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Omaha Sci-Fi Scene (43)

Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 01/20/2012
07:13
OSFest 5’s Program Participants (3)
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

It takes a lot of hard work on the part of a lot of folks to pull off a really great convention. The Omaha Science Fiction Education Society (the parent organization of OSFest) has been lucky in finding a lot of talented people to help us.

James Hollaman & Sherri Dean

What can you say about James Hollaman that has not been documented already by psychiatric wards. Artist, Writer, Fan and just a provider of odd thoughts. His art work can be found on the cover of the Bubba Chronicles by Selina Rosen, Marking the signs by Laura J. Underwood and half of the cards in the Bubbas of the Apocalypse card game. (Sherri Dean did the other half) His writing can be found in Flush Fiction, International House of Bubbas, Houston we have Bubbas and A Bubba in Time Saves None. (all of them are available from OSFest 5 will be July 27-29, 2012 at the newly remodeled Ramada Plaza (72^nd & Grover). I hope to see you there.www.Yarddogpress.com) James has also done the cover and has a story in a e-book anthology called I Didn't Quite Make it to OZ, which is available through Amazon or Smashwords. James's mind usually is full of weird ideas. Some that help describe him. He had a Gallery Showing in OKC of what he calls Precocious Moments. This is Precious Moments of bad people or events. Some that was in the show was Hitler, JFK and Jackie at the time of his assassination, and the Uni-bomber. It was said that a woman walked into the gallery looked at his art and walked out muttering "there is to much evil in here". Another one of his ideas is called Room Con. A single night convention (party) held at various conventions. He has all the thoughts of a regular convention, Guest of honors, a Art show, even a hospitality suite. He usually has live music being played. He even brought Howard Waldrop to a Room Con.

Travis Heermann

Travis Heermann is a native Nebraskan writer. And like most good science fiction writers has a degree in science, in his case Electrical Engineering. But he has recently rounded that education out with a Masters degree in English. He has taught English in Japan for three years. His first fantasy novel as The Ivory Star in 1996. He published numerous short stories, magazine articles and gaming supplements until he published his second novel in 2009: Heart of the Ronin. Look for this multi-talented author on a lot of diverse panels this July.But learning something new and interacting with new and old friends is what conventions are about. Attend as many conventions as you can, so you can meet new people. I hope to see you at OSFest 5 in July.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 01/17/2012
16:04
A Fannish Move Means Lots of Great Genre Bargains
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Sylvia Kostisin is moving from her long time residence on Pacific street and will not have room for the collections she has put together over the years of being a fan in the Omaha area. Her lose is your gain. Here is a description of her some of her items:

“So, the first auction will have my Star Trek books--I think just about all the paperbacks and most of the hardcovers, along my autographed books, mostly from Omaha Sci-Fi conventions. The last few years of Magazine of F&SF, and some other random books

The auction on the 28th should have the bulk of my SF collection, more ST, some SW, a lot of Dr Who, convention memorabilia, fanzines (mostly Robin of Sherwood, I didn't check the box real close), my Elfquest (all the comics, including #1, some paperbacks and HC, games, posters, t shirts, the video, calendars) Star Trek plates and a 3-D chess set, movie posters, artwork, and of course books and magazines.

Close to 3000 books, mostly paperback, and SF book club editions. Some of the old Ace Doubles, books going back to when they were 35 cents, all the old time major authors, Magazines from the 1930's on, Astounding/Analog, Galaxy, F&SF, If, Fantastic, Fantastic Universe, Imagination--no Amazing or Weird Tales.

I haven't looked in these boxes for about 15 years, so not much current--I throw things down there occasionally, but never looked to take anything out.

The auction house is Martindale Auctions, and the auction will be held at their Auction Building at 1305 S Main, Fremont NE 68025 the sales start at 9:30 am on Jan 28th.”

So check it out for some great deals.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 01/12/2012
15:13
The Usual Suspects Jan & Febr 2012 Film List
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

January – As always January is a pick-up month, going back and getting caught up on the movie we missed over the Christmas Holidays starting with The Adventures of Tintin on the 7th and then The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The two new movies this month are Red Tails and The Grey.

1-14 - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker.

1-21 - Red Tails - A crew of African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program, having faced segregation while kept mostly on the ground during World War II, are called into duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard.

1 - 28 – The Grey - In Alaska, an oil drilling team struggle to survive after a plane crash strands them in the wild. Hunting the humans is a pack of wolves that see them as intruders.

February – This month usually has movies that are hidden gems or just dumping grounds for movies that could not make the Christmas Cut. Here we go from Daniel Radcliffe's first post Harry Potter movie to a reenactment of a real life Act of Valor told by the people who preformed it. In between we have a found footage superhero movie, spy(Kirk) vs. spy(Bane), a Rock in a jungle and Nicolas Cage with his head on fire. February also see the first re-release of the Star Wars Movies in 3D with The Phantom Menace.

2 - 4 – The Woman in Black - A young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.

2 - 4 – Chronicle - Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.

2 - 11 – Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - Sean Anderson partners with his mom's boyfriend on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island.

2 - 18 – Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance - As Johnny Blaze hides out in Eastern Europe, he is called upon to stop the devil, who is trying to take human form.

2 - 18 – This Means War - Two top CIA operatives wage an epic battle against one another after they discover they are dating the same woman.

2 - 25 – Act of Valor - An elite team of Navy SEALs embark on a covert mission to recover a kidnapped CIA agent.

Unless otherwise announced, all showing will be the last afternoon priced matinee at the Aksarben Cinema. So join these guys for a feature film and a chance to talk about it afterward.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 01/10/2012
16:03
The Programming Begins
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

It may seem like a long time until OSFest 5 over July 27-29^th weekend, but we need to start on the program schedule now if we are to have one worth your attendance. So Nick Schneider and I sat down and began pulling together interesting ideas that would make great events for you to be a part of. But we can't do it alone, nor can we prepare a schedule in a vacuum. We need you input. While I will be bouncing ideas through this blog over the next few months, now is the time to brainstorm, now is the time to come up with the ideas that can be fleshed out into great panels, and most importantly, now is the time for you to tell us what you are interested in and would like to see. After all the Omaha Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival is YOUR convention, now ours.

Yes, several old favorites will return: the Ultimate Starship Challenge, the Militarization of Space, and the Dating Auction to name a few. But the OSFest Programming staff is not plugged into YOUR network of influence and we can only guess what trips your trigger. We are looking for anything right now that falls under the genre of SF/Fantasy, Horror, Anime, Costuming/Cosplay, Gaming, or generally interesting to fans of the above. This is the brainstorming phase of programming, so no idea is too outrageous, we may not use it but we will consider it. Maybe with a little tweaking???

We are also looking for people who are knowledgeable in the ideas you suggest. So if you are an expert (or just someone with an informed passion) please let us know so we can keep you in mind for that panel. Also let us know if this is something you would just like to learn, that way we can look for the experts for you and have them available at OSFest.

Where should you make your suggestions? Posting a comment on this blog or on its Facebook site might get the word to us. The best way to do this is through the OSFES Forum at: http://osfes.org/Forums/index.php. This will allow Nick and I to rapidly find everyone's suggestion and others to give their feedback to what has already been suggested. Be an active forum participant and OSFES can keep bringing you great conventions year after year.

