Events

The convention isn't going to be short on things to do. Don't forget to eat and sleep!

Timetable

Warning: this is draft programme only! The timing of events is subject to change, as is the actual lineup of events. We will be running events that aren't listed here yet, and some of the events on this version of timetable will probably be dropped altogether before the final version. And we still need volunteers! If you're interested in being involved in any of the events, either already scheduled or new ideas, please do get in touch and we'll see if we can fit you in.

NB some events are limited numbers or otherwise require prebooking; see the event descriptions for booking forms. A few events may require additional payment to cover costs, primarily those involving a trip away from the con venue.

Event Info

CON 101

Never been to a con before? Learn what it's all about and how to get the most out of the weekend, and get to know a few of your fellow attendees. Ask any questions you may have, and hear some amusing anecdotes from past cons.

Extreme Cosplay

The making of a costume, star to finish, from scratch! Watch a crack team of cosplayers work against the clock to produce a ready-to-wear costume to be auctioned off later in the weekend.

Just Writing

Space for writers to work.

Book Launch: A Foreign Country

Random Static launch their new speculative fiction anthology, featuring a number of winners from the Au Contraire short story competition.

Opening Ceremony

Meet the concom and Guests of Honour.

Fan Funds

Maree Pavletich, John Hertz, and James Shields will be loosely moderated by Flick from the League of Fan Funds as they tell stories of their trips and explain the the why and the how of the funds that send fans to other parts of the world.

Future Sex

What could the future hold for sex, and how will that affect society? Virtual reality, lifelike androids, meeting other sentient species?

Stargate

Group discussion on SG1 and its spinoffs.

Shows Cut Off in their Prime

Too often, SF/F TV shows are cancelled abruptly, leaving stories unfinished. A discussion on what should have been.

Writing Good Filks

A panel/workshop on how to give old songs an SF/F twist.

Beige Box Blues

Computers are an essential component of modern life, but they're generally not all that exciting to look at. That can be changed! An introduction to case modding for beginners.

How to Read SF

The sentence "He turned on his left side." can only mean one thing if you read it in a mainstream novel. If you read it in a science fiction novel it might mean something completely different. Science fiction has its own language and a structure that some people simply can't come to terms with. Let's explore how this works...

Doctor Who

Group discussion on everyone's favourite Time Lord - what do we think of Matt Smith?

Geek Crafting

An hour for people to bring along any crafty projects (knitting, crochet, beadwork, embroidery) to work on or show off. Some materials (yarn and crochet hooks/knitting needles) will be available for beginners or those who haven't brought along their own projects and who want to do something with their hands. Co-ordinators will be on hand to provide instruction.

The Quiz

Test your knowledge of the SF/F genre, from the classics to today's hits.

Religion and Faith in SF

A moderated group discussion on depictions of gods and organised religion in SF/F literature.

Queer SF

Discussion on depictions of non-heterosexual characters in SF/F.

Costuming Techniques

A discussion on the practical side of cosplay. Technical skills including metal work, different sewing techniques, sculpting, casting, and other various "crap into other crap" tips and tricks! Questions encouraged :)

Instant Crossovers

What happens when characters from different worlds meet?

Making Amateur Videos

How technology has made it easier than ever to make your own zero-budget epic, and why technology alone can't stop it being terrible.

SpecFicNZ Launch

The official launch for NZ's new SF/F writers' organisation.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

With audience participation, of course! Get out your fishnets for the late-night movie screening.

Star Trek

Group discussion on the Enterprise(s) and crews. The reboot - triumph or travesty?

Worldcon: What to Expect

Heading across the ditch to AussieCon 4 after Au Contraire? Learn about what they've got planned, and what past WorldCons have been like.

Joss Whedon is My Master Now

Discussion on Dollhouse, Firefly, Buffy, and so forth.

Myth and Fairytales in Fantasy

Panel on the influence of modern fantasy's predecessors.

How to Run a Con

Learn from the experts - those poor bastards who've already done it.

Anime for SF Fans

Comparisons of western SF and anime - which anime shows might be worth checking out?

SFFANZ Business Session

The annual general meeting of SFFANZ will take place at 11am on Sunday. Voting for the SFFANZ board, and discussion of all matters to do with NZ's fan community.

Tea Leaves & Entrails

Predicting our future - what are our lives going to be like over the next few decades?

Modellenary

Pictionary with Plasticine!

Live MST3K

The cult TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000 comes to rampaging life! Watch our team of highly-trained comedians provide hilarious running commentary on a notoriously bad sci-fi TV show. Parental guidance and a note from a qualified psychiatrist recommended.

Exobiology - musings from a biologist

What sort of life could evolve on other worlds?

Fanfic Cliches

Robust discussion of the literary merits of Aliens Who Make Them Do It, hurt/comfort, marriages of convenience, Person X Woke Up Gay, genderswap, mpreg, and the other weird and wonderful tropes that fanfiction throws at us.

SF Poetry: Bigger Than You Think

Tim Jones, co-editor of "Voyagers: Science Fiction Poetry from New Zealand", and poets Janis Freegard and Harvey Molloy discuss SF and speculative poetry - what it is, what attracts them to it, and why New Zealanders, including some of our most famous poets, have written a surprising amount of it. We'll also talk about the international dimension of SF poetry - including the SF Poetry Association and the Rhysling Awards.

Cosplay Culture

An interactive panel on the non-technical side of cosplay. Public perceptions, why people cosplay, cosplay etiquette and who gets to say what that etiquette may be, and cultural differences between different costume elements and environments are but a few of the tidbits on the menu.

Kiwi SF

An intro to SF/F originating in the land of the long white cloud.

Patrick Nielsen Hayden Q&A

Tim Jones interviews Tor Books' senior editor and manager of fantasy and SF, Patrick Nielsen Hayden, followed by questions from the audience.

Vid Workshop

An introduction to editing fan music videos.

The Art of Reviewing

What does a reader want to see in a review? Why is a review different from the blurb on the back of the book? Love their opinions or loath their opinions, reviewers perform an important function. Let's find out what that function is and how the reviewers go about doing it.

Speed Filking

Write a filk in under an hour.

The Sir Julius Vogel Awards

New Zealand's awards ceremony for the SF community, recognising both fan and professional achievements. Formal dress appreciated.

Comatose Cat Party

The con is officialy over, but you don't have to go home just yet.

Gaming

Roleplaying, board, and card games will be taking place all through the weekend. Learn to play something new in a causual session, or compete against the experts.

Filking

There'll be many opportunites to get together with likeminded fen to sing or listen to SF-based tunes. Classics like "Murderous Toy" and "Banned from Argo", or write your own (there'll be a workshop on that subject).

Video Screenings

Watch both fan-made productions and classics and rarities from film and television.

Post-con Pub Crawl

"The first glass of New Zealand beer that I drank convinced me that I really had come to the ends of the Earth. But that was many years ago and today the situation is much improved. A serious scientific investigation of the baseline and any improvement will take place in certain carefully selected Wellington establishments on the Monday after Au Contraire closes for business. Anyone wishing to provide input to the analysis should meet in the hotel foyer. We'll walk out and crawl back, suitably refreshed. Kneepads not provided." - Alan and Simon

See also:

• Writing Workshops
• Radio Play Workshop
• RPGs
• Dance Party
• Carter Observatory Trip
• Charity Auction
• Floating Market
• The Masquerade
• Horse Trekking