A-Kon® 23! Dallas, Texas June 1-3, 2012 - A-Kon® Full Feed

A-Kon 23 Cosplay Information

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:59:48 UT

Judge's Award (Dan Green, past A-Kon Cosplay winner): Walk On #57 Scanty & Kneesocks from Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt, worn by Moco_Latte & Roxy, made by Moco_Latte

CosPlay Sign-Up is now CLOSED.

Scheduled Cosplay Events

Cosplay Q&A: TBD
Rehearsal TBD
Cosplay TBD

Rooms and times are subject to change.

A-Kon 23 Cosplay Competition Rules and Regulations

1.) ELIGIBILITY:

Anyone may enter in the Saturday Night Cosplay event.

Entrants 13 and under must have their parents' permission to enroll, and MUST be accompanied by a legal guardian or relative of age at the show.

Special Note for Children entering the Saturday Night Cosplay: Every Child Entrant for the A-Kon 23 Saturday Night Cosplay is given a special participation award at the end of the show.

(This award is usually a ribbon or small prize donated by the sponsors. If the child is unable to pick up the prize at the show itself, it can be collected on Sunday morning in the Cosplay Room.)

2.) HOW TO ENTER:

Signup for the A-Kon 23 Saturday Night Cosplay will begin on Monday, March 12th, 2012. To sign up, the entrant (or group leader for group entrants) will be required to fill out the Cosplay Sign Up PDF form and email it in to akoncosplaystaff@gmail.com. (Please send the PDF as an attached file.)

You may also print out the PDF and mail it in to Elin Winkler c/o Radio Comix, 11765 West Ave. PMB 117, San Antonio TX 78216.

The deadline for entry forms to be received will be April 12, 2012.

The total number of entrants that will be allowed this year will be 70.

There will be 20 skit entry slots.

All skit entries MUST enter before the April 12th deadline, in order to have enough time for review of materials.

Second Place: Walk On #9 Persephone, Winter's Captive Queen and her Ice Maidens (16th century interpretation) from Greek mythology, worn by Tiger J., Phyllis R. and Amanda "Kuro" R., made by Tiger J. and Erika D.

If you do not make the first cutoff for skit entries, you will be placed on a waiting list, in case of drop outs/disqualifications.

There will be 50 walk-on entry slots; 40 will use pre-con sign-ups, 10 will have on-site sign-ups at the Kon itself.

The 10 on-site signups for walk-ons will be done in Pearl 5 at 10:00 am on Saturday morning.

FOR GROUP ENTRIES, PLEASE ONLY SEND IN ONE ENTRY FORM PER GROUP!

All entries are taken on a first come, first served basis, to be determined by email time stamp or postmark.

3.) COSTUME GUIDELINES (DA RULEZ):

a.) No costume is NO COSTUME.

While many anime characters wear what could be termed "street clothes", a single character in regular, everyday clothing isn't very engaging and thus, is disqualified.

However, if this character is a part of a group performance or elaborate props are involved, then the entry will not be disqualified.

b.) Body Coverage:

A-Kon 23 is a family friendly environment and has to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by both the Sheraton Hotel and the City of Dallas.

All costumes need to be tasteful and the barest minimum of coverage that will be allowed at the event will be that of a bikini.

This means body paint, latex pasties, etc. are not considered adequate body coverage without additional clothing being worn over it.

Thongs are not allowed unless covered by shorts, skirts, capes, etc.

c.) Contest Guidelines:

COSPLAY IS AN ALL-AGES EVENT.

The Cosplay should be considered a PG-13 rated event at the most.

All music and pre-recorded materials will be screened and all violators of this rule will be disqualified.

The judgement of what is acceptable is left to the sole discretion of the Cosplay Director and Cosplay Staff.

Offensive language of any kind is not allowed. (Racial or sexual epithets, cursing not allowed on network TV, etc.)

Sexual humor is not allowed. This covers yaoi, yuri, mpreg, auto-erotica, tentacles, lolicon, etc.

If your joke/skit could not be performed at your workplace or in front of your grandmother, then you probably can't perform it at A-Kon.

Be clever, not crass!

If you have a question about your content, please feel free to ask the Cosplay Staff if it is allowable.

d.) Stage Rules:

All entries must be able to get on and off the stage safely.

Cast limit: Six person maximum for group skit performances, four person maximum for walk-on entries.

More than 6 is allowed for skits, but only 6 on stage at any given time.

THERE IS A HARD LIMIT OF 4 PEOPLE PER WALK-ON ENTRY! (It has been proven that it is almost impossible to get more than this across the stage in 30 seconds.)

If your walk-on entry group has more than 4 people in it, you will have to enter each group of 4 separately.

Props: What goes on stage with you must come off stage with you.

For safety reasons, things like confetti, fireworks, glitter, flash paper, rose petals, water and other small messy objects are strictly forbidden to be brought into the stage area.

On stage, non-firing toy weapons will be allowed without peace bonding, but be aware that any "live" weapons will result in immediate eviction from the stage.

Also, no food, animals or remote control devices are allowed on stage.

And no throwing items into the crowd. You'll put someone's eye out!

Martial Arts/Stage Fighting: All stage fighting and general hijinks of a like nature needs to be limited to half speed and quarter strength.

One foot must remain on the floor at all times.

This means no jumps, leaps or rolls.

Climbing onto the stage or leaping off the edge of the stage are both prohibited and extremely dangerous.

(And will make our insurance premiums skyrocket!)

Time Limits: Each Walk-on entry will have 30 seconds to saunter across the stage, pose and depart.

Skits have approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Sound: ALL SOUNDTRACKS MUST BE PRE-RECORDED. (This rule applies to skits only.)

This means all dialogue for your skit, all music, everything.

Soundtrack CDs MUST be received by the Cosplay Director no later than May 1, 2012 for review and pre-Kon preparation.

Any skit entry who does not submit a pre-recorded soundtrack in advance by the May 1st deadline will be disqualified.

Should this happen, a skit from the waiting list will move up and get their spot.

Should any skit soundtrack be deemed inappropriate (see section c.), the entrants will be allowed to re-record an approved version ONCE.

Should this re-recorded version still not conform to appropriateness guidelines, that entry will be disqualified. (And the waiting list will be called into play again.)

This rule has been created due to the many unpleasant skit surprises resulting in disqualification in past A-Kon Cosplay Events.

Walk-ons will be performed to runway-style music in keeping with the Kon themes, chosen by the Cosplay Director and Cosplay Staff.

Costume Credit: All costumes must be made by the entrant(s) or credited to the appropriate creator(s) on the entrant's entry form.

Purchased Costumes: Purchased costumes (either commissioned, store bought, or eBay costumes) may only make up 50% of the costumes in your group. All purchased costumes MUST be marked as such on your (or your group's) entry form. Entries using purchased costumes CANNOT win Best in Show, Second Place, Third Place or Most Faithful Recreation awards.

4.) AWARDS:

The award categories for A-Kon 23's Cosplay Event are as follows:

1) Best in Show

2) Second Place

3) Third Place

4) Best Skit Performance

5) Most Humorous

6) The People's Choice (basically, the hands down favorite of the audience, based on reaction)

7) Most Faithful Recreation (An award for the cosplayer/costume that looks the most like the original source material)

8) Best Non-Anime Cosplay (An award for the best costume that isn't recreating something from an anime, manga, Japanese video game, Asian pop culture, etc. This award encompasses US or European cartoons, comics, movies, video games, etc.)

9) Up to six Judges Awards (to be chosen at the sole discretion of the judges; there will be at least five judges, but no more than six)

All entries can qualify for any award with the exception of Best Skit Performance, which can naturally only be awarded to a skit performance. (And of course, entries using purchased costumes cannot win the previously mentioned awards.

5.) HALL COSTUME CONTEST:

Have a costume? Want a chance to have your costume's craftsmanship judged in a contest without having to brave the beast that is the A-Kon Cosplay Event audience?

Cursed with shyness or terrible stage fright? Then the Hall Costume Contest is for you!

How to enter:

Simply show up at the Hall Costume Contest Panels held in Pearl 5.

There will be a panel of costumer judges who will take your entry form and on-site contact information, and then spend a little one-on-one time with you checking your seams and flipping your hems.

After that, you're done! Enjoy the Kon!

Winners of the Hall Costume Contest will be announced at the end of each judging session.

Friday Hall Costume Contest: 12 pm to 2 pm

Saturday Hall Costume Contest: 12 pm to 2 pm

Each costume can only enter once, so no doubling up and entering the same costume in both the Friday and Saturday Hall Costume Contests.

A single person may enter different costumes on different days, but should they win an award on Friday, they will not be allowed to win an award on Saturday as well in the interest of fair play.

Costumes entered in the Hall Costume Contest *can* enter the stage Cosplay Contest. However, the winners of the First and Second place prizes in the Hall Contest will not be allowed to win the Best in Show, Second Place or Third Place awards in the stage Cosplay Contest. (It is possible to win secondary awards.)

All costumes entered in the Hall Costume Contest must be made by the entrant(s) in order to qualify for the Craftsmanship awards. Purchased costumes (either commissioned, store bought or eBay costumes) are ineligible for the Hall Costume Contest.

Hall Costume Contest Awards:

1) First Place

2) Second Place

3) Best Craftsmanship

We will be making all best efforts to contact the winners of each day's contest before the Saturday Night Cosplay Event, so that they may come up onstage in their costume to accept their awards during the half-time show.

Should a winner not want to walk across the stage at all, they may pick up their award in Pearl 5 on Sunday morning.

Legal Disclaimer: A-Kon Cosplay Staff and A-Kon reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone to the Cosplay Event for any reason.

Tags: cosplay

Meet the creators of The Trials and Tribulations of Miss Tilney

Wed, 16 May 2012 03:28:42 UT

Plucky cub reporter Henrietta Tilney sits face to face with accused mass murderer Lord Beowulf Harwood. An interview she hoped would launch her writing career soon explodes into a whirlwind of deadly adventure, taking Tilney and the mysterious Harwood across Victorian London.

David Doub is the author of acclaimed comics such as “Dusk” and “Mystery Masque” and has been a guest author at conventions across the country including Phoenix Comic Con, Animefest, and Saboten-Con. His translation of the classic penny dreadful into a suspenseful comic series is the latest offering from the author who has built a reputation for crafting fast paced and nuanced stories featuring strong and complex female lead characters.

The artist on The Trials and Tribulations is Sarah Elkins, who just recently was in Womanthology. With Joamette Gil (a writer on Womanthology) and Danielle Alexis rounding out the amazing art team working on the comic.

Location -

Lone Star Comics - Plano

3100 Independence Pkwy., Ste. #318, Plano, TX 75075

Time - May 26th 2pm till Close

www.duskcomics.com

Nedcore Comedy Showcase at A-Kon 23

Sun, 13 May 2012 19:21:30 UT

Hey you, are you looking for something fun on Friday night? Do you crave entertainment the way Ash craves MOAR Pokemon? Are you 18 years old or older? If you answered yes to any or all three of these questions, the Nerdcore Comedy Showcase is just what you need! Professional comedians from the great state of Texas have joined together, much like Voltron, to bring you their patented brand of nerd-oriented jocularity for your entertainment! A staple of venues in the Southwest Texas area, the Nerdcore Comedy Showcase is thrilled to be returning to A-Kon for their third year. This year, you will be treated to the comedy stylings of Funniest in South Texas contest winner and LOL Comedy Club & Improv alumnus Alex "Kool-Aid" Ansel and Funniest in South Texas contest finalists Michael Suarez and Joe Caliz. All our comedians have performed at venues and showcases all over the southwest, and they are guaranteed to be at least Level 9. Also featured: Allie Amrien, regularly seen at Rivercenter Comedy Club!

The Nerdcore Comedy Showcase starts at 10:30 PM in Houston C! Come celebrate your nerd heritage with all things comic books, RPGs, video games and more, expressed through the medium of plenty of clowning!

