Another San Diego Comic Con is upon us, and that means a whole bunch of things to interest the FilmBuff will be presented for our approval. Here is a listing of just about every film-related panel or presentation from this years convention. The list was constructed in part with the help of Entertainment Weekly, the panel descriptions were taken from the SDCC site itself, and it was all compiled by me for you. Without any further ado, let’s begin listing!
Panels
THURSDAY, JULY 9
Lionsgate pretty much has the day to itself, with its panel promoting its final Hunger Games installment at noon. But there will be plenty of panels for you to attend if you are not down with Katniss, including panels celebrating Industrial Light & Magic’s 40th and Back to the Future‘s 30th Anniversaries
10 a.m. PT: Comic-Con Film School 101: Preproduction and Screenwriting (Grand Ballroom D): Comic-Con Film School is back for another four-day, nuts and bolts class on how to make a movie for very little money using available video technology and desktop postproduction software. Whether you’re shooting your first Doctor Who fan film or that story about the leather-clad girl who hunts vampire-werewolf hybrids, this course will take you from script to final product so that you too can enter your own movie into the CCI-IFF. This first class covers the specifics of preproduction on the cheap, including screenwriting, scheduling, location scouting, crewing-up, and getting equipment for nothing. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (producer of Machinima ETC), Vera Vanguard (producer of The Building of Good and Evil), Nick Murphy (writer/director of Pizza and Bullets), Josh Perilo (writer of Wedlock), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica).
10:15 a.m.: Studio Production Chiefs Speak (Room 6DE): Fans love to debate and dissect exactly what Hollywood is doing right and wrong. Now, for the first time at Comic-Con, top production executives from major Hollywood studios will reveal the frank realities of their jobs and why they make the decisions they do. 20th Century Fox senior vice president Daria Cercek (X-Men, Spy), Warner Bros. senior vice president Drew Crevello (Dungeons & Dragons, Akira), and Lionsgate executive vice president Jim Miller (The Hunger Games, Power Rangers) will discuss the development process, how they choose intellectual property to adapt, how movies get green lit, how filmmakers and actors are selected, what mistakes can lead to bad movies, how they balance originality vs. faithfulness to source material, and how much they care about the opinions of fans. Rather than merely previewing upcoming releases, you will get insights into how Hollywood really works on this panel moderated by Wall Street Journal film industry reporter Ben Fritz.
10:45 a.m.: Open Road (Hall H): The studio is being mum about this presentation as of press time. While they have done genre films in the past (Machete Kills, The Host), the only two forthcoming films they have on the docket are the Bill Murray comedy Rock the Casbah. and Oliver Stone’s Snowden biopic. Neither seems to be SDCC friendly. Expect surprises.
11 a.m.: The Super Story Behind the Pixar Short Sanjay’s Super Team (Indigo Ballroom): Director Sanjay Patel and producer Nicole Grindle present a peek behind the curtains at Pixar Animation Studio’s latest short, Sanjay’s Super Team. The filmmakers will discuss the production process as well as the unique inspiration for this incredibly personal film that features superheroes like you’ve never seen them before.
12 p.m.: Voice Over Celebration with Beloved Cartoon, Video Game, and Film VO Actors (Indigo Ballroom): From zero to sixty, a voice actor must convey a plethora of emotions, often impromptu. You will get an in-depth look into how voice actors approach the art, beauty, and challenges of performing on the spot. Susan Eisenberg, Rob Paulsen, Caitlin Glass, Anthony Bowling, Tara Platt, and Yuri Lowenthal from beloved titles including Wonder Woman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Diablo, Pinky and the Brain, League of Legends, Full Metal Alchemist, Call of Duty, Samurai 7, Attack on Titan, The Devil is a Part Timer, Final Fantasy, and Resident Evil discuss this pivotal topic, led by Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion, MMORPG).
12 p.m.: Lionsgate (Hall H): Lionsgate, a premier next generation global content leader, will give Comic-Con® 2015 attendees two exclusive looks at the studio’s most anticipated fall film releases, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” and “The Last Witch Hunter,” during a panel that will feature Q&As with the stars and filmmakers of both movies to be moderated by Emmy® Award-winning comedian and talk show host Conan O’Brien.
12:30 p.m.: Roddenberry Entertainment Presents (Room 24ABC): Eugene Roddenberry (CEO Roddenberry Entertainment, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry), Trevor Roth (COO/head of development, Roddenberry Entertainment) and Tory Mell (producer, Roddenberry Entertainment) discuss the groundbreaking new app for their film White Room: 02B3. They will also be talking about the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek and premiering their new short film Instant, along with special guests Tony Janning (actor, White Room: 02B3, Instant, Legend of Neil) and Alex Albrecht (director, Instant). A surprise guest will be giving away a traditional iPad.
1 p.m.: Science Channel: Raiders, Raptors, and Rebels: Behind the Magic of ILM (Room 25ABC): Fans will get to see exclusive clips and receive unprecedented access behind the scenes at Industrial Light and Magic, as science and creativity give birth to some of today’s top films. The secrets behind Avengers: Age of Ultron, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and many more will be revealed during this once-in-a-lifetime panel. Join Science Channel as they celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Industrial Light and Magic at this year’s Comic-Con like no one else can. Surprise guests and exclusive footage along with a very special prize will be given away at this VIP experience where the science behind the movies is unveiled for the first time ever.