I hope to see you in July.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 01/05/2012
16:20
The Tale of Susan Satterfield
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Susan & the Roving Room Party

In 1977, Susan discovered a "little" convention called OKon and has been a part of fandom ever since that first exposure where she thought the Con Suite was for staff and guests only. She began her fannish life in Tulsa fandom. Here she not only chaired or co-chaired two Okons, a couple of MelloKons, and ran a party with another STARbase Tulsa member (Vicki Williams) called SuViCon, she also served in several capacities as an officer of the local club including Captain. Since that time, Susan and her husband Jim moved to the Kansas City area where she has gone on to co-chair three ConQuesTs with Becky Rickart, and along with Cindy McEldery, she has chaired 22 Contraceptions (Kansas City's adults-only relax-a-con). She has run many Masquerades for various conventions including Soonercon and ConQuesT and has worked on the committee for two World Science Fiction Conventions handling the Hugo Awards, run registration for two Nebula awards weekends, and in 2005, she was co-chairman of the World Horror Convention held in Kansas City, Missouri.

Susan Satterfield is the author of a number of published short stories including "Mirror of His Soul" and "The Changing," appearing in Eldritch Tales, and "A Perfect World," appearing in the Yard Dog Press anthology, Stories That Won't Make Your Parents Hurl. Her chapbook, Mirror Images, was published by Yard Dog Press in May of 2002. "The Lady Killer" and "Sweet Teddy" appeared in an anthology entitled Small Bites, which was a benefit for author, Charles Grant. She is also the author of "A Bubba Poet" found in The International House of Bubbas and
"What Goes Around" from the anthology Flush Fiction. Susan's short story entitled, "Close Encounters of the Bubba Kind," can be found in the Yard Dog Press anthology Houston, We've Got Bubbas. Her poem entitled "The Hunger: A Zombie Poem," appeared in October, 2009 in an anthology titled Vicious Verses and Reanimated Rhyme from Costcom Entertainment.
Her latest sale, "A Bad Case of the Munchies," can be found in the new Yard Dog Press anthology I Should Have Stayed in Oz.

Susan Satterfield graduated in 2001 with a Masters Degree in English from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri. Currently, Susan teaches at Longview Community College. She lives in Lee's Summit, Missouri with her extended family including dogs, cats, and assorted fish.

Join her and the many other guests this July 27-29th as we celebrate the fifth year of the Omaha Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival. See you then!

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 01/03/2012
16:50
Independent Filmmaker News
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

It has been a couple of years since Christopher Mihm has been about to make it to Omaha. But OSFest is still having an influence on his movie productions. Mitch Obrecht was an Associate Producer for Destination Outer Space and now James Hollaman is an Associate Producer of House of Ghosts and is currently highlighted in the Mihmiverse Monthly Newsletter at: [www.sainteuphoria.com] .

One of the things we added last year to OSFest was an independent film festival to showcase the works of small film makers like Christopher Mihm, Star Trek Phase 2, and The Dead Hour. Giving them some exposure and making potential audiences aware that their work exists. This year we are in the process of adding a special contest running up to OSFest. We would like to offer a chance for high school students who want to produce genre films to have those films shown to a receptive audience.

So join us at OSFest 5: The Gathering and experience some of those independent visions. Then let's all talk about what's great about the genre.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 12/13/2011
17:01
Adopt a Fan
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

The convention scene in Omaha is once again becoming crowded (look at the convention history of the 1990s). What's different this time the various conventions are working together to raise the bar on Nebraska's convention experience. But that doesn't mean Omaha has enough of a current con-goers base to support them all.

But we can grow that base!

Do you know anyone who reads SF/Fantasy/Horror/Manga or routinely watches similar programming, either it is live action or animated? Maybe it's time to introduce that person to your family of convention goers. Mentor them through a local convention. Guide them through the hazardous registration process, explore with them the map of activities (aka, the program book), navigate the expensive currents of the dealer's room and art show, lead them to the Sto'Vo'Kor or at least the con suite, and most importantly, introduce them to the friends you have made in the con-circuit. I know most fans when presented with a neo-con attendee, would likely bend his/her ear off telling them about the joys of conventions and do everything in their power to make them feel welcome and a part of our family.

If we want to keep the great variety of conventions that are now happening in Nebraska, we need to grow the base of fans that attend so we can afford the facilities we need. Believe me the hotels would rather book weddings; they are more profitable than us cheapo fans. So the next time you go to a local convention, bring a friend.

OSFest is a Science Fiction Convention with Something for Everyone. If we have missed your friends interests let us know. We have a forum: osfes.org/Forums/index.php, sign up today. Better yet have your friend do so also and the two of you can tell us how to make OSFest better. To help facilitate bringing a friend to OSFest, we are offering a Christmas Special this year. Between now and Christmas, you can purchase a membership for yourself AND one for a friend for a total of $50. That's a $60 value; we'll even throw in a certificate suitable to giving. Spread the joy, go to www.osfes.org/registration.htm and give the gift of fandom.OSFest 5: The Gathering is July 27-29, 2012. I hope to see you their and your friend too.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 12/08/2011
18:06
OSFest 5’s Program Participants (2)
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

It takes a lot of hard work on the part of a lot of folks to pull off a really great convention. The Omaha Science Fiction Education Society (the parent organization of OSFest) has been lucky in finding a lot of talented people to help us.

Daniel Nielsen is another area author that has contributed his expertise in the field of epic Fantasy fiction. He has participated on panels like: Writer’s Tech, Slash and Sparkle, and What If? (A discussion panel where the panelists drew alternative reality questions from a hat to talk about). Daniel is a self-described writer of dark fantasy; he has two books to his credit: Darksteel Destinies and These Old Bones, as well as an assortment of short stories and poetry. After discovering the joys of world building at an early age and his community library to feed his mythological cravings, Dan took to regaling his classmates with his fantasy worlds while still in school. With literary influences such as C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series and Glen Cook’s Black Company books, this is a new author you need to take the time to get to know.
Patrick Kennedy is an old hand when it comes to SF conventions. He has been doing SF art for as long as I have known him. He also put together the first 3-day SF convention in Nebraska: Electracon back in 1980. For the last two years Pat has graciously taken people on tours of our Art Show, explaining how various artists create their works and how individual attendees can take home a collection of it for their own. He also loves to talk about books, media, and of course art. He is still from Kearney, NE where he started Nebraska conventions.
But learning something new and interacting with new and old friends is what conventions are about. Attend as many conventions as you can, so you can meet new people. OSFest 5 will be July 27-29, 2012 at the newly remodeled Ramada Plaza (72nd & Grover). I hope to see you there.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 12/06/2011
19:36
A Little Bit of Hometown Horror
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

by Jason BurnsOn December 4^th I once again got the opportunity to be a part of The Dead Hour a web based horror anthology filmed here in Omaha. This was my second time playing a background character in the show the first was in Fright Fest which kicked off the second season of The Dead Hour on October 18^th 2011 and now I’m going to be in All Hollow’s Eve which will launch on January 17^th 2012.
The Dead Hour was created by the same minds who made the indie horror movie The Wretched, Director Daniel B. Iske and Writer Scott Coleman. The Dead Hour is same vein as Tales From the Crypt and Creep Show it stars Melissa Holder as DJ Raven a radio talk show host that bring her audience tales of horror and suspense. The first season first launched on October 27, 2010 with the episode Donor followed by four more episodes Alcoholic Vampire, Cougar, The Hole and Cannibal Girls.
Second season launched on October 18, 2011 with Fright Fest and will consist of 9 episodes which will end with Fireside Lounge on February 28, 2012. The first four episodes have been launched with the next one being Gross Anatomy on December 13, 2011.
Season one of The Dead Hour was one of the shows we had at our 2011 indie film fest at OSFest 4 and season two will be shown at OSFest 5. During OSFest 4 we also had a panel on Make-up and Effects ran by Ryan Lacy of The Spider and The Fly FX who is now head of make-up FX for The Dead Hour.
The Dead Hour is a work of passion for the crew and they volunteer their time and money to create it and are always open to anyone who what to help in any way they can for more information on what you can do for The Dead Hour click the link below.
[www.thedeadhour.com]