Tags: comedy, nerdcore showcase

DollAKon 2012

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:13 UT

DollAkon Final Schedule (477 KB)

Final Schedule for DollAkon 2012

DollAkon 2011 Winner.

Dolls, dolls, dolls! The dolls are everywhere! But "What's with the dolls?" you ask. Well, come by DollAKon and we'll answer all your questions. Join us Saturday and Sunday for panels, demos and workshops in CityView 6 & 7 on the 4th Floor of the Hotel in the Central Tower. There will be something for everyone from admirerers to first time doll owners to experienced customizers.

DollAKon 2012 Guests:

Kiki-chan78 and Zirconmermaid join us for two days full of doll customizing tips and tricks. These lovely ladies will be hosting meets, sitting on panels and leading workshops. Just a few things to look forward to in 2012:
Face-Up Workshop lead by Kiki-chan78
Victorian Tea hosted by Zirconmermaid
Doll Photography and Photoshop lead by Kiki-chan78
Dress Form Dummies for Dolls lead by Zirconmermaid

Does your doll enjoy meeting new friends? Be sure to visit one of our several meets. We'll have a box of grab bag goodies out during each meet. Arrive early as supplies are limited. You wouldn't want your doll to miss out on the swag.

DollAKon - where dolls are more than toys - they are the star of the show. You won't find mint-in-box collectors here. No sir, we play with our dolls and customize them. No two are exactly alike...and that is how we like them.

We'll see you in June, but until then:

Join our discussion group on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/DollAKonMembers/)

Or sign up for our Announcements Page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/DollAKon2012)

DollAKon 2012 Planning Team:

Kyrenea

Vampelley

Dhawktx

KellyInDallas

NayNayAnimeMom

Tags: Contest, contests, dolls, events, new, panels, programming, saturday, sunday

A-Kon 23 Pathfinder Society Organized Play

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:29:20 UT

Welcome to the event signup page for Pathfinder Society games at A-Kon 23 in Dallas, TX.

Here's a list of the scenarios we'll be offering:

Scenario	Title	Tier
Intro 1	First Steps, Part I: In Service to Lore	1
Intro 2	First Steps, Part II: To Delve the Dungeon Deep	1
Intro 3	First Steps, Part III: A Vision of Betrayal	1
1-39	The Citadel of Flame	1-5
1-47	The Darkest Vengeance	1-5
2-11	The Penumbral Accords	1-5
2-25	You Only Die Twice	5-9
3-10	The Immortal Conundrum	5-9
3-12	Wonders in the Weave Part 1: The Dog Pharaoh's Tomb	5-9
3-14	Wonders in the Weave Part 2: Snakes in the Fold	5-9
3-15	The Haunting of Hinojai	5-9
3-19	The Icebound Outpost	1-5
3-EX	The Cyphermage Dilemma	1-5

Tags: CCG, gaming, pathfinder, Warhorn

A-Kon 23 welcomes Tak Sakaguchi

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:01:33 UT

For over a decade, TAK SAKAGUCHI has been one of the most recognizable superstars within the realms of Japanese action, science fiction, fantasy and horror visual media. He is a multi-talented martial artist, actor, fight choreographer, scriptwriter, and director and before motion pictures and television studios came calling, he made his living as a street fighter. On the streets he was discovered by director RYUHEI KITAMURA who cast him in one his most famous roles, that of Prisoner KSC2-303 in the supernatural action flick 'VERSUS' (2000). Since then he's worked extensively both with Kitamura and director, YUDAI YAMAGUCHI in films including: 'BATTLEFIELD BASEBALLl' (2003), 'ARAGAMI' (2003), 'AZUMI' (2003) and 'CROMARTIE HIGH - THE MOVIE' (2005). He was action choreographer for the movies, 'TOKYO GORE POLICE' (2008), and 'GODZILLA FINAL WARS' (2004), and stepped into the director's chair in the films: 'BE A MAN! SAMURAI SCHOOL' (2008), 'YOROI, THE SAMURAI ZOMBIE (2008), 'MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD' (2010) and 'YAKUZA WEAPON' (2011). Other notable roles include 'DEATH TRANCE' (2005) and the villain, Reiji Nogi from the tv series 'KAMEN RIDER KABUTO' (2006). Come meet super action star Sakaguchi-san in person at Q&A, demonstration sessions and exclusive autograph signings hosted by our guests from the pioneer days of PROJECT A-KON the international, Texas based Japanese live-action magazine, MONSTER ATTACK TEAM!

Tags: action star, actor, actors, Godzilla, japan

A-Kon 23 Registration Form

Thu, 10 May 2012 02:07:13 UT

A-Kon 23 Reg Form (54 KB)

You can fill this form out then print it and bring it with you to the convention to save time on Registration.

Registration Form

Tags: registration

Friday and Saturday Night Dances

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:55:00 UT

Friday Night Dance

On Friday night join DJ’s Keiichi, Burr Rabbit and MaRia (Japan) for a mix of electro and anime dance music. Burr Rabbit has been spinning EDM around Dallas for various events and clubs for several years. Keiichi spins jpop and anime dance music for Keiichi radio and has been a part of the A-Kon dj crew for several years. MaRia joins us this year from Japan and will be playing a mix of electro and house

Saturday Night Dance

On Saturday night, DJ's Void, Violence and Mr. Yates will be performing in the main ballroom for the Saturday night dance party. They have been spinning electronic dance music around Texas for over a decade. You can expect to hear a wide range of EDM from electro house to progressive to psytrance.

To See What Your DJs Are Up To, Visit Their Pages:

GoGo dancers by Dance Impulse

Tags: dance, friday night, main programming, music, saturday night

A-Kon 23 Schedules

Tue, 08 May 2012 05:55:29 UT

We are starting to add Panels and more. Keep coming back for more updates.

*Update. The Schedule is here. I've added a pdf file and an excel file of the schedule. I will also be adding grids later on.

*Update 2 Grid Views of Schedule:

*Update 3 Room Breakdowns by Day

Tags: events, panels, schedule

A-Kon 23 Non Transposed (243 KB)

A-Kon 23 Schedule Excel (74 KB)

A-Kon 23 Schedule (222 KB)

Panels and Schedules

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:34:49 UT

A-Kon 23 Non Transposed (243 KB)

Non Transposed version

A-Kon 23 Schedule Excel (74 KB)

Transposed version

A-Kon 23 Schedule (222 KB)

This is a Clean Copy. But I will be formatting this as a web page during the week.

Picture courtesy The Nerdist

We are starting to add Panels and more. Keep coming back for more updates.

*Update. The Schedule is here. I've added a pdf file and an excel file of the schedule. I will also be adding grids later on.

*Update 2 Grid Views of Schedule:

*Update 3 Room Breakdowns by Day

Tags: events, panels, schedule

Friday Schedule Break down by rooms.

Wed, 09 May 2012 23:01:22 UT

San Antonio

SAO Rehearsal: This is a closed rehearsal time for those who signed up to be part of the Symphonic Anime Orchestra prior to the show. 9 am San Antonio.
GIR with Rikki Simons: Come and listen to Rikki SImons, the voice actor who played GIR on Invader ZIM, describe what it was like to squish his brain into a robot dog. A one hour panel with a thirty minute signing afterwards. 12:15 pm San Antonio.

Q&A with Tak Sakaguchi: Come and meet Japanese Live Action Movie Maker, Tak Sakajuchi. 1:30 pm San Antonio.

FUNimation Industry Panel: What’s up with FUNimation? We have the who’s, what’s, where’s, why’s, and WHOA’s of everything FUNimation-related! WARNING: some clips may contain strong language! 3:15 pm San Antonio.

GAIA Game Show: If you enjoy fun, games, contests and random awesomeness, come to the Gaia Game Show. We've got some cool surprises and fantastic prizes up our sleeve, so come prepared for a good time. All attendees are guaranteed to walk away with a prize! 4:30 pm San Antonio.

Shennanigans with Quinton Flynn: 60 minutes of off the cuff spontaneous fun with Quinton Flynn. Crowd dictates the direction. With additional screening of the hillarious Beatle short – “A Hard Day’s Day!” 5:45 pm San Antonio.

Kosplay Kombat: Come join this fusion of DnD and Pokemon. We take cosplayers, their handlers, and pit them against each other in this real life, turn based, fighting game. 7 pm San Antonio.

Take One Improv Comedy: Since 2007, Take One Productions has been providing a “can’t miss” comedic improv experience nation-wide. Using suggestions from our audience, Take One’s actors put on a show similar to “Who’s Line Is It, Anyway?”So come join Take One for a show full of giggles and sniggles, ROFL’ s and LOL’s. 8:15 pm San Antonio.

How to Talk to Girls: Guest Steve Bennett hosts this panel, about how to talk to girls using charm and charisma, from a true Southern Gentleman. 10:30 pm San Antonio.

Movie Roast of Kyle Hebert: Voice actor, Kyle Hebert, is back to riff on another campy, cult classic. 11:45 pm San Antonio.

Houston B

Operation Anime Storm: Operation Anime Storm is the care package program for anime fans serving your country. If you want to help those otaku in the military come to this panel to find out how. 11:00 am Houston B.

Original STAR TREK Trivia Challange: When Vic was young, he was obsessed with Star Trek… he nearly memorized the entire series! If you can stump him with a question, you’ll get a prize! 12:00 pm Houston B.

Play DDR = Reading Music!: Learn how the fundamentals of playing music apply to video games! From MMO’s to Karaoke and ending with some practice in your new leet music skillz with DDR. Sing up for you time slot to play morning of the panel one wall outside the room. 1:30 pm Houston B.

The Art of Deception, Crossplaying: You know what they say: there’s an art to deception. Learn makeup tips and basic body modification such as binding and stuffing. Take your crossplay to a new level with tips on posing and walking like the opposite gender. Become your character regardless of body type. 3:15 pm Houston B.

Role 2 Play: From a con-goer's view, Roll 2 Play is a success story that started with a passion for traditional gaming. Listen to Tiffany oh how she used conventions as a resource to jumpstart her business. 4:30 pm Houston B.

Anime Jeopardy Novice Edition: The classic game show with fun anime themes. Are you relatively new to the world of anime? This is the game for you! If you are interested in playing this game you must correctly answer qualifying questions at the Mu Epsilon Kappa booth located in Exhibits. 6:15 pm Houston B.

Aniplex of America Industry Panel: Want to know what’s coming up next in the world of Aniplex? This is the place to be. Come join us as Aniplex of America uncovers the latest and greatest in Anime. From their currently streaming to their future releases, Aniplex has some exciting stuff in store. 7:30 pm Houston B.

Memoirs of a 6Ft. Blond Geisha: Memoirs of a 6ft blond geisha is a reflection on the various experiences of Lisle Wilkerson, who lived her whole life in Japan. She talks about various culture shock experiences that she’s experienced since moving back to the US a few years ago, as well as many of her experiences and observations from her life in Japan as 6 ft blonde a geisha. Panel features Q& A as well. 8:45 pm Houston B.

Brenntalfloss FAQ Live Uncensored!: Internet video game comedian BRENTALFLOSS lets it all hang out in this R-rated Q & A panel. Come for the Q&A, stay for the sneak peeks of upcoming projects! 10:00 pm Houston B.

TeamFourStar 18+: Uncut, Unrated, Unabridged: Is there a FIRE inside you? Can it only be quenched by TeamFourStar getting down, dirty, and… down? Well, don’t worry. They’ve got you covered, with plenty of uncensored clips, questions, and the most decadent—DECADENT, that’s the word I wanted—of answers. But only if you can handle it! 11:15 pm Houston B.

