Indy PopCon: Full Schedule

PLEASE NOTE! Times below are PRELIMINARY. Schedule is subject to change.

All panels and workshops are free, non-ticketed events unless otherwise specified. Add your favorites to your own personal schedule planner but please note that attendance to panels will be first come, first serve!

Want guaranteed panel/workshop seating? Get our PopCon VIP Badge!

12:00pm EDT

Why Should Players Care about Story in Video Games?

Video games are a unique medium that combine audio, visual, and interactive elements. This makes video games unlike any other media as a story-telling mechanism. But why do games need story in order to be enjoyable? And how can video games take advantage of their narrative capabilities? In this panel, we’ll take a look at some of the interesting ways that video games tell stories through interactivity and examine the role of video games as narrative devices. Each panelist will share some examples of story-telling done right and done wrong and give their personal dos and don’ts for video game story-telling.

Speakers

Andrew Nee

(Negativeworld.org) – Owner and web developer of video game website, Negative World.

Ragtag Studios

Ragtag Studio is an independent game development company founded in 2011. The team is comprised of friends and industry veterans, Matt Carter, Chris Cobb, and Shawn Halwes. After developing games together for more than a decade for studios such as Activision, Ion Storm, and Disney... Read More →

Dave Welch

(Experimental Gamer) – Developer of Boot Hill Heroes, a wild west RPG.

Friday May 30, 2014 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Gaming, Entrepreneur

1:00pm EDT

Cosplay Props and Armor Making

Cosplay Prop and Armor discussion with CosAwesome Studios members around the following topics:

Common Cosplay Materials overview – Foam, Plastic, Worbla, PVC, Fiberglass, Bondo, Putty, etc.

Reusing/Repurposing items for Props and Armor – Quick examples of what you can do with commonly found items.

Fabricating costume pieces – Different tricks and strategies when working with cosplay materials.

Kit-Bashing – Just as it sounds, smash one pre-made kit or prop with another to make a prop all your own.

Painting / Detailing – Really making your props and armor pop and stand out.

Question and Answer session at the end and also at the CosAwesome fan table.

If we have a projector or screen available we’ll have a member of CosAwesome making a prop or armor piece during the panel.

Speakers

James T. Wulfgar

Friday May 30, 2014 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Cosplay

2:00pm EDT

Making a Board Game - From Concept to Execution

There's nothing quite like opening a fresh new board game, punching out the pieces, and gathering around a table with good friends for old school gaming fun. Learn from several board game developers about their new projects and how they took their love of board gaming and turned it into an actual game for others to enjoy.

Speakers

Action Phase

Kathryn Steele

Friday May 30, 2014 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Gaming, Entrepreneur

3:00pm EDT

The Art of Found Object Costuming

It’s a common dilemma: You want to cosplay, but you don’t have much cash. Or you don’t have access to a sewing machine, and wouldn’t know what to do with it if you did. Or the con is in two days, and you don’t have time to make something from scratch. Sound familiar? If so, this panel is for you! We’ll show you a variety of costumes made for less than $10, plus discuss character selection, making your character recognizable, and how to build a complete costume out of things you have around the house.

Friday May 30, 2014 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Cosplay

4:00pm EDT

Cosplay Pics 101: Posing in Costume

Want to look better in your cosplay photos? Want to make quick hallway snapshops look as good as a staged photoshoot? It’s possible with a little posing practice! Come learn the secrets of creating flattering and dynamic poses for any character, as well as the best ways to show off your costume, props and makeup in pictures.

Speakers

Alena van Arendonk

"...And Sewing Is Half The Battle!"

Alena has been cosplaying for more than two decades, and has provided professional costuming and SFX makeup work for film, live theatre, and museums. She is a member of “…And Sewing Is Half The Battle!”, an Indiana-based cosplay team that has garnered more than 50 awards for... Read More →

Friday May 30, 2014 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Cosplay

5:00pm EDT

Meet the 501st and Rebel Legion

Learn about what it takes to join the ranks of the 501st and Rebel Legion from the members of Star Wars Indiana. Come armed with your lightsaber and questions, and they’ll help guide your way to costume mastery.

Friday May 30, 2014 5:00pm - 5:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Sci-fi

6:00pm EDT

True Dungeon 101

Have you ever been curious about True Dungeon and how it works, but failed your will checks to participate? Don't worry! Meet the creators behind True Dungeon and learn how the game works, so you can participate in future sessions!