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 12/01/2011
16:32
OSFest 5’s Program Participants (1)
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

The backbone of any convention's program schedule is the participants who volunteer to staff the various events and functions that go to make up the convention experience. Their expertise range from writing and collecting, through media analysis and costume creation; and they freely offer this expertise to everyone attending the panels they offer. Between now and July, I hope to feature as many of these great people as I can. Here are the first two.
An Omaha native and published author: Matthew Rotundo is one such Program Participant. With Matt having the experience of attending the Odyssey Writer's Workshop, he has been asked and agreed to run a writer's workshop each year at OSFest. So if you are interested in writing, come out this July and see what challenges he will have for you. He was also the 2008 winner in the Writers of the Future Contest, and has had several stories published. So he is able to talk about the craft of writing, like in "Redshirts: How to Kill Your Characters"; and with his passion for movies he is a natural fit for media related talks; like "The Magnificent Seven & The 7 Deadly Sins" and "Star Trek: Back to Basics. Does the Reboot Work?"Kansas City based ConBarbie; Sherri Dean, is also a published author but first and foremost she is a huge fan. She has many convention based experiences to draw on while she helps with past convention panels like: "Top Ten Tips For Getting Published", "Fantasy: Zombie Iron Chef: Brains anyone?", and "Bump: There Goes The Neighborhood". This lady knows her way around a convention and how to get the most fun out of the time she spends with friends. Join her for "How To Enjoy A Convention" panel sometime and learn something new.But learning something new and interacting with new and old friends is what conventions are about. Attend as many conventions as you can; OSFest 5 will be July 27-29, 2012 at the newly remodeled Ramada Plaza (72^nd & Grover). I hope to see you there.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 11/29/2011
15:52
Matt Mogk: Horror Guest of Honor
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Well this is a new catagory of GOH for us. We have a Horror Guest of Honor this year. Join us at OSFest 5 and meet the founder and head of the Zombie Research Society: Matt Mogk. While he holds a Masters Degree from New York University Film School, specializing in horror in cinema, he went on to receive advance combat and survival training from the French Foreign Legion
He earned a Masters degree from New York University Film School where he specialized in horror in cinema, before receiving advanced combat and survival training in the French Foreign Legion, the mercenary wing of the French Military.
Putting those two skill sets together with his lifelong interest in the Undead, Matt created the Zombie Research Society in 2007 where he is still their Head Researcher. The ZRS boasts a membership of over 60,000 zombie academics and enthusiasts on 6 continents, with dozens of local chapters. Omaha is fortunate to host one of those chapters.
But Mr. Mogk's talents don't end there. He has written two books: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Zombies and That's Not Your Mommy Anymore: A Zombie Tale. He also appeared on Spike TV's Deadliest Warrior, in the last episode of the third and final season: Vampires vs. Zombies. He along Max Brooks (author of World War Z) comprised Team Zombie.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 11/24/2011
13:04
We’re Moving Again
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Well we finally did it, signed a contract with a new hotel – a bigger hotel – a hotel that should be easier to get to. The Ramada Plaza Omaha – Hotel – Convention Center/CoCO Key Water Resort will be the gathering point for OSFest 5. We will have more and larger rooms (no more converting hotel rooms into programming space), a large suite for our con suite, real suites for attendees to throw parties in, and a grand foyer to spread out registration (and hopefully speed things up.
The only down sides are: people need to reserve their rooms early to get the discounted rate, and we will again have to make all our reservations by phone to the hotel.The discounted rate for 2012 will be $84/night for a Standard room and $144/night for a suite. But they will be real suites not just enlarged standard rooms like at the Crowne Plaza. But to get these rates you will have to book your room by April 27, 2012 or the rates will revert to their standard prices of $94/night for a Standard room and $144/night for a suite (there was no early bird discount for a suite but they normally go for $180/night). Also the room block will be released on July 13^th, after which there will be no guarantee of availability. So get a room booked early and save, you will have up to 24 hours ahead of arrival to cancel your reservation without any penalties.The rates and the room block are not available online. You will again have to actually phone the Hotel Reservations Center at either: 1-888-288-4982 or the hotel itself at: 402-547-5640. When you do be sure to ask for the OSFest or Omaha Science Fiction Education Society rate. If you use any online hotel reservation system, you will not be included in our room block. Being in that room block means our hotel guy can keep you close to the weekend's action. So droop him an email at: hotel@osfes.org, when you make your reservation so he knows your in the system and let him know if you have any special needs; like you want to throw a party.Working together we can make the hotel experience at our new digs fun and undisturbed. Details will continue to go up at [www.osfes.org] until we have rocked the corner of 72^nd & Grover once more.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 11/22/2011
16:53
Cynthia Martin: Artist GOH for OSFest 5
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Cynthia Martin (aka Cindy Martin) is a comic book artist best known for her work on the Marvel Comics Star Wars title, where she drew the covers of issues 92 & 93, then went on to pencil issues 94-107.

She began her career drawing on Ms. Victory Special #1 for AC Comics in 1985. In the early 1990's she did some very memorable work for Marvel's Web of Spider-man series as well as the afore mentions Star Wars title. She has also worked for: DC Comics (on both Wonder Woman and The Blue Beetle), Eclipse Comics, First Comics, Topps Comics (Jason Goes to Hell – The Final Friday), Dark Horse Comics (GoGirl), and a number of other small presses. She even did a stint drawing the Camp Horror Queen: Elvira, in her comic series. She was one of the few women working in mainstream American comics during that time.Recently she has been illustrating for Capstone Press and How to Draw Comic Heroes for Edge Books. She worked with Lela Dowling on Dragonflight: Graphic, a graphic novel set in Anne McCaffery's Pern universe. Her current projects include books for ABDO Publications.

"Martin's clean lines and strong sense of movement during action scenes set her apart from other Star Wars artists of the time. Her work displayed the influence of Japanese manga long before it became common in American comics." from her Wikipedia page.So join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of this distinguished artist, July 27-29, 2012 at OSFest5: The Gathering.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 11/17/2011
15:46
Jack McDevitt: Author GOH for OSFest 5
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

I was introduced to the writings of Jack McDevitt (born 1935) with the A Talent For War (1989). Despite the title this was more of a mystery story about past happening in a future universe. From there he took me on trips into a post-apocalyptic future earth, a journal through the halls of an ancient alien travel device, and the breakup of our moon. The last three are some of his stand alone novels; he also has a couple of long running series to his credit.
The Engines of God (1994), he introduced the idea of a universe that had once been teeming with intelligent life, but contains only their abandoned artifacts by the time humans arrive on the scene. Although it was initially written as a standalone novel, the main character of The Engines of God, pilot Priscilla Hutchins (Hutch), has since appeared in five more books, Deepsix (2001), Chindi (2002), Omega (2003), Odyssey (2006), and Cauldron (2007). These books became known as Jack's Academy Series of novels. The mystery surrounding the destructive "Omega Clouds" (which are introduced in The Engines of God) is left unexplored until Omega, but it is worth the wait.His Alex Benedict series consists of the archaeology texts: A Talent for War (1989) (also published as part of Hello Out There), Polaris (2004), Seeker (2005) - winner of Nebula Award for Best Novel, The Devil's Eye (2008), Echo (2010) and Firebird (2011)Jack went to La Salle University, where he won the annual Freshman Short Story Contest and was published in the school's literary magazine, Four Quarters. As McDevitt explained in an interview, "I was on my way. Then I read David Copperfield and realized I could never write at that level, and therefore I should find something else to do. I joined the Navy, drove a cab, became an English teacher, took a customs inspector's job on the northern border, and didn't write another word for a quarter-century." McDevitt received a Master's degree in literature from Wesleyan University in 1971. He returned to writing when his wife, Maureen, encouraged him to try his hand at it in 1980. Of course she was right.
Meet this entertaining author at OSFest 5 – July 27-29, 2012. And despite his self-described inability to write at David Copperfield's level, I know you find his writings intriguing and fun.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 11/15/2011
16:51
The Bones of Convention Art Shows
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

One attraction seen at most conventions – Sci-Fi, Anime, and even gaming – is the Art Show. There you will find a mixed bag that might include oil paintings, acrylic, pencil, or computer generated illustrations, numbered prints, sculptures, hand-made jewelry, and even original work done right there at the convention (sometimes with input from onlookers). You can bid on the pieces, or sometimes just buy them outright.