2 p.m.: Class of 1985: The Greatest Geek Movies of: Don’t Forget About Us (5AB): Moderator Mark A. Altman ( Free Enterprise, Agent X) and panelists discuss the great geek year of 1985, as they go back to the future with such films as, well, Back to the Future, Lifeforce, The Breakfast Club, The Goonies, Clue, Legend, Rocky IV, Brazil, Commando, Weird Science, Silverado, Fletch, A View to a Kill, Cocoon, Witness, Return to Oz, Re-Animator, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Fright Night, Real Genius, Subway, After Hours, Ladyhawke, Enemy Mine and, yes, Robert Burnett, just for you: To Live & Die In L.A. And for good measure, they’ll discover a new type of martial arts,Gymkata, and prove to Virginia there really is a Santa Claus: The Movie. Enrolling in this brunch club are Scott Mantz (Access Hollywood), Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise), Steve Melching (Star Wars Rebels), Ashley E. Miller (Thor, X: Men: First Class), gymkataspert Steve Kriozere (NCIS, Agent X), Charles de Lauzirkia (Crave, Alien Anthology), and David E. Williams ( Femme Fatales, Lifeforce: The Space Vampires). Charge it to the Underhills!
2 p.m.: Greenlight Your Passion Project! (Room 7AB): Project creators, actors, producers, and crowdfunding professionals discuss the power of crowdfunding as it pertains to greenlighting your own project! This panel of pros has successfully raised millions of dollars for feature film, short-films, documentaries, and web-series. Join an informative and uplifting discussion on the power of crowdfunding your dreams, featuring Ericka Anderson (Seed & Spark director of crowdfunding), Mark Gantt (The Bannen Way, The Night Visitor), Etta Devine (The Selling, Diani & Devine Meet the Apocalypse), Mark Netter (Nightmare Code, Dark Matter Productions), Jodie Bentley (COO Reinventing Films), Dan Mirvish (co-founder of Slamdance) and moderator Leah Cevoli (film producer and crowdfunding professional).
3 p.m.: 3rd Annual Musical Anatomy of a Superhero (Indigo Ballroom): From the ominous horns of Jaws, to the inspiring theme for Star Wars, music has always been an important supporting character in movies. For the superhero genre, the music reflects these emotions and more. This panel offers a behind the scenes look at the music of today’s biggest superhero film and TV projects with unreleased film clips and never before heard music. Participating composers include Junkie XL (Mad Max: Fury Road, Batman v. Superman), Christophe Beck (Ant-Man), Marco Beltrami (Fantastic Four), Brian Tyler (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Lorne Balfe (Terminator: Genisys), and Blake Neely (Super Girl, Arrow, Flash). Produced by Costa Communications.
3:30 p.m.: The Might and Magic of Legacy Effects (Room 32AB): Legacy Effects is one of the leading practical effects companies in the motion picture industry. Their work is featured in films including Pacific Rim, Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Jurassic World and Terminator: Genisys. Meet the studio founders and get a firsthand look into the making of these blockbuster films. You may even get a sneak peek at some of the actual props from the films. Engage in an exciting presentation, Q&A, and maybe even a couple of giveaways.
3:30 p.m.: Animated Effects in Live Action (Room 26AB): When the word animation is used, we think of cartoons. However, the line between live action and animation is becoming blurred due to technological advances. Industry professionals who create some of the most memorable animated visual effects will have a lively discussion on how they blend animation with live action seamlessly. They include David Derks (ASIFA Hollywood), and Adam Howard (Birdman, Pee Wee’s Big Holiday).
4:15 p.m.: Hollywood Location Scouts (Grand Ballroom D): Working closely with the director and production designer, location scouts are the artists who translate the script into reality by exploring the world to figure out exactly where the movies and TV shows should be made. Six location scouts will discuss the creative and logistical aspects of their jobs, relate some exciting anecdotes, and answer audience questions. ModeratorScott Trimble (Terminator: Genisys, Jurassic World) joins panelists Nick Carr (Spider-Man 3, Enchanted), Stephenson Crossley (Fear the Walking Dead, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), Stacey McGillis (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Infiltrator), Kei Rowan-Young (Django Unchained, Chef), and Steve Woroniecki (Tomorrowland, X-Men: First Class).
5:30 p.m.: Fright Night: 30 Years of Screams (Room 6A): Horror screenwriter Greg Beville (Blackstar Canyon) details the special effects and making of Fright Night 1985 and how the film’s practical effects compare to horror films today. Moderated by Now Streaming’s Andrew Furtado (Nightbreed: The Director’s Cut).
6 p.m.: NASA: Journey to Mars (Room 6BCF): America’s space agency is leading the world on a journey to the Red Planet. From the current orbiters and rovers that are making historic scientific discoveries, to the development of the largest and most powerful rocket ever conceived by human, NASA is pushing the final frontier to the planet that has been the subject of conjecture and the focus of the search for life beyond our home planet. We plan an enlightening discussion moderated by Aditya Sood (executive producer, The Martian). Also some of NASA’s best and brightest; Jim Green (director of planetary sciences, NASA Headquarters), Todd May (manager, NASA Space Launch System Program, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) and Victor Glover (astronaut, NASA Johnson Space Center). As well as author Andy Weir (The Martian) especially in light of NASA’s involvement in the upcoming Ridley Scott motion picture The Martian.
6 p.m.: World Premiere of Scooby-Doo! and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery! (Hall H): Starchild, Demon, Catman and Spaceman join everyone’s favorite teen sleuths in an explosive, new, must-see musical adventure no KISS Army member will want to miss! In Scooby-Doo! And KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery, the Mystery Inc. gang travels to KISS World, an amusement park dedicated to the band, for a special Halloween concert headlined by the legendary rock group. Six KISS songs are featured alongside an original new song performed by the band written just for the film. Be part of the first audience to see this landmark merging of pop culture icons, then stay for a panel featuring the legendary band KISS – Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer; NCIS star Pauley Perrette and longtime “Shaggy” and “Daphne” voices Matthew Lillard (The Bridge) and Grey Griffin (Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated), director Tony Cervone (Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon) and writer Kevin Shinick (Mad, Robot Chicken). The panel will be moderated by director/actor/writer Kevin Smith, who also has a role in the film along with Jason Mewes. Scooby-Doo and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery! will be released via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital HD July 10 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD July 21.
