Philcon: The Philadelphia Conference of Science Fiction and Fantasy

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Welcome to Media Programming at Philcon 2003. We have a lot of exciting events planned for the con, and we hope that you will join us for some of them. Our panels will focus in on the non literary aspects of science fiction and fantasy, most notably we will feature aspects from television programs. Some panels will just be discussing specific television shows like the 40th anniversary of "Dr. Who," and the end of "Buffy," but other panels will focus on issues within SF television shows such as how we view women, the fascination with robots; why we crave heroes, and what does that says about ourselves in the 21st century.

Media programming is a place where you can sit in on the guilty pleasures panel and find like minded souls who enjoy the obscure programs you like. And before the weekend is over we will answer the age old questions of why wizards always wear pointy hats, and what exactly is a Scooby snack.

So don't be shy. Participation welcome. Join us for the fun, frivolity, and psychology behind science fiction and fantasy in all its glory on the small screen.

Rebecca Marcus, Jeff Linder
Media Programming Coordinators

Media Program: The following is the list of potential media programs that will be run at Philcon 2003.

My Klingon Can Beat your Goa'uld!: Join us for this round robin tournament where 16 of the most villainous races in the galaxies vie for the title of 'Supreme Evil Beings!" Every round, our 3 panelists will have 1 minute each to explain why one combatant should beat the other, and the audience will vote the loser 'off the planet'.
Danger, Michael Knight, Danger: From Lost in Space to Knight Rider to Star Wars, robot sidekicks have been a major part of science fiction in film and television. Why are robots and other forms of artificial intelligence so popular as the foils to humans.
Forty Years of Doctor Who and Counting: A look back at one of the most successful series in television history, plus an overview of where the franchise is going now.
Photons, Be Free!: In the Star Trek (r) universe, holograms have the capacity to achieve sentience. Does that mean they are entitled to the same rights as biological or robotic life forms?
Past Imperfect: 'Enterprise' was intended to explore the 'roots' of the Trek franchise. Instead, it's been accused of rewriting history and even corrupting Roddenberry's original vision. Do recent changes indicate a return to the core plan or a desperate attempt to save sagging ratings.
Media Tie-Ins - Road to Literacy: Most successful (and many unsuccessful) TV series give birth to a series of novels based on characters and concepts from the show. Can these books be used to promote a love of science fiction reading in general? Attendees are encouraged to bring along their list of suggestions, i.e. 'If you liked "media-tie-in" then you will probably like non-media-tie-in'.
You Go, Woman!: Wonder Woman. The Bionic Woman. Xena. Buffy. Science fiction has always seemed more willing than most genres to portray women in stronger and lead roles, albeit sometimes taking significant liberties with costuming. Is this a matter of open-mindedness, or an attempt to pander to specific target audiences.
Stargate - Season 8 and Beyond: Stargate is arguably the most successful genre show on TV right now. What makes it work?
The Farscape Files: Was the premature death of Farscape the result of a nefarious cabal of international conspiracies? Or in fact, did the Sci-Fi channel have a valid reason?
Paradise Lost: A world without Farscape, Buffy and Babylon 5: A look at the search for the next generation of quality shows.
If I Ruled The World (or at least the Sci-Fi Channel): The one science fiction miniseries I would most want to make (or see).
SEIT - The Search for Engaging Intelligent Television: What else is out there? Little-known (to Americans, at least) genre movies and TV shows.
Alas, Douglas Adams: Where's all the silly science fiction? What would it take to make a Sci-Fi comedy that works?
Guilty Pleasures: Thunderbirds, Battlestar Galactica, Manimal. Not necessarily the pinnacle of science fiction television, but we love them anyway. What are your favorites and why?
Scared to Commit: Anthologies versus Series in the Horror Genre: The accepted wisdom used to be that horror on television was most successful as an anthology (Twilight Zone, Outer Limits) and series with reoccurring characters didn't work. (The Night Stalker lasted one season.) But with the success of X-Files and Buffy, does horror have a chance as a regular series? Or were these flukes?
Why Do All the Wizards Have Pointy Hats: Why don't starships ever fly upside-down? Why are all aliens green? Are we unwilling to challenge our preconceptions. Will things change as the ability to produce more realistic effects becomes cheaper? Or will people be unwilling to sit through a TV show or movie that looks too unusual?
Smallville: Superman without the Tights: Why are we reinventing the Superman mythos. What does all this reinventing say about us in the 21st century? Is it a good idea, and why do we feel the need to do it.
Forever and Ever Knight: Why are there still so many web sites, fan fik, fan getogethers. Did Nick's quest for his own mortality resonate with all of us who are looking for something more in our lives?
Is androgyny sexy?: Think of Trills, Blade Runner, and what was Johnny Depp doing with his version of Captain Jack. Roger Ebert said it looked like he just stepped off the float of the Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco.
We Need A Hero: What is the appeal of the hero and why do we need them. There have been superheros going back to the dawn of literature: from Samson, to Paul Bunyan, to Jake 2.0. What does the superhero say about us?
Say Good-bye To Sunnydale: The Buffy series finale. Did it work for you?
Best and Worst of 2003: Please (Don't) bring your tomatoes. You know that someone on the panel is going to hate your favorite movie. . . and you should let him know you totally disagree. . .
The Future of Science Fiction on Television: SCI FI Network: The good, the bad and the ugly. Are bad SF movies still better than nothing, or is the SCI FI channel appealing to the lowest common denominator. Is 'Crossing Over' really science fiction? Is this the future of SF television, and what should we do about it?
SF Cartoons and Why we Love Them: What's new out there this year and what should go back to the drawing board literally. Do we just love our old friends from the 1940s-1980s, or do we like the new stuff. And what exactly is a Scooby Snack... We will settle the question once and for all right here at Philcon.