Writer Katherine Monasterio teaches how to create more effective, interesting, and pleasing prose.
Description:
In this fun and engaging workshop, writer Katherine Monasterio will show you how to excise fluff and power up word choices to create more effective, interesting, and pleasing prose. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Play around with other puppeteers on-camera & get in some practice doing improv & camera work in a group-setting. Come to play or just to watch the fun, it's up to you! Bring a puppet!
Description:
Extra time goofing around with an audience & watching seasoned pros perform is one of the best learning opportunities--but even if you're not interested in learning, it's great fun to watch puppeteers improvise with puppets on camera. Whether you choose to watch from the audience, or get up on stage alongside seasoned professionals, you won't regret spending your evening at monitor playtime! Bring your own puppets or use ours. Bring a puppet!
If you've wanted to try your hand at puppetry, start here! If you have been doing puppetry for a while, the camera gives you feedback that helps your performance. Learn the basics and keep growing!
Description:
Learn how to puppeteer for the camera from professional puppeteer, Greg Ballora (Muppets, Puppet Up!, Crash & Bernstein, Team America, Ratchet, Spiderman II), You'll start your puppetry class going over basics like how to position your body for range of motion and comfort, puppet posture, eye focus and lip sync, followed by moving through the frame, positioning, working with a monitor, and finally jamming to a song (of Greg's choice, he has to maintain some control here). All skill levels welcome.
Read from your work in progress and receive safe, supportive feedback.
Description:
Got some writing you'd like feedback on? Join fellow writers and a panel of professional authors, editors, and reviewers for one of our longest-running features, the Read and Critique, where you'll read from your work-in-progress for a few minutes and get some initial impressions and advice from the panel. Some of our Read and Critique alumni have gone on to be members of the Symposium themselves in future years, so, if this interests you, we hope you'll take this opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment! Panelists: Karen Menzel, LaShawn M. Wanak, Gregory A. Wilson. Track: GCWS Critique.
Read from your work in progress and receive safe, supportive feedback.
Description:
Got some writing you'd like feedback on? Join fellow writers and a panel of professional authors, editors, and reviewers for one of our longest-running features, the Read and Critique, where you'll read from your work-in-progress for a few minutes and get some initial impressions and advice from the panel. Some of our Read and Critique alumni have gone on to be members of the Symposium themselves in future years, so, if this interests you, we hope you'll take this opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment! Panelists: E.D.E. Bell, James Farner, Erin Roberts. Track: GCWS Critique.
Read from your work in progress and receive safe, supportive feedback.
Description:
Got some writing you'd like feedback on? Join fellow writers and a panel of professional authors, editors, and reviewers for one of our longest-running features, the Read and Critique, where you'll read from your work-in-progress for a few minutes and get some initial impressions and advice from the panel. Some of our Read and Critique alumni have gone on to be members of the Symposium themselves in future years, so, if this interests you, we hope you'll take this opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment! Panelists: Erik Scott de Bie, Kelli Fitzpatrick, Sarah Hans. Track: GCWS Critique.
Redesigning Board Games for Instructional Purposes
Summary:
We will play a well-designed game (e.g. Pandemic), study its mechanics, then design an instructional variant of that game. For educators, training managers, and learning game designers.
Description:
Are you a teacher, training manager, content designer or learning game designer? We’re going to PLAY a well-designed commercial board or card game (e.g. Pandemic, Red7, Forbidden Island) for 45 minutes. Next, we will study reference cards I created that meticulously examine that game’s mechanics and how the gameplay might be modified to teach any school or workplace instructional goal (or to visualize a problem). Finally, you will pick such a goal, and together with other smart team members, brainstorm a new learning game inspired by the game you just played. You will walk away with several ideas for enhancing your own instruction, and with many custom game cards and handouts! Led by a professor and based on his new book The Allure of Play. See previous event pictures and descriptions here: http://www.joebisz.com/redesigningboardgames (Workshop changes each year.)
Lewd Alfred Douglas (performer, former Dr. Sketchy's producer) and Anja Keister (performer, model) host an afternoon of fantasy sketching with multiple models. Come and go or stay the whole time.
Description:
Join performers from D20 Burlesque Lewd Alfred Douglas, Anja Keister,, Lua Stardust and Stephanie Michelle for an afternoon of costumed fun. After a sold out event in 2022, we are bringing back a bigger version of our fantasy figure drawing event. Come and go or stay the whole time. Sketchers are highly encouraged to bring their own art supplies as we will only be able to bring minimal supplies. We kindly request all players wear appropriate face masks during this event.
Rule the Galaxy Together: Writing in a Shared Universe
Summary:
Writer John Jackson Miller teaches effective techniques for writing exciting, original fiction in a licensed universe.
Description:
In this seminar, veteran Star Wars and Star Trek writer and New York Times bestselling author John Jackson Miller draws upon his experience writing for media franchises to offer pointers to writers looking to write in shared story universes. Whether you’re looking to write tie-ins professionally, writing fan fiction, or collaborating with other authors on a project for prose, comics, or gaming, Miller offers some rules to write by in order to get the most out of your shared universe. Miller will discuss turning continuity problems into springboards, best practices for preserving future story opportunities for others, and the state of the market for tie-in fiction. Questions and answers will be taken in this fun and informative session. Track: GCWS Classroom.
A crash course in running salon-style LARPs. Topics include scenario writing, player safety, props, puzzles, and more! Take home a puzzle packet and your very own Cursed Scroll.
Description:
Running LARPs for your friends is very fun, and not AT ALL profitable. We'll talk about what goes into planning a LARP, workshop some mini scenarios, create a puzzle, and craft a prop scroll. Participants will also receive a packet of useful sample puzzles suitable for larps, tabletop games, at home escape rooms, etc.