7 p.m.: Nick Carter Goes West: From Boy Band to Zombie Western (Room 5AB): Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys discusses his first foray into film production with the studio behind Sharknado and Z-Nation. Fellow Backstreet Boys Howie Dorough, A.J. McLean, and The Asylum producers join the panel conversation.
7:30 p.m.: Robotech: The Next 30 Years (Room 24ABC): Kevin McKeever (VP of marketing at Harmony Gold) showcases all the latest merchandise, along with the latest updates on the live-action Robotech film.
8 p.m.: Son of Name That Movie (Room 9): Returning for a third record-breaking year is the combination game show and visual/audio event known as Son of Name That Movie. Inkpot Award-winning host and creator John Field presents the fu- filled program shown to a packed house of film fans the last two years running. In this all-new version, 50 clips from 50 different sci-fi, horror, and fantasy films are presented. Place your ticket in the Magic Film Can. If picked from among audience members, you get to play the game by simply naming as many of the clips as possible. There will be first- through fourth-place prizes. And, if someone on the panel cannot name the clip and an audience member can, that person will get a bonus prize as well.
8 p.m.: 18th Annual Superhero Kung Fu Extravaganza (Room 6A): Ric Meyers (Inside Kung Fu, Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Movie [& Book]) has got a whole new bunch of eye-bulging, jaw-dropping, breath-taking, goose-bumping, funny-bone-cracking fight scenes from the best, worst, and weirdest films in the whole world. With his co-hosts Graham Eldwood and Chris J. Mancini (Comedy Film Nerds, Ear Buds) back in action; a report direct from Beijing by the king of YouTube kung-fu Eric Jacobus (as well as the Comic-Con premiere of his amazing new Rope-A-Dope 2); and their standard operating surprises, it’s not just awe-some, it’s awe-all. Be there or be in Tiananmen Square!
8 p.m.: Floyd Norman Documentary (Room 9): Filmmakers Michael Fiore (producer of the upcoming feature Home Invasion) and Erik Sharkey (director of Drew: The Man Behind the Poster) will show clips from their original feature-length documentary and reunite Floyd Norman (legendary Disney and Hanna Barbera animator and story artist) with many animators and artists that he influenced and worked with over his 60-year career. Panelists will include notables featured in the documentary includingPaul Dini (animation writer/producer), Gary Trousdale (co-director of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), Scott Shaw! (cartoonist, humorist, historian), Leo Sullivan (animator, producer, publisher), Ken Mitchroney (writer, director, story artist), Adrienne Nichelle Brown-Norman (illustrator, Disney Publishing), and Tom Sito (animator, professor of animation, USC). The documentary also features interviews with such notables as actress Whoopi Goldberg, cartoonist Sergio Aragonés, Disney music composer Richard Sherman, producer Don Hahn, Maleficent), Ralph Guggenheim (former Pixar VP of animation), and film critic/historian Leonard Maltin. The documentary is supported by a musical score composed by Ryan Shore (composer, Disney’s Penn Zero and WB’s Scooby-Doo!). The filmmakers will moderate a Q&A session and celebrate Mr. Norman’s 80th birthday
9 p.m.: Spirited Away Screening (Horton Grand Theatre): Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away has captured the hearts of viewers all over the world. Join Her Universe and Hot Topic for Studio Ghibli trivia, prizes and a special screening of the beloved film, hosted by Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein.
FRIDAY, JULY 10
While Disney has kept Marvel from San Diego this year, it couldn’t keep Lucasfilms. Expect more to be announced about this year’s new entry into the film series, Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Who know who will be there, and what, if any, footage we will be seeing. Stick around as the always-interesting Kevin Smith closes Hall H by promoting his latest, Yoga Hosers.
10 a.m.: Comic-Con Film School 102: Production (Grand Ballroom D): Day 2 of this four-day course on microbudget moviemaking focuses on the specifics of production, from shooting techniques to lighting on the cheap, crew positions you need (and don’t need), and costuming, props, and set decorating for as little money as possible. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Vera Vanguard (producer of The Building of Good and Evil), Nick Murphy (writer/director ofPizza and Bullets), Jack Conway (producer of Machinima ETC), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica).
10:30 a.m.: Comics Arts Conference #5: The Comic Book Film Adaptation: Exploring Modern Hollywood’s Leading Genre (Room 26AB): A panel of industry experts will unmask the golden age of comic book filmmaking. Since the success of X-Men in the summer of 2000, filmgoers and comic fans have enjoyed an unprecedented number of comic book film adaptations. Drawing on the first book-length study of this frenzied period of production, The Comic Book Film Adaptation: Exploring Modern Hollywood’s Leading Genre by Liam Burke (Swinburne University of Technology), this panel uncovers why, after more than a century of coexistence, comics and cinema have recently become so entwined. After considering the cause, the panel will then examine the effect of this trend. Topics will include how the language of comics has influenced the aesthetics of mainstream cinema, and the ways in which comic book fans, empowered by the web, facilitated the emergence of more faithful adaptations. Panel participants include Eisner Award-winning creator Mark Waid (Kingdom Come), Marvel Comics senior vice president of publishing Tom Brevoort, executive producer of the modern Batman films Michael Uslan (Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice), and writerJoe Kelly (Ben 10, I Kill Giants), who adapted his own comic into an animated film. Chaired and presented by Liam Burke.
10:30 a.m.: Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Worlds of Adventure (Room 8): Jim Sullos (president, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.), Mike Richardson (president and founder of Dark Horse Comics/producer of Warner Bros.’ Tarzan), Anna Kislevitz (head of licensing and merchandising at 41 Entertainment, producer of Tarzan and Jane), Diana Leto (The Cave Girl), and Scott Tracy Griffin (Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration) discuss upcoming releases featuring Edgar Rice Burroughs’s famous literary heroes, including Warner Bros.’ big-screen Tarzan feature (2016), the animated Netflix Original Series Tarzan and Jane, and comics, novels, role-playing games, and more based on Tarzan of the Apes, John Carter of Mars, Carson of Venus, The Land That Time Forgot, and fan-favorite Woola.
