WonderCon 2012

Ringers everywhere are eagerly awaiting Peter Jackson's new Hobbit films during the 75th anniversary year of the book's publication! Staff writers and scholars from TheOneRing.net web portal invite you to join this lively panel revealing film production surprises and a zealous shredding of rumors! Led by Clifford Broadway (Ringers: Lord of the Fans), Josh Rubinstein (Star Trek: TNG Blu-ray), Cathy Udovch (Cruise to Middle-earth), and Mike Urban (The People's Guide to J. R. R. Tolkien).
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Actor, author, and director Richard Hatch (Capt. Apollo, Tom Zarek, So Say We All) hosts a discussion and Q&A on the past, present, and future of Battlestar Galactica, including BG trailers, comic reels, and special surprise guests.
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Comics and prose authors discuss the pros and cons of world-building with monsters and whether or not to make them known to that world's public. Panelists include WonderCon special guest Mike Mignola (Hellboy), with Amber Benson (How to Be Death) and Christopher Farnsworth (The President's Vampire), in discussion with Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy.
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The classic 1982 animated fantasy is literally being pulled apart and remade on a frame-by-frame basis, using groundbreaking techniques and technologies to upgrade the look and feel of the film. This new enhanced/extended version will premiere theatrically in both 2D and 3D in 2014. Learn what's being done from creators Peter S. Beagle (novelist and screenwriter), Connor Cochran (director), and Terri Kempton and Suren M. Seron (co-producers).
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Normally, special guest JMS does his spotlights all by himself. This year, the event is moderated by DC editor-in-chief Dan DiDio, who will attempt to get pertinent information by asking impertinent questions about the writer, his work, and his life. We expect this to end in a Tunguska-sized crater.
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For the third straight year, Warner Bros. Television kicks off WonderCon with exclusive preview screenings of upcoming original episodes of fan-favorite series. For 2012, WBTV will screen episodes of the first-year hit dramas Person of Interest and The Secret Circle. Person of Interest  Jim Caviezel (The Thin Red Line), Comic-Con favorite Michael Emerson (Lost) and Taraji P. Henson (Hustle & Flow) team up in this thought-provoking crime action-drama from The Dark Knight's Jonathan Nolan and J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions (Fringe, Lost, Alias). Set in New York City, with all of its multifaceted elements of justice (cops, criminals, corruption), Person of Interest centers on an ex-CIA agent, presumed dead, who partners with a mysterious billionaire to prevent violent crimes, and the detectives tracking them. Person of Interest makes its WonderCon debut with a screening of a complete episode to kick off WonderCon 2012. In addition to Caviezel, Emerson, and Henson, Kevin Chapman (Rescue Me) also stars in Person of Interest, which airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS. Jonathan Nolan, J.J. Abrams (Star Trek), Greg Plageman (Cold Case), and Bryan Burk (Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol) are the executive producers of the series, from Bonanza Productions in association with Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

The Secret Circle: The ordinary becomes the extraordinary in The Secret Circle, a drama full of mystery, intrigue, and danger from executive producer Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries) and based on the book series by L. J. Smith (The Vampire Diaries). The series chronicles the story of a young girl who discovers not only that she is a witch and part of a secret coven but that she is the key that will unlock a centuries-old battle of good versus evil. WBTV has conjured up a WonderCon exclusive premiere screening of the "Cursed" episode, a full six days in advance of its on-air debut Thursday, March 22, at 9/8c on The CW. Britt Robertson (Scream 4), Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Gale Harold (Queer as Folk), Phoebe Tonkin (H20: Just Add Water), Shelley Hennig (Days of Our Lives), Jessica Parker Kennedy (50/50), Chris Zylka (upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man), and Natasha Henstridge (Species) star in the series, which is executive produced by Williamson, Andrew Miller (Nothing), Andrea Newman (Human Target), Leslie Morgenstein (The Vampire Diaries), and Gina Girolamo (The Lying Game). From Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, The Secret Circle airs Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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UPDATED: Mon, Mar 12, 03:30PM
Action, sci-fi, and fantasy are all genres that depend heavily on visual effects to effectively portray the vast fictional worlds in which they take place. Join the film industry's leading visual technology and previsualization experts to learn the latest and greatest technology trends and advances, as well as watch never-before-seen previs footage from their work on some of the biggest fan-favorites. Their work includes X-Men: The Last Stand, Terminator Salvation, Avatar, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 1 & 2, and upcoming epic action-adventure Battleship, as well as their work on commercials like HALO Reach.

