Star Wars at GeekGirlCon 2014
Last year I hosted a panel at GeekGirlCon that tackled the perception that Star Wars is a boys’ franchise. It is, of course, but it is undoubtedly also a girls’ franchise too. FANgirl will be back this year, with even more of our contributors taking the stage on two different panels. Here is where you can find Linda, Kay, and me:
Fangirls Find the Force: Star Wars, from Episode VII and Beyond
Date: Saturday, October 11
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM
Location: RM302
Fangirls are speaking up about what they want from the Star Wars mega-franchise! They have voiced their concerns over representation of women in the galaxy far, far away. This panel will discuss media and fan reaction to Star Wars diversity news and the response from Disney|Lucasfilm. We also highlight the reasons why it’s important for women to speak up as consumers of pop culture, and how to do it both positively and effectively.
One of the exciting things about GeekGirlCon is the confidence that can be gained as a storyteller. Historically women have found their storytelling endeavors, especially any form of fan fiction, ridiculed or demeaned, while men are celebrated for doing the exact same thing. Sitting through several panels with the likes of Gail Simone and Jane Espenson have helped me understand that I have good instincts about storytelling. We have tried to pay that forward with the Heroine’s Journey series here at FANgirl. It will be an honor to have our editor B.J. Priester (or as some of you know him, Lex) present that topic at the convention:
The Heroine’s Journey: Moving Beyond Campbell’s Monomyth
Date: Saturday, October 12
Time: 5:00 PM – 5:50 PM
Location: RM302
Joseph Campbell’s model of the Hero’s Journey derives from narratives with male protagonists in patriarchal societies. This model creates significant problems when applied to contemporary Heroine’s Journeys, which are characterized by their support network and drawing strength from interpersonal and sometimes romantic relationships. Consider Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Hunger Games, The Legend of Korra, and Disney’s Frozen, among others, and join us for this fascinating panel on transforming the Hero’s Journey to the Heroine’s Journey.
At last year’s convention I met Maggie Nowakowska, who I later interviewed for a feature in Star Wars Insider. Over at GeekGirlCon’s blog I shared that story. Speaking of Star Wars Insider, have you checked out the latest issue? It is a Star Wars Rebels takeover and chock full of cool interviews, including Carrie Beck of the Lucasfilm Story Group and Rayne Roberts of the Star Wars Rebels production team. After screening Star Wars Rebels last week, I am confident we have two new fantastic female characters to root for in Hera and Sabine. Check out Star Wars Insider #152 to get ready for the debut season on DisneyXD.
(Oh, and there might be an interview about the new book A New Dawn done by me! ~Tricia)
If there is any breaking news, I’m sure the panelists will be ready and able to share everything we know, as well. Programming information for the convention is now available at the GeekGirlCon website. Check back next week to meet the panel.
Related posts:
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Tricia Barr's novel, Wynde, won the 2014 Independent Publisher Book Award Gold Medal for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Ebook. She was also part of Silence in the Library's successful all-female creator science fiction and fantasy anthology Athena's Daughters, which is available now. For excerpts and tales of her adventures in creating a fictional universe, hop over to TriciaBarr.com.
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