Guests


2023 Special Guests

 

Lori Alan

Lori Alan started talking as soon as she fell out of the womb, and hasn’t stopped since. A native of the Washington, DC area, her passion for entertaining led the five-year-old actress to make her television debut as the star of a Shakey’s Pizza commercial. She went on to graduate with honors from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and set off cutting her teeth on the comedy circuit, as a longtime member of New York’s Gotham City Improv (Groundlings East).

Lori is perhaps best known for her award-winning voice-over work. At the First Annual Voice Arts Awards (the Academy Awards for Voice-Overs), she was honored by her peers with first-place prizes for Outstanding Body Of Work and Outstanding National Television Commercial.

She starred as Diane Simmons on Family Guy, Pearl the Whale on SpongeBob: Squarepants, and Sue Richards, The Invisible Woman, on Marvel Comics’ The Fantastic Four, among many other fantastic animated roles (Inside Out, Monster’s University, Toy Story 3, Despicable Me 2, WALL•E, Henry Hugglemonster, Metal Gear Solid, Cow and Chicken, Animaniacs, and Futurama) and a long, successful commercial career.

 

     

Follow Lori Alan

Find Lori Alan in the Corinthian Room!

 

Derek Stephen Prince

Derek Stephen Prince, aka Steve, has been an actor his whole life (44 years to be exact) and in the voiceover industry 27 years.

His career spans across such shows as Power Rangers Turbo, Power Rangers In Space, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, Power Rangers Time Force & Power Rangers Wild Force; Digimon: Seasons 1-4 & 6-7 playing such favorites as Digimon Emperor, Veemon, Beelzamon, Impmon, Piedmon and Jeremy, to name a few; Love, Hina where he played Keitaro; Naruto/Boruto, where he played Shino Aburame; Iggy the Boston Terrier on Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures: Stardust Crusaders; and Ranjiro Kiyama in BeyBlade Burst Turbo.

Video games include the Kingdom Hearts series as Vexen; Odin Sphere as Oswald; Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu in Danganrompa V2; Kokichi Ouma in Danganrompa V3; Detective Harper in Blade Runner: Redemption; and Asuka in Guilty Gear:Strive.

Steve was in the original cartoon series of Lilo & Stitch as Loki the shaved ice vendor; Little, Big, Awesome for Amazon; NFL Rush Zone – Guardians Unleashed as Jackson; the film Jungle Shuffle with Rob Schneider and Drake Bell as Louca the toucan; and Scary Movie 3 where he played the alien that pees with his finger, alongside Tom Kenny who was the other alien.

You can currently see him as Uryu Ishida in Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War, reprising his role from 15 years ago, as Kibao, in Sword Art Online: Progressive – Aria of a Starless Night & Scherzo of Deep Night, and as Goto in Demon Slayer: To The Swordsmith Village.

Steve is excited to return to Fangaea, where he first appeared in 2018!

 

     

Follow Derek Stephen Prince:

Find Derek Stephen Prince in the Corinthian Room!

 

Dana Snyder

Like most showbiz legends, Dana Snyder was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in Las Vegas. He is known as the voice of Master Shake on Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force, as well as memorable roles The Alchemist in The Venture Bros and Granny on Squidbillies.

On Nickelodeon he can be seen and heard as the evil bunny Dr. Colosso on The Thundermans. For Disney, he voices Scratch in The Ghost and Molly McGee. He has also starred in plays and musicals on stages all over the country.

Dana has played a surprising number of grandmothers in his career. Seriously, it’s kinda weird.

 

     

Follow Dana Snyder 

Find Dana Snyder in the Corinthian Room!

 

Jon St. John

Jon St. John is one of the first videogame voice actors, who is best known as the voice behind the famous bad ass DUKE NUKEM. He has also voiced lead characters in games such as:

Sonic Adventures, Guild Wars 2, Star Trek: Online, Half-Life: Opposing Force, Rad Rodgers, This is the Police, D&D: Neverwinter, and as the new voice of the Dude in POSTAL 4: No Regerts.

As the voice of theme park characters, and literally thousands of TV and radio ad campaigns over the years, Jon is one of the most versatile, yet unrecognized voice artists working today. Jon St. John is also now a team member of the very first indy game developer – Apogee, as the spokesman for the company. You can see his weekly “Apogee Now” gamer updates each of Apogees social media platforms.

An honored guest at gaming conventions around the world, Jon St. John is one actor who really enjoys meeting his fans…and it shows in his interactions with them.

