Update 10/14/24: this blog post has been updated to include the days/times for panels, as well as adding panels that we are not hosting, but will be participating on.
It's October, and almost time for our other favorite convention, CONjuration!
CONjuration is a 3-day immersive, magical, and fantasy convention in Atlanta, featuring cosplay, panels, and fun activities! If you are a fan of magical fantasy (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Supernatural, Dungeons & Dragon, Narnia, Buffy, etc) then this is the CON for you! This year's convention will be held Nov 15-17 at the Sonesta Suites Gwinnett Place. A weekend pass is only $50 (with discounts available for minors under 18 and college students), but you can also purchase single- or two-day tickets; information can be found here.
The Fandom Hybrid Podcast will be back again to celebrate our love of fandom with our favorite magical community! Anthony, Hanako, Michael, and Michele will be presenting various panels all weekend long! Even though the schedule has yet to be completed (with regard to days and times), we are able to share the following panel information for those who will be attending and may be interested.
Panel Information:
Friday, November 15, 2024
These Are a Few of My Favorite Binges – 6pm - Streaming TV services grant us access to many of the great scifi, fantasy, and speculative shows we loved in the past. Rather than revisiting well-known series like Buffy, Star Trek, and Supernatural, let's dig into less frequently discussed shows such as Grimm, Lost, Heroes, Bewitched, Mr. Ed, Mork & Mindy, Merlin and more! You might just find your next favorite binge! (Michael)
Parenting in Game of Thrones: A Study of Noble Families and Their Legacies – 7pm - Dive into the intricate and tumultuous world of Westerosi parenting. Join us as we explore the successes, failures, and complexities of raising children amidst the political intrigue, war, and power struggles of the Seven Kingdoms. We will examine the parenting styles and legacies of some of the most prominent figures in George R.R. Martin's epic saga. Our panelists will explore how these characters' parenting choices reflect broader themes of power, loyalty, and survival. Whether you're a fan of the books or the TV adaptations, this panel offers a deep dive into the familial ties that bind and break in the world of Game of Thrones. (Anthony, Hanako, Michele)
Catching Up With the Frasers: An Outlander Fan Panel – 8pm - Our beloved story of Claire and Jamie is coming to an end...sort of. With the conclusion of Season 7 premiering in November, and filming having been completed for both the upcoming eighth and FINAL season AND a new prequel series "Blood of My Blood", we still have a LOT to discuss in the world of Outlander. (Since this panel will discuss both the books and television series, we will split the panel so as to avoid book spoilers for those who only watch the show.) (Hanako, Michele)
Rings of Power Season 2: Journey into Middle-earth's New Chapter – 9pm - Embark on an epic journey as we delve into the highly anticipated second season of "The Rings of Power". This panel discussion will explore the new adventures, characters, and mysteries that await in Middle-earth's rich and expansive world. Our panelists will discuss New Characters and Plotlines, Themes and Motifs, and Fan Theories and Speculations. Whether you're a die-hard Tolkien enthusiast or a newcomer to the series, this panel offers a comprehensive and exciting exploration of "The Rings of Power" Season 2. Join us for a spirited discussion, insightful analysis, and a celebration of one of the most beloved fantasy worlds ever created. (Anthony, Hanako, Michele)
Saturday, November 16, 2024
The Final Countdown: Predictions, Theories, and Who Won’t Survive Stranger Things Season 5 – 11am - As we prepare for the epic conclusion of Stranger Things, join fellow fans and panelists as we dive deep into predictions and theories for the highly anticipated fifth season. Will the Upside Down finally be defeated? Which character arcs will come full circle, and who might not make it out alive? From shocking deaths to potential twists, we’ll break down the clues, fan speculations, and storylines that could shape the end of this beloved series. Bring your wildest theories and brace yourself for a thrilling discussion on what’s to come in the final season! (Anthony, Hanako, Michael, Michele)
