TrekMovie’s Guide to Phoenix Comicon 2015

phxcc_2015_cover

Heading to the Grand Canyon State’s biggest pop culture event this weekend? Prepare yourself for the festivities with TrekMovie’s official guide to Phoenix Comicon 2015!

Phoenix Comicon 2015 is just around the corner, and we here at TrekMovie can’t wait! The pop-sci convention, which touts itself as the “signature pop culture event of the southwest”, has filled a niche left open by the way too big and ever growing San Diego Comicon, the corporate run Creation cons, and the small-town gatherings and/or autograph collecting events. PhxCC is may not be Trek-centric, but it still ranks as one of our favorite cons of the year. TrekMovie contributor and Phoenix local Emily Allender has been attending the con since its infancy and has the scoop on what not to miss, Star Trek or otherwise, at this year’s con.

Emily Allender is a lifelong Trekkie, having grown up watching The Original Series. Now, as the co-founder of The Nerd Assembly, she gets to write about all her geeky interests — from conventions to video games, and of course, all things Star Trek. Follow her on Twitter @TheNerdAssembly and @emilia9

What Not to Miss!

Star Trek: The Ongoing Comic and Book Adventures!
Thursday, 3:00PM – 4:00PM
North 227
Watching the series and movies of Star Trek never gets old. You can recite the last scene of Wrath of Khan, name every species in the Delta Quadrant, and present compelling situational examples as to why Kirk is better than Picard, but you’ll never stop watching. Well, if you’re looking for new ways to explore your favorite universe, this panel is can’t miss. It may have been ten years since the last Star Trek series, but there are new comics and novels all the time (if you’re also a Whovian, check out Assimilation2. Picard and the Eleventh Doctor, working together. I’m glad you asked, it is the most exciting thing since sliced bread!) This Thursday afternoon panel will explore the vast written world of Star Trek, and probably give you quite the long summer reading list.

Assimilation_Comic

Live Long and Prosper: Saying Goodbye to Leonard Nimoy
Saturday, 6:00PM – 7:00PM
North 227
Sure, Comicon is supposed to be a fun weekend, but if you’re a Trekkie, take some time out on Saturday to honor the icon that was Leonard Nimoy. This is a man who wore many different hats throughout his life, as an actor, director, poet, writer, and photographer. He was a mainstay at many conventions, gracious with all his fans, whether he met you during a photo op, or in the merch room. I know I’ll never forget seeing him year after year at the Las Vegas convention, telling stories with William Shatner, answering questions with Zachary Quinto, or sharing his personal photos from the set of The Original Series. When Nimoy died, many of us were surrounded by non-nerds who didn’t particularly understand how upsetting his passing was. This panel is an opportunity to celebrate his life and work, together.

RIPNimoy

Film Festival: Star Trek Fan Films – Prelude to Axanar
Saturday, 12:30PM – 1:30PM
West 104
If you haven’t checked out the independent movie project Axanar yet … yeah, you should probably get on that. This fan made and fan funded film follows the story of Garth of Izar, a one-episode TOS character with a fascinating backstory. Axanar’s creators are lifelong Trekkies, but they’re not looking to produce just another fan film – the hope is that it will look and feel like a real Star Trek movie, without the studio budget and the studio politics. Pre-production is already underway, but in the meantime, the creators have released a 20 minute “retrospective documentary” that explores the events of The Four Years War. Prelude to Axanar will be showing at on Saturday at Phoenix Comicon as part of its annual film festival, so stop by, and prepare to be blown away.

axanar

All Star Trek Continues Panels, but especially Episode 4 Premiere, Cast Panel, and The Costuming and Character Design of Star Trek Continues
Over the past few years, there have been a lot of exciting independent projects in the world of Star Trek – Axanar, Renegades, Of Gods and Men. But most of all, there’s Star Trek Continues. This web series is a continuation of The Original Series, and it’s absolutely fantastic. The fourth episode, “The White Iris,” is set to have its world premiere on Friday at Phoenix Comicon! TrekMovie’s very own Kayla Iacovino has a scene with the captain himself. Stick around afterwards for the cast panel with Chris Doohan, Vic Mignogna, and the rest of Enterprise crew. Then, on Sunday, check out The Costuming and Character Design of Star Trek Continues, where the show’s costume designers and makeup artists discuss just how they manage to recreate the look and feel of 1960s Star Trek over 50 years later.