Houston C

Origami: Having problems with your beloved step-brother turning evil? Trying to solve your daddy issues by building a shiny new suit of armor? Lost 70 years in the future with everyone you know and love dead? Turn green whenever you get angry? Never fear, paper folding is here! Come learn the art of origami to calm down and relax after a long battle with super-villains with some Avengers approved therapy. Origami Learners assemble! 11:00 am Houston C.

Special Effects Makeup Workshop: Anthony Brownrigg runs a demonstration workshop for special effects makeup principles, including molding and casting. As well as using latex, silicones, and foams for prop making. 12:15 pm Houston C.

Creating Your First Cosplay: Create your first costume! Whether purchasing or making it yourself, you can join the legions of cosplay fans. This panel focuses on purchasing tips, basic sewing techniques, material selection, patterning, basic wigs, and making your own accessories. 2:00 pm Houston C.

Copic Marker Techniques: Students will learn how to work with Copic Markers in Coloring a Pre-Drawn picture. 3:15 pm Houston C.

All About Cosplay with Ana Aesthetic: Join Ana as she shares tales from her ten plus years of cosplaying, teaches tips and tricks to from beginning to advance sewing techniques and gain some insight from one judge in what it takes to make an award winning costume. 5:00 pm Houston C.

Copic Marker Intermediate/Advanced: Step by step techniques in drawing and coloring Manga with Copic Markers. 6:15 pm Houston C.

Costume Design from Concept to Finished Product: The discussion of costume design for the need of various lifestyles, such as Live Action Games, Renaissance, basic Halloween, as well as the best ways to gather ideas and relate designs to potential customers. Ideas for cost effective ways to create masks, armor, and costume props. 8:00 pm Houston C.

Comics, from Thumbnail to Finish: Have you ever wanted to create a comic of your own, but didn't know what steps to follow? This panel will briefly detail the creation of a comic from initial page layout via thumbnails to pencils to finished page. Womanthology Contributor Sarah "Neila" Elkins and other artists will explain their methods! 9:15 pm Houston C.

Nerdcore Comedy Night (18+): Come on out and see the Nerdcore Comedy Showcase! Texas based pro comedians Alex “Kool-Aid” Ansel, James Ponce and Michael Suarez have performed stand-up at a variety of venues and showcases across the country! Now, they join forces, much like Voltron to perform nerd-oriented jocularity for your entertainment! Celebrate your nerd heritage with all things comic books, RPGs, video games and more, expressed through the medium of plenty of clowning! 10:30 pm Houston C. Rooms and times subject to change.

Remingtons

Steampunk 101: This panel describes the genre from its very beginnings in Victorian sci-fi through the coining of the phrase to present day. It will also describe a series of classifications that will help define the different factions within the genre. 12:00 pm Remingtons.

Cosplay Chess: The Official Texas Cosplay Chess Group brings you an action-packed game of human chess with cosplay characters fighting epic mini-battles to gain victory over the opposing team. Like the offspring of LARP, cosplay and game strategy, Cosplay Chess will have plenty of anime crossover attacks, dramatic deaths and prizes. 1:45 pm Remingtons.

Otaku Origami: Self-defense for the anime fan utilizing easy joint locks to defeat any attacker. 3:15 pm Remingtons.

Miniature Painting Workshop: Come and learn how to prepare and paint miniatures for gaming, hobby painting, or collectible painting. All skill levels welcome. 5:00 pm Remingtons.

Gypsy Fusion Belly Dance with Indigo Rose Belly Dancing: Gypsy Fusion is a combination of Belly Dance styles found along the “Latcho Drom” or “Gypsy Road”. This panel will teach basic steps and body articulations to add an exotic element to any dance style. 7:00 pm Remingtons.

Assassination City Roller Derby Demo: AC Derby is the downtown derby. You may not live downtown, but you have that downtown attitude: fierce, determined, competitive, unconventional, classy. Our mission: to wake the public up out of their complacency to bear witness to and join in the mayhem that is women's flat-track roller derby. 10:00 pm Remingtons.

State Room 1

All About Webcomics: What in the world is a webcomic? Still trying to figure that out? So are we! A Webcomics 101 Extravaganza! 12:00 pm State Room 1.
Artist Alley 101: Have aspirations of running your own table in Artist Alley or Komick Market? Join this roundtable for professional advice on printing, fanart vs. original art, how to best create and arrange your displays, and more tidbits to make your future con a success! 1:15 pm State Room 1.
Paradigm Shift Q&A: Question and answer session with Paradigm Shift’s writer/artist Dirk Tiede. 2:30 pm State Room 1.
Music for Nerds: Maybe pencil and paper ain’t so much your thing. Maybe you’d rather sing it out! Join writer/artist and musician Blair B. of Star Cross’d Destiny and Absinthe Junk for an exciting hour of insight on how to record, produce, write, and promote your own songs in every genre from Nerdcore to Rock to Electronica. 3:45 pm State Room 1.
Humor-Based Webcomics 1 - Humor in Story :Trying to find more ways to get your funny in on your developing storyline? Here's your chance to get expert advice from webcomic greats! 5:00 pm State Room 1.
Basics of Anime - Style and Art Application - Pt 1, Pencils and Anatomy: Learn the tools and techniques of the trade. Covering everything from pencils to inks to color theory. This is a two-part workshop with panels on Friday and Saturday at A-Kon! 6:15 pm State Room 1.
Story-Driven Webcomics : Take time with some of the web's most epic storytellers and learn how to really rock a story driven comic. 8:30 pm State Room 1.
Bancast Live : The crew of TheBancast.com does what they do best, answer questions poorly. But this time, in person. 9:45 pm State Room 1.

State Room 2

What’s New at Antarctic Press: Over 25 years in the business and still going! From zombies and steampunk to Gold Digger and Airboy, see the latest awesomeness that’s coming out from your favorite Texas-based publisher! 11:45 am State Room 2.

How to Draw Manga Backgrounds: Many beginning artists find drawing backgrounds intimidating, and often actively avoid them altogether. Unfortunately this means they miss out on using scenery to evoke a believable setting, which can produce a powerful effect in storytelling. However, with a little thought, patience, and few tricks, learning to draw them can be fun and rewarding. 1:00 pm State Room 2.

A-Kon: Ice Breaker: Welcome to the A-Kon Icebreaker! Come by and join DMO and Skankerzero as they welcome everyone to the convention with games, jokes, and pictures! Win some random prizes, have fun, and meet some new people! 2:15 pm State Room 2.

How Three Gaijin Kickstarted the Manga Revolution: Manga: Japan's unique contribution to world comics, yes, but nothing is ever quite that simple. Cultural and historical crosscurrents washed three foreigners up on the shores of 19th-century Japan, and between them, they changed the course of Japanese comics. 3:30 pm State Room 2.

The Future of Anime: Interview with Simulcast Guru Sam Pinansky (via remote) & Anime Translator Sheldon Drzka: What lies in the future for anime? Is simulcasting sustainable? Can older anime series be revived via a Kickstarter-like program? Discuss these questions and more with simulcast guru Sam Pinansky (appearing live from Japan via remote) and anime translator Sheldon Drzka. 4:45 pm State Room 2.

Plus Size Cosplay with a plus size fashion show: Plus size cosplaying at it’s best. Learn tips, tricks, rights, and wrongs as well as crossplaying, how we (fluffy) woman can pull off being men! Stay and enjoy A-kons first ever plus size cosplay fashion show! We will show you guys that plus size people can look good in cosplays! See ya there! 6:15 pm State Room 2.

Inside the Batcave with Russell Lissau: Ask guest Russell Lissau about what it’s like to write Batman! 8:00 pm State Room 2.

Freeborn - What About Werewolves?: The production team of the werewolf feature film in development FREEBORN is here to give fans the chance to find out more about the film, and talk about what a werewolf should be. Be a part of shaping the film. Get your voice heard. 9:15 pm State Room 2.

S$&% Otaku Say: Have you ever heard something said by an “otaku” that just made you want to hang your head in shame? Join these comedians as they look at some of the more groan-worthy quotes from actual otaku and why they are so bad, along with how not to be like them. 10:30 pm State Room 2.

State Room 3

Asian Dolls – An Introduction: What’s with the dolls? Come explore the world of Asian ball joint and fashion dolls. We’ll have dolls for show-n-tell, tips for selecting and purchasing your first or next doll. If you have questions, we’ll have answers. Be sure to stay to the end for door prizes! 10:30 am State Room 3.

Voice Acting with Cherami Leigh: Solo panel with FUNimaion Voice Actor and film/ tv actor Cherami Leigh, discussing roles, answering questions, sharing stories and talking candidly on experiences working in the anime and film/ television industry. 12:15 pm State Room 3.

Fred Perry Q& A: Still going strong after over 20 years creating Gold Digger (including a solo-animated OVA), plus work on countless other projects from Robotech to Last Zombie, Legacy and Sherlock Ninja, the incomparable Fred Perry discusses what he’s done and what’s yet to come! 1:30 pm State Room 3.

Mythology for Narutards: More on How Mythology Applies to Naruto: An overall discussion of how various mythological concepts such as the Shadow, the Self, and several mythical archetypes apply to the manga/anime series Naruto/Shippuuden. Nathan’s academic and professional works have led him to do extensive research in the areas of world mythology, folklore, urban legends, ancient civilizations, and world religions. 2:45 pm State Room 3.

Women in Comics: Everyone is welcome to this one hour panel focusing on women’s introduction to sequential storytelling via manga readership and their efforts in the field. We’ll examine the changing face of comics publication and marketing and discuss what a more female-populated comics community could mean for the medium as a whole. 4:30 pm State Room 3.

MAT & the World of Japanese Live Action: Edward Holland and Mike Keller of Monster Attack Team return with their mission brief on the world of Japanese live action Sci-Fi direct from the source. Hear firsthand updates on their respected magazine and resurrection of their television show by popular demand. See film and TV clips, pick up door prizes, and possibly appear on a future MAT webisode! 5:45 pm State Room 3.

Iron Cosplay: Love Iron Chef? Well come play the cosplay version! Teams compete by creating the best cosplay outfit they can using boxes of materials and the secret ‘ingredient’ 7:30 pm State Room 3.

EGL Match Game: Know a lot about EGL? Well what do you know about what *other people* think about the fashion? Come for your chance to test your knowledge in the EGL Match Game! 9:15 pm State Room 3.

The World of Rumiko Takahashi: Are you a fan of Inuyasha or Ranma 1/2 or even Rinne? Or you just wanted to find something new to watch? Well you come to the right place! This panel will talk about all of Rumiko Takahashi's work she has done, even her new projects! So come and join us! There will be prizes for answering. 10:30 pm State Room 3.

State Room 4

Somewhere in Time: With all of history to play in, where does one even begin? 1:00 pm State Room 4.

Down the Garden Path: Money comes to the writer, always. Spotting and avoiding the scams that can empty your pockets. 2:15 pm State Room 4.

Newton Would Be Spinning in His Grave: How to believably bend and break the laws of physics when writing space battles. 3:30 pm State Room 4.

Young Adult Fiction: What does one write for young adults? These are the writers to ask. 4:45 pm State Room 4.

The Gentle Art of Self Promotion: Promoting yourself can come across gently or be a baseball bat to the head. Learn how to do it the RIGHT way. 6:00 pm State Room 4.

Pearl 1

AniIdol Auditions: Warm up your vocal cords because Ani-Idol has finally come to A-Kon! Come out and audition for the anime singing contest! Sign-ups and rules are at the Mu Epsilon Kappa booth located in EXHIBITS. 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Pearl 1.

Pearl 5

Hall CosPlay: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Pearl 5.

Cosplay Q&A: A Q&A session with the cosplay staff to clarify rules, pre-plan the event and improve your golf game. 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Pearl 5.

Meet Radio Comix: Come and find out what’s new with Radio Comix, independent comics publisher. 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Pearl 5.

