Programs

All About Balticon Program Tracks

Use this Balticon 50 Program Ideas Questionnaire to give us your amazing program ideas! We may not have time to send you a personal thanks, but we really are grateful!

To help those who are new to the Balticon experience, we offer the following information about program offerings:

  • A “Panel” is a moderated panel discussion, typically including three or four participants and a moderator. A panel discussion may or may not include an audience question and answer or comment segment.
  • A “Round Table” is more loosely moderated than a “Panel” and usually includes four to seven participants. Round Tables do not usually allot time for audience interaction.
  • A “Presentation” is a lecture by one or more presenters, which may or may not include a demonstration or audio/visual component. Presenters may, at their personal discretion, include audience members in their demonstrations and/or end their presentation with a question and answer segment.
  • A “Workshop” is a hands-on experience, and includes working materials and/or hand-outs. Crafts and art workshops may or may not include up to a $5.00 materials fee.

Balticon Program Track Descriptions

ANIME ART CHILDREN’S
COSTUMING CROSS TRACK CT: Autographs
CT: Dollars & Sense CT: Kaffeeklatsche CT: Midnight at the Oasis
CT: PED for Creatives CT: Teaching SF CT: Readings
FANS FILMMAKING GAMING PANELS
LITERARY LITERARY: Editors LITERARY: Poetry
LITERARY: Publishing LITERARY: Readers LITERARY: Writers
LAUNCH EVENTS MUSIC MUSIC: Concerts
MUSIC: Dance NEW MEDIA NM: Podcasting
NM: Technology NM:  Web Comix PERFORMING ARTS
 SCIENCE: Lecture Series  SCIENCE: Discussions SKEPTICAL THINKING
TEEN (AGES 13-19) TV, FILM & VIDEO WORKSHOPS

Back to Index ANIME PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

While Balticon is not an anime convention, we certainly recognize the importance of anime in sciencce fiction/fantasy community culture. The Balticon Anime Program Mini-Track offers 4 to 6 program hours of discussion panels and presentations

See the Anime Program Schedule (AVAILABLE SOON) on the Schedules page for panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index ART PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

The Art Program Track brings you over 20 hours of presentations, demonstrations, workshops and discussion panels with our artist guest of honor, art show and artists alley exhibitors and other artists participating at Balticon. Learn a new techinique, how to sell your art, to how to keep your head straight and still get the work done. Watch artists create work right in front of you during workshops, demos, games and competitions. Attend presentations about art history and artists’ personal experiences in the industry. Get to know exhibitors in the Art Show during Meet the Artist hours.

Artists who have a workshop, demonstration or lecture they would like to present, or an idea for a discussion panel they would like to moderate or be a panelist for, should contact the Art Program Coordinator to get the ball rolling on your participation.

See the Art Program Schedule (AVAILABLE SOON) on the Schedules page for panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index CHILDREN’S PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

Balticon, on Friday evening and on Saturday, Sunday and on Monday morning, presents 18 hours of entertaining, educational, fun programming for children from toddlers to pre-teens. Program items include magic, music, dance, crafts projects, art, storytelling and costuming. If you would like to be a presenter or facilitator for a Balticon Childrens’ Program hour, please contact coordinator Eta Hack about your idea.

See the Children’s Program Schedule (AVAILABLE MARCH 2016) on the Schedules page for details.

Back to Index COSTUMING PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

Balticon offers costuming panels, workshops and presentations. We try to schedule quite a bit of that before the Masquerade so that novices can pick up some last minute coaching if they want it. However, the Masquerade post-mortem is a not-to-be-missed event!

See the Costuming Program Schedule on the Schedules page for panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index CROSS-TRACK PROGRAM Back to Top

The amazing lectures, panel discussions and workshops in this area refuse to be pigeon holed. They all fit in two or more program tracks, so we have created this CROSS-TRACK program category just for them! As with the Literary Program Track, the Cross-Track program has several sub-tracks. You will find at the table in these program items, authors and readers, artists and fans, podcasters and voice talent, filmmakers and costumers, and many others.

See the Cross-Track Program Schedule (AVAILABLE SOON) on the Schedules page for panel, presentation, and workshop details. You will also find Cross-Track items listed under the various program tracks in which they fit.