11:30 a.m.: Masters of the Wes: The World of Movie Talk Online (Room 5AB): Some of the top voices in the online film world discuss and speculate on the current and future trends in movies and the online film community. Panelists include John Campea (AMC Movie Talk), Jeremy Jahns (YouTube film critic), Andy Signore (Honest Trailers, ScreenJunkies Movie Fights), Grae Drake (senior editor of Rotten Tomatoes), Jon Schnepp (AMC Heroes), Kristian Harloff (Schmoes, AMC Jedi Council), Mark Ellis (Schmoes, AMC Movie Talk) and a special celebrity guest.
1 p.m.: From Novel to Comic to Film: Turning Books into Other Forms of Pop Culture (Room 29AB): New York Times bestselling author Hugh Howey sits down with his literary agent Kristin Nelson, John Nee (co-CEO of Cryptozoic Entertainment and book packager), Paul Morrissey (Eisner-nominated editor, Jet City Comics), Jimmy Palmiotti (writer and owner of paperfilms), Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Gary Whitta (Book of Eli) to discuss how popular novels are turned into comic adaptations and feature films. Get the behind-the-scenes and nitty gritty, from selling options to major film studios to working with visual artists and comic book writers in their adaptations. Hugh Howey’s novel WOOL is in development with Ridley Scott, and the comic adaptation and graphic novel are available from Jet City Comics. Gary Whitta is also adopting Howey’s novel SAND for television.
1:30 p.m.: Disney Animators: The Power of 2D (Room 24ABC): A luminary panel of former and current Disney animators spanning from Lady and the Tramp to Moana talk about the importance of 2D animation in the history of Disney, as well as the part it plays in guiding advancement of its future. Panelists are Willie Ito (Lady and the Tramp, Inkpot Award-winning animator), Dale Baer (Robin Hood to Moana), Randy Haycock (The Lion King to Moana), Tom Sito (The Little Mermaid, author of Moving Innovation), Adam Dykstra (Tangled, Tarzan), and Mike Polvani (Hercules, 2D Animation School founder). Changes in technology, artistic expression, and the value of cooperative interplay between 2D and 3D artists to create the best animation will be discussed. There will be a Q&A moderated by Leslie Combemale (Animation expert, ArtInsights Gallery).
2 p.m.: ILM 40th Anniversary (Room 7AB): For forty years, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most memorable images in the history of modern cinema. From advances in the photo chemical process, optical compositing, motion control, and models and miniatures to the company’s pioneering efforts in computer graphics, digital compositing, film scanning and recording, morphing, digital environments, performance capture, character animation, and modern digital pipelines, ILM continues to break new ground in visual effects for film, television, themed attractions, and new forms of entertainment. The presenters will discuss the company’s work from its earliest days and breakthroughs along the way.
3 p.m.: How Comic Books Took Over Hollywood (Room 25ABC): Marvel Comics’ editor-in-chief Axel Alonso, Fanboys director Kyle Newman, Batman: The Animated Series writer/producer Paul Dini, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars voice actress Ashley Eckstein discuss why Hollywood “gets” comic book storytelling now when for decades it didn’t. Panelists will participate in a Q&A session moderated by Christian Blauvelt (Deputy Culture Editor, BBC online).
3:30 p.m.: You Do What!? Women Working in Film Production (Room 26AB): Cat Paschen (SFX makeup artist), Alicia Minette (metalsmith), Tamiko Brownlee (stunt performer), Lauren Haroutunian (cinematographer), Katrina Sainz (art director), and Lauren Hadaway (sound editor) discuss breaking into the traditionally male dominated fields of film production. Entertainment publicist Brittany Sandler will moderate the Q&A session.
4 p.m.: Bill Plympton (Room 23ABC): Two-time Oscar-nominated director Bill Plympton (Cheatin’, Idiots and Angels) and writer/animator Jim Lujan discuss their upcoming animated feature, Revengeance, as a work in progress. They’ll screen clips from this comic look at L.A.’s underworld scene and talk about funding the film via Kickstarter, collaborating, and possible distribution strategies. Also, Bill will screen some of his recent shorts and discuss making and promoting his films in the new digital marketplace. Plus everyone who attends will get a free Plympton drawing.
4:15 p.m.: DC Entertainment: From Page to Screen (Room 6DE): Never before has DC Entertainment been more popular in TV, video games, home videos, and movie theaters. And with an impressive film slate and countless shows in series and production, it has never been a better time to be a DC fan! Join the people behind the scenes who translate the page to the screen on this panel that shows your favorite stories and characters coming to life.
4:15 p.m.: Stunt People of Your Favorite Movies a.k.a. Getting Beat Up For A Living (Grand Ballroom D): Stuntmen and stunt actors from some of your favorite movies and TV shows like The Scorpion King, 300, Iron Man 2, Black Sails, and Jurassic World discuss their experiences in the life of a stuntman or stunt actor. Hear wild anecdotes and valuable insights about joining the Stunt industry. Moderated by Eric Cajiuat.
4:30 p.m.: The Synergy of Film and Video Games Collide (Room 8): The film and video game industries collide when it comes to battling it out for the top spot in consumers’ choice of entertainment. However, just where and how do these two genres intertwine and how will this synergy impact the future for these two industries? After all, today you’d be hard pressed not to find a video game without cinematics and incredibly filmic cut scenes, and films are drawing from games in similar ways. Genese Davis (The Holder’s Dominion, MMORPG), Sebastian Strzalkowski (art director, Daybreak Games), Eric Kieron Davis (senior producer, film, cinematics, video games), Cody Vaughan (actor, producer), Osokwe Vasquez (director, producer), and surprise guest speakers discuss this pivotal topic.