 

   

Follow Jon St. John

Find Jon St. John in the Corinthian Room!

 

 

2023 Guests and Panelists

 

Aaron Nabus

Aaron is the host of the Hall H Show Podcast. Enjoy a discussion about Filipino American creativity and how it can be nurtured to thrive in community as Aaron moderates the panel on “Filipino American Flavor in the Creative Community.”

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Panel:

 

Alfredo Morales

An interactive workshop that teaches you the basics in character design with a focus on creating iconic Super Villains. The course is interactive so audience members are recommended to ask questions during it, and are especially recommended to bring their own sketchbooks.

In the second half of the panel we will design three Super Villains based on suggestions made by the audience members. Zines with all the information presented in the workshop will be available for purchase after the panel.

Follow Alfredo!

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Amedeo Gallo

Over the last few decades, illustration and animation workflows have been revolutionized by the advent of digital art. Now, new technologies such as AI image generation seem designed to remove the human element from these creative processes entirely.

What are the fundamental ideas guiding these advancements? Do traditional methods of pencil and paper have a future in this increasingly digital world? In “Where the Artist Meets the Machine,” host Amedeo Gallo will be discussing these questions and more.

Follow Amedeo!

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Bex and Red Cosplay

Bex and Red Cosplay have been designing innovative original cosplay characters and supporting Fandoms for over 20 years. From medieval to retrofuturism, this pair works in leather, cloth, mixed media and specializes in using Glowforge, 3D printers and electrical accessories.

You might know our most famous creation, Lady Babette Fett, the steampunk femme Boba Fett.

Follow them at www.facebook.com/BexandRedCosPlay

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Christa Rew

Christa Rew is an indie voice actress based in San Diego, California. She has studied under Connie Teriwilliger and has been voice acting for over 5 years. Christa is also taking voice over classes with Steve Blum via zoom and has trained with Chuck Huber.

She is the creator of Sidekicks as well as the Founder of Black Maze Entertainment.  When she is not trying to make her mark in the voice acting community, she enjoys creative writing, watching anime/cartoons, and reading books, manga, and comic books. She also dabbles in a bit of gaming now and then.

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Dr. LaWana Richmond

Dr. LaWana Richmond is a self-confessed Black Geek. Her current passion is Afrofuturism of which the Sankofa Bird is a symbol.  It is usually described as a bird with its body and feet facing forward to represent the present, neck turned with head facing back to represent the past and an egg in its beak to represent the future. The vertical lines throughout the image represent the ever present and unexpected disruptions that occur in time and space.

Dr. LaWana Richmond could be referred to as a Black female Di Vinci or modern day Hatshepsut. She is the co-founder and Organizer of Afrofuturism Lounge and Afrofuturism Dream Tank, the President of Democratic Woman’s Club of San Diego, and Treasurer for DETOUR Empowers – nonprofit supporting teen girls academic and economic success while focused on developing focused and naturally confident youth.

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Panel:

  • Afrofuturism in the Age of Extended Reality

 

Eli Krzywdzinski

Eli Krzywdzinski is 13 years old and the voice of Calvin on the sidekicks podcast. He is the youngest of 4 brothers. His hobbies are coding, building Gunpla models, and playing video games.

Some of his favorite games include Rain World, Starbound, and Terraria. He really enjoys voicing Calvin in the Sidekicks podcast and loves working with everyone else on this amazing project.

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Emo Talent Collective

Karaoke and good vibes! ETC San Diego is a local, fully equipped karaoke experience specializing in Emo Karaoke Nights, Open House general karaoke, themed events, and private events.

It is a community of welcoming people, coming together to showcase their talent and love of music in a fun, social setting.

 

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First Stop Cosplay

First Stop Cosplay is a company that understands the value of creating your cosplay yourself. We’ve experienced all the good and bad that comes with making a cosplay. We stand for cosplays that you are proud to wear because they fit you just right and are as accurate as you want them to be. We stand for tears of joy instead of tears of frustration, for pride in a job well done, and for having fun wearing a cosplay that you made yourself.

Stop by their booth, too, as First Stop Cosplay is a sponsor for Fangaea Con!

Follow First Stop Cosplay!

Panel Session:

 

Gideon Krzywdzinski

Gideon Krzywdzinski is 21 years old and proud to be the voice for the character Brice in the Sidekicks podcast, and would like to share a few things about himself.

