The Top Ten Panels You Need to Visit at This Year’s San Diego Comic-Con

For anyone deciding to go to this years San Diego Comic-Con, it can be a bit over whelming. One look at the event schedule and it’s easy to get lost in all the panels, classes, and premieres taking place. Well, for any digitally savvy person looking to make their trip a productive one, VideoInk has you covered. Below is a short list of all the can’t miss events at this years Comic-Con.
Friday, July 21 • 12:30pm — 1:30pm -Netflix’s “Buddy Thunderstruck”: Netflix is diving deeper into interactive “choose your own adventure” type shows. Come listen to Ryan Wiesbrock (“Buddy Thunderstruck” creator), Eric Towner (director and executive producer), John Harvatine IV (director and executive producer), Tom Krajewski (writer and story editor) Brian Atkinson (voice of Buddy Thunderstruck), and Ted Raimi (voice of Darnell) talk with other cast and crew about the stop-motion animated series and a new interactive adventure that lets the viewer decide where to take it next. Moderated by Donald Faison.
Friday, July 21 • 2:30pm — 3:30pm The Geek & Sundry Panel with Felicia Day: Felicia Day (founder of Geek & Sundry, MST3K), Marisha Ray (“Critical Role”), Hector Navarro (“Mothership,” “Shield of Tomorrow’), Ivan Van Norman (“Sagas of Sundry”), Erika Ishii (“Game Engine”), Amy Dallen (“The Wednesday Club”), Eric Campbell (“Shield of Tomorrow”), and Sean Becker (The Guild, head of video at Geek & Sundry) discuss what it takes to make that broadcast magic happen and what the future of their programming may hold.
Friday, July 21 • 8:00pm — 9:00pm — An Adventure in Digital Storytelling: With the ability to build massive interactive video game worlds and the rise of virtual reality technology, creators now have the ability to tell complex and immersive stories that can span hundreds or even thousands of hours. This group of panelists will discuss how creators can turn a story concept into a boundless world. Moderator Neo Edmund (“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” the Red Riding Alpha Huntress series) is joined by Andrew Robinson (senior writer at Blizzard Entertainment, Overwatch), James Waugh (VP development, LucasFilm), Micky Neilson (New York Times bestselling author, “World of Warcraft: Ashbringer,” “The Howling”), and Jonathan Callan (writer, “Justice League Action;” senior writer, Survios).
Friday, July 21 • 4:30pm — 5:30pm -World Creators: Crossing Platforms (Film, TV, VR, AR, Gaming, and Comics): Immersive technology isn’t going anywhere and it’s time to start utilizing it. Come check out a discussion on what it takes to make worlds come alive across a multitude of platforms, featuring some of the great creative minds in the business. Panelsits to include Ted Schilowitz (Paramount), Kiki Wolfkill (Halo), Randy Pitchford (Gearbox), Colum Slevin (Oculus), Nathan Burba (Survios), Marlene Sharp (Sega) and a couple of surprise guests. Hosted by VR Con as part of the Futurism and Tech Pavilion at the Omni Hotel.
Friday, July 21 • 4:30pm — 5:30pm Skybound Entertainment: Creators, Fans, and Franchises: Skybound Entertainment’s Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead franchise, “Invincible”) and the company’s CEO and fellow producer David Alpert (The Walking Dead franchise, “Outcast”) discuss their upcoming slate of television and film projects, including the film adaptation of Kirkman’s long-running comic series “Invincible,” their AMC comic book docuseries “Heroes and Villains,” and more. Kirkman and Alpert will be joined by Skybound Entertainment’s Catherine Winder (“The Angry Birds Movie,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Sean Furst (“Star-Crossed,” “Dice”), and T. Q. Jefferson (Telltale’s The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: Michonne), who will dive into what’s next for the company in the VR, gaming, and animation space. Moderated by Steve Zaragoza.
Friday, July 21 • 3:00pm — 4:00pm Building the Studio of Tomorrow: Come check out what it takes to build the studio of tomorrow. The team at Einhorn’s Epic Productions, a new IP development studio, will have a lively discussion about how they turned their vision into a fully funded company in less than a year. If you’re contemplating making a leap — whether it’s creating your own content, building your own business, or stepping in front of the camera — find inspiration from people who already took the plunge. Panelists include CEO Heather Einhorn (Legendary, DC), CCO Adam Staffaroni (DC, BOOM!, Lion Forge), brand strategist Aroop Sanakkayala, Karey Kirkpatrick (“Chicken Run,” “Something Rotten!”), Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani, a.k.a. Art & Franco (Aw Yeah!, “Tiny Titans”), and moderator Adam Robinson (co-founder, “The Princeton Review,” 2U).
Saturday, July 22 • 6:00pm — 7:00pm How Entertainment and Tech Leaders Are Uniting in Mobile VR To Deliver New Content Adventures: Power Rangers VR Experience: Mobile VR is shaking up the entertainment industry as a bold technology platform for blazing new, engaging content experiences. Learn how creative minds in entertainment and technology are coming together from Lionsgate, Qualcomm, and Reel FX to use mobile VR for designing and developing blockbuster content experiences. This adventurous discussion will open your mind to new VR possibilities, plus get you full-featured access to the immersive Power Rangers “Zords Rising” mobile VR demo. The panel will feature David Edwards (Lionsgate), Patrick Costello (Qualcomm), Jen Cadic (Reel FX), and moderated by Anshel Sag (Moor Insights). Hosted by Qualcomm Technologies and VR Con (curators of the Futurism and Tech Pavilion).
Saturday, July 22 • 8:00pm — 9:00pm Crunchyroll Industry Panel: As anime continues to grow in popularity so does anime streaming powerhouse Crunchyroll. Come discover the latest and greatest anime and manga coming out of Crunchyroll straight from the source.