Daniel Gregoire, founder and CEO of Halon Entertainment has worked side by side with the most highly respected directors in the business, including Steven Spielberg (War of the Worlds and Indiana Jones 4) and Jon Favreau (Cowboys & Aliens); Brad Alexander, CG supervisor on James Cameron's Avatar and many exciting upcoming films; Patrice Avery, a producer with over 20 years of experience in feature/TV animation, VFX and video game production; Justin Denton, Previs & VFX Supervisor on Battleship; AJ Briones, Previs Supervisor on Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Parts 1 & 2;  led by moderator Jon D. Witmer, associate editor of American Cinematographer magazine.
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UPDATED: Thu, Mar 15, 08:03AM
Are you a writer with a great idea for a comic book series, but you can't draw ... or maybe you're an artist looking for a great script to draw? Perhaps both of you are looking to jumpstart your careers in comics. At WonderCon 2012, you just might find each other!

The Comic Creator Connection returns to WonderCon in an event that brings writers and artists together and helps them find their creative counterparts.

Here's how it works: In two 2-hour sessions - on Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM - writers and artists get a chance to sit down and meet each other in a neutral environment. In 5-minute sessions throughout the event, you'll talk one-on-one with individual writers or artists about their ideas and skills. At the end of each 5-minute period, you will get up and move on to the next person. You'll probably meet between 15 and 20 people in one evening.

Best of all, you'll have a good initial impression of the other person's working style and abilities, and you'll know whether or not you want to start working on a project together. To pre-register for Comic Creator Connection, please send an e-mail to programs@comic-con.org and type "WonderCon 2012 Comic Creator Connection" in the subject line. Please indicate whether you're a writer seeking an artist or an artist seeking a writer, and please specify which day you would like to participate.

We will be registering artists onsite. If you are an artist and would like to register onsite please come to Room 206B between 4:45
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Tabletop games such as Dungeons and Dragons have been declining in popularity since the 1990s and are in danger of being replaced by both console games and MMORPGs. Will tabletop gaming survive the 21st century, will it be completely replaced by computer games. or will it survive as a new interactive role-playing experience? A panel of game designers discuss the future of role-playing games.
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CANCELLED: Tue, Feb 28, 10:32AM
We regret to announce that this program has been cancelled.
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Get an incredible insider look from the scribes behind some of today's hottest genre shows as they share their candid thoughts on how to make the series we love (and sometimes loathe). Find out the highly classified secrets of getting TV shows made and how to break in and break out in today's highly competitive broadcast environment, the deep dark secrets (and snacks) of the writer's room, and why network executives actually care about what you say on message boards. Panelists include Ashley E. Miller (Fringe, Transformers: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Jesse Alexander (Lost, Heroes), Steve Kriozere (NCIS, Femme Fatales), Steve Melching (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Transformers: The Series), Gabrielle Stanton (The Vampire Chronicles, Haven), Dave Simkins (Blade, Human Target), Jose Molina (Firefly, Terra Nova), Amy Berg (Eureka, Leverage), Charles Murray (V, Castle), and Mark A. Altman (Necessary Roughness, Femme Fatales).
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Look past FTL travel and artificial gravity, and the science in Battlestar Galactica was very robust for television. Join Dr. Kevin Grazier (Battlestar Galactica), co-author of The Science of Battlestar Galactica, along with a guest star for this presentation, chapter reading, and Q&A session.
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John Stanley (Creature Features, 1971-1984), Mr. Lobo (Cinema Insomnia), Tom Wyrsch (writer/director), and Strephon Taylor (November Fire) will present a history of television horror hosting. Vampira, Zacherley, Ghoulardi, Svengoolie, Bob Wilkins, Elvira, and many more will be covered in a historical journey illuminating a genre of television that should never be forgotten. Introduced by John Stanley and Mr. Lobo. Video history by Tom Wyrsch and Strephon Taylor.
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Do you want to know what it takes to build your own Star Wars droid? Southern California R2 builders Chris Romine, Michael McMaster, and William Miyamoto; builder Godfather Mike Senna; and builder/moderator Victor Franco discuss how their robots were built and how they work. Topics include materials, blueprints, building techniques, tools, and the electronics used to bring R2 to life.
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Whether writing alternate, near future, or far future history, how do authors make historical "facts" fit their fiction? Panelists include Naomi Novik (Crucible of Gold), Todd McCaffrey (Dragon's Time), Rob Reid (Year Zero), and WonderCon special guest Ernest Cline (Ready Player One), in discussion with Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy.
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UPDATED: Tue, Mar 06, 03:28PM
20th Century Fox and WonderCon attendees have two big reasons to celebrate the year's event. Sir Ridley Scott, director of Alien and Blade Runner, returns to the genre he helped define and he'll be live on stage to tell you all about Prometheus, his epic and groundbreaking new mythology. Sir Ridley and co-screenwriter Damon Lindelof will screen some exclusive footage.