The cast and crew of Star Trek Continues will be hosting tons of other panels throughout the weekend – check them out:
Friday
6pm Star Trek Continues: “The White Iris” screening
7pm Star Trek Continues Cast Panel
8pm Star Trek Continues Cast Autograph Session

Saturday
3pm Producing Star Trek Continues
4:30pm Getting Spock-ed: An FX Makeup Demo

Sunday
12pm The Costuming and Character Design of Star Trek Continues
12pm Running a Tight (Star)ship: Financing a Web Series

whiteiris

Non-Trek “Can’t Miss” Panels

Max Brooks
Have you read World War Z? If the answer is no, get your life together. If the answer is yes, YOU GUYS. The mastermind behind this collection of “survivor stories” (as well as the The Zombie Survival Guide and The Harlem Hellfighters) is making an appearance at Phoenix Comicon! World War Z is one of the most imaginative and compelling books ever written. It’s not just about zombies, it’s an in-depth look at the technical, political, social, and economic fallouts of a global apocalypse. Just like Welles’ broadcast of The War of the Worlds, what makes it terrifying is how real it feels. Max Brooks will be attending every day, but his panel is Saturday.

maxbrooks

Movies of 2016-2018
Gareth von Kallenbach’s Movies panel is one of the most popular at Phoenix Comicon. Founder of Skewed and Reviewed, Gareth not only reviews current films, but he has all the in knowledge about what’s coming out next. So if you have a favorite franchise or scifi film, from Alien to Ghostbusters, stop by and find out what’s in store for the next two years. But a word to the wise, since it’s one of the most popular panels at the PhxCC, get there early!

gareth

Every Star Trek Related Panel to Keep You Busy

But wait, there’s more! Here is the go-to list for every Trek-related panel to keep you Trekked out throughout the entire weekend.

THURSDAY

Star Trek: The Ongoing Comic and Book Adventures!
Thursday 3:00PM – 4:00PM
Location: North 227

The Cage: A Retrospective of Star Trek’s ‘Lost Pilot’
Thursday 4:30PM – 5:30PM
Location: North 227

FRIDAY

Spoof N’ Cinema – Star Trek: The Animated Series
Friday 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Location: North 228

History of the Future: Star Trek 101
Friday 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Location: North 230

Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations: The Aliens of ‘Star Trek’
Friday 1:30PM – 2:30PM
Location: North 230

Firefly and Star Trek TOS: Crew Comparison
Friday 1:30PM – 2:30PM
Location: North 226

Inflatable Planetarium – Star Trek Astronomy
Friday 3:00PM – 5:00PM
Location: Youth Activities – West 106

Star Trek Continues Episode 4 Premier
Friday 6:00PM – 7:00PM
Location: West 301 Ballroom

Star Trek Continues Cast Panel
Friday 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Location: West 301 Ballroom

Star Trek Continues Cast Autograph Session
Friday 8:00PM – 11:30PM
Location: West 301 Ballroom

Sexuality in Star Trek III: The Search for a Word That Rhymes With “Spock”
18+ Only
Friday 9:00PM – 10:00PM
Location: North 226

SATURDAY

Star Trek: 50 Years of Humanism
Saturday 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Location: North 228

Women of Trek
Saturday 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Location: North 226

Phoenix Comicon Film Festival – Star Trek Fan Films
“Prelude to Axanar”, “Project Potemkin: Holding Pattern”, “Kirk v Picard”
Saturday 12:30PM – 1:30PM
Location: West 104

Producing ‘Star Trek Continues’
Saturday 3:00PM – 4:00PM
Location: North 228

Screen Wizardry! Special Effects – Visual & Practical!
Hosted by David Stipes (Star Trek: DS9)
Saturday 4:30PM – 5:30PM
Location: North 226

Getting Spock-ed: An FX Makeup Demo
Saturday 4:30PM – 5:30PM
Location: North 129

Voyager 20: 20 Years of ‘Star Trek: Voyager’!
Saturday 4:30PM – 5:30PM
Location: North 228

Live Long and Prosper: Saying Goodbye to Leonard Nimoy
Saturday 6:00PM – 7:00PM
Location: North 227

Nerd Poetry Slam
Saturday 6:00PM – 8:30PM
Location: North 124

What Was That Noise?
The sounds effects of Sci-Fi, including Star Trek
Saturday 9:00PM – 10:00PM
Location: North 229

SUNDAY

Running a Tight (Star)ship: Financing a Web Series
With the crew of Star Trek Continues
Sunday 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Location: North 228

The Costuming and Character Design of Star Trek Continues
Sunday 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Location: North 128

Star Trek Guests

Karl Urban
At the con: Saturday and Sunday
Dr. McCoy, Star Trek (2009)
Autograph $55
Photo Op (tax included) $65

United Federation Phoenix and the TOS Transporter Console photo booth!
At the con: Every day!
Star Trek fan club UFP will be bringing along a TOS Transporter Console photo booth, which will be setup outside the exhibit hall.

Larry Nemecek
aka Dr. Star Trek!

