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Neal Hallford

Neal Hallford is an author (Swords & Circuitry: A Designer's Guide To Computer Role-Playing Games), game designer (Betrayal at Krondor, Dungeon Siege), filmmaker (The Case of Evil), and audio producer (Uncharted Regions). He's best known for his work in the computer-gaming industry. Recently he's been contracted by a major publisher to write the comprehensive history of one of the most beloved computer-strategy franchises of all time. When he's not creating new worlds of imagination, he's a hobbyist composer, hard at work on his first album of retro-fueled jazz fusion and prog rock. Born and raised in Tulsa, he's a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, former editor of STAR OKC's Galactic Gazette, filmmaking associate of fellow STAR OKC alum Larry Nemecek (The Con of Wrath), and a full-time Okie-In-Exile in San Diego, CA.     

07:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium

Literary Beers

Join panelists in the hotel lounge for lively conversation. BYO beverages, please.

Moderator: -

Panelists: Michael "Gecko" Adams, Kimber E Chessmore, Dara Fogel, PhD, Brenna Deutchman, Shai Fenwick, Mark Finn, Neal Hallford, Carolyn Kay, Chaz Kemp, vickey malone kennedy, Julia S. Mandala, Tracy S. Morris, Stephen Patrick, Rook Riley, A C Smart, Scott Zrubek

Tracks: Meetup, General Interest, Writing & Publishing, Art

11:00 AM | Location: Sooner A

Star Trek Today

There's more Star Trek on TV today than ever before. Two animated series and three live-action series for 2024 and 2025. Hope and tolerance shown in many places and ways. What attracts us to space, the final frontier?

Moderator: Busty Springfield

Panelists: Busty Springfield, Paul Carlson, Tim Chessmore, Neal Hallford, Sally Hamilton, Evan T. Wardwell

Tracks: Science Fiction, Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment

10:00 AM | Location: University B

Hollow Humanism?

Some happy futures like Asimov’s projections or Star Trek assure us that eventually we'll all get along and be polite. Does this square with humanity’s nature? Would material prosperity, a healthier climate, and better collaboration bring peace to the world?

Moderator: Brian A. Hopkins

Panelists: Brian A. Hopkins, Paul Carlson, M. Scott Carter, Neal Hallford, Joshua Caudill, M.A., Craig Wolf

Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Comics, Film & TV

01:00 PM | Location: Sooner A

It Was The Best of Times, It Was The Worst of Times: Fantasy Movies of the 80s

The decade gave us Conan the Barbarian, but also gave us Conan the Destroyer. Not to mention Krull, Ladyhawke, Legend, Red Sonja, Beastmaster, and a whole host of other fantasy movies that are somehow both Not Good and Deeply Beloved. Join us in a discussion of the highs and lows in 80s fantasy films, and how they shaped our ideas of the genre, for better or for worse.

Moderator: Mark Finn

Panelists: Mark Finn, Jacob Blackmon, Sara Felix, Neal Hallford, John Eads/Jim Shorts, Julia S. Mandala

Tracks: Fantasy, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Film & TV