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ABOUT US UPCOMING LOCATION/MAP MESSAGE GROUP PAST MEETINGS NEWS RESOURCES E-MAIL US Prior Years:
2004
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Past Meetings---- 2005 ----
November 30, 2005
Christain and Craig talked about LAconIV in Anaheim next year. It is going to be a great one. Our club will help out by developing the Restaurant, Shopping and Services Guide for the convention area. We are also contributing programming ideas via the convention's web site. "Little Big" by John Crowley.
October 26, 2005
Philip K. Dick's A Scanner Darkly
September 28, 2005
Herb Deeks, known for his incredible ability to recreate model planes and rocket ships from the past, brought a variety of examples of his models to share with us as he told of his interests in those old Science Fiction movies that inspired his model designs. Many collectors, including the legendary Bob Burns, have Herb Deeks models in their collections. One of our members brought in two examples of Flash Gordon model rockets which he built from Herb's kits. It was an very enjoyable evening talking with Herb about his passion for models. Click here and search for Deeks on the page to see what kind of SF models Herb has made. Herb will be having a special scale model display and sale show on October 23rd, in Anaheim with special emphasis on Science Fiction models. Check out the show flier at www.rollsfloatsorflies.com Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark
August 31, 2005
Arkham Studios are the designers of character figures for companies like Mattel Toys. Bryan has sculpted a Lovecraft figurine which is being sold on ebay. Bryan Moore has also made short films with Lurker Films based on Lovecraft short stories. One of them is Cool Air which we screened at the meeting. It was a big hit, a wonderfully done movie with top notch acting, directing, and cinematography. Shot in black and white with a style akin to Italian realism set in the period of Lovecraft's original writing, it was like a trip into the vision of Lovecraft. Bryan brought along another of the Lovecraft films, Out of Mind which was a delight to watch for all; and, especially so for the Lovecraft fans who were treated to an excellent portrayal of the author giving a fictitious interview in this unique film. Avram Davidson's collection of Short Stories "The Avram Davidson Treasury."
July 27, 2005
"Cyxork 7 is part comedy, part social commentary and part two fingers up to the Hollywood machine. Parallels are bound to be drawn between this and Galaxy Quest - simply because it concerns an ageing sci-fi actor who has done nothing with his career thanks to the fact that he has been stereotyped as a sci-fi action hero." "In a time when Hollywood is turning out dull CGI flicks with little or no plot, it's great to see that there are studios out there that will back projects that still have some character and really go for the balls. Funny, refreshingly original and a damn fine script, mean that is certainly at the top of my "must see" list of movies this year. Cyxork 7 is not to be missed." Darren Rea Jules Verne's Mysterious Island
June 29, 2005
Jeff is very experienced in the games world (on-line RPG etc.) spoke about the fun and business of games such as Mech-Warior. Jeff served as a playtester, demonstrator and representative for several gaming companies He co-administrates outlawstar.net a large site serving as a gateway for fandom of the anime series "Outlaw Star" One of Jeff's most famous gaming campaigns Heavy Gear: Warrior's Destiny showcases some of his own writings. Caution: site has some "R"-rated material, Four short stories from the Best of H. P. Lovecraft by H.P. Lovecraft The Dunwitch Horror The Colour out of Space The Music of Eric Zann The Call of Cthulhu We also will try to read Michael Houellebecq's essay from his book "H.P. Lovecraft: Against the World, Against Life"
May 25, 2005
Boat of a Million Years by Poul Anderson
April 27, 2005
Everyone enjoyed Jackie's visit. She was an excelent guest who gave us lots of interesting insights into writing. Her early novels Shadowlight and Echos were in the SF&F and Horror genres and now she is publishing mystery, suspense, and romance. She is also returning to SF with a new novel for which she is seeking a publisher. Boat of a Million Years by Poul Anderson
March 30, 2005
What you wanted to know about Furry Fandom was revealed by two most knowledgeable participants. Mark Merlino has been active in science fiction and media fandom since the mid-1970's, when he was a projectionist at the Equicon/Star Trek conventions started by Bjo and John Trimble. He was also active at the International Animated Film Society's Hollywood chapter as an assistant to the President, voice actor June Foray. In the late 1970's, Mark was one of a group of five animation fans who started the Cartoon/Fantasy Organization, the very first club in North America dedicated to Japanese Animation (anime) and comics (manga). Throughout his life in fandom, Mark has been an avid collector and creator of "funny animal" artwork and stories, particularly of the more "serious" variety found in science fiction and fantasy. In 1986, Mark joined with his partner Rod O'Riley to start the first 'Furry Party" dedicated to funny animal fandom at Westercon in San Diego. The Furry Parties went on to become staples at science fiction conventions all over the globe, prompting Mark and Rodney to create the first furry fandom convention, ConFurence, in 1989. Rod O'Riley has been an avid reader of science fiction since his youth, starting off with the Barsoom books by Edgar Rice Burroughs. After reading the art collection book "Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials", Rodney became an avid collector of stories concerning interesting non-humanoid aliens of all sorts. When he met Mark Merlino in 1980, Rodney discovered a whole new variety of aliens: Those based on terrestrial animals. And he was hooked. Long desiring to be a writer himself, Rodney hooked up with a group of aspiring writers in Southern California to form The Scribes of Rivendell, a group that assisted members improve their writing for publication. Rodney later became the editor of the Scribes' story-workshop zine, SkR-APA. Since helping Mark to start the Furry Parties and later on furry fandom conventions during his college years in the 80's, Rodney has for many years since been the editor and chief writer of In-Fur-Nation, a newsletter of upcoming "furry" movies, books, comics and etc. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
February 23, 2005
Discussion of science fiction news. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Jnauary 26, 2005
The world is faced with global warming and a shortage of energy. Dr. Benford has some very out-of-the-box suggestions for solutions which could be the science fiction which must become fact. Fallen Dragon by Peter F. Hamilton |