5 p.m.: ASIFA: Hollywood The State of the Industry (Room 28DE): What do the pros think of the animation scene today? Is 2D dead? What’s happening in VFX? How do I get a job? Join Tom Sito (Beauty & the Beast), Beth Sleven (Wallykazam), Musa Booker (Robot Chicken), Zahra Dowlatabadi (Bobbie Page), Rick Farmiloe (Boxtrolls), Jim Hillin (Spiderman), and Einar Baldvin (Pride of Strathmoor) for the discussion.
5 p.m.: More Greatest Movies Never Made: The Sequel (Room 7AB): Take another look back at some of the greatest genre projects that never made it to the silver and small screens, from Philip Kaufman’s Star Trek: Planet of Titans (the original ’70s Star Trek reboot that was never made) and Rick Berman’s Star Trek: The Beginning to David Lynch’s Ronnie Rocket and One Saliva Bubble and Alejandro Jodorowsky’s mind-blowing adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Panelists include filmmakers Steve Scarlata (producer,Jodorowksy’s Dune), Ashley E. Miller (writer, Thor, X-Men: First Class), Charles de Lauzirika (Crave, Blade Runner Blu-ray, Twin Peaks Runner Blu-ray), Steve Melching (writer, The Clone Wars, Batman: The Brave & The Bold), Edward Gross (The 50 Year Mission), Thomas P. Vitale (Planet X) and Mark A. Altman (Femme Fatales, Free Enterprise).
5 p.m.: Pixies, Lovecraft, Poe, and Steampunk: An Unlikely Animation Slate (Room 23ABC): Arcana’s animation slate based on their books has begun. June 5th saw the animated feature film Pixies debut in theaters starring Christopher Plummer, Bill Paxton, and Alexa Vega. Next for Pixies is Netflix and in store at Walmart on July 14. Howard Lovecraft & The Frozen Kingdom is in production for a May 2016 delivery and an October 2016 release. In development is The Steam Engines of Oz and the Edgar Allan Poe-inspired The Hope Virus. Get a behind-the-scenes look at this unlikely animation slate. Get free comics, free plush toys, and free shirts. Cthulhu plush toys and more will be given away to those with questions.
5 p.m.: Science Fiction That Will Change Your Life (Room 25ABC): What science fiction stories from the past year made you think and entertained you? Panelists talk about the year’s smartest books, comics, movies, and TV with Gizmodo editor-in-chief Annalee Newitz and io9 editor-in-chief Charlie Jane Anders, along with authors Ernie Cline (Ready Player One, Armada), Jane Espenson (Once Upon a Time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Javier Grillo-Marxuach (The 100, The Middleman).
5 p.m.: The Power of Superfandom (Room 14A): A new age has dawned! The days of geeks on the fringe are ancient history, and a new breed of enthusiast has risen to rule the pop culture kingdom: the superfan. Renowned in fandom far and wide for their authentic expertise, superfans wear their obsession excitedly on their sleeve. Their passion is their collective power, leading cultural conversations and influencing entertainment trends. For a few days at SDCC, all eyes are fixed on the stuff that superfans live and breathe: comics, movies, TV shows, and more. Panelists talk about what makes a true superfan and dissect the superfan domination of mainstream media. You might even learn how the power of the superfan can help turn your obsession into an awesome career. Moderated by Eric Moro (Wikia’s VP of Programming), panelists include superfans from Wookieepedia and the Marvel Database, Leland Chee (Lucasfilm Story Group), Gary Whitta (screenwriter, Star Wars: Rogue One), Chris Wyatt (Marvel Animation), Kevin Burke (Marvel Animation) and Scott Allie (editor in chief, Dark Horse Comics).
5:30 p.m.: Lucasfilm (Hall H): Lucasfilm president and producer Kathleen Kennedy, director J.J. Abrams, writer Lawrence Kasdan, and special guests provide a special look at Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
6 p.m.: The Future of Mexican Animation in the U.S. (Room 29AB): This panel, moderated by Edward James Olmos, features filmmakers Ricardo Arnaiz and Mike Kunkel, as well as Ricardo Gomez Quinones (Kaxan), Andres Reyes Botello (Boxel), and Veronica Arceo (Nahuala Productions) who will share their experiences on producing the Mexican/American animated movie El Americano 3D and share inside information about independent distribution and their future projects. They will be joined by a group of Mexican and American producers, directors, and animators from Animex, Anima Estudios, Huevocartoon, Boxel, Imagination Films, Metacube, and Kaxan, who will also premiere their animated movies in the U.S. during 2015 and 2016.
6 p.m.: The Visit (Horton Grand Theatre): Writer/director/producer M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs, Unbreakable) and producer Jason Blum (Paranormal Activity, The Purge and Insidious series) discuss The Visit, their upcoming thriller from Universal Pictures.
6:30 p.m.: Going Back in Time: A Discussion and Q&A with the Filmmakers Behind the Back to the Future Feature Documentary (Room 24ABC): Director Jason Aron, executive producer Louis Krubich, and producer Lee Leshen discuss, take questions, and show clips from their upcoming film Back in Time, the feature-length documentary that shows the films’ influence on the public 30 years later. Dean Cundey (legendary cinematographer for all three Back to the Future films, in addition to iconic movies such as Hook, Jurassic Park and many more), will join the discussion and be available for questions during the Q&A.
6:30 p.m.: Reinventing Horror for Comics and Film (Room 5AB): For eight years, Mark L. Miller (Pirouette/Ain’t It Cool News editor) has gathered together a ghoulish ensemble of the best of the best in horror writers, artists, and filmmakers to discuss and dissect the horrors they make and what (if anything) scares them. This year, Mark gathers Ed Brisson (Sheltered/The Mantle), Matt Pizzolo (Godkiller/publisher, Black Mask Studios), and Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead (writers/directors Spring/Resolution) to talk about how to reinvent and revitalize the horror genre; pushing new limits, twisting old concepts, and crafting new terrors to keep you up at night.