Dark Disney: From The Black Cauldron to Watcher in the Woods – 12pm - We will look at history, trivia, stills, and clips of two of Disney's most wonderfully unsettling movies from the dark and uncertain years following Walt's death. Watcher in the Woods (1980) is a live-action atmospheric supernatural thriller that's very disturbing but marketed as fun for the whole family. The Black Cauldron (1985) was an animated non-musical based on a grim fantasy series of books by Lloyd Alexander; the gruesome themes created such a negative response from parents and critics that Disney locked it away in the vault for years! We'll dig into the nostalgia, the trivia, and the crazy stories you haven't heard behind both productions. (Anthony)
Team Green or Team Black? A House of the Dragon Fan Panel – 1pm - The Dance of the Dragons has begun, and we will discuss the actions and consequences of both sides of the Targaryen claim for the Iron Throne. (Anthony, Hanako, Michele)
Tolkien Wizards 101 - 2pm - “When is this guy gonna cast Fireball?" Have you read or watched Lord of the Rings or other Tolkien content and wondered if these guys were really wizards in the classical sense? Let's explore the characters referred to as Wizards by Tolkien, what they are, and what they can do in terms of magic. We'll get into the lore as well as exploring what we remember happening in the books and movies, and what it all means. This is 101, so if you have no idea, or if you're a lore expert, all are welcome to weigh in and "Well actually" as we explore Middle Earth magic users together. (Anthony)
We Are Here, Too: A Look at POC Representation in Fantasy Literature & Media – 3pm - Back by request! With all of the brouhaha surrounding recent casting choices in popular shows such as House of the Dragon, The Rings of Power, and - more recently - Percy Jackson and the Olympians, let's discuss the positive aspects of the increasing representation of POCs in Fantasy Media. (Anthony, Hanako, Michael)
Father Knows Worst – 4pm - From Bruce Wayne to John Winchester, Fandom Fathers have had an influence on many of our favorite characters. Sometimes, they grow up and do great things; sometimes, they grow up to do terrible things. Did these fathers do right by their kids or screw them up beyond belief? The results speak for themselves. (Anthony, Hanako, Michael, Michele)
Mother's Aren't Better – 5pm - From Cersei Lannister to Thalia al Ghul, fandom mothers are usually nurturing, caring, and loving; what happens when the best intentions don’t work out as expected? Their influence on some of our favorite good guys and villains can either build them up to be great heroes and heroines, or they could grow up wanting to watch the world burn. Let’s discuss some of these influences. (Anthony, Hanako, Michael, Michele)
Every Witch and Wizard Needs a Podcast! – 7pm - How and why you should create a podcast to promote your passion, art and creativity. It's an easier than you think. Learn the ins and outs of creating a podcast, promoting it, and maybe, tho probably not, make a few bucks in the process. (Hanako)
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Fandom Hybrid Podcast Live: Parenting in the Potterverse – 10am - Parenting is a hard job. Parenting in the Wizarding World - with all of its rules, secrets, and an evil wizard hellbent on pureblood domination - that's just a bit more difficult. In the wizarding world of the Potterverse, magical parenting in the midst of an upcoming war can take its toll on the children and shape the person they will become, for better or for worse. As a companion to our "Fathers Know Worst" and "Mothers Aren't Better" panels, please join us for a live recording as we discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Potterverse parents. (Anthony, Hanako, Michael, Michele)
Beetlejuice, Then and Now – 10am - Celebrating what we love about the ghost with the most! We'll talk about the original classic as well as the latest installment. And, do you remember that cartoon? I sure do! So prep your Handbook for the Recently Deceased and freshen up on your rendition of Day-O for a panel filled with Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice... (Michael)
Fandom Funerals and Repass: Why Fictional Deaths Feel Real to Us – 1pm - Back by request! As fans of fictional worlds, we often find ourselves emotionally attached to the characters we read about or watch onscreen. When a fictional character dies, it has as much of an impact on us as though these characters existed in our reality. Join our panel for a group therapy session as we discuss the fictional deaths that affected us the most, and what their deaths can teach us about how to process our own grief and loss. (Anthony, Hanako, Michael)
Interview with the Vampire: Season 2 – 4pm - 2023 introduced the first TV series in the newly established Anne Rice "Immortal Universe", and it was better than most expected. With Season 2's explosive conclusion and the intriguing trailer and music single for Season 3's focus on the Vampire Lestat, we have lots of new things to discuss! (Hanako, Michele)