Chaparral’s

The Steampunk Social and Musical Soiree: A gathering of Lords, Ladies, Rascals, and Rogues – the Steampunk Soiree opens with a social to allow chatter, and leads into the concert featuring The Ghosts Project, The Marquis of Vaudeville, and Master Bones Jangle. The event is closed out by the DJ known as Infam0us playing Electro Swing, Sea Shanties, Steampunk, and Gypsy Punk for your dancing pleasure. 7:00 pm Chaparral’s.

Tags: events, Friday, panels, schedule

Saturday Schedule Break down by rooms.

Wed, 09 May 2012 23:01:06 UT

San Antonio

SAO Rehearsal: This is a closed rehearsal time for those who signed up to be part of the Symphonic Anime Orchestra prior to the show. 8:30 am San Antonio.
Anime Music Appreciation: Get caught up with your anime music history while discussing the ideas behind composers, popular sound tracks and anything related to music. Bring your questions and opinions! 10:45 am San Antonio.

BRENTALFLOSS FAQ LIVE!: G-RATED PANEL:Internet video game comedian BRENTALFLOSS answers your questions & shows sneak peeks of upcoming projects. 12:00 pm San Antonio.

FUNimation Previews: A FUNimation clip show! Join Rojas from FUNimation for a showing of some new and upcoming DVD/BD releases. Are you curious about a new show? Then try it before you buy it! Fan participation and prizes are encouraged. 1:15 pm San Antonio.

Official GAIA Panel: Come meet Gaia's staff, and get a sneak peek at upcoming features, games, and events. Stick around for the open-mic Q&A session and get your burning questions answered! Expect plenty of fun and some great prizes! 2:30 pm San Antonio.

AYABIE Q&A: Come and meet the members of the band and hear their opinions of modern Japanese music. 3:45 pm San Antonio.

OZ Q&A: Continue the adventures in Japanese music and meet the members of this powerhouse band. 5:00 pm San Antonio.
How to Get into the Game Industry: Come listen to the pros tell their stories of getting into the gaming industry. We're here to answer any questions you may have on joining this great industry. (In addition to those listed on the schedule, panelists will include: Andrew Nguyen, Chris Schmidt, George Smith, Jessica Wright.) 6:15 pm San Antonio.
TeamFourStar Main Panel: A fan of DragonBall Z Abridged? Then before you start your medication again, check out their daytime panel where they plan a premiere! Ask questions, throw random Japanese paraphernalia you purchased in the dealer’s den at them, and see if you can tell if that’s really Lanipator or a Kodiak! 8:00 pm San Antonio.
Take One Unleashed (18+):Just as the title suggests, our actors are at your mercy, answering ANY AND ALL questions. This is a no holds barred question and answer session. It will get crazy and it will push the limits. 10:15 pm San Antonio.
Misfits of Comedy: Improv Comedy without a net. 12:00 pm San Antonio.

Houston B

AniIdol, Second Round: The first cut has been made! Come check out the winners of Ani-Idol auditions as they prepare for the second round of the famous anime singing contest. Audiences are welcome! 10:00 am Houston B.
AniIdol, Final Round: Come check out the final round of the fantastically awesome anime singing contest! The winner of the final round will be crowned the A-Kon 22 Ani-Idol! Audiences are highly encouraged to attend! You won’t be disappointed! 11:30 am Houston B.
Advanced Cosplay with Yaya Han: Are you a dedicated cosplayer interested in going beyond a simple hobby? Come to the Advanced Cosplay panel, with emphasis on sewing, wig styling, prop making techniques as well as how to properly present your costume on the web in a portfolio and conduct yourself in a professional manner in person. :Bonus: Yaya Han will share her experience in how to become more involved in the community, such as doing panels and taking on judging responsibilities. 12:45 pm Houston B.
The ScrewAttack Panel: Join the personalities of ScrewAttack.com as they goof-off, show off new videos and take questions from the audience! 2:00 pm Houston B.
The Business of Art & Comics: Making a living in the real world while creating art is challenging, especially in comics. It doesn’t come with a handbook, but, whether you’re a hobbyist or about to turn pro, with the right skills and a good attitude, you can make it happen. 3:15 pm Houston B.
Anime Jeopardy – Expert: The classic games show with fun anime themes. This round is for those who consider themselves hardcore otaku and really know their anime. If you are interested in playing this game you must correctly answer qualifying questions at the Mu Epsilon Kappa booth located in Exhibits! 4:30 pm Houston B.
Writing Unique Heroes and Memorable Villians: Tired of square-jawed do-gooders, angst-ridden anti-heroes, airhead damsels-in-distress and one-dimensional villains? Then let Michael "Mookie" Terracciano provide you with some tips, tricks and hints that will help your characters stand out! 5:45 pm Houston B.
Philosophy in Anime: For a medium that is mostly known for giant robots, anime sure touches on a lot of quite deep themes. Haruhi is a crash course in the five proofs; Lain is a existential dreamland; even Bleach contains some absolutism. So, let's expand a little; let's experiment with thought. 7:00 pm Houston B.
Art Auction: Come and bid on items from the art show!! This is the chance to pick up some amazing art at really good prices. So, come, bid and have some fun!!!! 9:00 pm Houston B.

Houston C

Origami: Having problems with your beloved step-brother turning evil? Trying to solve your daddy issues by building a shiny new suit of armor? Lost 70 years in the future with everyone you know and love dead? Turn green whenever you get angry? Never fear, paper folding is here! Come learn the art of origami to calm down and relax after a long battle with super-villains with some Avengers approved therapy. Origami Learners assemble! 10:00 am Houston C.
Improving Your First Cosplay: Improve your first cosplay! Learn to add pockets, construct your own basic armor and props, make wig extensions, finish seams, and a whole host of other useful techniques to make your cosplay more durable, comfortable, and accurate. 11:15 am Houston C.
Cel Painting Demo: Learn from animator & artist Steve Bennett how to actually paint an animation cel. $5 entry fee includes paints and cels and you go home with an art piece you created! 12:30 pm Houston C.
Leather Costume Creation Ideas and Tips: Leather costume creation ideas and tips to create your dream armor or accessories. Ideas will be discussed on cost efficient ways to bring your creation to life and tips and tools that have made new looks to designs I have created. 3:45 pm Houston C.
Improvisation Workshop with Anthony Brownrigg: Anthony Brownrigg brings back his Improv workshop again this year. Learn how to perform in front of an audience, and think on your feet. If you’re there, expect to spend some time up in front of the class. Improv games abound. 5:00 pm Houston C.
Iron Artist, General: Come and watch our A-Kon artist guests face off in the grand tradition of Iron Chef. With specific ideas taken from the suggestions of the crowd, the artists will have a limited amount of time to come up with a drawing that best represents the theme idea. Always a wild and crazy creative panel! 6:45 pm Houston C.
Miniature Painting Workshop: Come and learn how to prepare and paint miniatures for gaming, hobby painting, or collectible painting. All skill levels welcome. 8:30 pm Houston C.
Iron Artist, Adult: Come and watch our A-Kon artist guests face off in the grand tradition of Iron Chef. With specific ideas taken from the suggestions of the crowd, the artists will have a limited amount of time to come up with a drawing that best represents the theme idea. Always a wild and crazy creative panel! 10:45 pm Houston C.

Remingtons

Anime Maid Contest: The first part is pretty much a standard fashion show in that three judges would look at each contestant and rate each costume on specific judging points such as accuracy to a manga character or use of material. The second part is a small demonstration of skill. To reiterate, this is NOT COSPLAY. 11:30 am Remingtons.
Prop Making 101: All new prop making techniques, props from the ground up, along with casting and molding. 2:15 pm Remingtons.
Klingon Chancellor’s Robe – Start to finish: Join us and see the Klingon Chancellor’s robe made from the ground up, including complete costume and props. 3:15 pm Remingtons.

Life Castng 101: Watch us this year do a full face life cast. We will go over all the materials and different techniques. 4:15 pm Remingtons.
KARAOKE OK! Akon Karaoke, same as it ever was, same as it ever was... since Akon 7. Your hosts Ed Hill and Mewmewrith will torture your ears and soul for the entertainment of others! 5:30 pm Remingtons.
Steampunk DIY: Ever wondered how those amazing Steampunk weapons are created or modified? Look no further! We will discuss how to make your own Steampunk toys or how to modify other things, like Nerf weapons, into cool steam powered gadgetry. We will be doing a massive Q&A, so bring your best questions! 7:45 pm Remingtons.
Madame's Muses: The Madame's Muses proudly present a how with many a wink and smile. Watch as Madame's Ladies perform several acts of song, dance and Tease, for your viewing pleasure of course. 10:00 pm Remingtons.

State Room 1

Traditional and Digital Comicking Basics for Webcomics : A look into the art of making comics the traditional way using tones, both hardcopy and digital and applying them for use in online comics and print media. 11:00 am State Room 1.
Zap! Q&A : Question and answer session with Zap!’s creative team, Pascalle and Chris. 12:15 pm State Room 1.
Character Development: Characters make or break a story. Learn what techniques can make your characters well-rounded. 1:30 pm State Room 1.
Digital Coloring and Illustration: An in depth look into the craft of painting using digital techniques and programs such as Photoshop, OpenCanvas, Painter and tablets. 2:45 pm State Room 1.
HALOLZ Q&A: Your premiere source for comical game content dishes out the A's for your Q's. 4:00 pm State Room 1.
Digital Comicking : A look into the art of making comics digitally. Topics will be digital pencils and inks, painting, lettering and layout, as well as web and print distribution. 5:15 pm State Room 1.
Art of Anatomy: You don't want to characters to look like Barbie. Come see how to build your characters right. 6:30 pm State Room 1.
Humor-Based Webcomics 2 - The Art of Stripping: Humor represents a large portion of the comics on the internet, learn what's funny and even more, learn how to be funny from some of the industry greats - covering strip-formated comics. 7:45 pm State Room 1.
Basics of Anime - Style and Art Application Pt 2, Inking and Basic Color Theory : Learn the tools and techniques of the trade. Covering everything from pencils to inks to color theory. This is a two part workshop with panels Friday and Saturday at A-Kon! 9:00 pm State Room 1.

State Room 2

What is Anime Midstream? : Anime Midstream Industry Panel. 11:30 am State Room 2.
Wit of the Warrior: Samurai Dan & Jillian Q & A: Your chance to get to know Samurai Dan & Jillian. No subject off limits! 12:45 pm State Room 2.
Taking Cosplay to the Next Level: An intermediate level discussion on costume construction. Now that you've made a few costumes, it's time to delve into some of the finer points behind creating your perfect costume. We'll talk about the importance of fabric selection, how different materials work within a garment, basic pattern alteration and drafting, and finishing techniques that will get you on your way to winning that top prize. 2:00 pm State Room 2.
Real Sword or Piece of Crap?: Lecture breaks sword buying into three categories; souvenir, investment, and usable weapon. 3:45 pm State Room 2.
Tavicat Talk with Rikki Simons and Tavisha: Hear Rikki Simons, the voice actor who played GIR on Invader ZIM, and his wife Tavisha, describe their published comics, webcomics, and books. Listen to them coo over their cats! 5:00 pm State Room 2.
Anime Midstream – Inside Raijin-Oh!: Inside Matchless Raijin-Oh with Anime Midstream. 6:15 pm State Room 2.
Intro to ParaPara: Come experience a slice of the Japanese club scene with EKS-D ParaPara! Learn to dance and find out about the origins of parapara and about the eurobeat techo and dance-pop music it accompanies. 7:30 pm State Room 2.
Naked Bacon: Come check out Mu Epsilon Kappa's game Naked Bacon! Don't let the name fool you, it's fun for everyone. The game combines memory skills, charades, and a little bit of Taboo too. Come meet new people and play a fun game with an anime twist! 9:15 pm State Room 2.
Delirious with the Delirium (AKA Is Airship Piracy Right for You?): This is a just for fun panel where we do exactly what you might think: See who can tell the best airship piracy story, talk about other character career choices and generally ramble on about anything and everything! 11:30 pm State Room 2.