7 p.m.: Kung Fury: The Best Movie of All Time (Room 6BCF): The team behind viral sensation Kung Fury discuss the record-breaking and critically acclaimed journey, from Kickstarter to Cannes to Comic-Con. Director David Sandberg is joined on stage by the “True Survivor” David Hasselhoff (Hoff 9000), and cast members Jorma Taccone (Hitler), Eleni Young (Barbarianna), Leopold Nilsson (Hacker Man), Andreas Cahling (Thor), as well as Seth Grahame-Smith (producer of the upcoming feature) and moderator Drew McWeeny.
7 p.m.: The Gay Agenda in Horror: Terrifying Subtext (Room 28DE): The horror genre is based on our fears of the unknown, fear of “outsiders,” and the attraction and repulsion of giving in to transgressions and forbidden passions. These elements have also been associated with the LGBTQ community mostly in a negative sense. All the way back to horror stories of the late 1800’s, Dracula, Dorian Gray, and more, the subtext of gay and lesbian characters and themes was unspoken, hinted at, or inferred. But in the last few decades subtext has become “text.” In novels from Anne Rice and others, to films and TV shows like The Hunger, True Blood, Hellbent, and American Horror Story, the queer side of horror has come out into the light. Join Prism Comics and moderator Michael Varrati (Tales of Poe, Sins of Dracula) as they discuss the history of this popular genre from a queer perspective. Panelists will include Mark Bessenger (Bite Marks, The Last Straight Man), M.A. Fortin (The Final Girls), Andy Mangels (Nightmares on Elm Street, Childs Play, Star Trek, Star Wars Comics), Bart Mastronardi (Tales of Poe, Vindication), Joshua Miller (The Final Girls) and Mark Patton (star of Nightmare of Elm Street Part 2).
7 p.m.: Starship Smackdown: The Geeksperts Court 007: Bond vs. Bond (Room 7AB): For anyone whose ever been to Comic-Con, you know the singular power of the Starship Smackdown. Now from the panel of intrepid spaceshipologists comes The Geekspert’s Court, as this honorable panel of geeksperts render verdicts to determine the greatest James Bond movie of all time as they celebrate the impending eagerly anticipated arrival of Spectre. CanOctopussy triumph over Never Say Never Again? What happens when GoldenEye battles Goldfinger? And does The Man with the Golden Gun truly have a powerful weapon? Chief Justice Mark A. Altman (Agent X, DOA: Dead Or Alive) exercises jurisprudence over this bench of judges, who include Steve Melching (Star Wars Rebels), Ashley E. Miller (Thor, X-Men: First Class), Ryan Condal (Colony, Hercules), Robert Meyer Burnett (Agent Cody Banks, Free Enterprise), Marc Bernardin (Playboy), Scott Mantz (Access Hollywood), Kay Reindl (Scream, Millennium) and Edward Gross (The Fifty Year Mission).
7 p.m.: World Premiere of Justice League: Gods & Monsters (Ballroom 20): Animation legend Bruce Timm returns to the popular DC Universe Original Movies with his unique new vision of a Justice League you’ve never seen before. Justice League: Gods & Monsters features a Superman born of General Zod’s blood, a Batman with a healthy dose of bat in the man, and a Wonder Woman rising from the ranks of the New Gods. This ain’t your daddy’s Justice League. They are as likely the world’s saviors as Earth’s despotic rulers. When a group of famed scientists experience untimely “accidents,” a government task force follows the trail of clues to the Justice League into a high-stakes game of intrigue, mystery, and action that asks the question: How do you serve justice to those above the law? The all-star voice cast includes Michael C. Hall (Dexter) as Batman, Benjamin Bratt (Law & Order, 24) as Superman, Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter films, Dig) as Lex Luthor, Richard Chamberlain (Dr. Kildare, The Thorn Birds) as Highfather, and Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica) as Steve Trevor. Witness the first public screening of this all-new film, then stay for an entertaining panel led by executive producer Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series); Tamara Taylor (Bones), voice of Wonder Woman; C. Thomas Howell (E.T., Southland), voice of Dr. Will Magnus; Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds), voice of Lois Lane, director Sam Liu; co-producer/screenwriter Alan Burnett; dialogue director Andrea Romano; and members of the voice cast. As is tradition, there will be special announcements, moderator Victor Lucas (Electric Playground) will present exclusive prizes for a few lucky fans, and there just might be a few potential surprises. Justice League: Gods & Monsters will be available from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital HD on July 14 and as a Blu-ray Combo Pack on July 28.
7:15 p.m.: Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (Room 6A): Join stars Ian Ziering (Fin Shepard), Tara Reid (April Wexler), Cassie Scerbo (Nova Clarke), and David Hasselhoff (Gil Shepard), director Anthony C. Ferrante, and writer Thunder Levin for a fin-tastic behind-the-scenes journey into the global pop culture sensation, followed by a Q&A session.
7:15 p.m.: Yoga Hosers (Hall H): An evening with Kevin Smith. After all the interesting and exciting movie panels are over, Hall H belongs to a middle-aged loser who dresses like a 12-year-old! Ask Kev questions about AMC’s Comic Book Men and his forthcoming Mallrats sequel Mallbrats, and see the world premiere of the trailer to his new movie, Yoga Hosers. Wrap up a busy Friday with the Clown Prince of Comic-Con! With special guests from the Yoga Hosers cast.
8:30 p.m.: ScreenJunkies: Honest Trailers and Movie Fights Live (5AB): An exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Screen Junkies’ Honest Trailers, hosted by Hal Rudnick, featuring a never-before-seen trailer and Q&A with creator Andy Signore, writer Spencer Gilbert, editor Dan Murrell, and epic voice Jon Bailey. Plus a special all-star live edition of their popular debate series Movie Fights featuring Jeremy Jahns, Chris Stuckman, Nick Mundy Kristian Harloff and Mark Ellis with special surprise guests!
