Okay, I get that I’m totally the cause, but I need to point out that we have a dearth of panel suggestions for Escapade 2008. Right now, we wouldn’t have to hold a ballot at all. I don’t think that’s the convention you want to attend. So, here’s what we have so far. If you don’t see your fandom represented (or the general topic you’re dying to discuss, or the workshop you can’t wait to lead) listed here, it’s up to you to suggest it. Remember, you don’t have to lead the panels you suggest (though that does often make things easier). Here are the panel suggestions received so far:
| Type | Fandom | Title | Source |
| Fandom | FNL | Mothers and daughters, fathers and sons: the gender politics of Friday Night Lights | kassrachel |
| Fandom | HP | Whither Potter Fandom? | Tree Wishes |
| Fandom | HL | Religion/Spiritual beliefs on HL | MacGeorge |
| Fandom | SGA | The Women of Atlantis | Sinead |
| Fandom | SGA | Hey, Let’s Build A ‘Ship! | Sinead |
| Fandom | SGA | Stargate Atlantis: crack!fic, AUs, and characterization, oh my! | kassrachel |
| Fandom | TW | Fantastic In Every Way? | Melina |
| Fandom | TW | The Long, Strange Trip of Captain Jack (The Sequel) | Melina |
| General | Immortality, just a dramatic device, or something more deep-seated in the human psyche? | MacGeorge | |
| General | Wayback Machine | kassrachel | |
| General | What we want to talk about NOW? | kassrachel | |
| General | He’s not Heavy, He’s my Brother | KadyMae | |
| General | You got meta in my squee! | Dail | |
| General | Slashability | Tree Wishes | |
| General | The thrill is gone — are slashy shows a thing of the past century? | Katharine Scarritt | |
| General | So, if your characters wrote fanfic… what would they write? | Killa | |
| Tech/Workshop | How to find and use free stuff on the web. | Tree Wishes | |
| tech/workshop | Point of View: Stop Bashing the “I”: It Makes the Contacts Hurt. | pir8fancier | |
| tech/workshop | Photoshop 101 | Thalia | |
| Tech/Workshop | Going Analog | who?: |
So, get with the program and make some suggestions! Remember to include type (general/fandom/tech), title, description (omitted from this list for space) and your badge name so I can contact you if I have questions.
I’d like to have a panel space to play “He/He” friday night, if possible. General panel, I guess. Description:
A slash hybrid of “Round Robin” and “Mad Libs”, “He/He” is a laugh-a-minute game that makes a new slashy story every few minutes! Easy to play and tons of fun (In all the years I’ve been playing it, there has been exactly ONE person who didn’t giggle themselves stupid). Ridiculously fun and easy to play, so come and join the fun!
Also, if possible, could you put in the program that I’ll be collecting room freebies/toiletries for homeless women at my dealers table? This year there is also a raffle, every time someone donates, they get entered into a drawing. Thanks!
My badge name is JenCat004@aol.com, Dealers table name is “Nothing But Cool Stuff”.
Retitle my suggested panel (which I’m willing to lead, btw) as “Where Has All The Subtext Gone?”
The fannish rainbow
How about a session of appreciation/encouragement for people who contribute to fandom in ways other than writing or vidding? What about the archivists, site moderators, fest organizers, con organizers, beta readers/viewers, and many more? This is more than just congratulatory backslapping; fans who consider themselves primarily writers/vidders/creators can learn about ways to stay involved and connected at times when the creative juices aren’t flowing so well.
I’m imagining this as a general panel but it might fit the tech profile also.
I think I’m a bad person to lead this panel, but I’m willing to try.
Fandom: The Sentinel
J/B ten years later — old married couple or just old news?
Will The Sentinel enter the pantheon of old shows with enduring core fandoms, or will it fade away? With only one season on DVD and so many new fans saying “huh?,” what can we do to keep the show’s memory alive? And if you’re tired of the meta, let’s discuss what Jim and Blair might be doing now . . .
I can lead but would really love a co-leader for this one.
My badge name is Russ McMillan! Who knew?
D’oh! Can’t read intructions, sorry. The previous suggestion is General, and my badge name is . . . huh. I don’t know. I should check that. Anyway, my login name is Russetm.