You'll also meet this country's 16th president and first superhero -- Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which explores the secret life of our greatest leader, and the untold story that shaped our nation. The filmmakers will screen special footage, which presents the visionary work of producer Tim Burton and director Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), who bring a fresh and visceral voice to the classic portrayal of the bloodthirsty vampire, while imagining Lincoln as history's greatest hunter of the undead.
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Felicia Day (The Guild), Wil Wheaton (Awesome), Veronica Belmont (Tekzilla), and Tom Merrit (Sword & Laser) present a sneak preview of Day's new Geek & Sundry YouTube channel lineup.
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UPDATED: Mon, Mar 12, 02:04PM
Universal Pictures will present footage and special guests from two of its upcoming epic action-adventures: Battleship (May 18) and Snow White and the Huntsman (June 1). Battleship director/producer Peter Berg will be joined by two of the star's from the film, Alexander Skarsgård and Brooklyn Decker, to discuss the project. Snow White and the Huntsman's director, Rupert Sanders, will answer questions about the new movie starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth and Sam Claflin.
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CANCELLED: Mon, Mar 12, 09:52PM
We regret to announce that this program has been cancelled.
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UPDATED: Mon, Mar 12, 02:04PM
Global exclusive! Be among the first in the world to see footage of the highly anticipated new film, Lockout. Starring Guy Pearce (Memento, The King's Speech, upcoming Prometheus) and Maggie Grace (Taken, Taken 2, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Parts 1 & 2). Set in the near future, Lockout follows a falsely convicted ex-government agent (Pearce), whose one chance at obtaining freedom lies in the dangerous mission of rescuing the President's daughter (Grace) from rioting convicts at an outer space maximum security prison. Lockout was directed by James Mather and Stephen Saint Leger from their script, co-written with Luc Besson, who is also a producer. Peter Stormare co-stars.
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WonderCon special guest Ernest Cline is a New York Times bestselling novelist (Ready Player One) and a screenwriter (Fanboys). Join him for an hour-long Q&A session about his various book and film projects.
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UPDATED: Wed, Feb 29, 12:45PM
In Resident Evil: Retribution, we learn more about Alice's mysterious past as she continues to hunt those at The Umbrella Corporation responsible for the T-virus outbreak, a chase that takes her from Tokyo to New York, Washington, DC, and Moscow, culminating in a mind-blowing revelation that will force her to rethink everything she once thought to be true. Aided by newfound allies and familiar friends, Alice must fight to survive long enough to escape a hostile world on the brink of oblivion. The countdown has begun. Resident Evil: Retribution stars Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory, Kevin Durand, Shawn Roberts, and Boris Kodjoe. Appearing in person is Alice herself, Milla Jovovich, who along with writer/director Paul W. S. Anderson will host a preview and discussion of the wildly successful film franchise based on the popular video game series Resident Evil and this highly anticipated fifth installment, Resident Evil: Retribution in state-of-the art 3D.

Looper
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