SATURDAY, JULY 11
Today is the big day when it comes to comic book films, as Warner Brothers and Fox hold court in Hall H. Warners has the most excitement around their panel. Will we see clips from the film? Will the full Justice League cast be united on stage? Will we get any indication of what the future holds for the other announced films? Fox, on the other hand, is keeping mum on what they’rebringing to comic con, but you’d have to imagine Fantastic Four and their X-films will be promoted at their panel. In addition, we get a look at Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight, Pride Prejudice and Zombies, and Guillermo del Toro’s latest, Crimson Peak.
10 a.m.: My Book Is a Movie/TV Show: Now What? (Room 7AB): Authors discuss the process of having their book made into another medium, their involvement and/or lack thereof, and how they feel now toward the project. Do they wish they could have done something differently? Do they feel the TV/movie has benefited or hurt their book? Lauren Kate (Unforgiven), Jeff Jensen (Before Tomorrowland), Arwen Elys Dayton (Seeker), Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen), and Daniel H. Wilson (Bro-Jitsu: The Martial Art of Sibling Smackdown and Robopocalypse) join in conversation with Ava Dellaira (Love Letters to the Dead).
10 a.m.: Comic-Con Film School 103: Working with Actors and a Crew (Grand Ballroom D): Day 3 of our course on microbudget moviemaking deals with how to direct actors, organize a crew, and keep them all happy without anybody making a dime. Panelists for the class include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Nick Murphy (writer/director of Pizza and Bullets), Jack Conway (actor, Nazis at the Center of the Earth),Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica), and actors Josh Perilo, Megan Rees, and Bradley Upton.
10 a.m.: Temple of Art (Room 24ABC): When every artist begins their craft, nobody is listening. Nobody pays them, nobody claps, and there is really no rational reason to suppose that anyone ever will. But they do it anyway. In the face of doubt, failure, and opposition, they proceed and create feats of staggering beauty. This panel presents the comic book artists, painters, illustrators, and creators in the film Temple Of Art, a documentary that asks why people risk and create in the face of failure and why you should too. See the debut trailer, take part in a Q&A, and maybe win a Temple of Art book. Moderated by director Allan Amato, the film features Grant Morrison, David Mack, Bill Sienkiewicz, Barron Storey, Jason Shawn Alexander, Satine Phoenix, and Olga Nunes.
10:30 a.m.: Warner Bros. Presentation (Hall H): Keen to deliver a taste of one of next year’s most eagerly awaited pairings, director Zack Snyder and stars Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill take the main stage with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. They are joined by castmates Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter and Gal Gadot for a sneak peek at the 2016 action adventure that brings the Super Heroes together on the big screen for the very first time, from Warner Bros. Pictures and RatPac-Dune Entertainment. From Pan, Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund and Peter himself, Levi Miller, together with director Joe Wright, soar into town with their high-flying adventure, coming to theaters this fall from Warner Bros. Pictures and RatPac-Dune Entertainment. Henry Cavill takes the stage with Armie Hammer, a duo with a very different dynamic in this summer’s fresh, über-stylish actioner from filmmaker Guy Ritchie, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., along with fellow stars Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Debicki.
11 a.m.: Book to Screen (Room 7AB): We’re in a heyday for science fiction and fantasy on screen, whether it’s the big screen or the small. Some of the most popular series out there take advantage of the in-depth world and character building of book series to populate their vivid worlds. Ernie Cline (author of Ready Player One, soon to be adapted for the screen by Steven Spielberg), Melissa de la Cruz (author of Witches of East End, Lifetime show by the same name), Andy Weir (author of The Martian, a Ridley Scott-directed adaptation will be released later this year), Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (as James S. A. Corey, author of Leviathan Wakes, on which the upcoming Syfy show The Expanse is based), Lev Grossman (author of The Magicians, soon to be a Syfy show), and Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (as Christina Lauren, author of Beautiful Bastard, which has been optioned by Constantin Film) discuss how their creations are coming to life on screen.
11 a.m.: Today’s Costume Designers (Room 23ABC): The Costume Designers Guild Local 892 members Soyon An (Jem and the Holograms), Ann Foley (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Kristin Burke (Conjuring), and Ivy Thaide (Kamen Rider Dragon Knight) discuss the world of costume design for television and film. Joe Kucharski, editor of Tyranny of Style will be moderating.
12 p.m.: The Production Designer: Architect of Imagination (Room 23ABC): The production designer opens the script, reads, and dreams up the most perfect of all possible worlds in which to tell the tale, whether the story is set in the mythic past, the here and now, or any imaginable future. Then the designer must gather and lead the army of artists who, over months or years, in plaster or in pixels, will actually make the design real. Panelists include John Mott (12 Monkeys, The Americans), James Chinland (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, The Legacy, Avengers), Darren Gilford (Star Wars Epside VII: The Force Awakens, Tron), Ed Verreaux (Jurassic World, Looper), Neil Spisak (Terminator Genisys, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and Gregory Melton (Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Walking Dead). Moderated by John Muto (Species, Home Alone).
12 p.m.: The 10th Annual All-Star Comic Book Podcaster Panel (Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library): Get ready for a no holds barred debate and discussion of the current state of the comic book marketplace in publishing, television, and film. Like sports reporters at the World Series, these podcast hosts voice their opinions on their shows. But what happens when they face each other and may not get the last word on a subject? Featuring John Siuntres (Word Balloon), Calvin Reid (Publisher’s Weekly-More to Come), Mark Bernardin (Playboy.com-Fatman on Batman), John Mayo (Comic Book Page), and Jimmy Aquino (Comic News Insider).