But what goes into having an art show? Lots of things. All of the artists need to be contacted so they know where to bring their art – or where to send it if they won't be at the convention in person. Organization and planning are needed to make sure nothing gets lost. And when you purchase that glorious image, the artists need to get paid for their sales.

There is also some special furniture needed to put on an art show, called art panels, or "flats." Most of the art is in the form of paintings or drawings, and they need to be hung up on something. Hotels get pretty testy about driving nails into walls to hang art, so conventions bring in flats. It is rumored that the first art shows just had paintings lying on the floor, and you'd walk around looking down at them. That didn't end well.

OSFest used wood frame flats for the past four years. They had been constructed almost two decades ago, and served well at conventions such as Concussion, Nuke-con, AnimeNebrasKon, oh and OSFest. But wear and tear had taken their toll.
At OSFest 4 we decided to retire those venerable display boards and at OSFest 5, next July you will see art displayed on newly designed art flats. The design is very flexible, they will fit whatever room we happen to be using. It is also much lighter and compact for storage and transport. (Ask some of our volunteers how easy it was to move the old flats!) And they are intergratible with the art flats used by Constellation so either convention will be able to effective double its art show when possible.

Of course, you don't care about what the art is hanging on. The point is that a lot of work goes into producing the show, some of it as mundane as cutting PVC pipe to hang the pretty art, which is what you really want to see. So come to OSFest 5 and see what national artists have dreamed up for our enjoyment, you might even want to buy one or two to take home. See you in July.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 11/10/2011
16:27
AnimeNebrasKon
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Kudos go out to the staff of AnimeNebrasKon. Once again not only did they survive the weekend of November 4-6^th,2011 but they pulled off another great convention experience. I have yet to see the figures from the weekend but from some name badge numbers I do believe they broke attendance figures again. The dealer's room at the same time seemed bigger and more crowded, but there were still great deals to be had. I understand Dylan is still alive after delivering a remarkable assortment of panels, there were several room parties (including a Tron room) around the pool, and Rob Lewis duct taped the crowd for the "One Of Us!" parade on Sunday.

But you were there, Right? If so, you know what a great time it was and if not, why not? Fandom is a group adventure. A time to meet people, share what you love about the genres you have in common, and learn about genres you haven't experienced yet. Get involved in the fannish community. AnimeNebrasKon is the last Midwest convention for the year, so now is the time to plan your calendar for 2012. Look for one you like, get a membership, plan to meet the guests, for they are often really terrific people, then go and make new friends.

OSFest 5: The Gathering will be July 27-29^th, 2012, while our hotel is not confirmed yet, it will be in Omaha (it is the Omaha Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival). You can keep up with our plans at file:///H:/OSFES/Blog/2012/www.osfes.org.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 11/08/2011
17:14
ICON 36
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

The last weekend of October brought us the latest edition of the convention that Joe Haldeman built; ICON.

This last decade has been a rocky time for this venerable old friend. Where ICON began its days as a Iowa City convention run by the Science Fiction League of Iowa Students (SFLIS), it was later moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa as SFLIS gave way to the Mindbridge Foundation. Mindbridge is the fan support organization responsible for both ICON and AnimeIowa. A few years ago with declining memberships, Mindbridge decided to pull the plug on ICON. Then a couple of dedicated fans came up with a plan to save this stalwart of Midwest fandom. And for the last five years that plan has given the community an engaging intimate convention experience.

ICON 36 was another successful event and a fun time. Imagine if you will the lobby of the Marriott Hotel converted into a open air art show, a femaleized Dalek, and a plethora of room parties. Great conventions are made by the great fans that attend them. We may be nearing the end of the 2011 convention season in the Midwest but the 2012 season starts in a couple of months. Check out at least one of the area conventions, preferably one that you have not attended before, and meet some of those fans that make the convention great.

OSFest 5: The Gathering is scheduled to come together July 27-29, 2012. Come and have a great time.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 11/03/2011
21:11
I'm Back
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Putting the wraps on OSFest, attending the 69th World Science Fiction convention in Reno, and taking care of a few medical problems has kept me from writing this column these past few months. But some new things are happening in the Omaha Fan community as well as OSFest 5. I will be sharing those changes and events with you over the next several months as we approach the celebration of Science Fiction and Fantasy next July 27-29th.

The first activity will help make the community stronger. This weekend at AnimeNebrasKon, we will be holding a Community Fan Forum. Join us Saturday at noon to talk about what is happening in the area and what you would like to have happen. Representatives of most of the conventions in the area will be present to listen to what you thought about their efforts and what you would like to see happen in the future.

If you can’t make that panel, there are other ways you can express your interest in the community. Join a forum, OSFES has one [osfes.org]
AnimeNebrasKon has another [forums.animenebraskon.com]
and there are other groups with forums. But express your opinions or we won’t know what you want.

So let us know anyway you can. OSFest 5 will be July 27-29, 2012. Bookmark this blog or go to www.osfes.org as we keep making plans.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 07/29/2011
14:43
One For The Record Books
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

OSFest 4.0 is one for the history books, even the record books. This year we blew the roof off attendance figures for Omaha based SF conventions. But none of that would have been possible without your help and support. Thank you for busting our attendance through the roof.

Yes we had our share of SNAFUs but I hope they didn’t mar your enjoyment of the weekend. If they did, please let us know so we can improve the experience for you next year. Go to the OSFES Forum at: [osfes.org] and let us know. Also if there was something you particularly liked, let us know so we can do it again.

Next year: OSFest 5 The Gathering will be held July 27-29, 2012. If it is anything like this year we need more people. If you are interested in helping run a convention or even just having a say in what happens; join the omaha_ne_scifi_con Yahoo group at: [groups.yahoo.com] and we will let you know when our planning meetings are. Just remember is you voice a really good idea, you may be asked to carry it out – with all the help we can give you of course.

But right now we want your thoughts about the convention and how we can improve it. So either drop me a line at jshoberg@cox.net or go to the OSFES Forum at: [osfes.org] and tell us what you think. Remember we only learn from our mistakes, so don’t be afraid to point them out to us.

We really can't say this enough. From everyone at the Omaha Science Fiction Education Society: Thanks!

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 07/17/2011
16:28
OSFest 4.0 - Jail and Bail
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Conventions are an opportunity for various groups to raise funds for charitable causes. Since OSFES (the sponsoring corporation of OSFest) is a 501(c)(3) we are honored when a group approaches us to solicit funds for another 501(c)(3). Especially when they can make the activity FUN.

This year the Omaha Chapter of the Zombie Research Society will be holding a Jail and Bail fund raising event for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

If you have never participated in or heard of a Jail and Bail, the concept is quite simple. You go to the headquarters of the people running the Jail and Bail to swear out a warrant for someone. A fee/donation is charged to fill out a warrant and you have to let the arresting parties know where the person you want arrested is, also how they will know who they are. The Officers then go and arrest the person named in the warrant, return them to the designated Jail where they must stay for a period of time or Bail themselves out (another fee/donation). Then they are free to swear out a warrant against you and the fun goes on.

