2023 Panels and Events, stay tuned for the 2024 schedule!

Please note all panels and timings are subject to change.

Room 202 (2nd Floor)

11:15 – 12:15 Meet the 501st Legion, Old Line Garrison
The 501st Legion is the world's largest Star Wars costuming club! Come meet some of our members and learn about how you could join up. We'll cover crafting a costume, fantastic events where we are deployed, and we'll discuss the charitable work we do. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the 501st and how you could be a part of it!

12:40 – 1:40 Help the Loading Snacks Team determine the top 10 Movie Franchises of All Time!
Does Harry Potter make the cut? Star Wars? What about The Fast and Furious? Rocky? John Wick? The MCU? Back to the Future? Have a soft spot for Toy Story? Come make your voice heard. Place any franchise in any spot on the top 10. BUT BEWARE! Anyone in attendance can challenge your choice and you'll have to defend it in a Rock, Paper, Scissors face off where losing challengers must eat a Bean Boozled jelly bean! When time is up, the list stands as the official OCCC Top 10 Movie Franchises of All Time!

2:00 – 3:00 Can I lick it?
To lick or not to lick? That is the question. Have you ever seen something and had the impulse to lick it? Maybe you should! Do you ever wonder if you can lick that delicate flower in a bouquet? A bright red mushroom? A colorful toad? A bone? Should you? Why would you? Is the answer on the tip of your tongue? Join us for this educational game show on lingual science where you can learn whether or not to give into these impulses! Bring your friends and compete for prizes or just watch the competition. Come with all your tongue-related questions! This fantastic, fun, and educational event is brought to you by Salisbury University's Henson School of Science and Technology. Note: No licking is required during this event to win prizes.

Room 203 (2nd Floor)

10:45 – 11:45 Environmental Storytelling & Show Don’t Tell: How I Learned to Write through Playing Video Games
The popular saying goes: “A picture’s worth a thousand words.” With the rapid developments in technology, our storytelling is changing to not just be on the page, but through movies, television, and video games--highly visual mediums. Through the power of images, we can convey a whole narrative in a short space. Games like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and Gone Home use environmental storytelling to give us pieces of characters’ lives. In this workshop, we’ll discuss examples of games that tell stories through objects, and go into our own writing exercises inspired by video games. Hosted by Meg Eden

12:10 – 1:10 From Idea To Page: Drawing Comics with Elvin A. Hernandez
We all have stories we want to tell... but how do we turn them into effective comic stories? Join Dr. Elvin A. Hernandez (Assistant Faculty at UMES and comics illustrator) as he takes pen to paper in a live demonstration that follows the development of a comic book page: from defining the purpose of the page to quick sketches demonstrating the final results of the comics process! Be sure to catch this panel, and stop by and say hello to Dr. Hernandez at the UMES Sequential Arts booth on the convention floor (as well as check out his new comic, “Mundo Rudo: Cacique”, premiering at the Ocean City Comic Con)

1:40 – 2:40 World Building 101
One of the best things about being a comic book creator is the fact that you are able to create entire worlds, universes even. But with this great power comes many questions that you need to be able to answer. But where to start and how can you keep everything flowing in a consistent flow? In this lecture World Building 101, Bryan "Kaiser" Tillman creator of Dark Legacy and Ninja Empire will go in-depth on what it takes to create worlds from scratch. He will also be giving you tips and tricks on how to create your own fully realized, living, breathing world/universe.

Room 204 (2nd Floor)

11:30 – 12:30 Courage Through Cosplay:
A discussion on how cosplay can help individuals with anxiety, explore identity, self and character expression, while building confidence in themselves and their craft. Hosted by Cosplay Mutt

1:00 – 2:00 So You Want to be a Writer 2023: Writing Someone Else’s Characters
Public Domain, shared universes, character collaboration, fan fiction – All these have one thing in common, a chance to put characters you did not create into new and sometimes strange situations. How would you write Sherlock Holmes? Dracula? Winnie the Pooh? How far should you go with your favorite comic book or animation character. Can you handle writing for a shared world anthology. And do you dare put your take on your co-writers’ creations when they ask to team one of your characters with one of theirs.
Join Award winning writer John L. French (Pulp Factory’s Best Pulp Story 2021, DC’s Baldy Award) at this years’ Ocean City Comic Con to learn what toys to bring when you’re playing in someone else’s sandbox – what to do, what not to do, and what to look out for.
On a personal note from the show, John has been with us every single year since the very beginning, sharing his vast knowledge and experience in writing, editing, as well sharing stories of his time working in CSI. If you have not had the opportunity to catch one of his panels, do yourself a huge favor and catch this one!

