Eirtakon's panels and workshops are stuff of legend... informative, entertaining, often funny and sometimes insightful! Eirtakon 2011 will have a bigger range of panels than ever before, from workshops to Q&A sessions, check out the full schedule below!
Saturday
Con Survival Guide with Declan Doody from The @rcade
12pm in The Space
Ever feel swamped on the convention scene? Lost in a sea of eirtaku, cosplay and geeks? Are you hampered by your lack of anime and video games? Fear not because the @rcade are here to help guide you through it all! We'll teach you everything you need to know from what to eat, wear, the different species of con-goers and how to hunt and trap your very own weebaoo!
Forget Bear Grylls, he wouldn't last two minutes in a Trade Hall – if you want to know how to survive a con then you need to get yourself to the Crucial Convention Circuit Survival Crash Course!
Japanese Art and Ireland
12pm in Panel Room 1
This panel deals with Japanese art and the effect it has had on Ireland. Eirtakon is proud to feature two respected experts in the field to speak at the panel, Ms Ruth Starr and Dr. Audrey Whitty.
Ms Ruth Starr is a lecturer in Japanese art and architecture in Trinity College Dublin and is a historian of Japanese art from the earliest times to the 20th century. She will talk about emaki scrolls, a forerunner of anime and manga. Dr. Audrey Whitty is the curator of the Albert Bender collection in the National Museum of Ireland. Albert Bender was born in Dublin in 1866 and collected a huge amount of Asian art. He donated hundreds of pieces of art to the NMI in the 1930s.
How to Draw Anime with DestinyBlue
1pm in Panel Room 2
This workshop starts from the basics of constructing an anime character before going into more complex tips and techniques used by the pros. It teaches the importance of using guidlines as a base for getting the features placed correctly, how to draw and shade consistently good anime eyes and how to make sure you get those body proportions right. It’s a draw along workshop so hopefully you’ll go home with a piece of art you can be proud of!
Steampunk Workshop with Bella
1pm in The Space
Anime Hell Panel with Sir Lazar (18+)
2pm in Panel Room 1
Sir Lazer's fantastic take on the infamous Anime Hell panel. Once you see this panel you can never unsee it!
Japanese Fashions with Seaneen Mulholland
3.00pm in Panel Room 2
Learn how to be Shibuya Style, from a wide range of japanese fashions, to how you morph it into your own style, where you can find related clothes and accessory stores in the UK/Ireland.
Bronies Panel with Bronies Ireland
4.00pm in Panel Room 1
Members of the Bronies of Ireland Facebook page are giving a crash course in the My Little Pony internet phenomenon! Animator Erica Pitt will be answering questions and releasing some never-before-seen pictures from the people behind the prodigious first season. Warning: Ponies in first three rows may be loved and tolerated.
Cosplaying in America with Judith
4.30pm in The Theatre
Judith is a cosplay photographer from the US, who will be giving a talk on the cosplay scene in America, and showcasing some of her work.
Power to the Pantyshot! with Fiona and Amy from Eirtakon (18+)
5.00pm in Panel Room 2
Like it or not, fanservice is a big part of anime and manga culture. From a brief flash of eh, briefs, to women fighters having a bit of a problem with clothing damage, fanservice is here to stay!
But how did it originate? Why is it here? Is it that prevalent in anime and manga? And is really all about the boobs!? To find out the answers to these questions and much more, join Fiona and Amy at the fanservice panel. Bring an open mind and leave your morality, dignity and young children at the door.
Anime Murder Mystery with Declan Doody from The @rcade
5.30pm in The Space
Disgruntled at the success of the Kingdom Hearts villains, some of manga and anime's most vile and corrupt ghouls and characters have gathered together to start plotting their own hostile takeover involving Keyblades and stuff, but without the annoying sugar-coated kiddy crap! It seems however that not everyone is happy with the decision making going on and when Aizen Sousuke, the leader of the group, is found murdered the finger of suspicion begins to point... but in a room filled with some of the baddest baddies ever drawn... who could be the killer?
Players will assume the roles of various anime/manga characters and will try to survive, but when the person sitting beside you is responsible for nearly ending the world twice... who can you trust?
Censorship And Standards of Decency in Anime and Art with Grainne Aylward
6pm in Panel Room 1
In this panel, we will discuss the different theoretical and practical approaches taken in deciding what is "art" and what is "porn". We'll also be looking at how anime fits into the lens, and, of course, what about homosexuality in anime? The question of LGBT inclusivity in film and anime will be featured. This will be an interactive talk - discussion is encouraged. No flaming or trolling please!
J-Monster Panel with Caroline Egan
10pm in The Theatre
Caroline Egan delves through the archives of classic (and not so classic) Japanese monster films that make Godzilla look like an oversized mouse.
Sunday
Sewing and Fabrics with Mad Crean
12pm in Panel Room 1
Unfortunately, the Dreadfalls Workshop has been cancelled due to speaker taking ill. Apologies to all who were looking forward to the panel, and we wish for a quick recovery!
Japanese Ghost Stories with Chou
12pm in Panel Room 2
Discretion is advised - this panel may not be suitable for people under 16.
A quick history and guide to Japanese ghost stories, ranging from the scary to the strange.
Dubs from Hell with Rob from Eirtakon (18+)
1pm in The Space
Eirtakon's film officer Rob will leave you in hysterics with a showcase of some of the worst dubs you've ever heard. And you thought the original Akira dub was bad?
Savage Masks
1.30pm in Panel Room 1
Japanese and Irish Cultures with Experience Japan
2pm in Panel Room 2
A special panel being given by Experience Japan on the differences and similarities between Irish and Japanese cultures and a look at why so many things Japanese is so popular in Ireland these days.
EuroCosplay Experiences with Kathryn and John
2pm in The Space
Last year's Irish EuroCosplay representatives give a rundown of their experiences from attending this year's EuroCosplay competition!
Photography Workshop with Kieran Broderick
3pm in Photography Area
Worst Anime Survival Guide with Eeper (18+)
3pm in Panel Room 1
Eeper from Eepers Choice podcast giving an exclusive talk about how to survive the worst anime that Japan has to offer.
Samurai Panel
3pm in Panel Room 2
How to Draw Chibis with DestinyBlue
4pm in Panel Room 2
Chibis are the adorable big headed big eyed miniature characters that are often seen in anime. This draw along workshop goes through step by step the techniques of how construct your own squidgable chibis. It teaches the different styles and proportions you can give your chibis and which ones give the maximum cuteness factor, it also covers how to chibis are perfect for displaying strong and amusing emotions. Come along if you want to learn how to chibi-fy your favourite anime character or even yourself!
Cairdiúil's Panel
4pm in The Theatre
Cairdiúil, Mechanic Geisha, Frances Galligan and possibly Kieran, will be giving tips and advice on cosplay modelling, how to get into it, do's and don'ts and how to be confident in front of the camera
Silent Hill Murder Mystery with Declan Doody from The @rcade (18+)
4pm in The Space
Forty years ago the humble folk of Silent Hill, Toluca County, West Virginia went to bed and never woke up – it is a mystery that has fallen into urban legend, the loss of of nearly six thousand souls written off as the workings of a cult. Today it stands empty tarred as a ghost town left to fade away until now. determined to uncover the truth behind the disappearances disgraced paranormal investigator and lecturer Dr. John Goemer will wake the town from it's cold rest... disturbing more than dust... something that did not want to be woken ... something that hungers... beneath the shadows and the memories...