State Room 3

Babel Entertainment Panel: Join Shion Francois and discuss the future direction of the new label, possible future projects, the music magazine, etc. 10:30 am State Room 3.
Charity Auction: A-Kon is teaming up again with the Japan America Society of Dallas-Ft Worth to raise money for Dallas’ International Friendship City, Sendai, Japan. Sendai was incredibly close to the epicenter of the earthquake & tsunami & sustained major damage. Even a year after the disaster, there is still a great deal of rebuilding that needs to be done. Join Helen McCarthy, bid on items and support a great cause! 12:15 pm State Room 3.
EGL Password: Can you get your partner to guess EGL themed words with clever clues? What if you can’t use certain popular names and phrases? See if you and your twin are really in synch at EGL Password! 2:00 pm State Room 3.
Mu Epsilon Kappa Society National Gathering: Come and hang out with fellow MEK Society members. Not a member? Are you an officer for an anime or special interest club? Then come check us out anyway! Learn about Mu Epsilon Kappa Society, the first national alliance of anime and other special-interest clubs! 3:15 pm State Room 3.
Supernatural as Anime: A Japanese Spin on an American TV Show: A discussion of how last year’s release of the Supernatural anime series offers an interesting view of how Americans are viewed in Japanese culture, as well as how certain aspects of the show had to be changed in order to suit a Japanese audience. Resemblances of certain creatures to traditional Japanese anime monsters such as Yokai, Obake, Oni, & Bakemono will also be discussed. 4:30 pm State Room 3.
Turning Villains into Heroes: Join Cherami Leigh as she offers an interactive discussion to attendees as a means of going through a process that she has learned to help create emotional memory for characters and use personal experiences and explore the releasing of these emotions so that they may no longer hinder our creative growth. 5:45 pm State Room 3.
History of Sharp Shiny Pointy Things: Samurai battlefield weaponry displayed, explained and demonstrated by an expert in 16th century Japanese combat. Lecture features stunning visual aids (blades from 1400-1800) and a question and answer session for attendees. 7:00 pm State Room 3.
Mobile Gaming 101: Come join Fractal Fox as they talk about designing games for the mobile market. The mobile game revolution is upon us, don't be left behind. 8:15 pm State Room 3.
How to Connect with Gaming Communities: Hosted by The National Video Gaming Association. Want to play and host local tournaments. Want to help support gaming in your neighborhood? Then come talk to the NVGA and learn how. 9:30 pm State Room 3.

State Room 4

Science Fiction, Science Fact: What was science fiction 100 years ago, is science fact today. Where will the science fiction of today lead us over the next 100 years? 12:00 pm State Room 4.
The Care and Feeding of a Working Writer: You’re the SO of a writer. Dealing with the needs and sometimes odd quirks of a writer who just has to write one more paragraph. 1:15 pm State Room 4.
An Interview with Harry Turtledove: With Lee Martindale and Esther Friesner. 2:30 pm State Room 4.
You Won’t Need Music Lessons: Listening for and developing your character’s voice. How to create a character people will love, or love to hate. 345 pm State Room 4.
Tales of…Panel: The Tales of games are a series of JRPGs that combine interesting plots and characters with fun real-time multiplayer battles. Come discuss these amazing games and learn what's new on the horizon from Tales. Whether or not you're already familiar with these games, come learn about this great series! 5:00 pm State Room 4.
Geek Speed Dating: Come find a possible soulmate in a series of two minute dates! 18+ 8:00 pm State Room 4.

Chapparral’s

A Celebration of Books: Join our writing guests as they come together to read from the various new releases each has. Get books autographed by our guests. 7:00 pm Chaparral’s.

City View 6 and 7

Doll AKon: Join guests Kiki-chan and Zirconia Mermaid for a two day fun filled event for dolls and their owners. If you have any questions, please come see them on Saturday or Sunday in City View 6 and 7 or at their Artists Alley table on Sunday. 12:00 pm City View 6 & 7.

Tags: events, panels, schedule

Sunday Schedule Break down by rooms.

Wed, 09 May 2012 23:00:50 UT

San Antonio

SAO Rehearsal: This is a closed rehearsal time for those who signed up to be part of the Symphonic Anime Orchestra prior to the show. 8:00 am San Antonio.
Steampunk Fashion: More of a "Fashion Show and Tell" describing the genre briefly before going into descriptions of the clothing, accessories, period clothing, pattern numbers, etc. We will be handling Q&A from the audience, so bring your best questions! 11:45 am San Antonio.
Embrace Your Inner Nerdiness: Being a nerd doesn’t mean you have to be anti-social, or be looked down upon. Learn how to make your inner nerd the best part about who you are. 1:00 pm San Antonio.
Symphonic Anime Orchestra Performance: Join anime fans for a once-in-a-life-time experience. A full symphonic orchestra will play famous Anime music. Fill your eyes, ears, and spirit with this historic A-Kon event. 2:45 pm San Antonio.
Voice Actors Cold Read: Always a highlight, come and see our voice acting guests do what they do best, create new voices. Using a script written by guest Anthony Brownrigg, all of our voice actors get in the act, reading a variety of parts and then perform for the audience. 4:30 pm San Antonio.
How’d We Do?: Final panel of A-Kon 23. A chance for the attendees to let the staff know what went right, what went wrong and what they would like to see at future A-Kons. This panel will be in San Antonio and begin at 6:45 pm.

Houston B

ScrewAttack‘s SideScrollers Podcast LIVE! W/ Special Guest brentalfloss: Join Stuttering Craig, Chad, Jared and special guest brentalfloss as they talk about what’s going on in the gaming industry, discuss crazy news stories and take questions from the audience! 11:15 am Houston B.
Anime Six-Pack: How to get the body of an Anime Hero: Do you want huge chest, big arms, and six pack abs like the anime characters? Do you want to learn how to live healthy lifestyle and get in shape? Then come join this life changing seminar. We will show you how you can start living healthier life today. 12:30 pm Houston B.
Anime Jeopardy – Last Chance Game: The classic game show with fun anime themes. This round is for those who auditioned for the other games and didn't make it in! Three contestants will be randomly selected from the people who qualified for the previous 2 games but were not selected. 2:15 pm Houston B.
The Anime Biz: Is it right for you?: Looking for a job in anime that’s NOT voice acting? So were we! Until we got hired. Hear from actual employees of FUNimation on what it takes to get anime into your home. From licensing to graphic design and everything in between, see if you have what it takes to be in the anime biz. 3:30 pm Houston B.
Music Voicing: For the musician and the non musician this panel will expand your ears and ideas about writing and listening to music. Find out how composers use instruments, chords and textures to pull at your heart strings. 4:45 pm Houston B.

Houston C

Cosplay Care and Repair: Cosplay Care! Learn how to properly care for your cosplay, whether it’s clothing, wigs, props, makeup, or anything else you need to cosplay. Also covered are basic repair techniques for minor and major problems both at home and at a convention. Roundtable style discussion. 11:30 am Houston C.
Copic Marker Techniques: Students will learn how to work with Copick markers in coloring a pre-drawn picture. 12:45 pm Houston C.
Advanced Leather Techniques: Leather costume creation ideas and tips to create your dream armor or accessories. Ideas will be discussed on cost efficient ways to bring your creation to life and tips and tools that have made new looks to designs I have created. 2:30 pm Houston C.
How to Draw Manga: A Complete Process: So, you have an epic you’re dying to draw, but where do you start? Taking a comic from an idea to the finished page is more than just drawing a few pictures on a page: you have to tell a story, too. Fortunately, following a few easy steps makes it easy. Comics veteran Dirk I. Tiede, creator of Paradigm Shift, breaks the creation of a comic page down from start to finish, and covers scripting, thumbnails, layout, character and background basics, inking, digital touchup and screen tones. 4:15 pm Houston C.

Remingtons

Hetalia Nations: Q&A: All Hetalia fans! Nations are meeting up to have their usual world conference and have allowed you to join them as they discuss matters and answer questions you or the other nations might have. 11:30 am Remingtons.
Lolita Fashion: Beyond the Basics: This is not your average “Lolita 101” panel! Utilizing comedy, interactive demonstrations, and perhaps even a song-and-dance number, two experienced rufflebutts will guide viewers through the foundations of lolita fashion—then discuss how to break rules, develop your own, unique style, and most importantly: how to rock the fashion with confidence! 1:15 pm Remingtons.
Fear the Anime Chick: Self-defense class for girls, re-affirming what the Samurai knew... NO means NO! 2:30 pm Remingtons.

State Room 1

Humor Roundtable: Get your dose of funny, comedic origins, inspirations, and other mischief from some of Webcomic’s greatest writers and artists. 12:00 pm State Room 1.
The Business of Webcomics: It’s a little-known and terrifying truth about drawing webcomics that it can be a business. Join successful entrepreneur Shawn Handyside as he crunches numbers, talks plans, and shines a spotlight on the real underground world that comes along with being a professional artist, writer, and etc. 1:15 pm State Room 1.
The Mechanical Grave: A presentation of the steampunk short film The Mechanical Grave followed by a Q&A with the cast and key crew. Synopsis: The year is 1895. Steam-powered ships fly through the air. Clockwork robots have replaced servants. And a grisly murder has taken place in the dark night of New York City. Called to the scene is a clockwork automaton housing the soul of Edgar Allan Poe, an assassin named Mrs. Emma Louise Entwistle, newly appointed police commissioner Teddy Roosevelt, and NYPD Detective Wayne. Together they must overcome the demon Neshrew and unravel a much greater mystery. 2:30 pm State Room 1.

State Room 2

Video Game Design 101: Come listen to the pros talk about their experiences designing video game gameplay and levels. Have questions? There's no better time than now to ask. 11:30 am State Room 2.
Let’s Talk Video Games: Various Guest from the other video gaming panels. Come join our video game guests in this open discussion about video games. Let's talk about our favorite characters, games, moments, etc as we all come together to celebrate video games. 1:45 pm State Room 2.

State Room 3

Iron Lolita: Love Iron Chef? Well come play the EGL version! Teams compete by creating the best lolita outfit they can using boxes of materials and the secret ‘ingredient’. 11:00 am State Room 3.
Cosplay Q & A with Yaya Han: Come for a candid chat with Yaya about all aspects of Cosplay. This is your chance to ask her questions on cosplay-related topics like craftsmanship, performance, photography, makeup, international cosplay scenes and conventions, costume contests and how to prepare for them, and more! There are also over a decade worth of Yaya's interesting stories about going to cons, making costumes, dressing up and traveling worldwide in the name of Cosplay in store for you! 12:45 pm State Room 3.
From Manga to Anime: A Translator’s Journey: Brief history of how I went from being an exclusive manga translator to a mainly anime translator, new skill sets that had to be learned, differences between manga translation and anime translation, advice for breaking into the business, plus plugs (with visuals) of current and upcoming work, from companies like Fuji TV, Toei Animation, Tezuka Productions, Kodansha USA, Jmanga and more! 2:30 pm State Room 3.
Haiku: History and Practice: Helen McCarthy outlines the history of haiku and tell the stories of some of Japan's historic master poets, from an eight-century love goddess to the present day, followed by readings from her own work and that of other modern haikuists, Japanese and otherwise, in their original languages and in translation. 3:45 pm State Room 3.

State Room 4

Which Came First: Character vs plot? What are the advantages or disadvantages of going any one particular way? 12:00 pm State Room 4.
Paypal & Amazon: Online giants gaming the system and the censorship they are forcing onto readers. 1:15 pm State Room 4.
You Do WHAT in Your Spare Time: When writers are not at work, just what are they doing in their spare time? 2:30 pm State Room 4.