Room 205 (2nd Floor)

11:00 – 12:00 Pokemon Go & Draw: Water Deck
(AWA will provide supplies) Do you know them all? Join Art Way Alliance as Artists show you how to draw some of your favorite Pokemon characters. From the original 151 to the new Scarlet and Violet starters. We will be exploring the shapes that make up these awesome characters. Participants may even get to create their own original creatures! Bring your Pokedex and creativity!

12:30 – 1:30 STEAM Character Design: Art Edition
(AWA will provide supplies) Attendees will learn how to design a character based on one or all of the elements of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in their design. Character design is the art of creating a character for use in books, comics, video games, television, movies, and other fictional mediums. Designers outline everything about the character they envision, from appearance and strengths to personality and weaknesses.

1:50 – 2:50 Making Comics (Comic Book Writing & Art Tutorial)
Join Artist and Educator Bradley Hudson (from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore) and Editor Joseph Rybandt (from Dynamite Entertainment) as they discuss all aspects of working in comics and show you how comic books and comic book pages are put together, including: layout, story flow, and specific panels from a real comic book script.

Room 206 (2nd Floor) Ocean City Film Fest Screening Room

The Ocean City Film Festival is Ocean City’s first and only film festival that celebrates independent filmmakers from near and far. Founded in 2017, the festival continues to deliver an original program of films year after year. Content is NOT rated by MPAA and viewer discretion is advised. Learn more at OCMDFilmFestival.com

12PM: POCOMOKE FOREST: Maryland’s Heart of Darkness
THAT’S MY BIKE! Productions’ investigative documentary about Maryland’s most haunted forest. This 4-part series explores the historical background of the Pocomoke forest with help from local author Andy Nunez. Filmmakers B.L. Strang-Moya, Trevor Taylor, and Jarret Bigsby conduct an in-depth paranormal investigation to cultivate evidence of the mysterious reports that have plagued the forest for decades. 45 minutes.

2PM: The 2023 Ocean City Film Challenge
The annual Ocean City Film Challenge is a collection of short films that were made in or about Ocean City. 90 minutes approx.

Fiona Finds Her Groove
Written & Directed by Fiona O'Brien & Will Rothermel A girl comes to Ocean City and notices movement in the most peculiar places.

Newt
Written & Directed by Christian Walters A young Native American facing a specific instance ~ challenging his personal feelings of identity, while also embracing the joys and hurdles ahead in his new surroundings.

The Runaway Groom
Written & Directed by Marlon Wallace Malcolm, an anxious groom, has to wrestle with his guilty conscience and figure out what makes him happy, as Talia, his frustrated bride, will do anything to put a ring on his finger and get him back to the altar, even if it means chasing him up and down the beach and boardwalk of Ocean City, Maryland.

Lucy Wouldn’t Lie
Written & Directed by Erin Welch. Morbid secrets surface between two friends in this dark comedy short film.

The Prize of Ocean City
Written & Directed by Holden Conner Three best friends go to Ocean City and learn the true value of a day at the beach.

The Ballad of Pop and Corn
Written, produced, and directed by Myah Stokes The Ballad of Pop and Corn is a puppetry short film that depicts the exploration of boardwalk scraps who have a newfound life. Disguised as humans to join as one, the film aims to follow the adventures of the father/son duo Pop and Corn, alongside a 3rd boardwalk escapee - Salt Water Taffy. However, when envy starts to brew, Taffy takes matters into her own hands. Styled as a news station broadcast, this lighthearted, comedy film touches upon themes of envy, curiosity, perseverance, and recognizing that wrongdoings can lead to poor fortune.

A Shore Thing
Written & Directed by Joe Joyce Two recently fired Ocean City locals are looking for jobs when they finally land what appears to be the position of their dreams. But what is all this then?

