Apologies for this taking forever to get up, I was beyond exhausted when I got back from ConnectiCon, had to get back to work, and then I went to the Cape with my family for a few days and I couldn't access the internet from my laptop. Long story.
Anyway, the panel went okay. It had a low turnout at first since it overlapped with some Cards Against Humanity/50 Shades of Gray event that everyone wanted to go to. People did trickle in as the panel went on, especially in the discussion section. It was shorter than I thought it'd be, probably because I was tired and forgot a lot of points I wanted to make. On the bright side we had plenty of time for discussion, which it great because it lets people talk about what's on their minds, focus on what they wanna talk about, and lets them offer their own take on the issues.
The slides are on slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/allisonwilhelm50/the-social-politics-of-
cosplay
So, what's next for Allison?
I am set to present a panel on gender/race representation at Coast City Comic-Con in November.
I submitted a panel called "So If You're An Anime Character, Why Are You White?" panel to New York Comic Con (NYCC). To clarify, I don't actually think anime characters are "white," but a lot of anime fans - particularly younger, newer fans, or fans who haven't been able to take a fancy course on Japanese popular culture - ask that question, so I want to tackle the issue. I know this is a long shot and it's really hard to get a panel at that convention, so I know what even with a clever title it still might not get in. This is not self-deprication, this is reality and I'm okay with it. But either way, I'm expecting to know on or around August 8th, and I will let you guys know if I'm accepted.
I will probably submit that panel to Anime Boston and Otakon when possible.
Speaking of intended submissions, I'm also planning a few other panels:
"Geeks Gone Wild: Raunch Culture at Anime Conventions" to be submitted to Anime Boston 2014.
"Blue Drop," a panel on the anime series of the same name, so be submitted to Anime Boston 2014 assuming I can come up with an angle to make it interesting. I don't have one right now.
"Government and Horror Movies" to be submitted to Balticon* and ConnectiCon.
Balticon is a convention in Baltimore that focuses on science fiction but, judging from the website, seems kind of multi-genre, similar to ConnectiCon.
A panel on Mary Sue characters, no name yet, to be submitted to Balticon and possibly other conventions.
A panel on Neurotically Yours ("the Foamy cartoons") to be submitted to ConnectiCon 2014.
I'll keep y'all posted.
