Panels & Workshops

Learn to produce your own AMVs! This workshop covers video and audio editing software, effects & transitions, file formats and storytelling through video. Come and find out about methods and techniques to produce free AMVs or full-production multimedia projects!

This panel revolves around the popular manga/anime Hetalia: Axis Powers. Come join in and learn about world history AND manga/anime at the same time! In this panel you get to ask many, if not all of the characters questions, about almost anything!

Zyiamu Belly Dance is hosted by a tribal fusion belly dancer out of Upstate New York who currently lives in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. “Kiwii” began bringing cosplay into her bellydance over the last few years; her most recent act is a windup steampunk doll inspired by Orianna, Lady of the Clockwork from League of Legends. When Kiwii isn’t dancing (or making cosplay outfits), she’s playing League of Legends, watching various anime, drawing fan art, and cooking. Saria enjoys using her spare time to read books ranging from the Game of Thrones novels to manga like Chobits and Fushigi Yuugi, drawing and painting, and costume designing & sewing. Come check out this unique & fun way to cosplay!

This is a panel which gives the audience a chance to tell their own version of Homestuck, as well as join the canon version. The host of the panel will ask the participants what choices they have for each of the acts being presented, and the process of telling their own final version will be in the hands of the audience.

A question often asked is "How do you pick your cosplays?" This is personal and different for each of us. Often various methods are used for each cosplay but after talking to a few friends and reading the replies of other cosplayers, there are some things many do the same way.

This panel will approach the scary world of picking patterns and fabric and will completely cover choosing, prepping and sewing a cosplay for a con. Makeup and crossplay tips will also be discussed.

Ages 4 through 14, with the help of an adult for younger kids. Build a fun Anime or Star Wars character with craft supplies! Scissors, glue, and coloring utensils are involved so PLEASE have an adult present to help small children.

Here, you'll get to ask all of the nations your "important" questions.

Using actual literary devices to improve one's writing and avoiding the pitfalls unique to fanfiction.

Epic readings of bad fanfiction will also be screened.

Are you scared of entering the My Little Pony fandom? Want a closer look at some of the memes? Or just love ponies? Then this is the panel for you. Don't be afraid of the fandom, I'll give you an introduction to some popular memes.

I want to film the short opening sequence as seen in the Sailor Moon S movie, only with real people in real life. If you think you have the ability to look like a certain character and can provide your own costume, please try out! We also need help with camera work, editing, possible CG effects, make-up, and other aspects of behind-the-scenes production. Ages 14-19 for cast roles, all ages for behind the scenes roles. What we are filming is here.

Ever wanted to know more about wigs and wig care? Well you found the right panel! In this panel we will be discussing where to find and buy wigs, how to put wigs on, how to cut and style and any other questions you have!

The plots, secrets, and story lines of different Vocaloid songs and song series.

Learn with the Berkshire's very own Joyousorrow and ShadowCloudVA (voice actors in Cardcaptors/Cardcaptor Sakura Abridged aka CCSA on YouTube) about making an anime abridged series hear their voice impressions of other characters and maybe get to do some of your own. Learn the basic process of making an abridged series... there's more to it than just cracking dirty jokes and swearing.

Whether you are writing a novel, drafting a screenplay, or setting up a role playing game adventure for friends, story matters! Join writer Armand Inezian in a discussion focusing on several techniques for building stronger and more intense stories including: starting in the action, moderating info dumps, big story / little story, identifying and removing repetition, and thinking about narrator's voice. (with handout & examples)

A Hetalia-inspired panel about world flags. We will be learning to identify them, competing to label them, and earning fun prizes!

If you become a zombie, is your surviving family culpable for the havoc you wreak? Is it polite that they at least send a card of apology? Could Leda sue Zeus for paternity? Is dating a vampire necrophilia? What are the laws governing of magic? This panel will seek to introduce the audience to various real world concerns that can help to solidify fantasy universes in one's writing (or at least give fodder for fan nitpicking).