Back to Index CROSS-TRACK: AUTOGRAPHS Back to Top

All program participants are invited to sit for autograph signings. We will be doing things a little differently this year. Many signings will be in a function room, providing seating while you wait your turn to obtain autographs. Please only bring two items to be signed by each creative you would like to obtain an autograph from. In other words, if you are seeking autographs from two authors, an artist, a musician and a filmmaker, you should have no more than 10 items (for instance, 4 books, a artist’s print, a CD, a photo, your BSFan, a DVD, and a poster) to be signed. Some creatives may offer to sell you a photo or poster, but you do not have to purchase those. Autographs are free and you can have them sign any small item you are not wearing. We STRONGLY recommend that you either put your name and contact information on any items you get autographed or place them in packaging with that information on it, (gallon zip lock bags are great for that!) to improve your chances of getting items back if you misplace them. Every year a couple of autographed items end up in lost and find, and we have no way of identifying or contacting the owners.

See the Cross-Track: Autographs Schedule (AVAILABLE SOON) on the Schedules page for the Signings schedule.

Back to Index CROSS-TRACK: DOLLARS AND SENSE Back to Top

This sub-track is all about Marketing and the Business of Being Creative. Professionals from the literary, arts, media and financial industries will offer advice, facilitate workshops, and give you the tools you need to establish an approach to being creative that will get your name out there, pay the rent, or maybe even do both!

See the CT: Dollars and Sense Program Schedule (AVAILABLE SOON) on the Schedules page.

Back to Index CROSS-TRACK: KAFFEEKLATSCHE Back to Top

A Kaffeeklatsche seats 8 fans for beverage, biscuits and conversation with a Balticon guest. Reservations required. Check here in early May for more information about how to make a reservation.

See the Cross-Track: Kaffeeklatsche Schedule (AVAILABLE SOON) on the Schedules page.

Back to Index CROSS-TRACK: MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS Back to Top

Here you find adult content panel discussions, presentations and entertainment. No one under 18 admitted, even if their parents think it’s okay. That’s because we’re following the “safe, sane, and consensual” rule for this issue: EVERYONE in the room has to be comfortable with youngsters being in the room. We all know how hard it is to get a whole room full of people to all agree to anything, so we are going to be arbitrary and say “We’re only a con, Jim! We tell you it can’t be done!”

See the Cross-Track: Midnight at the Oasis Program Schedule (AVAILABLE SOON) on the Schedules page for panel, presentation, and workshop details. You will also find Cross-Track items listed under the various program tracks in which they fit.

Back to Index CROSS-TRACK: PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION and DEVELOPMENT Back to Top

So you’re determined to do your art better, smaller, bigger, smarter? Well, we’re determined to help you attain your goal. Professionals will give you tips, help you learn how to evaluate, demonstrate techniques and strategies and answer your questions or guide you to finding the answers to your questions.

See the Cross-Track: Professional Education and Development for Creatives (AVAILABLE SOON) on the Schedules page for panel, presentation, and workshop details. You will also find Cross-Track items listed under the various program tracks in which they fit.

Back to Index CROSS-TRACK: TEACHING WITH SF Back to Top

In 2009, Balticon staff discovered the About SF: Teaching SF workshop and decided to bring it to Balticon. We presented the program twice, then the About SF organization seemed to, well, go away. We decided that, based on feedback from the teachers who attended the first two workshops, we would develop a Teaching WITH Science Fiction teachers workshop. That workshop is back at Balticon for the second time this year under the able stewardship of educator Arthur Boorman. Professionals in the fields of education and speculative fiction will be at Balticon on Memorial Day (Monday) to guide teachers and home schooling parents in using science fiction literature to enhance their lessons and encourage their students to read, read, read!

See the Cross-Track: Teaching With Science Fiction Teachers Workshop (AVAILABLE SOON) on the Schedules page for panel, presentation, and workshop details. You will also find Cross-Track items listed under the various program tracks in which they fit.

Back to Index CROSS-TRACK: READINGS Back to Top

All program participants are invited to give readings of their own or another’s work. Check the Readings Schedule to find out when your favorites will be presenting their readings. We will again be using the 3-readers per program hour format this year. Readers can all sit at the table together, or may elect to take turns at the table, and will decide themselves the order in which they will read. You may hear author’s reading their own work, artist’s reading a work related to their art, or voice actors reading poetry &mda; anything is possible! There will all be Presentation and Reading hours and Interview and Reading hours by some of our special guests, flash readings by the women of Broad Universe, and shared universe readings (including a teaser for next years Guest of Honor!)

See the Cross-Track: Readings Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for the Readings Schedule.