Speakers

Jeff Martin

Dwarven Forge, LLC

I am President of Dwarven Forge (raised over $4 million on Kickstarter in 11 months), and Founder of True Dungeon (biggest event at Gen Con Indy).

Friday May 30, 2014 6:00pm - 6:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Fantasy

10:00am EDT

Game of Thrones: Dragons and Lannisters and Starks, Oh my!

Join Liz and Lindi of Team TV Supernatural Dramas (TeamTSD) to talk about the latest news in Westeros. We'll talk predictions, Khaleesi, and of course be giving away prizes! And guys, bring your dragons on a leash. #FangsOut

Speakers

Liz Pochop

Co-Creator, TeamTSD

Liz is co-creator of Team TV Supernatural Dramas (TeamTSD) with her best friend, Lindi. She loves all things X-Men, Beyonce, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (of course). Liz and Lindi host fan panels across the country promoting their favorite supernatural TV shows: The Walking Dead... Read More →

Lindi Smith

Co-Creator, TeamTSD

Lindi is co-creator of Team TV Supernatural Dramas (TeamTSD) with her best friend, Liz. Her dream is to somehow become Daenerys Targaryen and take over the world. She loves all things outer space and Doctor Who. Liz and Lindi host fan panels across the country promoting their... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2014 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

TV & Movies

11:00am EDT

How I Beat a Patent Troll with Drew Curtis from Fark.com

Drew Curtis, the founder of leading internet Not-News site, Fark.com, shares with PopCon the story of how he fought a lawsuit from a company that had a patent, "...for the creation and distribution of news releases via email." Where others gave in to the challenge, Drew fought back and won, and provides you insight to his process and shares some startling statistics about the growing legal problem of frivolous patents.

Speakers

Drew Curtis

Founder, Fark.com

As the founder, sole owner, and CEO of Fark.com, Drew Curtis is in a very unique position where digital media is concerned. For the past 15 years, he has watched as media evolved from an industry who eschewed and dismissed the digital realm to an industry very much aware that their... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2014 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Internet, Entrepreneur

12:00pm EDT

My Life as a Meme

What happens when you take a bad high school photo and the internet gets ahold of it? Well…. You become the poster-boy for millions of people to make fun of ironic, unlucky situations. Meet Kyle, the real person behind the Bad Luck Brian meme and find out what it's like to be internet famous. We have a bonus MYSTERY MEME guest joining him as well!

Moderators

Patrick Scott Patterson

It all started in 1981 when he dropped a quarter into a Pac-Man machine…Patrick Scott Patterson (Scott to his friends) makes his living as the go-to guy for video game content and insight. From the earliest days of video game history to commentary on the latest and greatest... Read More →

Speakers

Bad Luck Brian

Bad Luck Brian is an image macro series featuring a photo of a blonde teenage boy wearing a plaid sweater vest and braces, accompanied by captions that describe a variety of embarrassing and tragic occurrences. The first Bad Luck Brian submission was uploaded on January 23rd... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2014 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Internet, Celebrity

1:00pm EDT

Saving Star Wars Panel

The team that brought you the film Saving Star Wars is back with a special announcement, and some special guests along the way!

Saturday May 31, 2014 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Sci-fi, Celebrity

2:00pm EDT

So You Want to be a YouTuber

YouTube isn't just a hobby anymore - it's a legitimate business! Years ago, one would need to be discovered to become famous, but these days? Grab a webcam and go nuts. Learn from several YouTube stars who are starting to make careers off of their YouTube channels about how they started and what they do to earn new subscribers.

Moderators

Patrick Scott Patterson

Speakers

Elspeth Eastman

Lordminion777

Michael T. Mann

StevRayBro

Harp Twins

Saturday May 31, 2014 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Internet, Entrepreneur

3:00pm EDT

Dead Fans Walking (A Walking Dead Fan Panel)

Come for a fun-filled fan panel on AMC's hit show, 'The Walking Dead', hosted by Liz and Lindi of TeamTSD.com (@TeamTSD) and a chance to win some awesome Walking Dead prizes! You'll also have the chance to share your thoughts and predictions on the show. See you there! No Walkers allowed.

Speakers

Liz Pochop

Co-Creator, TeamTSD

Lindi Smith

Co-Creator, TeamTSD

Saturday May 31, 2014 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

TV & Movies

4:00pm EDT

True Dungeon - Meet the Creators

True Dungeon is a massively popular live role playing experience that seems to get bigger every year. Pick the minds of the creators of the game and learn how it all started.

