Bobbi Brink (founder, Lions Tigers & Bears) leads the discussion about the longtime fascination, and sometimes atrocious history, of animals trained to perform for film or video game development. Panelists discuss new realism technologies and remaining challenges for the entertainment industry. Filmmakers and animal rights voices share ways audiences can celebrate the humane treatment of Hollywood’s greatest stars.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Never before has the creative direction of the Star Trek franchise felt so tied up in so many factors beyond its creators’ control. What do fans want to see, and what are the likely real-world possibilities of Trek’s TV and film worlds? "Dr. Trek" Larry Nemecek (The Trek Files, TNG Companion) leads a panel of pundits and industry observers to peer into this dilithium-crystal ball, including Rico Anderson (Star Trek 2009, The Orville), John Champion (Mission Log, Mission Log Live), and James Kerwin (Yesterday Was a Lie, ST Continues).
Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Costume designers Jennifer Bryan (The Acolyte), Christine Wada (Loki), Marie Schley (Yellowjackets), Cynthia Summers (The Last of Us), and Annie Loppert (The Fall Guy) discuss their creative journeys, the unique challenges of designing for their projects, and the powerful role costumes play in shaping iconic narratives. Moderated by Spencer Williams, host of The Art of Costume Podcast, this panel will weave together threads of fantasy, frights, and high-stakes action. Learn how these artists bring characters to life and how costume design continues to push the boundaries of imagination.
Friday March 28, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Nicole Maines (actress and writer), Emmett Yonemura (director, X-Men '97), DJ Croft (cosplayer), and D'Manda Martini (drag artist) gather to discuss their careers and projects, seeking diversity and representation, and how being a member of the community influenced their work. Moderated by Julian Jetson (host and stylist).
Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Moderator Michael Pea (senior writer, Friends of Comic-Con) with Krys Keller (professor of creative writing), Robert Hurt (astronomer at CalTech), Krys Blackwood (principal designer, NASA JPL), and Julius Francisco (Southern CA School of Writing 2.0) explore those moments in The Expanse when the players in the smaller roles rise to heroic levels or fall to Stygian depths. “We make it all this way, so far out into the darkness. Why couldn't we have brought more light?”
Friday March 28, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 300C
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) movie producer Bobby Herbeck discusses all the pitfalls and delays in getting the first TMNT movie made, the onslaught of critics’ negative reviews ("There will only be one of these awful films”), and how seven films later there are more to come. Cowabunga dudes and dudettes!
Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 300C
In the year 1985, on television stations across the Western Hemisphere, a phenomenal animated event altered the course of broadcast history: Robotech! Celebrate four decades of this amazing franchise that helped launch the global popularity of anime we enjoy today!
Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 300C
The Taskmaster LA live-stage comedy show comes to WonderCon! Contestants Johnny Stanton IV (Former NFL fullback, game designer), Kiri Callaghan (author/actor), Lemar Harris (comedian, streamer), and Sarah Durnesque (Pick Your Poison Productions) will be challenged to complete absurd, often hilarious tasks to earn arbitrary points from the Taskmaster Ryan Omega (host/game designer) and Taskmaster assistant Reuben Bresler (game design instructor NYFA). This panel heavily involves the audience, making them an integral part of the fun and chaos!
Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 300C