What will make this event unique to the Jail & Bails I have seen elsewhere is that the Arresting Officers will be Hordes of Zombies. This should be a really fun event happening on Saturday of OSFest 4.0: System Upgrade. I hope to see you there.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 07/10/2011
17:32
Local Groups: The Steampunk Society of Nebraska
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

By Joe Carver

The Steampunk Society of Nebraska is a varied group of individuals drawn together under the banner of Steampunk. We have members drawn from many subcultures. Artists of many mediums, fashion designers, goths, makers, costumers, reenactors, academics, administrators, and just good ole salt-of-the-earth people can be found as members of the SSoN. We have been around for almost two years and have a membership of almost two-hundred people. We gather for occasions from picnics to socials to photo sessions and crafting events.

The Steampunk Society of Nebraska couldn't let an OSFest go by without coming out and sharing Steampunk with the community. We hope to spark an interest in the steamier side of sci-fi and fantasy and encourage people to join our happy little family.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 07/07/2011
17:08
Local Groups: The Zombie Research Society’s Omaha Chapter
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene
The Zombie Research Society (ZRS) was founded in 2007 as an international non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of zombie scholarship in the Arts and Sciences. Their membership reflects the group's diverse backgrounds, interests, and research, but they are unified in their support of the ZRS' foundational principles:
2. A zombie is a biologically definable, animated being occupying a human corpse
3. The zombie pandemic is coming. It is not a matter of if but a matter of when.
4. Enthusiastic debate about zombies is essential to the survival of the human race.
Omaha has a chapter of this organization doing the research and training called for by the parent group. Part of their efforts is the production of a podcast: Undead Air. They also have monthly meetings, the times and locations of these are published on their Facebook page.

OSFest is honored to have these fine folks bringing and sharing their talents with us this July 22-24, 2011. In addition to a Leukemia Society fund raising event, they will be sponsoring a Zombie makeup workshop, offering tips to survive the zombie pandemic, and discussing our current love affair with zombie books and movies. They are a great group and you will have a fun time meeting them. So join us at the Old Mill Crowne Plaza this summer for OSFest 4.0: System Upgrade.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 07/04/2011
19:23
OSFest 4.0 Fan GOH: Becky Potter
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Becky Potter is the president of the Nebraska Japanese Animation Society and convention chair of Anime NebrasKon, the oldest and largest Japanese animation (anime) convention in the state of Nebraska. Becky's leadership in the anime community started while serving for four years as the president of Otaku Jinrui: The UNL Anime Club. In 2004, the club decided to host a one-day event for a fund-raiser. When 300 people attended, the club committed to the event's continuation and expansion.

The event, Anime NebrasKon, now in its eighth year, has over 2,000 attendees, over 150 activities, and 60,000 square feet of convention space at the CoCo Key Water Resort - Convention Center in Omaha, NE. Becky has served as the convention chair since its inception, and works with 30 preplanning staff and an additional 45 staff members the days of the convention. All of the staff members are volunteers who work diligently for the convention attendees. "Our goal is to offer a great event that has something for everyone, no matter how much that person knows about anime. We're all fans of something, and it's great to come together to share that fandom. We want to build more than an event; we want to create lasting friendships and a strong community." To fortify that community, NebrasKon has networked with conventions such as OSFest to offer free mini-events and to promote other local organizations and activities.

When she's not working on Anime NebrasKon planning, Becky can often be found at events around the region as an attendee. She has served as a panelist on the topics such as the state of local fandom, the process of running clubs and organizations, and perhaps most notably, the strategy of becoming an effective evil overlord. Outside of the fandom scene, Becky works on her "real life" (but cool!) job as a Human Resources Project Manager at Union Pacific, and spends her spare time creating a fantasy-genre novel.

So learn more about this industrious local fan at OSFest 4.0:System Upgrade this July 22-24, 2011. We hope to see you there.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 07/01/2011
20:15
OSFest 4.0: Ultimate Starship Challenge
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

OSFest 4.0 will again see the Ultimate Starship Challenge (aka "the Starship Smashup") We will continue the tradition of matching the best starships from all over science fiction and letting them duke it out. In last year's championship match, the Super Star Destroyer: Executor commanded by Admiral William "Husker" Adama defeated a Star Defender commanded by Admiral Ozzel in the Mutara Nebula.

This year sixteen of science fiction's finest starships will be selected by the panelists and the audience to have at each other until one becomes victorious. The five panelists and the audience together will decide which starship in each match is the victor and which is debris.

Right now we need your help to choose the starships that will enter, which captains have enough moxie to command them, and what environments they will fight in. Please make your suggestions on our forum page by clicking this link. A copy of the rules can be found at [www.osfes.org] .

Will the U.S.S. Defiant commanded by Captain Jack Sparrow prevail over a Babylon 5 White Star commanded by Captain Crunch? You can help decide. Then watch mayhem unfold at OSFest 4.0 System Upgrade Saturday July 23 at 11PM. We hope to see you there.

Below is the video of last year's final round:

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 06/30/2011
16:39
OSFest 4.0 Artist GOH: Sarah Clemens
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Bio from www.clemensart.com/bio.htm; check it out for examples of her art.

Sarah Clemens graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in fine arts and art history, and the conviction that she would always be an artist in one capacity or another. She has freelanced in logo design and book cover illustration and photography, worked as the curator of exhibits at a science museum and for the last fifteen years been a medical illustrator.

But the need for self-expression is most important, and she began creating her own challenges, in the form of large oil paintings of friends and family members. Her realistic approach was second nature, after so many years of meticulous detailing in medical illustration. She has shown her work at galleries in Palm Beach, Florida and Boca Raton, Florida, Scottsdale Arizona and Beverly Hills, as well as exhibiting at the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach and the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach and the Mesa Art Center in Mesa, Arizona. A recent move to the Southwest has been inspiring, and trips to the Grand Canyon for intensive photographic shoots are sure to show up in her paintings.

All this and she plays a Theremin too. So come and make this expressive artist welcome at OSFest 4.0:System Upgrade this July 22-24, 2011. Just beware of cats with small dragons as their friends.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 06/27/2011
18:12
OSFest 4.0 – Klingon Treasure Hunt
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

For generations Klingon archeologists and treasure hunters have sought the Sword of Kahless (qeylIS), the original Klingon bat'leth. But little is known about the cloth used to protect that sword; the Shroud of the Sword of Kahless. Both the shroud and the sword were stolen by the Hur'q (a Klingon word meaning "outsider," a species reported to be from the Gamma Quadrant), when they plundered Qo'noS (the Klingon homeworld) in the 14th century.
A recently discovered prophecy says that the Shroud has come to Earth but that prophecy, written in ancient Klingon, has been split into many segments and hidden throughout the hu'Man hotel known as the Old Mill Crowne Plaza. Members of the Klingon Bird of Prey IKV Raptor's Heart, who have been sent from Qo'nos to investigate, need your help in retrieving the segments and finding the Shroud if it is there.

Here's how it will work: segments of the ancient prophecy will be hidden in the Art Show, Film Room, Con Suite, Dealer's room, Workshop area, and at various panels. Suspected locations will be highlighted in the OSFest 4.0 program book, so read your book. Then go out and enjoy all that the convention has to offer while locating the missing segments. Once you have located the segments; assemble them to reveal the prophecy. Use that knowledge to locate the Shroud and return it to the members of the IKV Raptor's Heart at closing ceremonies.