City View 6 and 7

Doll AKon: Join guests Kiki-chan and Zirconia Mermaid for a two day fun filled event for dolls and their owners. If you have any question, please come see them on Saturday or Sunday in City View 6 and 7 or at their Artists Alley table on Sunday. 12:00 pm City View 6 & 7.

Tags: events, panels, schedule

Save the planet + your wallet by carpooling to A-Kon!

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:10:09 UT

Can you believe our convention begins less than one month? We can't wait! We're thrilled to have you come and celebrate anime and manga at Dallas, Texas. Our team is working hard to make sure you have the best experience possible.

Meanwhile, we know you're starting to make plans for your arrival. As you know, A-Kon is committing to making our convention sustainable - and also reduce the cost and hassle of traveling to our event. This year we're offering a way to help you do just that:

*Make your trip to A-Kon more convenient, earth-friendly and fun!*

A-Kon has partnered with Ridejoy, a social ridesharing site, to help attendees connect and share rides to our convention! It's easy: after signing up via the special link below, just post a ride offer or request, get matched up with other attendees going your way, then share the ride and gas expenses.

Ridesharing is more convenient than public transit and much cheaper than driving alone. By riding together, you can protect our planet, reduce congestion/traffic and start bonding with other A-Kon-goers even before the event begins!

Click here to get started: http://ridejoy.com/a-kon

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us, or Jason, our friendly face at Ridejoy: jason@ridejoy.com. Thanks!

Tags: ridejoy, rides to a-kon, travel to a-kon

Amber Does Dallas at A-Kon 23

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:10:46 UT

Amber Does Dallas is the DFW area's premier shadowcast . For three years, Amber Does Dallas has presented professional quality stage shows at events and venues around the Metroplex, including The Rose Room, The Church, The Dallas Zombie Walk and the historic Lakewood Theater. This year, the troupe will be taking the stage at A-Kon for their third year in a row, presenting the Gothic Grand Guignol REPO! The Genetic Opera.

Based on the full-length stage show by Terrance Zdunich and Darren Smith, REPO! is set in the dark future of 2057. An epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants, for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men. In a world where surgery addicts are hooked on painkilling drugs and murder is sanctioned by law, a sheltered young girl searches for the cure to her own rare disease as well as information about her family's mysterious history. After being sucked into the haunting world of GeneCo, she is unable to turn back, as all of her questions will be answered at the wildly anticipated spectacular event: The Genetic Opera.

So grab your Zydrate and get ready to Testify alongside your fellow ADDicts! We'll see you at the opera....

For more information on the cast and their regular performances, visit www.AmberDoesDallas.com

Tags: live cast, repo the genetic opera, rocky horror, shadow cast

Registration

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:09:57 UT

art by: Missy Pena

PRE-REG Memberships is now CLOSED.

*Please note that group pickup requests for membership badges were due on April 30th, in order for us to complete our pre-convention preparations. At this time, we are no longer able to accept new group pickup requests.

On-Site Registration Hours of Operations

Thursday: 3 pm - 9 pm
Friday: 8 am to 9 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 8 pm
Sunday: 9 am to 4 pm

If you have any questions, please contact our registration staff at projecta-konreg@royalmaiden.com.

A-Kon 23 membership covers, all panels, events, demonstrations, concerts, performances, contests, snacks and munchies in our Consuite (as available) and a host of other activities.

The Following are NOT covered in your membership fee:

Most Tournament Gaming sessions
Materials costs for a few workshops
Certain autographs (at the sole discretion of the autographer)

On Site Membership Prices are:

3 Day Registration $62.00
3 Day pass/t-shirt bundle $77.00 credit or check. $75.00 cash (best value)
Friday Only $42.00
Saturday Only $42.00
Sunday Only $25.00
Children (Age 6 – 12) $15.00
Children (5 and under) free
Meet 'N Greet Tickets $30.00
A-Kon 24 Pre-Reg (Available for purchase on Sunday Only) $32.00

TShirt Prices

Attendee Shirt

Small – Xlarge = $20.00

2XLarge and 3XLarge = $22.00

4XLarge and 5XLarge = $22.00

Youth Shirts = $16.00

Staff Shirt

Small – Xlarge = $10.00

2XLarge and 3XLarge = $11.00

4XLarge and 5 XLarge = $12.00

Adult Memberships - attendees ages 13 and over as of June 1, 2012
Child Memberships - attendees ages 6 through 12 as of June 1, 2012
Children up through age 5 as of June 1, 2012 can attend at no charge

For security and confirmation purposes, ALL convention attendees will be required to present a photo ID to claim their badge, as well as removing any masks for identification. If you do not have a photo ID, you must be accompanied by an 18+ adult who has a photo ID and will be onsite during the convention. If you are under 18, you will be asked to provide your parents' contact information in addition to your photo ID (or the ID of the adult who will be accompanying you to the show). More information can be found here. Your cooperation will speed the registration process. Thank you in advance!

Tags: registration

ScrewAttack at A-Kon 23

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:03:31 UT

ScrewAttack.com has been rocking the internet's face since 2006 with it's original content and unique spin on everything gaming. We've been called "the punk rock of gaming" and truly embrace that. After five and a half years of bringing entertainment to our community (who we call "g1s"), we felt it was time to evolve and offer more.

Now ScrewAttack is the new leader of video game news, trailers, gameplay, original content and community. We pride ourselves in bringing you the best in everything we do and making ScrewAttack a daily destination for you as we take on the corporately owned "big boys" of the gaming world.

Here's some of the faces behind ScrewAttack:

"Stuttering" Craig Skistimas - Owner/Dude Who Makes Things Go

The ScrewAttack Mastermind, "Stuttering" Craig Skistimas is heavily involved in everything that goes on at ScrewAttack on a day-to-day basis. He's been here from the beginning and pretty much bleeds this place. What's with the backwards hat? We don't really know. He just never seems to take it off.

Ben Singer - Assistant Program Director/Content Producer

Ben Singer originally joined the staff while still in high school, and has been studying film since the age of 10. His first video game was Sonic the Hedgehog. On the PC, of all things. He directs, edits, writes, and performs for various productions like DEATH BATTLE! He also likes Dr. Pepper.

Bryan Baker - Community Manager/Promotions Manager/Mr. Everything

Bryan Baker is the Community Manager, Promotions Manager, and a Jack of Several Video Related Trades here at ScrewAttack. He's been gaming since the MS-DOS days and still gets a little joy out of using CD and CD\. If anyone's gonna make an obscure reference in the office, it's this guy. If you don't understand him sometimes, don't panic, there's probably a longwinded explanation.

Sean Hinz - News Director

ScrewAttack's News Director Sean Hinz worked in logistics for over four years before decided it was time to switch industries. After a couple years spent getting an MBA and freelancing, he finally found a home at ScrewAttack.com. As far as games go, Sean likes to play anything he can get his hands on, but especially enjoys third-person action RPGs. Is that really a genre?

Jared Knabenbauer - Host/Editor/Super Guy

Jared Knabenbauer is most known as the host of "Hard News" and as a host of our weekly video podcast, "SideScrollers". He has also produced several notable ScrewAttack shows, including Reboot or Retro, Nametags, and Control Issues. He specializes in RPGs, and has a great fondness for Dungeons & Dragons. A comedian at heart, he is one serious gamer.

Chad James - Merchandise Director

Chad James is our Merchandise Director and Commissioner for the Iron-Man of Gaming. He was originally hired just to handle merchandise but over the years Chad has found his way into the role of one of co-host of SideScrollers as well as of DEATH BATTLE! He's been playing games since the NES and especially loves fighters. No, he's not EMO... he just has long hair.

Lauren Moore - News Writer/Girl

Lauren is originally from the Cayman Islands (it's in the Caribbean, get a map for goodness' sake) but has now relocated to Texas where she snagged me a little Broadcast Journalism degree from UNT. She spent four years as a TV reporter in the Caribbean before finding a new home at ScrewAttack!! A theater geek, beach bum, and devoted foodie.

Tags: gaming, participants

A-Kon Bean Count Contest!

Tue, 01 May 2012 04:32:30 UT

Can you guess how many people will be at A-Kon 23? Send in your guess and win an A-Kon tshirt. Last year's winner was only 12 off. See if you can do even better. Closest guess, over or under, wins. If two or more are equally close, the earliest entrant wins.

Send your entry to specialprograms@a-kon.com with "Bean Count" in the subject line. Be sure to include your full name, age, t-shirt size, and your guess. Each entrant gets one attempt. Multiple or incomplete entries will be mocked derisively and then deleted. Contest runs until noon CDT, 1 June 2012.

Tags: community, Contest, fun

Volunteering is now *CLOSED

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:17:38 UT

A-Kon is primarily staffed by volunteers.

*UPDATE: Volunteering is now ~~open~~. *CLOSED

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Project A-Kon 23 June 1-3, 2012

Volunteering Basics:

1. The minimum age to volunteer at Project A-Kon is 16. Staff Heads may set higher minimum ages for their staffs at their discretion. For volunteers between the ages of 16 and 18, A-Kon may require parental approval.

2. To earn a Volunteer badge, a volunteer must work a minimum of 16 hours. However, Staff Heads may require more hours of each volunteer, as necessary for scheduling shifts and covering hours of operation.

3. All volunteers must abide by Phoenix Entertainment rules and policies regarding attire, weapons, drugs, and alcohol. Kon policies are in place to protect staff, guests, and Kongoers from harm or liability. Additionally, Dallas city ordinances are strictly enforced by the police officers in and around the hotel.

4. While crash rooms are available for volunteers the weekend of the Kon, they are strictly gender-segregated, and their use is limited exclusively to the members of the staff to which they are assigned. Anyone found in violation of this policy will be removed from the room, and their volunteer status revoked for the weekend.

5. After you submit your application, it will be processed by the Volunteer Coordinator and the appropriate Staff Heads. You will receive either a confirmation of your status as a Volunteer, or a notification that we are unable to use your services. Please do not purchase a membership to the convention unless you receive this notification.

To begin the Volunteer Application process, click here: Volunteer Form.

Tags: volunteering

Promotional Art Contests

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:36:37 UT

Art Guidelines 2012 (204 KB)

Banner at by *Nijiiru

*Update:

We would like to Thanks all or you that entered our Art Contests. All the contests are now closed.

Congratulations to Missy Pená for her T-Shirt Design. Congratulations to Guillermo Casas for his Poster Design.

And congratulations to all of you that entered. We want to Thank You all!

A-Kon® needs original artwork for flyers, t-shirts, and other promotional needs! We are looking for images that will effectively portray A-Kon® while getting people excited about the convention and getting the word out.

There are several excellent opportunities for artists to get a lot of great exposure, so please pay particular attention to each of the sections below for important information you will need when submitting your artwork. We are willing to work with you to answer specific questions in regards to your submission to make the best use of your time and talent.

art by: Guillermo Casas

Theme

A-Kon®’s primary focus is anime, and this year’s theme is “Yokai.” Some examples of Yokai anime include:

Natsume Yuujinchou (Natsume's Book of Friends, available on Crunchyroll and soon from NIS America)
Nura: Rise of the Demon Clan (Available on Viz)
Otome Yokai Zakuro (Available on Crunchyroll)
Inu Yasha (Available from Viz), Kekkaishi (Available from Viz)
Rental Magica (Available from RightStuf/Nozomi Entertainment)
Our Home's Fox Deity (Available from NIS America)
Yozakura Quartet (Available from Sentai Filmworks)
Kaze no Stigma (Available from FUNimation

Please contact us if you have any questions about the theme.

Though the convention does cross over into other elements of fandom, the artwork should focus on anime. These elements may be incorporated into your design, but keep the “Yokai” theme in mind for the overall image.