Chris Doohan
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Jimmy Doohan’s son and actor in TMP, Star Trek (2009), STID
Autograph $20
Photo Op (tax included) $32.50

Chris Gore
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Comedian and writer, works on Star Trek Continues

Chuck Huber
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Anime and video game voice actor, Dr. McCoy on Star Trek Continues
Hugs and Selfies Free
Recordings/Prank Calls $5
First Autograph Free
Additional Autographs $10
Character Art with Autograph As Listed
Photo Op (tax included) $32.50

Jim Beaver
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Star Trek: Enterprise

John Giang
At the con: Every day!
Artist, Star Trek (2009)

Kim Stinger
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Uhura, Star Trek Continues
Photo Op (tax included) $32.50

Kipleigh Brown
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Jane Taylor in Star Trek: Enterprise, Lt.j.g. Barbara Smith in Star Trek Continues
Kipleigh will be signing at the TribbleToys booth (#14068)

Michele Specht
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Dr. Elise MacKenna in Star Trek Continues
Autograph $10
Photo Op (tax included) $32.50

Roger L. Jackson
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Voice actor, Star Trek video games
Autograph $25
Voice Mail $25
Photo Op (tax included) $32.50

Todd Haberkorn
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Spock in Star Trek Continues, Anime voice actor
Headshots, CDs, DVD Autographs $20
Personal Items Brought In $15
Photo Op (tax included) $32.50

Tom Kane
At the con: Every day!
Voice actor, Star Trek video games
Autograph $25
Voice Mail $25
Photo Op (tax included) $32.50

Vic Mignogna
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Kirk in Star Trek Continues, Anime voice actor
Autograph $20
Photo Op (tax included) $32.50

Wyatt Lenhart
At the con: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Chekov in Star Trek Continues
Photo Op (tax included) $32.50



 

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Looks like a good roster of events. “Sounds like fun!”

Oh man, this looks awesome. So wish I could be there.

I hope someone will record at least the Friday STC panels!!!

Great job Emily! Thanks for putting this together!

Urban’s appearance is sunday in the enormous West 301 Ballroom (you know the one) and he allegedly has a couple bits of info he’s allowed to say.

Olmos, McDonnell and Sackhoff will also be at this con. Hopefully Olmos won’t be grumpy.

I’d love to meet Urban and ask him what the deal was with the demise of “Almost Human.’ I loved that show during it’s brief run, and am still pi**ed at Fox for canceling it.

Love to travel to Phoenix for this – could use a vacation.

4 – Leon — Who is this non-grumpy Olmos of whom you speak and what have you done with the real (grumpy) one??

I know they haven’t shot frame one of ST3, but could they at least show off a teaser trailer? F*#k it, put up a still from the Hubble Library and have Urban tell the crowd: “Gorn! Think Gorn!” Something! Anything!!!

#7. Mel – May 27, 2015

Looks more like Voyager’s saucer to me.

“Over the past few years, there have been a lot of exciting independent projects in the world of Star Trek — ‘Axanar’, ‘Renegades’, ‘Of Gods and Men’. But most of all, there’s ‘Star Trek Continues’. This web series is a continuation of ‘The Original Series’, and it’s absolutely fantastic.”

“Most of all, there’s ‘Star Trek Continues'”? Is there a reason you left out “Phase II”? It’s also a continuation of TOS, and they’ve released 10 episodes.

@Moshe
Probably because Phase II is awful.

@Moshe – Every article in which we mention ANY fan films, someone (is it you?) always complains that we’ve left someone out. We also left out Star Trek Beyond, Starship Exeter, Starship Farragut… need I go on? Sorry if we can’t give the full list of fan films in every article we post. If you want to hear more about Phase II, go ahead and read all about it right here on TrekMovie!

https://trekmovie.com/?s=Phase+II&searchbutton=go%21

I watched an episode of Starship Farragut and was really, really impressed.

Also: The Local Star Trek Club is celebrating it’s 40th Anniversary this year at the Con. Come by and see our us in the dealers room and our members on various panels

It’ll be interesting to see if Urban chats up the upcoming movie, with principle photography starting in a few weeks….

@11. Kayla Iacovino: No, I’ve never commented on previous posts about fan films. You misunderstand me; I wasn’t complaining that Phase II was “left out”. I was simply amazed by the post’s statement that there have been a lot of independent projects, “but most of all, there’s Star Trek Continues”. STC is great, and I’m a very big fan of it. But to say that “most of all”, STC is what there is, is rather bizarre and also untrue, to be frank.

@10. Htrag of DrazI: “Probably because Phase II is awful.”

Seriously, you think that “Mind Sifter” is ‘awful’?

13

Are you nice fans or whiny fans?

Just seen STC:White Iris… Spoiler free review

Good acting, great visuals and efx.
The story is probably the weakest of their efforts to date, though the subject matter is important, there wasn’t enough heft to the issue. Perhaps because of the nature of it being a bottle show.

Still, a great effort. B+

18: Helen, pretty much agree.

STC: ‘White Iris’ link is online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUg8-Tz69_I

LLAP