Remember: collect the segments, assemble them to reveal the prophecy, find the Shroud, return it to a crew member of the IKV Raptor's Heart and receive Honor Eternal.

Qapla

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 06/24/2011
15:10
OSFest's 2nd Annual Date Auction
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

By Kelly Schultze

That's right! The date auction is back for its second year. By participating in the date auction, you're helping OSFest earn some extra money to keep the convention going and improve it for the next year.

This year we will be offering advance application in addition to at-the-door application. To be "sold" in the date auction, you must provide the following information.

Name: (Your real name is required, but you can specify if you would like us to call you something else)

Age:

Short bio: (Give us some fun information on yourself so we can properly introduce you to prospective "buyers")

To be auctioned off, simply submit the information to Kelly Schultze at kschultze@unomaha.edu in advance or submit it to the registration table before the date auction.

Join us July 22-24, 2011 for OSFest 4.0. You're sure to have a great time, see you there.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 06/19/2011
16:13
OSFest 4.0’s Independent Film Festival 01
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

In 2006, Rachel Grubb and Brooke Lemke, longtime friends and actresses who frequently appeared in the same productions, had an idea. "What if we made films for women, by women, and about strong women?" Silent But Deadly Productions was born.

Two of their short films, A Broken Family and Young Eyes will be presented during OSFest 4.0 Independent Film Festival. In addition, their first feature-length motion picture, Why Am I In a Box?, will have its Omaha premiere Saturday night.

Why Am I In a Box? is a non-stop thriller that will leave you guessing right up until the end credits. Don't believe me? Join us Saturday night and find out for yourself! Their synopsis of the movie: "Ellen Farnsby is a modern-day Scheherazade. And if she doesn't tell the story of a lifetime, someone else will be writing her obituary. She is kidnapped by Paige, a failed novelist with an ax to grind. Jeremy is a video store clerk whose one talent is fooling himself, and others, that he's an artist. He and a pop junkie of a detective named Lydecker are hunting for Ellen. Will Jeremy and Lydecker find Ellen before a vicious maniac edits her out of existence? Will Ellen write a brilliant novel or end up a tragic movie-of-the-week?"

The trailer is also available here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CssWeqwtn6o

The OSFest 4.0 Independent Film Festival is a part of
OSFest 4.0:System Upgrade this July 22-24, 2011, admission to all of the films shown is included in your convention membership. To see our current lineup, visit the Film Fest page here: http://osfes.org/film_fest.htm
We hope to see you there.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 06/09/2011
15:24
OSFest 4.0 Programming: Meeting Of The Minds
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

From 1977 until 1981 PBS ran a television series created by the late Steve Allen that featured interviews and discussions with some of the greatest figures in history. Everyone from Cleopatra, Ulysses S. Grant and Attila the Hun were called to his round table to talk about the issues of the day. From the Steve Allen website: "Meeting of Minds encourages the viewer and reader, who may be historically illiterate, to become more familiar with the great thinkers and doers of the past and to whet their appetites for more research and study."

At OSFest this summer we are inviting several figures that are part of the science fiction universes we love to that round table (okay more like a pair of rectangular tables) where they can share their collective wisdom about the happenings of today. Join Jules Verne as he invites Anakin Skywalker, Kevin Flynn, Kaylee Fyre from the "Serenity", Vash the Stampede, a Ghostbuster, and Ambassador JaPa from the Klingon High Council, to a spirited conversation. While Monsieur Verne will begin the discussion, come prepared with your questions for our panelists for the discussion will rapidly opened up to the audience, to you.

This should be a really fun event happening on Friday evening shortly after opening ceremonies at OSFest 4.0: System Upgrade. I hope to see you there.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 06/03/2011
13:01
OSFest’s New Hotel
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

One of the main system upgrades OSFES is making to OSFest 4.0 is a much larger facility. The Old Mill Crowne Plaza will allow us to expand the lineup of activities you have come to expect from Omaha's premiere genre convention.

The first thing you will notice is that each of the event areas will be larger, able to accommodate more fans at everything we plan. Instead of having one independent film in Main Programming on Friday night, we will have three days of continuous genre films created by fans just like you. And if you have an idea for a presentation, grab a camera and start shooting. We might feature you next year.

With a larger room for dealers, we will be moving the Artist Alley out of the common area and into our expanded dealer's room. We will even have room to hold workshops in the same room. And it will be away from programming so sound won't bleed through the walls and interfere with each other.

Tired of small gaming facilities, we are. Both the video and tabletop gaming rooms are double wide hospitality rooms. Each has a board room table and a lounge available, but don't worry we'll have enough tables in them to let you play as long as you like.

The con suite and party room floor will be moved to the top floor with an insulating floor between us and the regular hotel guests. So you can party to your heart's content. Just let our hotel liaison know you want to throw a party and he will arrange for you to have a room on the 6^th floor so you can.

So join us July 22-24, 2011 as OSFest 4.0:System Upgrade inaugurates our new hotel. It's going to be a great weekend.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 05/30/2011
08:58
OSFest 4.0 Programming: Independent Film Festival
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene
With great computer power comes great special effects – cheap. That means that more and more people are able to use this medium to tell stories with great visual appeal. Everything from YouTube wonders to fully imagined Hollywood style productions will be available for your viewing enjoyment in the OSFest 4.0 Independent Film Festival

Starting 3PM on Friday July 22^nd and running continuously until 3PM on Sunday July 24^th at the Crowne Plaza Old Mill, OSFest has brought together dozens of genre films produced by the folks who love them. Mitch Obrecht, the Festival Director, has arranged the films into six tracks.
- Documentaries like Trekkies and Six Days in Roswell.
- Short Films like Action Supremo, Play Dead, and A Cup of Hemlock.
- Fan Films like Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning, Star Wars: Spirits of the Force Trilogy, and Browncoats: Redemption.
- Action/Adventure/Drama like The Disk: Code Zero and Thieves Like Us.
- Freaky Fun & Zombies like Motor Home From Hell, Brian Keene's The Ties that Bind, and The Dead Matter.
- The Mihmiverse
  with all six of Christopher Mihm's films.
And best of all, admission to this festival is included in your OSFest 4.0 convention membership. So join us July 22-24, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Old Mill for a truly great time.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 05/26/2011
14:49
OSFest Fanzine Workshop
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

By Trudy V. Myers

I've been asked to organize a 'fanzine workshop' for OSFest 4.0. I was asked because I used to publish a fanzine, 30 years ago.

Back then, one had to read the slush pile, select the stories one wanted, edit them, re-type the hard copies into the proper format, take the proofs to the printer, collate the results, staple them together... How could I possibly squish all that into a workshop?

But technology has made things easier. Submissions could be made by email, editing done on the computer, and then the final product could be posted on the internet, removing the copy shop from the equation completely. I began to think it could be done. Now, would there be any interest in such a workshop?

Actually, I see this workshop as serving three purposes; it would give people interested in the editing end of publishing a glimpse of what's involved; it would give some fledgling writers a chance for their work to be critiqued by a fresh set of eyes; and offer some interesting reading to the general public.

So, how about it? Is anybody interested?

Writers, would you like to submit a short story set in some well-known universe (not your own) to a market that doesn't pay anything, just for the learning experience? We're asking for stories under 7,000 words, standard format. Please also put the universe of your story on the front page, under your contact information, and send the story attached to an email as a .doc or .docx file. The email address is osfestfanzine@gmail.com. We will make an effort to find an editor who is familiar with that universe. (If you write in an anime universe, it wouldn't be fair for your editor to be familiar only with Star Trek and Star Wars.)