Back to Index CROSS-TRACK PROGRAM: READINGS Back to Top

All program participants are invited to give readings of their own or another’s work. Check the Readings Schedule to find out when your favorites will be presenting their readings. We will again be using the 3-readers per program hour format this year. Readers can all sit at the table together, or may elect to take turns at the table, and will decide themselves the order in which they will read. You may hear author’s reading their own work, artist’s reading a work related to their art, or voice actors reading poetry &mda; anything is possible!

See the Cross-Track: Readings Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for the Readings Schedule.

Back to Index FAN PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

Balticon’s Fan Program Track includes events such as the SF Trivia Contest, panel discussions on getting the most from your convention experience, examining lifestyle choices, looking at ways to be involved in fandom, demonstrations of some of the hobbies fans get involved in and discussions about various aspects of topics such as space war, private enterprise in space, and more.

See the Fan Program Schedule on the Schedules page for panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index FILMMAKING PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

The Balticon Filmmaking program track was conceived of and introduced at Balticon 44 by film festival director Jonette Butler with these dual primary missions:

  • To provide a forum wherein talent, producers, directors, special effects technicians and others involved in making independent science fiction, science fact, fantasy, and horror films can meet each other and discuss their trade;
  • To provide opportunities for Balticon members to meet folks involved in independent filmmaking, learn about the filmmaking process from those who are out there doing it and see their work in screenings throughout the weekend.

The Filmmaking Program continues at Balticon 50. See the Filmmaking Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index GAMING PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

The Gaming Program Track includes introductory presentations, explorations of old and new board games and card games, panel discussion and open discussion forums. Please contact the Gaming Program Coordinator if you are interested in presenting a workshop or demonstration or sitting on Gaming Program panels.

See the Gaming Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index LITERARY PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

Balticon Literary Program Track participants with qualifications as authors, editors, publishers, reviewers and long-time fans will explore varied themes in SF, Fantasy, Horror and mixed-genre literature through panel and round table debates and discussions, workshops, presentations, author readings and personal autograph session interactions. Balticon is, at the heart of it all, a literary convention. It is therefore fitting that, with multiple literary program tracks (Editors, Readers, Readings, Writers, and Small Press Publishing), this Literary Program Track forms the core of Balticon programming.

See the Literary Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for Literary panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index LITERARY PROGRAM: EDITORS TRACK Back to Top

This sub-track track is geared to seat professional editors in the panelist seats and on the presenter’s podium. Some of these program items will target an audience of writers and some will target an audience of professional and aspiring editors. Danielle Ackley-McPhail coordinates this literary sub-track.

See the Literary: Editors Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for Literary: Editors panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index LITERARY PROGRAM: POETRY TRACK Back to Top

This sub-track track is focussed on the creation and appreciation of speculative ppetry. Some of these program items will address developing and improving poets’ writing skills and others will focus on the reading and understanding poetry. Jonette coordinates this literary sub-track.

Enter the Annual Balticon Poetry Contest! Here’s your chance to win cash prizes, a convention membership, and have your work published in the BSFAN, the souvenir book of Balticon. Entries should address the themes of science fiction/fantasy/horror/science. Limit: 3 poems/person, maximum 50 lines each. Email/postmark deadline: March 1. No entry fee. For more information or to submit online, visit the Balticon Poetry Contest page. Patti Kinlock administers the Poetry Contest, with assistance from Vonnie Winslow Crist and Katie Hartove. Questions, email poetry AT balticon DOT org.

See the Literary: Poetry Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for Literary: Editors panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index LITERARY: PUBLISHING Back to Top

We are trying very hard to provide programming for small press publishers at Balticon. Through our Small Press Publisher Presents items, we hope to be able to offer small press publishers the opportunity to present their “line-up” to fans at Baltcon, just as the “big houses”do at WorldCons. Fans will have chances to win prizes, get first glimpses of cover art and hear about the publishers’ upcoming books before they’re released. You will also find this sub-track hosting discussion panels about publishing topics.

See the Literary: Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for Literary: Publishing panel Small Press Presents details.

Back to Index LITERARY PROGRAM: READERS TRACK Back to Top

In the Readers sub-track, with readers and fans as its target audience, everything from philosophical debates, story telling, book reviews, science speculation and historical perspectives will flow. Reviewers and Fan group members will review and discuss work and its place in the genre to help you find new literature suited to your taste. Audiences will have opportunities to cheer panelists on as they produce story ideas on the spot and panelists will evaluate audience efforts to do the same. Whether your personal fascination is with hard SF, fantasy or horror, there will be plenty of panels for you to attend.

