, and does it really matter? We’ll discuss the differential attitudes between costumer and cosplayers and why we're all having fun together!
Slash Fiction: What's the big deal? No, really. What's the big deal? Why are so many folks compelled to write it. Is it a social comment, a not-very-well-concealed fetish, or what? Due to the nature of the topic, attendees must be at least 18 years of age.
SUNDAY
Gender Issues in Doctor Who: Doctor Who has a long and venerable history of females, including Barbara Wright and many of the 60s companions, who could more than hold their own against the baddies. But by contrast, the Pertwee era has a fair amount of casual sexism, particularly in the form of Jo Grant. Where does the series do commendably with gender issues, and where does it fall down? Are Donna, Rose and Martha as good of role models as we might hope? And will we ever see a female Doctor?
Robin Hood: ) Rob from the rich and give to the poor! Series writer Paul Cornell discusses what it’s like to script the new Robin Hood starring Jonas Armstrong - a series that’s currently charming the hearts of BBC viewers, and is slated for new episodes in 2009. (Plus, Patrick Troughton’s grandson is in the cast, which never hurts.)
Jack vs. Jack Attack! Love or loathe the changes in character? What would you want to see in his future? And just how does Torchwood Jack differ from Doctor Who Jack?
Friday
--ism ism ism: “Everybody’s talking about racism, sexism, ageism, -ism, -ism, -ism.” Russell T. Davies’ era of Doctor Who has been accused of all sorts of biases, especially in the most recent series. Do these biases actually exist? If so, how do they effect the viewers’ enjoyment of the series?
Ethics of Downloading: Ooh, it’s tempting, isn’t it, to coerce those Magic Internet Delivery Pixies to go seek out and return to your hard drive the latest Doctor Who episode just aired in the U.K.? Or… what if you missed an episode of CSI? Isn’t it so easy to get those Pixies to find the episode for you for free and for keeps, instead of buying it off of iTunes or watching it stream from the network’s website? But… dare you feel guilty about committing an illegal act? And… do you support the network by buying the DVDs anyway when they finally come out? People on both sides of the issue discuss.
Internet Property Rights: It’s become de rigour now for various networks-the BBC in the U.K. and the SciFi Channel in the U.S. being the prime examples-to put on the web a plethora of extra content for various television programs that people outside the home country can’t access. Does building the brand at home at the expense of foreign fans ultimately benefit the networks? Or does it just foster a culture of illegal behavior?
Companion Wars: The RTD era has introduced us to several strong women who have travelled with the Doctor. Like the classic series companions, each have their strengths and appeal. But… unlike with classic series companions, the new series women have induced a ton of fan in-fighting. Why is it that if someone likes one companion, they loathe to the point of flaming the other two? And why don’t people fight over the classic companions the same way?
Tenth Doctor Celebration: It’s the end… and the moment is being prepared for! Come discuss your favorite things about the Tenth Doctor with fellow fans, as we brace ourselves for another regeneration.
Masquerade 101: Wondering why you’d want to participate in a Masquerade, when you get plenty of accolades roaming the halls in your costume? Confused as to what makes a good presentation? Hesitant to enter a Masquerade because you don’t know what to expect? Our panel of experienced Masqueraders answer all your questions.
SATURDAY
Sarah Jane’s Adventure: From plucky young girl to Earth defender, we’ve seen Sarah Jane Smith grow and mature for decades now. But… does the New Series version of Sarah live up to her Classic Series potential? Or has New Series Sarah surpassed her Classic Series self? Join in on the debate!
Roleplaying in the Doctor Who Universe: There are a LOT of games out there. How do you, as a roleplayer, decide where the lines are between recreation, reinterpretation and original ideas? Does canon matter? Should it matter?
Cosplay 101: What's the difference between costuming and cosplaying, and does it really matter? We’ll discuss the differential attitudes between costumer and cosplayers and why we're all having fun together!
Slash Fiction: What's the big deal? No, really. What's the big deal? Why are so many folks compelled to write it. Is it a social comment, a not-very-well-concealed fetish, or what? Due to the nature of the topic, attendees must be at least 18 years of age.
SUNDAY
Gender Issues in Doctor Who: Doctor Who has a long and venerable history of females, including Barbara Wright and many of the 60s companions, who could more than hold their own against the baddies. But by contrast, the Pertwee era has a fair amount of casual sexism, particularly in the form of Jo Grant. Where does the series do commendably with gender issues, and where does it fall down? Are Donna, Rose and Martha as good of role models as we might hope? And will we ever see a female Doctor?
Robin Hood: ) Rob from the rich and give to the poor! Series writer Paul Cornell discusses what it’s like to script the new Robin Hood starring Jonas Armstrong - a series that’s currently charming the hearts of BBC viewers, and is slated for new episodes in 2009. (Plus, Patrick Troughton’s grandson is in the cast, which never hurts.)
Jack vs. Jack Attack! Love or loathe the changes in character? What would you want to see in his future? And just how does Torchwood Jack differ from Doctor Who Jack?