The basic format of the workshop is about an hour on Friday, where we will hand out manuscripts to the fledgling 'editors', and give some basic instructions on how to choose what stories they want to include in the final product. On Saturday, we'll discuss our selections and decide on layout, editing and so forth. Hopefully, there won't be a lot of editing to do, because we'll have to take turns in the hotel business center to do it. One final meeting on Sunday, where –I hope – we'll have a techno-geek available to help us upload the stories, so everyone can see how it's done.

So, editors, are you interested in learning a bit about editing and publishing a fanzine? If you are, please send me an email at the afore-mentioned address, osfestfanzine@gmail.com and let me know what universes you are familiar with, so I can try to match you up with submissions.

This workshop may be a little intense, but I'll try not to keep from enjoying too much of the rest of the convention.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 05/23/2011
10:15
OSFest 4.0 Programming Upgraded
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

I'm sorry for not keeping up with happenings for the last couple of months. I have been busy getting the programming schedule pulled together for the Omaha Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival this summer. OSFest 4.0: System Upgrade is more than just a slogan; it's a commitment to bringing you the greatest possible SF fan experience possible. A lot of what we would like to do this year is interactive; we want to get you involved. Therefore I will be running a series of articles on our plans and how you can make the best use of them.

There has been a renaissance of fan groups forming over the last few years and several of them have agreed to share their fannish passion with us over the July 22-24 weekend. Interested in Medieval recreationism? We have Amtgard, The Barony of Lonely Tower, and the Kingdom of Riverheim coming do show us what they do. In addition to the typical fighting demos, these groups have agreed to show off their pageantry in what I am calling a Tri-Court. For one hour a medieval court will be held with each set of Royalties showing us how they administer to their recreational subjects. We will also have workshops on various arts and sciences the group pursue. Want to make a traditional set of medieval clothes for your next Renaissance Festival? Join the SCA in a T-tunic workshop. Amtgard will be teaching techniques in leather working, macramé and bead working. And of course The Kingdom of Riverheim will again teach people how to make chainmail.

But like I said their will be a wide variety of activities this year, many hands-on. Yet there will still be a lot of traditional programming and I will be talking about these in the weeks leading up to OSFest 4.0. I hope you will take some time and join us on our System Upgrade; July 22-24, 2011.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 02/26/2011
15:10
An OSFest 4.0 Fanzine?
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene
By Trudy V. Myers; editor and publisher of Ship To Shore

Somebody suggested that OSFES hold a 'fanzine workshop' at OSFest 4.0. Remembering the hours and hours of typing and layout I used to do, back when I did fanzines, my first reaction was, "No way! Can't be done!"

Since then, the back burner of my mind has been mulling it over and … maybe it could.

Very early fanzines were just a collection of content – letters, stories, whatever – slapped together, mimeographed and disbursed. There was little or no editing done on the contents. There may not have been a coherent page-numbering system or a cover or even a method of holding the pages together.

Certainly, something like that could be done. Would doing it serve any purpose? Because if you're going to offer this as a workshop, there should be some purpose, something people will learn from participating.

I see 3 groups who might be interested in how such a workshop did; the writers who might have their stuff in the 'zine, the workshoppers who want to learn how to do a 'zine, and readers who might be interested in the final product. And if done right, a workshop could benefit all three groups. The writers might get a clue how their writing is doing; the workshoppers might get a glimpse into the life of an editor/publisher, and the readers might actually have something decent to read.

Plans are extremely nebulous right now, but these are my rough thoughts on how such a workshop might work:
1. People who want to submit their work for consideration for the OSFest 4.0 fanzine would have to send them in early. I'm thinking we should keep the size of these stories short, maybe 2,000 words each, because I don't want the workshoppers to miss everything else happening at the convention as they try to slop their way through 100,000 words of stories in 24 hours!
2. People planning to attend OSFest 4.0 who want to participate in the fanzine workshop would need to check in with The Publisher on Friday to get their assignment. They would be handed their share of the stories in the 'slush pile' to read and decide what was 'good enough' to be considered. They would be given a few basic instructions, such as "If a story hasn't caught your attention by the end of the first page, stop reading; you don't have time."
3. In Phase 2 of the workshop, either Saturday night or Sunday morning, the workshoppers would meet again to make their final decision. Stories that did not 'make the grade' would be packaged up for the return home, perhaps with a few comments by the 'workshop participant' to the author. The others would be put together, pages numbered, a Table of Contents page added, and maybe a 'cover'. Then it would get shipped off to a copy shop for reproduction.
4. Would the workshoppers need to gather together one more time to correlate the pages and bind them in some way? Or would we ask the copy shop to do that?
5. At – or slightly before – closing ceremonies, the finished product would be available for sale at a price that would cover the printing costs.
I haven't worked out where the money comes from to get the printing done. And now that I've put some thoughts down on paper, I can see places where things could be done differently.

Any thoughts? Any interest? Speak now or I'll tell Programming to put this idea back on the shelf.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 02/23/2011
17:26
The Brigadier has passed
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

William Nicholas Stone Courtney, better known to Dr. Who fans as Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart or just The Brigadier, died yesterday after a short illness.

Nicholas Courtney, the son of a British diplomat born in Cairo, Egypt in 1929, made guest appearances on The Avengers and The Champions before becoming a regular on Dr. Who. His first appearance on Dr. Who was in the 1965 serial; The Dalek Master Plan (most of which is missing, though a scene with Mr. Courtney still exists) as Space Security Agent Bret Vyon with William Hartnell. In 1968 he was the director's second choice for the role Colonel Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart in The Web Of Fear with Patrick Troughton. By The Invasion, again with Patrick Troughton, he had been promoted to Brigadier and formed U.N.I.T. This rank and organization would carry him through the entire run of John Pertwee and several episodes of Tom Baker. By the Peter Davidson era, the Brigadier had resigned from U.N.I.T. and taken a position as a school teacher. His appearance with Colin Baker was a "Children In Need" special called Dimensions In Time which is available on YouTube. Finally he donned his old uniform one last time to appear with Sylvester McCoy in Battlefield. He has also worked on radio plays with Paul McCann, allowing him to have worked with all the Classic Dr. Whos. His final appearance as the Brigadier was on a two-part episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures; Enemy of the Bane.

The interplay between Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and whichever Doctor he was working with, took what could easily have become cardboard characters and breathed life into the roles. The world is a smaller place for the lose of his presence.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 02/13/2011
08:16
Omaha Costuming Day - Wrap Up
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

I'd like to thank everyone who came out and made our first Omaha Costuming Day a success.

Three duct tape dummies were taped together, including a full-body one. Several cat tails were produced with men relearning the art of using a sewing machine. Talks on how to create costumes with resorting to needle and thread, and how to present you costume on stage were given. And the Steampunk Society of Nebraska help several of us begin construction of steam guns.

We had nice weather, good facilities, and good attendance. To everyone who attended; everyone who taught something; and everyone who helped in the planning: Thanks you. Costuming in Nebraska is growing strong.

But the fun will not stop here. Costuming, cosplay, garb are all terms for the creation of a persona; a persona of someone you would like to be. You learn from others how to accomplice that vision. So to help with the interaction between visionaries, the Nebraska Iowa Costuming Community has been created on Facebook. Be a part, share you hobby, ASK how others do their incredible creations. And we will find you the venues where you can bring your visions to life.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 02/07/2011
17:43
Omaha Costuming Day
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

If you haven't marked your calendars yet, Omaha Costuming Day is this Saturday. Have you picked out the classes you would like to take yet?