See the Literary: Readers Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for Literary: Readers panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index LITERARY PROGRAM: WRITERS Back to Top

In the WRITERS TRACK, professional instructors will offer lectures and workshops on developing and enhancing writing skills. Panels of professional and aspiring writers will discuss how they got where they are, where they want to go, and share tips and tricks and experiences.

See the Literary: Writers Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for Literary: Writerss panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index MUSIC/FILK PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

The Music/Filk Program at Balticon offers many hours of musical and comedy entertainment and education. In addition to a fantastic schedule of concerts, the Music Program Track offers workshops, jam sessions, panel discussions and 3 nights of Open Filk.

THE BALTICON 50 CONCERT SCHEDULE will be posted in March, 2016, on the Schedules page.

Back to Index NEW MEDIA PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

There’s a whole wonderful world of non-traditional media available and, as we did last year, we’re bringing you more than just podcasting. Come and meet local artists and writers from the world of web comics and many other fascinating people leading the new media explosion. Learn more about what’s available in independent new media and how to turn it to your advantage. Dont let your work be lost in the shadows: find your audience! Balticon was the first con to run new media programming and have its own dedicated podcast, which makes ours the longest running new media track.

See the New Media Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for New Media panel, presentation, and workshop details.

Back to Index NEW MEDIA PROGRAM: PODCASTING Back to Top

At the heart of the New Media movement you can find Podcasting, with content ranging from serious to silly. We’ll bring you live podcasts, discussion panels featuring podcasters and their guests, and workshops on developing, presenting and improving your own pocast.

Back to Index NEW MEDIA PROGRAM: TECHNOLOGY Back to Top

Web technology precipitated the birth of New Media. Now New Media is precipitating the birth of new technology. We’ll bring you discussions, presentations and workshops about what’s happening on the cutting edge, as well as on  the use of tools that have been around for a while, including who’s using them in new and innovative ways.

Back to Index NEW MEDIA PROGRAM: WEB COMIX Back to Top

Web technology precipitated the growth of Web Comix in the 1990’s. With the second decade of new millenium came huge growth in social media, which pretty much knocked the bottom out of the profitability of web comix. Thanks to crowd funding, web comix are making a comeback.This sub-track looks at the past, current and future states of web comix. We’ll bring you discussions, presentations and workshops about what’s happening on the cutting edge, as well as on the use of tools that have been around for a while, including who’s using them in new and innovative ways.

Back to Index PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

The Performing Arts Program has been a successful new mini-track experiment at Balticon for the past three years. Learn how to prepare for auditions, choreograph a fight scene, handle stage weapons, warm up before physically demanding performances, and turn that sweet face into a horrible zombie! We will again be offering 4 to 6 hours of workshops and performance education opportunities, but the former coordinator has stepped down and we need someone to take over!

Back to Index SCIENCE PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

Balticon 50 offers over 30 hours of original science programming. Meet the scientists and attend fascinating presentations and panel discussions. NEW FOR BALTICON 50!! Look for science discussion panels and nightly science movies!

See the Science Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for the Science Program Schedule.

Back to Index SKEPTICS PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

The Balticon Skeptics Program offers presentations and discussions exploring topics through skeptical thinking methodologies. This may include debunking of urban myths and other rumors, examination of flaws in scientific method as applied to claimed results, etc.

See the New Media Program Schedule (AVAILABLE SOON) on the Schedules page for Skeptic program details.

Back to Index TEEN (AGES 13-19) PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

The Teen Program Track includes workshops, open chat forums, panels and round table discussions for fans, readers and writers aged 13 to 19. Literary and art professionals will offer information and coaching as well as act as moderators for some panels and round tables. Performing artists will also offer workshops and presentations.

See the Teen Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for Teen schedule details.

Back to Index TV, FILM AND VIDEO PROGRAM TRACK Back to Top

The Film and TV Program track offers opportunities to compare and contrast current and past film and television offerings, celebrate favorites with other fans, compare literary and film versions of works, and discuss the trends in SF entertainment.

See the TV, Film and Video Program Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for details.

Back to Index WORKSHOPS Back to Top

Balticon brings you a variety of workshops in the Anime, Art, Children’s, Costuming, Gaming, Literary: Writing, and Filmmaking program tracks. Thus Workshops schedule includes workshops in a variety of program tracks. If you like your con experience to be all workshops, all the time, see the Workshops Schedule (AVAILABLE THIS WINTER) on the Schedules page for the complete picture.

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