Deadlines

Type of Art Required	Deadline for Submission
Poster Art	2-11-2012 *won by Guillermo Casas
T-Shirt	4-15-2012 *won by Missy Pená
Color Ad Art	End of every month *Closed
Black and White Flyer Art	End of every month *Closed
Web Banner Designs Twitter Banner Designs	End of every month *Closed
Program Book Artwork	4-15-2012 *Closed

A-Kon 23 T-Shirt by Missy Pená

Guidelines

Please observe the following guidelines when creating your artwork. The A-Kon® staff will be reviewing all submissions based on these guidelines. The A-Kon® staff reserves the right to reject any submission, and may make revisions or send the artwork back for changes as it deems necessary.

Appropriateness to Audience and Theme: Does the artwork depict A-Kon® in a positive manner? Does it fit the defined theme? Is it anime or anime-related in some way? Please avoid any inappropriate use or representation of violence, profanity, drugs, or sex in the artwork.
Ability to be Reproduced across Multiple Mediums: A-Kon® artwork will used for various promotional purposes, including t-shirts, posters, flyers, program books. Please submit artwork that is scalable with minimal loss of quality (vectorized or lossless compression) and print ready (CMYK color, bleed spaces, etc). Please refer to the Technical and Design Requirements section for more detailed information.
Art Quality: Please try to submit your best work. The A-Kon® staff will reject any submission if it feels that the art does not meet its quality standards.
Originality: Please observe international copyright laws when creating your work. Do not use any copyrighted characters or work that has been created previously for other clients or by others. If you use any fonts in your design, please ensure that they are of your own design or are in the public domain.

Please submit all designs to Mike Battle. For electronic files under 8 MB, please send them via email to mike@a-kon.com. For larger files and hardcopy formats, please mail to the following address:

Phoenix Entertainment
Attn: Michael Battle
514 Blair Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75223

When submitting your artwork, please also include a link to your online portfolio (if you have one), and your contact information, including your real full name (pseudonyms and D.B.A.s are fine, but please don’t use your online alias), mailing address, email, and phone number.

Technical and Design Requirements

All artwork should be submitted in electronic format. Photoshop or Illustrator formats are preferred, but any format is acceptable. Please avoid lossy compression (i.e. jpgs).

T-Shirt Designs

55-60 lines per inch (about 140dpi)
Avoid use of gradient colors or blending black into any other color. The silk-screening process adds in the black layer as the last step, which could affect the art’s final look.
Use heavy lines and avoid use of fine details. Colors in the silk-screening process can bleed easily and cause a loss of fidelity in design and color in the final product.

Black and White Art Designs

300-600 dots per inch (DPI)
Black and White and Grayscale art accepted.
Must fit (or be scalable to):
- 5.5 x 8.5 inches
- 8.5 x11 inches
- 6.75 x 10.5 inches
Leave space available for text – this will be for information about A-Kon®.

Black and White Line Art (Flyers)

300-600 DPI
Must be scalable to 3.5 x 2 inches

Color Art

300-600 DPI
Must fit (or be scalable to) 6.75 x 10.5 inches
Must be print ready (bleed margins for full bleed, CMYK)
May be converted to grayscale depending on need

Web Banner Art

75-150 DPI
Must fit (or be scalable to) one of the following dimensions:
- 175 x 100 pixels (or 100 x 175 for vertical banners)
- 100 x 50 pixels (or 50 x 100 for vertical banners)
- 480 x 60 pixels (or 60 x 480 for vertical banners)
For animated banners, please use GIF only (no Flash)
Must be no larger than 15KB in size.

Twitter Banner Art

75-150 DPI
Must fit (or be scalable to) one of the following dimensions:
- 100 x 175 for vertical banners)
- 50 x 100 for vertical banners)
- 60 x 480 for vertical banners)
Must be no larger than 15KB in size.

Rewards and Compensation

Artists whose work is accepted for publication may be compensated in one or more of the following methods:

Free admission to the convention
Cash equivalent for parking through the weekend
Free t-shirt

All artists whose works are accepted must sign a Work-For-Hire agreement that transfers copyright of their submission to Phoenix Entertainment, D.B.A. A-Kon, before they may be compensated. Artists will retain the right to use their creation in a portfolio and for personal use.

The winning artist for the T-Shirt Design Contest will receive:

Two Free Shirts
Cash equivalent for two nights’ stay at the convention hotel
Published credits throughout the convention (including the website, flyers, etc.)

Winners that have already purchased admission to the convention may be reimbursed or credited for the next convention.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are some examples of restricted designs?

A-Kon® is not only a fan-friendly, but also a family-friendly event. As stated in the Guidelines, we would like to avoid any representation of violence, profanity, drugs, and sex in the art that we use.

Representations of violence may include, but are not limited to: A firing gun, a gun pointed at another character or at the viewer, explosions, blood, and use of a weapon in a threatening manner.

Examples of profanity may include, but are not limited to: profane gestures and curse words.

Representations of drugs may include, but are not limited to: Use or display of alcohol, smoking, drug paraphernalia, chemical formulae for known controlled substances, and unrefined ingredients for known controlled substances.

Examples of sex include: scantily clad or nude characters, provocative poses, and suggestive interactions between characters.

If you are uncertain of whether or not your idea falls into any of these categories, first ask yourself whether you’d be comfortable showing this to someone’s mother, or if you’d be comfortable wearing a t-shirt with your art to work. If all else fails, please share your design ideas with the A-Kon® staff so that we can give you suggestions!

Who should I contact with questions?

Please send all inquiries to Mike Battle (mike@a-kon.com). If you have a sketch or a small version of your idea ready, please also send that to him for reference.

Can A-Kon® reimburse me monetarily for my work?

Unfortunately, no. Only the winners of the t-shirt contest receive monetary compensation. However, you will be reimbursed in some fashion depending on the quantity and/or quality of the artwork you submit, and you will get at least one copy of whatever medium your artwork is produced on.

What is A-Kon®’s target audience?

The average A-Kon® attendee is between 15 and 25, with an even male to female ratio. However, we may also reach out to specific demographics with targeted advertising, such as a younger audience in a children’s publication, or to more mature fans at colleges. If you have a specific target in mind, please make note of that with your submission.

Can I submit artwork as part of a team?

Yes! Artists and graphic designers may collaborate on any work. Both artists will get credit, though A-Kon® will only compensate one person if only a single piece is accepted; if more than one piece is accepted, then multiple people may be compensated as appropriate.

Will I receive credit for my contribution?

Yes, you will be credited in the A-Kon® program book and web site, and any signature that you have on the artwork will be kept intact.

Can I submit my art in a hardcopy format (canvas, paper)?

Unfortunately, we do not have any way to convert a canvas piece into electronic format. However, if you have artwork on standard-sized paper (up to 8.5 x 14 inches) that can be scanned, then we can accept it.

Please keep in mind that A-Kon® cannot guarantee that we will be able to return the artwork in the condition that you sent it in, if at all.

Tags: Art Contest, Contest, contests, digital art, posters, T-Shirts, web art

Anime Hell returns to A-Kon

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:03:47 UT

ANIME HELL is just what it says it is: a collection of strange,
peculiar, and often painful video clips, designed to make the
first-time viewer say, "WTF??" every couple of minutes and to make the
returning viewer drag his or her friends in to share the pain. Anime
Hell is a live screening of weird, amusing, confusing, disturbing, or
otherwise entertaining clips about Japan or animation or both or
neither. In one form or another it has been a part of anime
conventions since 1997. All this plus singalongs, prizes, contests,
candy, and Hell Nurse Katie!

PLUS!!!! Returning for their second year at A-Kon: ninjaHELL*. Last
year, they slaughtered and butchered "Ninja Squad" into more palatable
pieces. This year, they'll be savaging their way through "Final
Fantasy VII: Advent Children". We'll answer such important questions
as: why is penicillin important to anime film plots, the perfect ratio
of ice to character, and how many flash-backs it takes to induce a
seizure. Watch as three grown men render a film into two hours of
hilarity. It must be seen to be believed.

*Disclaimer: ninjaHELL should not be solely used to treat the
after-effects of ANIME HELL. It does help, however.

Tags: film mocking, panels, video

The Anime Larp, "Divergence!"

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:59:19 UT

The Anime Larp, "Divergence!", continues on with its second installment "Rhapsody! Return to Reality!" set in the Ikebukuro district of Tokyo. The game will take place on Friday, June 1 in CityView 6-8 (4th Floor, North Tower). Character pick-up and walk-up registration starts at noon there will be a tutorial at 5pm and the game begins at 6pm. Please see our website www.life-larp.com for game information and to pre-register a character before the con.

Tags: gaming, LARP

CosPlay Chess is back at A-Kon

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:17:00 UT

picture courtesy the Nerdist.

Cosplay Chess at A-Kon 2012! We are glad to be back <3

We will be having some prizes, a half-time challenge, music and making it a heck of a game!

- Very important -
Set up and Sign In for Participants will be from 1.15 p.m. - 1.45 p.m. PLEASE MAKE SURE to check in with us even if you have signed up online to ensure your participation.
Game will begin at 1.45 p.m. All interested audience, please take note of the time we are starting.

If you are interested in becoming a PLAYER [like being the one to order the human players around and have considerable skill at chess, especially under time pressure], please PM me ASAP so we can play against you and test your skill. This is a requirement to become the black or white player.

If you are a cosplaying chess piece participant YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A PRO AT CHESS! But please look up how your piece moves as this will be expected of you.

We are doing things a bit differently this year: PLEASE POST ONLY a.) your name/forum name/alias; b.) character you are cosplaying. Please put both of these pieces of info in your reply or the next person who does will take precedence over you.
We will be placing the positions on-site. As organizers of the event, we reserve the rights to deny participation at our event.
We have only 20 spots available for online sign up, so please put your name in quickly!~
We will also have on-site registration 30 min before the event to give chances to those not on the forums.

Any questions, please feel free to reply to this thread! We look forward to seeing you all.

Tags: chess, cosplay, cosplay chess, Things to do

List of Participants in Artist Alley

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:56:11 UT

a very nice prince
Allison Stanley
Alto-Shorter
Anthony Brownrigg
Art by Alicechan
Azarkarde Production
Barbara's Imaginations Unlimited LLC.
Bassanimation
Bev Hale
Bing Lin
Bohemian Trash Studios
Brainsucker
BUY KAWAII
Celia Shannon
Centimetre Art
Chastiney
Chris Layfield
Cinnamoron Studios
CJ Cherryh
coyfish
CreciableuZyeph
curry and kiis art
CyberZombi Accessories
Cynthia Conner Studios
Danielle Dernoga
Darien Chen
Daunting Trading Co.
David Doub
Dead To All
Designs by Talon
Devil's Panties
Diana Sprinkle
Dirk Tiede
DJ Infam0us
DollAKon
Dominic Deegan
Donut Kitty Productions
Dragonscale Chainmail
elementary my dear watson
Elise Trinh
Elizabeth Martin
Elizabeth Moon
Esther Friesner
Finni
Foolish Mortal Productions
Fuzumi.com
fUZZIEz
Generations of art
Gloria Oliver
HALOLZ
Happy Grackle
Harry Turtledove
Honeydew Syndrome
Horton Handcrafts
Hypergleam
I.H.O Geek
Import-Kun
J David Osborne
Jana Oliver
Jane Fancher
Janette StHilaire
jellykoe
Jerry Bennet
Jesse Sosa
JIMBOSMASH
John Yume
Just A Bear
KentaroPJJ
Kiriska
Kirsten Weatherton
Kiwi Blitz
Kriscomics
Kristin Bergh Illustrator
Lassarinas Odds N Ends
Lavendar Legend
Lee Madison
Lee Martindale
Little Blob of Green
Lori of Pandora
Love Who
Loyal K.N.G.
LunaMiel
Marcotte Studios
Marquis of Vaudeville
Master Bone Jangle
Max Kirkland
Melanie Fletcher
Meredith Placko
MHFP
Mildkat Studio
MillerMuller Ballett
Ming Doyle
Misti
Monster Attack Team
moral extremist
Mystic Revolution
Nayuki
ohmonah
Operation Anime Storm
OrAnIMe
Oxygen Impulse
Paint Pixel Productions
Pascalle Lepas
plushi
Purple Pumpkin
ragingauges
Ramy Badie
Red String
Regina Panzeca
Rikki and Tavisha Simons
rowans originals
Russell Lissau
Sakrua Garden
Samurai Dan
Sanshee
Sarah Elkins
ScuttlebuttInk
Sky Dogs
Sleeping Samurai
Specialcat
Starbolins
StarLi PRoductions
Starry Dance
Steven Horton
Story of the Door
studio birdseed
Studio TipTop
Sure to be Ban'd
Sweet Kyandi
Sylvia Shi
T Lynne Designs
Tachiik
Taylor Made Clothing Co.
Team Fap
Texas Roll Mafia
The Ghosts Project
The Glenn
The Smallest Giraffe
Tracie Miller
Two Lumps
VG Cats
xync
Zeiva