Speakers

Jeff Martin

Dwarven Forge, LLC

I am President of Dwarven Forge (raised over $4 million on Kickstarter in 11 months), and Founder of True Dungeon (biggest event at Gen Con Indy).

Saturday May 31, 2014 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Fantasy

5:00pm EDT

Star Wars VII Speculation

Jar Jar Binks returns? Man, we hope not.

Speakers

Anthony Lillig

Saturday May 31, 2014 5:00pm - 5:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Sci-fi TV & Movies

6:00pm EDT

Women in Geek Culture

Saturday May 31, 2014 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

10:00am EDT

Learn to Draw with Norm Breyfogle (VIP Event)

Meet one of the masters of Batman, Norm Breyfogle, and get tips and tricks for your own art and how to break into the industry.

For VIP Breyfogle Ticket Holders only!

Speakers

Norm Breyfogle

Norm Breyfogle was born on February 27, 1960 in Iowa City, Iowa. From a very early age, Norm liked to draw. When he was 12 years old, he began taking private lessons from commercial artist Andrew Benson. Around this time, he also won his first award at a town and country art show... Read More →

Sunday June 1, 2014 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Comics, For Kids

11:00am EDT

Who's That Pokemon?

See how many Pokemon you truly know. Top contestants will win prizes, all are welcome to try!

Speakers

Courtney Pollard

Founder/Public Rep., Sodesune Entertainment

Hey there XD My name is Courtney (Kiki) Pollard. I love love love anime! It is the one thing in life that I have found that I can always count on! It is my passion and I love nothing more than to share it with the world! I am current student at IUPUI to get my degree in Computer... Read More →

Cameron Pollard

Sunday June 1, 2014 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Anime, For Kids

12:00pm EDT

Learn to Draw with Kevin Eastman

Join the original creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kevin Eastman, as he helps teach children the fundamentals of drawing and shows them how they can draw their very own Ninja Turtles.

This event will be for participants younger than 18 years old. Parents may attend and observe with their children present.

Speakers

Kevin Eastman

Born in Portland, Maine in 1962 Kevin Eastman began drawing at a very young age copying children’s books and reading comics. Inspired by master storyteller Jack Kirby, and later by self publishing creators Richard Corben, Vaughn Bode, and Dave Sim, all of his early work focused... Read More →

Sunday June 1, 2014 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Comics, For Kids

1:00pm EDT

Learn To Draw with Guy Gilchrist!

Nancy and Muppets artist Guy Gilchrist teaches you the real work of cartooning!

Speakers

Guy Gilchrist

Syndicated Writer/Cartoonist of Nancy & The Muppets Guy Gilchrist cut his cartoon teeth on the stylings of Walter Lantz (Woody Woodpecker), Dr. Seuss and Walt Disney. After high school, Guy was already working on his own children’s books and working for Weekly Reader Books... Read More →

Sunday June 1, 2014 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Art & Music, For Kids

2:00pm EDT

Gaming for Money - The Biz of Let's Plays

Did you know that Twitch.tv, a streaming video service focused on showing nothing but people playing video games, is bigger than Hulu? Well, it is! And nowadays, gamers can grow audiences and make a career out of playing video games online. Talk to panelists who are starting to make a living playing and talking about video games and learn what you need to do to start.

Moderators

Patrick Scott Patterson

Speakers

Fr4gShout

Lordminion777

Raychul Moore

Raychul Moore is a well-known and frequent face in the cosplay and gaming communities. Typically an attendee of major conventions, Raychul comes to PopCon as a special guest for her talent as a cosplayer and her excellent ability to self-market, self-promote, and self-publish. Raychul... Read More →

Sunday June 1, 2014 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

Gaming, Entrepreneur

3:00pm EDT

How to Publish and Market Your Indie Game

Releasing a successful indie game gets harder every day. With increasing barriers to publishing, marketing and funding, small game companies need to band together and help each other succeed. Come hear how indie companies Lunar Giant and The Amiable did just that, and how you can do it too.

Speakers

4:00pm EDT

PopCon Team Q&A, Praise, and Vent Session

What did we do great? What did we do not so great?

Tell us your con experience as we look ahead to 2015 in 2014. But.... please bring coffee.... we'll need it.....

Sunday June 1, 2014 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Room 141-142 Indiana Convention Center

All