Careers In The Creative Arts at NorthEast ComicCon Nov. 23-25

NorthEast ComicCon & Collectibles Extravaganza prides itself on its Careers in The Creative Arts programming panels with audience Q&As as a way for the next generations to learn the skills and knowledge to find a place in a creativity workforce. Art, writing, comedy, music, puppetry, costuming and animating are some of the avenues visited by the team.

Starting off Friday Nov. 23 at 4:30 pm highlighting independents is our NEComicCon Kick-Off Creator Meet-Up Hosted by Johnny C. Meet as many like-minded Creative folks as possible. Meet that next great collaborator that can help you make your ideas to the next level. Johnny C started the Creator After Con Network to help you put you on the path to going Pro, and in the very least to help you meet like minded creative individuals with a motivation and drive to do more. Artists bring your portfolios, writers bring your stories, everyone bring your business cards for this fun educational event.

At 6:00 pm on Friday, we’ll feature Careers in the Comedy Creative Arts hosted by Author/Comedian/Musician Nick Zaino as he discusses careers in comedy with some of the Women of the Boston Comedy Festival with audience Q&A, who will be appearing in a stand up comedy concert later in the evening. The show features Emily Ruskowski, Carolyn Plummer, Kathe Farris, and Erin Spencer. The panel will be recorded for his Department of Tangents podcast.

Saturday Nov. 24 is a full day of activities beginning at 10:30 am with another Creator Meet-Up with writer and producer Johnny C discussing the skills and networking needed to succeed in the creative arts. At 12:00 Noon, Author/Comedian/Musician Nick Zaino discusses careers in animation with PHILO BARNHART, animator and artist for the Walt Disney animation studio on such great films as The Little Mermaid and Beauty & The Beast, among many others with audience Q&A. The second half of the hour will be an interview with artist and musician GUY GILCHRIST, artist of the Muppet Babies and the Nancy comic strips among many others with audience Q&A. The interviews will be recorded for the Department of Tangents podcast.

At 1:30 pm, Q&A with Legendary Japanese Actor AKIRA TAKARADA, who starred as the young male lead in the original “Godzilla, King of the Monsters” film in 1954, along with the American remake with Raymond Burr in 1956. As a dramatic actor in a science fiction film studio, Akira was in almost every Godzilla film. A limited number of special VIP passes are available that guaranteed a seat in the Colonial Ballroom, admission to the event, an autograph and photo op with Akira and a special VIP laminated pass. Akira will be interviewed by Godzilla afficianado and comic book artist John Hunt, recorded for the League Podcast.

At 3:00 pm, Obscured Careers in the Creative Arts hosted by Nick Zaino discusses careers in puppetry and film making with BILL DIAMOND, 2 time Emmy Award winner, former Muppeteer on Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and Dark Crystal, among many others, along with puppeteering Audrey 2 in Little Shop of Horrors, with audience Q&A. The second half of the hour will be an interview with Costumed Creature Actor JEROME ST.JOHN BLAKE who has appeared in Star Wars and the Fifth Element among many others with audience Q&A. The interviews will be recorded for the Department of Tangents podcast.

At 4:30 pm, we are pleased to present a panel entitled “The Making of “SWEENEY KILLING SWEENEY” or “What’s so funny about making an independent film about a comedian?” This special event will include members of the cast and producers of the newly released comedy featuring many of Boston’s greatest comedians including Tony V and Frank Santorelli. Other guests from the film along with producers and directors will enlighten the audience with the process of taking an idea to the big screen.

Sunday Nov. 25 starts at 10:30 am with Careers in the Creative Arts for Grass-Roots Indies. Join a collection of 100% independent and self driven creators who share their skills with the world without the help of anyone but themselves. Find independent comic creators, novelists, podcasters and crafters who do it on their own and can tell you how you can too. Host, writer, producer and man about town Johnny C engages like minded creatives through interaction and community. Audience Q&A in a meet-up style for artists, writers, publishers and all others looking to learn more.

At Noon on Sunday, we present Comic Artist Careers in the Creative Arts, a conversation and investigation into an artist’s career in the comic book industry featuring Steve Geiger, editor and artist at Marvel Comics, and Mark McKenna, who works for Marvel, DC, and as an independent artist. Hosted by comedian Jim McCue, producer of the Boston Comedy Festival for the McCue Report Podcast, and will include audience Q&A.

An interview with the Man of a Million Voices, BILLY WEST, who is known as the voice of “Doug,” “Stimpy,” “Red M&M” and most of the cast of “Futurama” as he discusses his career, and makes funny voices with his mouth. Voice acting is a unique career, and Billy has come from Boston to the big time, and he shares knowledge and humor. Hosted by comedian Jim McCue for the McCue Report Podcast, and will include audience Q&A.

Creator Careers in the Creative Arts is an investigation into the skill and luck of being a creator of a Comic Book series with Will Murray, co-creator with Jack Kirby of SquirrelGirl, and Joe St.Pierre, Spider-Man artist and creator of New Zodiax comics. Hosted by comedian Jim McCue for the McCue Report Podcast, and will include audience Q&A.

All weekend professional Mask Maker and artist Eric Bornstein of Behind the Mask Studio will be giving hands-on workshops on masks for Theater, Cosplay, Parades or just for fun.

Entry to all of these sessions are included in general daily or weekend admission to the NorthEast ComicCon & Collectibles Extravaganza Nov. 23-25 at the Regency Hotel in Boxboro MA.

www.NEComicCons.com for more information.