Ive been doing a lot of panels at conventions over the last few year. From what I have gathered, most have been well received. Occasionally, people will ask me what the method is to have a successful panel. Well, this is kind of my formula: 1) have at least a nodding acquaintance with the subject. Do not assume that common knowledge of the subject will get you by, people want to hear something they do not already know. 2) Do not sweat the specifics. It is easy to fall into traps with this. If you say, The Airship BaddARSE was launched in 1892, and it had a trial run in 1890, some pedantic git will feel antisocially obligated to look this up and point it out just to make themselves feel better about the fact that you are actually better then they are. Saying The Airship BaddARSE was launched in the 1890s is fine. 3) Write a script. Take some notes and make sure your subject has a bit of flow with one subject leading to the other. 4) Do not follow the script!!! let things flow away from the prime subject a bit and bring ti back later. Unless you are an incredible actor, reading from your script will be about as exciting as reading from a cold war Russian grocery list. 5) Stand up if you can. Let them see you. it shows you have energy and something to say. You are not a talking head mounted on a pedestal. 6) Do not be afraid. last I heard, the no long pass out rotting fruit and veg to pelt one with while they talk on a subject, so relax. You are in no real danger. 7) Be prepared for walk outs. No matter how good you or your subject are, someone will need to leave. just accept this and go forward, they probably just had to wee. 8) Enjoy yourself. If you are miserable up there, people will catch on. If you are incapable of enjoying yourself up there, cancel the panel and go to your room. There it is. In about an hour, I have a panel here ate Salt City Steam Fest and all of this will apply to myself. I will be giving some news about Lantern City and about My show on the new channel Geek Culture TV. Come listen, and just because they no long hand out organic projectiles, does not mean you should bring your own. Thank you.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 13:55:18 +0000
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