12 p.m.: Costuming the Galaxy (Room 14a): Joe Salcedo (chief executive officer and co-creator/co-owner of ANOVOS), Dana Gasser (chief operating officer and co-creator/co-owner of ANOVOS), John Cooley (product and customer experience representative for ANOVOS) and Heath Hammond (product manager for ANOVOS) of ANOVOS, official licensee for Star Wars, Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica, will be on hand to discuss costuming in the science fiction genre. From working with the filmmaking teams to scanning screen-used materials, get an exclusive look at what goes into the making of these highly detailed and authentic replicas. Be the first to see what’s in store for the future of costuming from ANOVOS.
12 p.m.: From Bollywood to Hollywood: Going Global (Room 25ABC): Actors and producers from India and US address the growing globalization of the film industry from financing to production; with clips from Bollywood’s and Hollywood’s fantasy action movies. Panelist include Ishmael Kahn (founder of Hollywood Bollywood Global Media) and internationally acclaimed Bollywood star Pooja Batra (Virasat, Disney India’s Any Body Can Dance 2). Also joining are director, producer and show runner of hundreds of television episodes Jude Gerard Prest (History Channel, Discovery), Maureen Hubley-Warutian (entertainment developer, executive producer), Radhika Chaudhari (award winning Bollywood director, singer/actess staring in over 30 Indian films), Shekah Kapur (Golden Globe Award winning Bollywood movie star and internationally acclaimed director of Elizabeth The Golden Age and The Four Feathers), and executive producer of numerous internationally funded feature films Stephen Kaplan. Moderated by screenwriter and director Eric Forsberg (Mega Piranha, Dragons of Camelot, Snakes on a Train).
12:15 p.m.: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Hall H): Pride and Prejudice and Zombies A zombie outbreak has fallen upon the land in Jane Austen’s classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th-century England. Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) is a master of martial arts and weaponry, and the handsome Mr. Darcy (Sam Reilly) is a fierce zombie killer, yet the epitome of upper-class prejudice. As the zombie outbreak intensifies, they must swallow their pride and join forces on the blood-soaked battlefield. Cast members Lily James, Sam Riley, Bella Heathcote, Douglas Booth, Jack Huston and Matt Smith along with writer/director Burr Steers and the book’s author Seth Grahame-Smith for a first look at Screen Gem’s adaptation of his acclaimed twist on the classic novel. Patient Zero An uprecedented global pandemic of a super strain of rabies has turned the majority of humankind into highly intelligent, streamlined killers known as ‘The Infected’. One victim, Morgan (Matt Smith), who is asymptomatic and can communicate with the infected, leads the last survivors on a hunt for Patient Zero and a cure. Join cast members Matt Smith, John Bradley, Natalie Dormer, and Clive Standen along with director Stefan Ruzowitzky and screenwriter Mike Le for an exclusive first look of the film. Both panels will be moderated by Dalton Ross (Entertainment Weekly).
1:30 p.m.: Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight (Hall H): Academy Award-winning writer/director Quentin Tarantino brings fans an exclusive look at his highly anticipated 8th film, The Hateful Eight. Followed by a Q&A session with the cast.
2 p.m.: High Def Horror: Hammer Horror Meets Harryhausen (Room 25ABC): Warner Archive and Trailers From Hell combine forces to sneak a peek at some exciting upcoming releases that will please fans of Hammer films and the legendary Ray Harryhausen. Award-winning director Joe Dante joins Warner Archive Podcast hosts George Feltenstein, D. W. Ferranti, and Matthew Patterson to discuss such classics as The Beast from 20000 Fathoms, Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, Them! and more. As an added treat, Dante will chat about the intricacies of the 1987 hit Innerspace, which Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be releasing on Blu-ray in 2015. As always, moderator Gary Miereanu will have giveaways for a few select fans.
2:30 p.m.: Legendary Pictures (Hall H): Filmmakers and talent from Legendary’s upcoming Warcraft and Crimson Peak, distributed by Universal Pictures, will discuss the innovative slate and present never-before-seen material. Chris Hardwick (AMC’s Talking Dead) hosts the panel that will also include surprises from highly anticipated legendary movies, including Great Wall, Krampus, and more.
3 p.m.: Adding Special Effects to Cosplay Pictures and Video (Room 14A): This panel features VFX wizards behind the new film Cosplay Dreams 3D, renowned cosplay photographers and Photoshop artists, and special guest cosplayers. Learn how, using Adobe Photoshop and After Effects, you can add realistic laser beams, fireballs, glowing magical elements, and sci-fi backgrounds that will bring your cosplay photography and videos to the next level.
3 p.m.: Anything Goes with John Barrowman (Indigo Ballroom): John Barrowman (Arrow, Torchwood, Doctor Who) is an entertainer with a capital “E.” He sings, he dances, he acts, he presents, he judges; ask him anything!
3:30 p.m.: Nerdist: The Hive (Horton Grand Theatre): Outside the cabin, a horde of monsters are wreaking havoc. In the cabin, Adam can’t remember who he is or how the world fell apart, because the memories he does have aren’t his own. Starring Kathryn Prescott (Finding Carter, Skins), Gabriel Basso (Super 8, The Kings of Summer), and Jacob Zachar (Greek) in a horror experience unlike any other. Get your first look at the next generation of sci-fi horror with director Dave Yarovesky and members of the cast.
3:45 p.m.: Entertainment Weekly: Women Who Kick Ass (Hall H): A discussion among fierce, fearless, actresses Gal Gadot (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones), Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter), Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who), Kathy Bates (American Horror Story), and other flat out fantastic females, who will open up about the power and privilege of playing women who redefine the rules and refuse to yield. Moderated by Sara Vilkomerson.
4:10 p.m.: Documentary Film Making How-To (Grand Ballroom D): You will learn how to understand the specific nuances of nonfiction film and how to produce and direct your own with a minimal budget and existing, commercially available equipment. Topics include documentary narrative structure, how to conduct interviews, “writing,” documentaries, the importance of access, when and how to use voiceover and/or re-creations, necessary gear, ethics, and releases and other legal necessities. Panelists include director/host Edward Doty (Fighting in Plain Sight, Documentality podcast<