His hobbies include 3D modeling, gaming, and building model kits. He started 3D modeling after the 10th grade in high school,it allowed him  express his creative mind as well as make models with a design from a game as a reference from time to time.

The games he enjoys are FPS, puzzles, racing, strategy, and occasionally a table-top board game with miniature models.

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Gideon Marcus

What were the biggest franchises of 1968? Star Trek, Dr. Who, Black Panther, The Avengers, Batman…

Blast back to the swinging ’60s for a look at where today’s sff scene all began.  Take a tour of the films, TV shows, books, comics, tabletop games, anime, music, and fashion.

Dive deep into the space race and the politics that shaped the culture.  Thrill to the snarky commentary of our celebrated Galactic Journey team.  Swoon at the chance to get copies of The Tricorder, the Journey’s “in-period” Trekzine.

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Janice L. Newman

What were the biggest franchises of 1968? Star Trek, Dr. Who, Black Panther, The Avengers, Batman…

Blast back to the swinging ’60s for a look at where today’s sff scene all began.  Take a tour of the films, TV shows, books, comics, tabletop games, anime, music, and fashion.

Dive deep into the space race and the politics that shaped the culture.  Thrill to the snarky commentary of our celebrated Galactic Journey team.  Swoon at the chance to get copies of The Tricorder, the Journey’s “in-period” Trekzine.

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Jasper Capalad

In this panel, Jasper Capalad, will have an interactive presentation on creating cinematic projects with just your smartphone. Capalad will teach you the basic necessities and tools you need in order to create the dream film you wanted out of your own pocket!

It’s even better when you know that it’s all affordable! My goal is to help artists realize that creating art should be accessible to everyone and that following your passion should not be intimidating. It’s all about having fun and loving what you do in the end!

Follow Jasper at:

Panel Session:

 

Jay Jay Maniquis

Jay Jay Maniquis is the host of Jaycation on YouTube and the Co-Host of Out of the Boondocks on KPBS.

Enjoy a discussion about Filipino American creativity and how it can be nurtured to thrive in community as he participates in the panel on “Filipino American Flavor in the Creative Community.”

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Panel:


Kirin Amiling Macapugay

Kirin is a Cultural Educator and former City Arts and Culture Commissioner.

Enjoy a discussion about Filipino American creativity and how it can be nurtured to thrive in community as Kirin participates in the panel on “Filipino American Flavor in the Creative Community.”

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Panel:


Larissa Simons

Larissa Simons is an accomplished artist, photographer, indie video game designer, and actress. Her artwork has been showcased in the 2020/2021 Hyde Art Gallery’s Remote Student Showcase. She is also a contributing editor for the literary journal Acorn Review.

When participating in game jams hosted on Itch.io, she conceptualizes, writes, and illustrates for her team. With a love for the stage, Larissa has participated in several theatrical productions, including musicals. Larissa is in the process of designing more ambitious games, developing her own webcomic, and drafting a novel series. Her creative outlets include reading, writing poetry, candid photography, gaming, Dungeons and Dragons, and singing.

Learn more at www.blackmazeproductions.com

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Lorelei Esther

What were the biggest franchises of 1968? Star Trek, Dr. Who, Black Panther, The Avengers, Batman…

Blast back to the swinging ’60s for a look at where today’s sff scene all began.  Take a tour of the films, TV shows, books, comics, tabletop games, anime, music, and fashion.

Dive deep into the space race and the politics that shaped the culture.  Thrill to the snarky commentary of our celebrated Galactic Journey team.  Swoon at the chance to get copies of The Tricorder, the Journey’s “in-period” Trekzine.

Panel:

 

Max Scheller

This panel will challenge the presenter to create new 3D models. Max Scheller will make new 3D models on the spot based on your input. Modeling will be done through TinkerCAD.

Great for anyone looking to start making 3D models for 3D printing and video games.

Learn more at www.thatguywithagameboycamera.com

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MindFox Escape

The newest kids on the block! MindFox Escape brings refreshing and unique experiences to the San Diego escape room community.

Home to the one and only 2D escape room: the “Black & White Café” is a MUST PLAY for all ages!

Follow them at:

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Mochi Cafe

Mochi Café will be debuting a brand new themed cafe, the Moon Rabbit Tavern! Inspired by Dungeons and Dragons and other classic RPGs, our adventurous maids and butlers have traveled all over the realm in order to bring you the finest of entertainment; singing, dancing, competitive gaming, raffles, prizes, maybe even stand up comedy, who knows!