If fandom is serial monogamy, is Yuletide an orgy? The effect of rare fandoms on individuals and community.
The Yuletide obscure fandom fanfic exchange had record participation this year. Other fests and archives that include microfandoms (e.g., slashfest and Slash Cotillion) are getting more popular. Does focus on tiny fandoms deepen fannish divisions, or bring us all together? Is that obscure movie/book/show distracting your favorite writer from REAL fandom, or keeping her fresh and interested? Is it harder or easier to explore a world where few or no fanfic authors have ventured before?
I guess I’m willing to lead…
Professionals – Fannon vs Canon
How many of the characteristics we love are actually from the show?
And I would be glad to run the panel.
Fandom: Smallville
Title: They fed my denial….
Clark’s been inside Lex’s head now and seen the good longing to be free – is there still hope (for fanfic, if not for canon)?
Fandom: multi
Title: I miss my dead gay fandom!
Is there any hope for a revival of Blake’s 7? Wiseguy? X-Files? What would it take? (Or is it already happening and I just missed it?) Let’s talk.
Fandom: Boston Legal
Title: Tweaking the fandom
They know we’re watching, and we know it by all the fannish memes they’ve played with and twisted, with a sly wink, so even if we don’t necessarily want to see them naked and sweaty in the same bed (any more than they do!) it’s still fun to watch and talk about.
General – ‘Chick Vampire Shows’
I was talking up Moonlight to someone who said, ‘Well, it sounds like a Chick Vampire Show – not my sort of thing.’ And it IS, it is SUCH a chick vampire show. I’d never thought of the distinction, but I guess it’s valid – and that most of the successful vampire shows have been of the ‘chick’ type. The only ‘Guy Vampire Shows’ I can think of are deservedly obscure films. Is there something inherently appealing to women in the creature of the night living on the heart’s blood of others? (Not something I was planning to bring up, but since there’s something of a dearth of panel subjects, it could be interesting!)
Fandom: SPN
Title: There’s a feeling I get when I look to the West …
We’re all in this handbasket, but where are we headed? Who is slouching towards Sunnydale to be born? Ruby said she was going to help Sam save Dean and yet she’s told Dean that there isn’t a way to save him from the pit. Has she lied? And the Trickster … has he really taken a side? And with a friend like him, do you need enemies? And Bela … she’s got moves. Is she always going to be comic relief, or is she advancing someone else’s agenda? Will his quest to save Dean destroy Sam?
[I thought I already posted this, but I don’t see it, and anyway I need to correct my co-mod’s name, so.]
THE ORGANIZATION FOR TRANSFORMATIVE WORKS: The Best Thing Since Ever, or
the End Of Days?
mod volunteers: Shoshanna and Beth H
The OTW is an incorporated nonprofit organization established by fans to
serve the interests of fans in multiple ways, including by providing
open-source archive software (and an archive), legal assistance, and
various efforts to preserve the history of fanworks and fan culture.
Some people think it’s terrific, some people think it’s a terrible idea,
and some people have never heard of it. Come find out and talk about it!
I’ll try one, though no one will come
Charlie Jade — the best specutalive fiction film noir cyberpunk TV series you will never see, unless you’re a fan.
Get an intro to the series, the relationships, and yes, the slash possibilities.
Name: Thalia
Type: General
Title: The Organization for Transformative Works: Boon to Fandom or Wank Magnet?
I don’t have a catchy description for this, and I’m not volunteering to mod, but I’d very much like to see a discussion about the pros and cons of OTW.
oh, and one more, though I don’t know if I’d make a good leader:
You Got Your Cranky In My Squee! – or, how to deal when all of your friends are picking apart and bashing your fandom.
I proposed a panel on research, and you sent me an email, and every time I’ve replied it’s been bounced back to me with a “mailbox full” message.
Anyway:
HOW TO RESEARCH YOUR FIC
Your lovingly crafted story can lose your audience if you have a big factual error. Talk about the brutally cold winters in Vancouver, and you’ve just lost your Canadian and Pacific Northwest readers. Shakespeare might have gotten away with giving ancient Rome chimneys and clocks, but that’s because his audience wasn’t watching “Rome”
every week. Come to this panel to learn from a professional researcher how to find those little, accurate details that will make your story sing!
I proposed the Going Analog panel