John Pomeranz, Programming Manager
Bucconeer is now just under a year away, and the most important (and most fun) part of programming a Worldcon is about to begin—planning the specific events and inviting the participants! In the last year, we've been putting systems in place to make programming run smoothly: setting our goals (see Progress Report One), establishing basic policy, drafting timeline and budgets, selecting key staff, and creating a database for events and participants. Now it's time to fuel this rocket and we want your help!
Program Ideas—As you read in the first progress report, we're trying to create a program that will attract both newcomers to fandom and those who have been to dozens of conventions. We're particularly looking for items that let the audience participate and that cross traditional lines that define programming tracks. We also plan to run a series of program items drawn from conventions around the world.
We've already got some great tentative ideas: panels on science and public policy with experts drawn from research and government; fan history presentations (with help from the Timebinders and Fan Historicon); SF trivia contests; a live-action role-playing game based on the work of Guest of Honor C.J. Cherryh; Babylon 5 events featuring Special Guest J. Michael Straczynski; workshops for writers, artists, and costumers; and, of course, the Analog Mafia Ragtime Band. But we still need more ideas.
If you have an idea for a program item, please let us hear from you. Describe the event, explaining what it's about, who you'd like to see participating, what it should be called, and so forth. You can contact us at the Bucconeer postal address, by e-mail at prog@bucconeer.worldcon.org, or through our web site at www.bucconeer.worldcon.org/
Program Participants—None of these program ideas will work withou an interesting and diverse group of program participants. We're grateful that we've already been contacted by a number of people who would like to be on programming. If you think you have something to contribute, please let us know. Tell us a little about what you do that would interest other members of the SF (broadly defined) community and the types of events in which you'd like to participate.
Make sure you send us a return address, phone number, and (preferably) e-mai address so that we can contact you. In early 1998, we will send invitations to people who we hope will participate on programming
Program Staff—Join our merry band of pirates! There's a lot of work that goes into a Worldcon program, but it's a lot of fun. We especially need staff at the convention itself. Working on program staff lets you see program items, meet program participants, and get to know your fellow fen We want to get enough people on the staff to ensure that no one (least of all, your fun-loving programming manager) has to work too hard. We will arrange shifts to meet your personal needs. If you're interested, let us know.