This is an event you won’t want to miss! We have wizards, dragons, fighters, pirates, adventurers, and more! We’ll see you there!

Follow them on facebook at MochiMaidCafe

Find them at:

 

Noah Krzywdzinski

Noah Krzywdzinski is the voice of Maverick in the Sidekicks podcast. He is the second youngest out of 4 brothers. He enjoys drawing and playing video games in his free time with games like pokemon, Elden ring, and Tekken 7 being some of his favorites.

He also recently started a Youtube channel under the name FluffywolfRuko. While still a bit new to streaming he enjoys and hopes to keep improving. Follow him on Instagram at Noahskski.

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Off the Shelf Games

Off the Shelf Games is a board game store and tabletop lounge located in El Cajon, San Diego, where you can come in with your family and friends to enjoy hours of fun tabletop games!

Follow them at:

Find them:

 

Patrick Ballesteros

Patrick is a Freelance Illustrator and Educator. Enjoy a discussion about Filipino American creativity and how it can be nurtured to thrive in community as Patrick participates in the panel on “Filipino American Flavor in the Creative Community.”

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Peggy Wood 

The panel host is Peggy Sue Wood, editor for The Anime View at theanimeview.com. The Anime View is a newsie blog run by a small group of anime and manga fans that aim to create work that provides the audience of fans with a mix of content that engages the mind to look critically at the media we love and consume.

Join Peggy Wood for this brief introduction to the basic differences between manga and comics from a cultural standpoint, and how this difference in treatment may be leading to the industry boom we see today. This panel is great for those interested in anime and manga studies as it examines industry history through a media studies and cultural studies lens.

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San Diego LAN

San Diego LAN is a group of people who love getting together and playing PC games over LAN. We always balance the teams and we have a very friendly bunch, (typically ages 18 to 45).

We regularly host free LAN events bi-weekly, as well as the occasional large event 2-3 times a year. We also play games requested by attendees. Popular ones are TF2, League of Legends, DoTa 2, StarCraft 2, CS:GO, Pubg, OIerwatch, Supreme Commander, and more.

Find them:

 

San Diego Sabers

San Diego Sabers is San Diego’s premier Lightsaber Training Combat group! Our mission is to promote and teach lightsaber combat and dueling skills by helping each other learn and grow through acceptance, respect, and a positive attitude.

We combine aspects of kendo, wu-shu, European and Asian swordplay, fencing, and various other arts into our practice.  This makes what we teach a true mixed-martial-arts discipline, that we call Saber Martial Arts.  We help each student to determine the path that fits them best, and develop along that path as far as they want to go, whether it’s just for fun or they want to go fully competitive.

Follow and learn more at:

Dynamic Room Session:

 

Science Fiction Coalition

Science Fiction Coalition is a private club of science fiction fans that loves to give back to the community.  We support charities, fundraisers, conventions, and special events.  We also love to show and express our fandom of Sci fi to the Universe.

Follow the Sci Fi Coalition at:

 

Summer Helene

Hollywood Executive – Media Strategist, Summer Helene is the former executive VP of California Pictures at Paramount and the youngest executive in her position. Summer hosts “Behind the Scenes” radio show with a high point listenership of 6.5 million listeners weekly and an internet show with over 33 Million views a month.

Follow Summer at:

Panel:

  • Helene Summer – How to Get Your 15 Minutes of Fame!

 

SuncakeMooncake Cosplay

It’s time to pick up your crafting tools and join the award-winning cosplayers, SuncakeMooncake Cosplay. In this beginner-friendly interactive workshop, we’ll teach you how to make your very own version of everyone’s favorite orange Chainsaw Devil, Pochita!

Along the way, you’ll pick up valuable skills like tracing patterns, cutting fabrics, and learning basic hand-stitching skills to create your very own plushie that you can take home! Supplies are provided on a first-come first-serve basis.

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Panel Session:

 

Susan Empizo Vega

Susan is an adult literacy specialist and former librarian. Enjoy a discussion about Filipino American creativity and how it can be nurtured to thrive in community as Patrick participates in the panel on “Filipino American Flavor in the Creative Community.”

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Panel:

 

The Unlockables

A unique escape experience designed by gamers for gamers! they offer some of the most immersive experiences in San Diego. Their game “Sister’s Secret” is rated as one of the best experiences in San Diego. Are you unlockable?

Learn more at www.areyouunlockable.com

Follow them at

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