As we’re sure you already know, Camp Necon will be virtual this July due to circumstances that need no explanation. We’re calling it Camp V-Con, and our goal is to hold an event that provides as close to a full Necon experience as possible without physically being together.
Most of Camp V-Con’s programming will be held on UMass-Lowell’s digital platform. It works just like Zoom, only no one needs their own account or any third party software. Best of all, it’s also secure, so we don’t have to worry about trolls or bigots harassing our Campers. The University will supply us access links for their platform closer to the event, and we’ll provide them to all attendees once they do. We have also set up a Camp V-Con Discord channel to essentially act as our “virtual quad,” and we plan to send out a tech primer with everything Campers will need to know to access Camp V-Con in the coming weeks.
Once again, Camp V-Con is FREE to all Campers who are already registered for Necon 40 (now being held July 21st to 24th, 2022). Registration for all other Campers IS NOW OPEN HERE [LINK REDACTED AS EVENT HAS PASSED]. The cost is $25.00 for the virtual weekend.
We have planned entertainment blocks every evening beginning Thursday (7/15), kaffeeklatsches on Friday afternoon (7/16), panels all day Saturday (7/17), and a slate of special offerings for Sunday morning (7/18). As such, and without any further ado, we’re happy to announce the official Camp V-Con programming schedule!
*** PLEASE NOTE — This schedule was last updated on 7/12/21. There have been changes, as some participants had to withdraw and others confirmed with us. As always, our schedule is subject to change due to last minute unforeseen circumstances. Most importantly, the full docket of V-Con Academy sessions for Sunday morning can now be found below! ***
*** ALL TIMES EASTERN ***
THURSDAY, JULY 15th
*** ALL EVENTS ON THE V-CON DISCORD CHANNEL ***
ALL DAY — “Quad Time” on the V-Con Discord Channel
Our version of the Necon Quad, gone virtual! Campers are encouraged to log on, create chats, organize gaming sessions, and hang out however they see fit.
FRIDAY, JULY 16th
*** ON THE V-CON DISCORD CHANNEL ***
ALL MORNING — “Quad Time” on the V-Con Discord Channel
Our version of the Necon Quad, gone virtual! Campers are encouraged to log on, create chats, organize gaming sessions, and hang out however they see fit.
*** ON THE UMASS-LOWELL DIGITAL PLATFORM IN SESSION ROOMS ***
KAFFEKLATCHES:
5:50PM ET — 7:30PM ET — DINNER BREAK
*** ON THE UMASS-LOWELL DIGITAL PLATFORM ON THE STAGE ***
*** ON THE V-CON DISCORD CHANNEL ***
11:00PM ET (or later) on — “Quad Time” on the V-Con Discord Channel
Our version of the Necon Quad, gone virtual! Campers are encouraged to log on, create chats, organize gaming sessions, and hang out however they see fit.
SATURDAY, JULY 17th
*** ON THE UMASS-LOWELL DIGITAL PLATFORM IN SESSION ROOMS ***
PANELS:
11:50PM ET — 12:30PM ET — LUNCH BREAK
6:20PM ET — 7:30PM ET — DINNER BREAK
*** ON THE UMASS-LOWELL DIGITAL PLATFORM ON THE STAGE ***
*** ON THE V-CON DISCORD CHANNEL ***
10:00PM ET on — “Quad Time” on the V-Con Discord Channel
Our version of the Necon Quad, gone virtual! Campers are encouraged to log on, create chats, organize gaming sessions, and hang out however they see fit.
SUNDAY, JULY 18th
*** ON THE UMASS-LOWELL DIGITAL PLATFORM IN SESSION ROOMS ***
9:00AM ET — 12:00PM ET — V-Con Academy
MAKE YOUR OWN FUCKING MOVIE!
A Chat ‘N’ Challenge with John Skipp
There’s scarcely a writer on the planet who doesn’t dream of having their novel/ novella/short story/poem/interpretive dance/actual screenplay adapted to film. And many of us have the battle scars and war stories to prove it.
After the nightmare that was A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST. 5: THE DREAM CHILD, John Skipp determined that he would either have to a) learn how to make movies himself, or b) walk away from movies entirely.
In the process of learning how the cinematic sausage is made — and then ACTUALLY MAKING CINEMA SAUSAGE HIMSELF — gained a ton of insight into the process, and also a great respect for producers, directors, and all the other technical experts that bring a writer’s words and visions to the screen. Or not.
In this ninety-minute session, Skipp will give tons of practical filmmaking tips. But more importantly, he will discuss how important it is for writers to understand what goes into it. Or, in his words: “If you want to tell other people how to make your movie, you might want to know what you’re talking about first!”
Skipp also emphasizes the enormous fun that can be had making movies with friends. And the newfound respect you’ll get for the people and the process, if you make your own fucking movie!
*** PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PRE-REGISTER FOR LIMITED ATTENDANCE SESSIONS ***
12:00PM ET — 12:30PM ET — LUNCH BREAK; UMASS-LOWELL PLATFORM CLOSES
*** ON THE V-CON DISCORD CHANNEL ***
1:30PM ET on — “Quad Time” on the V-Con Discord Channel
Our version of the Necon Quad, gone virtual! Campers are encouraged to log on, create chats, organize gaming sessions, and hang out however they see fit.
*** REGARDING LIMITED ATTENDANCE V-CON ACADEMY SESSIONS — Josh Malerman’s “Lust for Art” and Joe & Kasey Lansdale’s Q&A will be limited to ten total attendees each. That means there are nine slots available for Josh’s session and eight slots available for the Lansdales’, and they will be filled on a strictly first-come, first-served basis. We will open registration for those sessions tomorrow (Sunday, 7/11/21) at 12PM ET via an email address we will send you at that time. No, we’re serious, folks — we won’t accept registrations via any other means and we haven’t even created the email yet, so don’t try to jump the gun! The sessions overlap so Campers obviously can’t register for both, but we will accept an “order of preference” listed in your email should your first choice fill up (i.e. there’s no need to send multiple emails).
Thank you all again so much; we cannot wait to see you (virtually) come July!