If you need something to display your costume on or just hold it while you work on it, build a Duct-Tape Dummy. Wondering what you can do with fabric if you can't thread a sewing machine, we have a Non-Sewn Costume class. And Cassie has done wonders with having to prick her fingers on those sharp pointy needles. Need a prop to get your Steampunk outfit started, detail a squirt gun into a Steampunk Gun. If you have been collecting honoraries over the years and need show them off, create your own Klingon Honor Sash and wear them proudly. Feel like a cat in human skin, create a set of Cat Ears and Tail for your next convention foray. With Peter Jackson working on The Hobbit, now would be the time to get ideas about costumes from Middle Earth: Hobbits, Elves, and Dwarves, Oh My! Take scraps and build a wonderful head dress to compliment your costume-robe. Or just bring a project you would like some help on and we will have people ready to assist you.

But come and meet fellow costumers, even if you don't think you are one. They can be contagious and fun. See you Saturday!

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 02/04/2011
08:10
OSFES' Bot Droppings
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Your update on OSFES events
&
OSFest 4.0: System Upgrade – coming in July.

OSFest is still months away but we are working hard to make sure our fourth convention has plenty of fun for everyone. Go to osfes.org for information on the (NEW!) hotel, registration, guests, etc. Coming in the next few days: details on our Science Guest of Honor. Hint - He can explain the physics of dark matter and has been to OSFest before. But you don't have to wait till the next convention to have fun...

OCD

Omaha Costuming Day is just around the corner

February 12, at the W. Dale Clark Library in Downtown Omaha, OSFES will be hosting OCD from 10AM - 5:30PM. If you cosplay, or are interested in checking it out, you're welcome to stop in and learn from folks who take this stuff way too seriously! Ever wanted to make a Duct Tape dummy, but were too shy to ask to be taped up by your boyfriend? We've got a workshop for that. Have you been lying awake nights because you don't have a cool Steampunk Gun? We've got a workshop for that. Need a sash to display all the terrific awards you've recieved, built a Klingon Honor Sash. Just want to learn how to better present your creation, we've got a class for that.

The event is FREE, but if you want to actually make something yourself to take home during a session, there will be a nominal ($3-$8) fee for materials. We've got some great instructors lined up to share their love for what they do, so come on out to join them.

For more details and a schedule of events see "Omaha Costuming Day" on Facebook.

Yours,

The friendly folks at OSFES

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 02/02/2011
15:53
Creature Feature Live! The Night a Nebraskan Classic Returned
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

By Jason Burns

On January 29, Aksarben Cinema presented Dr. San Guinary's Creature Feature Live! the first of what they hope will be a monthly event. For their first show, they did the 1957 Sci-Fi classic 20 Million Miles To Earth, starring William Hopper, Joan Taylor and Thomas Browne, directed by Nathan Juran, with visual effects by Ray Harryhausen. The movie is about the return of the first U.S. spaceship from Venus that crash lands in the Mediterranean Sea. The only survivor, Col. Robert Calder (Hopper), is rescued by local fishermen where they find out that a creature they brought back called Ymir has escaped and heading towards Rome.

Almost expected this being the first Creature Feature they had a few bugs to work out. The start time was supposed to be 10:30PM but people weren't let into the theater until 10:40 and then they had some problems with the timing of the show. The event was set up like the old Dr. San Guinary T.V. show where they had an opening host segment to introduce the movie. Local film historian Bruce Crawford read a brief acknowledgement from Ray Harryhausen and also had some actors perform a short sketch. As the night went on, they stopped the film in different places to do some more sketches and got smoother with the transition between film and sketches. After the movie, they moved the props out to the lobby, where they set up a met and greet with the actors and had photo ops.

Over all, it was a fun time, and I'm looking forward to future shows. Aksarben Cinema promises that they are working on other events similar to the Creature Feature and they announced that the next Creature Feature, on February 26, is going to be the original 1933 King Kong. The first show was sold out, so if you want to go to the next one, you might want to look into buying your tickets early.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 01/31/2011
17:31
Omaha Costuming Day
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

While we suffer through this latest batch of horrendous weather, it is encouraging to remember that we are only two months away from the start of convention season. Naka-Kon is right around the corner, the weekend after OCD. Then April promises to be a very busy month: Willycon, Constellation, Demicon, not to mention Free Comic Book Day. So if looks like it's time to start thinking about your costuming wardrobe.
On Saturday February 12th we have just the event to help jump start you into a new costume or finish that cosplay character you have been working on. The Omaha Costuming Day (OCD)will have several workshops to give even the novice costumer something to wear at their next convention. Be it our Cat Ears & Tails workshop, our Headdress workshop, our Non-Sewn costume class, our Lord of the Rings costuming seminar, or build a prop in our Steampunk gun detailing workshop. Ww also have sessions on building a Duct-Tape Dummy to help you model your new design and a Presentation class to help you really impress the judges as you present your costume.
We will also have a specialist available to give you one-on-one help with whatever project you are working on. With sewing machines available to get it moving forward.
There is no site fee for this event. We will only be asking a small materials fee for some of the workshops to cover the cost of the supplies you will use. But then you will have something to take with you for that next convention.
So join us at the W. Dale Clark Library - 215 South 15th Street in Downtown Omaha. Meet lots of other people interested in costuming/cosplay and learn some new skills. It will be a fun day.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 01/18/2011
15:39
More Movie Stuff
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

As people get ready for the return of Creature Feature with 20 Million Miles to Earth on January 29^th, there is another Ray Harryhausen classic film on TCM the prior Saturday. Jason and the Argonauts will be shown on Turner Classic Movies Saturday January 22^nd at 3PM. Before the use of CGI, nobody could do creature effects like Harryhausen. In fact the creature scenes in 20 Million Years to Earth were so well done that the film had to be edited for television, just like the original King Kong had been. I hope everyone gets to enjoy these two great films by the stop-motion master.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 01/14/2011
08:58
The Zombie Research Society, Omaha Chapter
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene
Last Saturday night I went down to the Attic Bar and Grill for the monthly meeting of the Omaha chapter of the Zombie Research Society to meet these guys and see if they were interesting enough to be a part of OSFest 4.0. What I found was a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable group of fans. They are going to be a great addition to the program participants at OSFest.

Who are they: The Zombie Research Society (ZRS) was founded in 2007 and is dedicated to raising the level of zombie scholarship in the Arts and Sciences. ZRS Members represent diverse backgrounds, interests, and theories, but are unified in their support of the Society's three foundational principles:
1. A zombie is a biologically definable, animated being occupying a human corpse.
2. The zombie pandemic is coming. It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when.
3. Enthusiastic debate about zombies is essential to the survival of the human race.
  They are also responsible for the podcast: Undead Air.
So check them out and we'll see what this crew does to the Crowne Plaza this July 22-24 at OSFest 4.0 System Upgrade.

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Nebraska blogs (US-NE), 01/12/2011
16:21
Victorian Valentines Social
» Omaha Sci-Fi Scene

Victorian Valentines Social
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Friday, February 11 · 7:00pm - 11:00pm
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Location: TBA
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Created By Steampunk Society of Nebraska
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Last year's event was amazing

=- the gathering on Friday, the 11th of February -=

Come join Joe and Patty Carver for a Steampunk Victorian Valentines social. We will be gathering with all of our friends for a 1899 social.

Music will reflect the Steampunk genre as will the dress of the evening.

This is a free event in the potluck style. Bring yourself, a friend, a dish, snacks and/or drinks, but most of all bring a desire to socialize and have fun. Karaoke may be present as well.

There will be a contest at the event: "Sweets for the Sweets". Entries will be steampunk based candies, cakes, or other such desserts. The winning entry will get a prize.

Note: This event may have attendees under the age of 21.

Editor's Note: This would be a great way to view many excellent costumes and get ready for the Omaha Costuming Day on Saturday. Febr. 12th

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