One Perfect Show: The Story of Kenny & The Shore Patrol
Directed, Shot, and Edited by Davis Mears A mockumentary about a cover band in Ocean City called “Kenny & The Shore Patrol” - who played a perfect show back in 1987 and then was never heard from again. The film follows the timeline of events that led to the downfall of the band, and eventually, a possible reunion.

Remember Me
Directed by Jackson Dutton and Ashton Kozak Remember Me is a dark romance based on many real stories. Emily Smith and Joshua Adams are first seen as a happy couple who have just moved int their own house. They enjoy spending time together in Ocean City until disaster strikes. Joshua Adams is suddenly found dead after a big argument between Emily and Himself. Emily is now forced to overcome her recent loss and move forward from this tragedy.

Gull
Directed by Brian Hooks A man’s pleasant boardwalk stroll is spoiled by a notoriously pesky bird, leading to a chase for one of Ocean City’s greatest treasures.

Room 215 (2nd Floor)

10:30 AM Saber Guild: Adult Lightsaber Training
Ages: 15 - and up
Time: 20 - 30 minutes
Number of Participants: 10
Lightsabers for use in the class will be provided
In the Adult Intro to Lightsaber Choreography class, participants will experience an introductory course to learn the basics of wielding a Lightsaber. Saber Guild’s seasoned members will demonstrate a variety of movements and techniques used when learning lightsaber combat choreography. Along with these skills, participants get acquainted with how to use a stunt Lightsaber, handle it safely, and how to work safely with a partner. Participants will learn three established sets that we use in our regular performances and a Force Move. At the conclusion of this training class, we will create a “show off” opportunity for their Lightsaber training archives.

1:45 AM Saber Guild: Kids Lightsaber Training
Ages: 6-14
Time: 20-25 minutes
Number of Participants: 20
Lightsabers for use in the class will be provided
The younglings will take their first steps into a larger world during this introductory course to Lightsabers and the Force. Saber Guild’s elite Jedi will demonstrate their skills before introducing the younglings to the Force and guiding them through the first form of Lightsaber combat: Shii-Cho. Once the younglings understand this form, the instructors will teach them how to use their lightsaber for defense, showing them basic dodges, blocks, and Force moves to protect themselves from the Empire or the First Order. The younglings might have the chance to use what they have learned against Saber Guild’s Sith. At the conclusion of this training class, we will create photo opportunities for parents including a class photo and the younglings will receive a certificate for their studies in Lightsaber training.

2:45 AM Saber Guild: Kids Lightsaber Training
Ages: 6-14
Time: 20-25 minutes
Number of Participants: 20
Lightsabers for use in the class will be provided
(description above)

3:45 PM Saber Guild: Adult Lightsaber Training
Ages: 15 - and up
Time: 20 - 30 minutes
Number of Participants: 10
Lightsabers for use in the class will be provided
(description above)

Room 217 (2nd Floor)

12:00pm – 2:00pm Super Art Fight
SUPER ART FIGHT IS THE GREATEST LIVE ART COMPETITION IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE. Created in 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland by artists Jamie Noguchi and Nick DiFabbio, SAF has grown over the past decade into an absolutely can't miss live event, mixing elements of pro-wrestling styled storytelling and character work, live art, and improvised humor.
To date, Super Art Fight has produced hundreds of live events, including shows across the United States and into Canada; appearances at such big conventions as Otakon, Anime Expo, MAGFest, and Awesome Con; features in the pages of The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, and Wired; and regular engagements at such legendary rock-and-roll venues as Baltimore's Ottobar and Washington DC's The Black Cat.
Want to see artists collide in one-on-one or tag-team action? Can they stand tall against the ridiculous topics from the crowd-sourced Wheel of Death? Are you ready to cheer your favorites on to victory?
There's only one way to get started...
3-2-1...ART FIGHT!

PAC (first floor off the lobby)

12:00 PM Saber Guild Lightsaber Stage Performance
Time: 30-60 minutes
The combined Saber Guild temples of the Northeast United States present a production made just for The 2021 Ocean City Comic Con. Saber Guild is a non-profit, all-volunteer, international organization that specializes in lightsaber stage choreography and education. Don't miss this spectacular lightsaber performance which is perfect for Star Wars fans of all ages.

3:00 PM Cosplay Contest!