Tags: artisans, artist alley, artists, participants

Convention Hours

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:44:18 UT

Registration Hours of Operations

Thursday: 3 pm - 9 pm
Friday: 8 am to 9 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 8 pm
Sunday: 9 am to 4 pm

Phoenix Sales Hours of Operations (where you get your T-Shirts and other swag)

Thursday: 3 pm – 9 pm
Friday: 8 am – 9 pm
Saturday: 8 am – 9 pm
Sunday: 9 am – 4 pm

Dealers Hours to Public

Friday: 11 am – 7 pm
Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm
(Set up Thursday: 4 pm - 11 pm & Friday: 8 am)
(Open to Dealers Saturday: 9 am & Sunday: 10 am)

Exhibits Hours to the Public

Friday: 10 am – 9 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm

Artist Alley

Upstairs Section
- Friday: 10 am – 9 pm
- Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm
- Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm

Operations – 1st Floor
- Thursday: 3 pm – 9 pm
- Friday: 9 am – 9 pm
- Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm
- Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm

Info Desk

Thursday: 3 pm - 9 pm
Friday: 8 am to 8 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 8 pm
Sunday: 9 am to 4 pm

Children's Programming

Friday: 10 am - 9 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm

Art Show

Gallery/ Silent Auction – Houston A
- Friday Noon – 6 pm
- Saturday 11 am – 5 pm
- Dealers with a badge may visit early

Live Auction – Saturday Houston B Begins at 6 pm (Must have buyer number to take part)
Gallery/ After Auction – Houston A
- Sunday 10 am – 3 pm
Artist Hours
- Friday and Saturday
- 9 – 10:30 Pre-registered artists only
- 10:30 – 11:30 walk-ups (Do not line up prior to 10:15 am)
Sunday
- 3 – 4 pm Artist Pick-up and Check out

Tags: hours, Hours of Operation, times

List of Participating Dealers

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:59:17 UT

art by: Missy Pena

168 dragon trading
Anime Depot
Anime Palace
Anime Pavillion
Anime Remix
Anime V - We sell Anime DVD, CD, Toys, Apparel, Costume Parts, Character Goods at www.e-Anime.com
AnimeSnacks
AnimeStuffStore.com
Asylum Anime
Atsui Anime Online
AVD and Model Show
BeKyoot!
Best Anime Shop USA - we sell your anime needs, from old classics to brand new releases, we have it all!
Big World
Black Dog Enterprises
Bowendragon 1
Cardz Xtcetera
Cartoon Passion
Celtic Chrystal
Collectors Universe and Anime
Comic Book Craze
Discotek Media
Foreign Expressions
GreenTea Designs
Half Full Studios
Happy Jackal Graphics
Hen Da Ne - we sell the finest in Yaoi, Yuri and Hentai Doujinshi. We bring joy that is Touhou Project to the USA with our selection on Doujinshi, games, music and other fun Youhou Odds and Ends.
HKT Toys
Holy Cow Anime
Image Anime
Imagine That Galleries
J and J Enterprises
JPN Toyz
Kampaii Kimono
Kawaii Gifts - cute Japanese character and fancy goods like Rilakkuma, Sentimental Circus, Mamegana and Kutusita Nyauko!
Keith's Comics
Knighthawk Armoury - the premier retailer of foam/latex-foam weapons for use in Live Action Role Playing (LARP, theater, video production, martial arts training and just plain having fun!!
Kyoto Kytchen
LaDeDa Clothing
Lady Heather's Fashions
Lazy Dragon - “Pocketknives to Broadswords” visit our website www.lazydragon.com. We offer a wide variety of all types of weapons and swords from replicas to martial arts weaponry. New merchandise is made available every month, so always remember, if you don’t see what you’re looking for Please Ask!!
Mad Gear, LLC
Madness Games
Magic of Collecting
Man in a Dress
Media Blasters
Mr Weekend's Posters
Myth Adventures
Nene Thomas
Owl Moon Studios
Pan Gaia Designs
Pegasus Publishing - has been providing fans with unique apparel since 1979, from Firefly and Big Bang Theory to Mad Science and Geekdom – we have a shirt for you.
QuietYell
Radio Comix
Ravenwing Wearable Art
Realms Anime
Rik & Ric's Otaku Café
Rising Sun Imports
Scarlett's Corsets
SighCo Graphics
Splash Page Comics
SROrignals
Swords and Comics - 5.00 DVDs and manga books, huge selection of swords, knives, martial arts weapons. We have incredible grab boxes.
That Pagan Chick
The Anime Jutsu
The Comic Cellar
The Contact Lens Store
The Treasure Nest
The Wizard's Wagon
Toy Matrix - licensed pop culture tshirts, new and old toys, and collectibles, along with anime messenger bags.
VideoGamesNewYork
Wayne's Comic Closet
White Lighting Publishing
White Tiger
WizzyWig, Inc
Wolfhome Adventuring Outfitters
Yayahan.com
Yes, Anime

Tags: dealers

SCAVENGER HUNT – An interactive treasure hunt game

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:35:32 UT

A Scavenger Hunt is a single or team effort to locate things on a list and return them to a common Judging Area for points. The three teams with the highest amount of points at the final Judging will be awarded prizes. The ScavHunt Lists will be available no earlier than 9AM on Friday and are available at the ScavHunt Desk on the Convention Level of the hotel. The 4 Judging Times are listed in Da Rulz below and the Judging Place is the ScavHunt Desk. Bring your items there to be Judged ONLY at the appropriate times. If you get more items after your initial Judging, please bring them to a later session. Points will only be awarded at a posted Judging time, and no amount of bribery will change that.

Da Rulz for A-Kon 23

Teams may be comprised of no more than four members, all of whom must be badge-holders (Kon-goers, guests, dealers, volunteers, etc.).
All items must be obtained legally, and if borrowed must be promptly returned to their proper owner. A-Kon, the hotel, and ScavHunt staff assume no responsibility.
Interpretation of Da Rulz is up to the Judges, as is interpretation of just what is meant by each and every item on Da List. The Judges’ determinations are final and there is no appeal. Determinations may be altered by bribery, but only if it is attempted at a Judging time. Annoy the Judges and you may lose points.
Hotel and Konvention business must not be disrupted. Such is grounds for disqualification from the contest and/or expulsion from the Kon. Any people or property damage is your bag, baby.
The Judges may be bribed. Food and other enticements are allowed. What constitutes valid bribery is up to the Judges. Bribery is encouraged. Bribery, both to Judges and to other parties, though all forms are generally encouraged, MUST be of a legal sort that won’t cause the Da Man to become annoyed with A-Kon, the hotel, or Kon workers.
There is no Rule #6. See if you can find it.
Certain items are inside jokes of the Kon workers and are relevant to the history of the Kon. If you don’t know, ask, and you might get the truth. Kon and hotel workers are in no way required to assist or abet your efforts in the hunt, and they are allowed to falsify their answers when queried. They like to be bribed as well, but even when bribed the workers might still fib. Caveat particeps.
Kon Gods and Goddesses may intervene on your behalf, but beware their wrath. They, too, like to be bribed.
Drink plenty of water. Bathe with soap and hot water.
These are the Judging Times:

Friday: Noon-2pm and 5-7pm
Saturday: 11am-1pm and 4pm-7pm

No one will be allowed to enter the line after the cutoff time.

Awards will be given out at Cosplay Halftime, or they may be picked up at the Info Desk after 11am Sunday. WE STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT AT LEAST ONE TEAM MEMBER BE PRESENT TO ACCEPT THE AWARDS (IF ANY).

Tags: events, fun, panels

Captain Samuel Taineous of the Sky D.o.G.s needs you!

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:37:31 UT

Ben Hamby a.k.a. Captain Samuel Taineous of the Sky D.o.G.s needs you! Many of you purchased his novella, Arcana Imperii: Origins at the last A-Kon® and he wants to bring you the sequel! But, pirac... pre-wreckage salvage engineering doesn't always cover all of the bills. So he's selling things he doesn't even HAVE YET! Are you intrigued? Frightened? Not even remotely surprised? Then follow the link to his Kickstarter and support our Steampunk lecturer while picking up some nifty swag along the way.

The Kurabu Dancin’ Contest

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:30:27 UT

The Kurabu Dancin’ Contest

Ever wanted to show off your awesome dance skills by dancing to your favorite anime/jpop/kpop song? Whether it's Para Para, old-school break-dancing, or just doing the wave - we want to see your skills! Show us what you can do and you could perform at A-kon 23!

Audition Rules

1. There is no age restriction for this contest, but participants under 13 years of age must be accompanied by someone at least 18 years of age.
2. Song of choice and dance must NOT contain sexual themes.
3. It is recommended that the song/dance choice must be from any media that originates from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, or China.
4. Video entries must be kept under 5 minutes.

How to Audition

All entries must be uploaded to a video hosting website (Youtube, NicoNicoDouga, Dailymotion, etc.) and the URL e-mailed to KirbySha@gmail.com by Friday May 18th, 2012. Input into the subject bar of the email “Kurabu Dancin’ Contest Entry” and include in the email the following:

1. Your Name/Dance group Name
2. Song Name(s)
3. Did you/your group choreograph this dance?
4. Best way to contact you

Entries must be received no later than May 18th by 12 midnight

About Anime Kurabu:

Anime Kurabu (Alpha Kappa) is a charter chapter of Mu Epsilon Kappa National Society.

Anime Kurabu is the anime club at the University of Texas in San Antonio (UTSA). Our goal is to create a fun and social environment for people who enjoy various types of media and culture from East Asia. We host anime watching events, Jpop/Kpop dance competitions and mini-cosplay contests along with other various activities and games. Hang out with us sometime!

Tags: Contest, dance, panels

Crowne Plaza Downtown Dallas our Second Overflow Hotel

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:27:14 UT

Hotel Update!!

As some of you may have discovered while trying to make reservations at either the Sheraton or the Marriott, both of these hotels are sold out of double rooms. The only rooms available in the Sheraton are rooms with 1 King bed. The Marriott is completely sold out on Saturday night.

Our second overflow Hotel is the Crowne Plaza Downtown Dallas, located at 1015 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas 75202.

For Reservations, call 1-877-270-1393 and be sure to tell them you are booking with A-Kon. You can also book online using the weblink:

https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=9468452

The cost is $158 per day plus tax, which includes parking.

There are several business locations in walking distance, such as Bank of America, 7-Eleven, Dallas Convention Center, AT&T and West End Station. If you proceed outside of the Hotel, within 100 yards you will enter the Dart West End Station. Take the West End to Pearl to arrive at the Convention. DART has day passes for local, unlimited rides, on the date of purchase through 3am for $4.00. Single ride fares are good for 90 minutes of train travel or a single bus trip (no transfers), local $1.75.

Tags: hotel, overflow