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Editing Programme

Note: This programme is provisional. Anything in it might change.

If you'd like to suggest an event or panel discussion topic, volunteer to run an event or to appear on a panel, please email info@recombination.org.uk.

The filk programming is being organised by the Harmuni committee; they can be reached at concom@harmuni.org (note this address has recently changed). Details will appear here nearer the convention.

Friday 10 August

Dealers' room open 4pm-7pm.

1. Opening ceremony: Meet the committee and the guests, and find out what we have in store for you.
2. Failure is an option: In science fiction, computers only rarely go wrong. With the exception of the odd megalomaniac machine, SF computers run smoothly and reliably. But what if ORAC and Multivac needed a good kick and a reboot every couple of days? The panel examines how things might have gone much differently. {Ian Watson, rmcf, Colette, Simon Bradshaw}
3. Business as usual: Today's state of the RPG industry - the best of times, the worst of times, or something in-between? How to get into (and out of!) the gaming industry without losing your shirt. {Chris Pramas, Nicholas Caldwell, Phil Masters}
4. Filk room opens: Instaband signup sheets and One Shot signup sheets posted.
5. QF!: The game show that asks not how much you know about filk, but how much you can make up about it.
6. A good read: A shameless excuse to evangelise about your favourite books and authors, and an excellent opportunity to pick up book recommendations. {Jo Walton, Tom Womack, Duncan MacGregor, others TBA}
7. One GM or many?: Old-school tabletop GMing, shared GMing, co-GMing, and LARP GMing. Different styles, different strengths. Are there useful lessons for our own GMing? {Madeleine Eid, John Dallman, others TBA}
8. Concert: Kathy Songbird, the Music Magician
9. If I ruled the world: They say if you want to keep your friends, don't talk politics or religion. Forget all that; SF, fantasy and RP are teeming with interesting systems of politics and economics just dying to be argued about. If you were in charge, how would you run things? {Chris Pramas, Kari, others TBA}
10. A quick guide to Special Relativity: Special Relativity is the simpler of Einstein's two famous theories. Mixing up space and time, it describes time dilation due to motion, red- and blueshift, and the speed of light as an absolute speed limit. This short talk aims to explain its basic principles to ordinary readers using handwaving, diagrams, and examples from SF - and very few equations. Learn to solve the twin paradox for yourself! No previous knowledge assumed. Interruptions including stupid questions are encouraged. (Not covered will be gravity, black holes, etc., which are explained by the much more complicated General Relativity.) {Ian Jackson}
11. Open filk: Friendly, relaxed, bardic, continuing into the night, very late, possibly even into the next morning, although this is not advised on a Friday. Pace yourselves!
12. Collaborative storytelling: Listen to the story so far, tell a piece of the tale, then pass it on. Help us navigate our way through grave dangers and unexpected plot twists to a satisfying ending. Join in or just come and listen.

Saturday 11 August

Dealers' Room open 9:30am-7pm.

Meals
breakfast: 8am-9am (for those who have booked accommodation in the college)
lunch: 12.30 - 1.30
dinner: 6.45 - 7.30

20. Feedback session: An opportunity to bend the committee's collective ear.
21. Filk room opens: Instaband signup sheets and One Shot signup sheets posted.
22. How much does SF need science?: How hard should authors strive for plausible science? When does the science behind the plot, or an obvious lack of it, start to get in the way of the story? For all those who've ever checked Egan's calculations on the back of an envelope, and all those who find him completely baffling.... {Ian Watson, Liz Batty, Dave Clements, others TBA}
23. Knitting & sewing circle: Bring your stash (of wool - Ed.) and curl up for some hangout time with the naturally crafty filkers.
24. RPG 101: What are RPGs anyway? How do you play them? Which RPG(s) would suit you? These and other questions will be answered in our gentle introduction to gaming. No experience required. {Chris Pramas, Bridget Bradshaw, Michael Cule, others TBA}
25. World domination - a project management approach: This training session seeks to address the demonstrable lack of project management expertise among those seeking to take over the world. Learn how some simple, valuable tools and skills can ensure your plan succeeds. {rmcf}
26. Gaming the book, telling the game: Does (good) fiction make for good games and game settings? Do (good) games and gameworlds make for good fiction? {Jo Walton, Kari, Marcus Rowland, Phil Masters}
27. Discussion group: the Campbell Award nominees: First novels have qualities, and deficiencies, peculiarly their own; the John W Campbell notaHugo award honours writers whose first novels appeared in the last two years. This year's a very strong field: we have Brandon Sanderson (Elantris, Mistborn), Sarah Monette (Melusine, The Virtu), Naomi Novik (Temeraire, Throne of Jade, Black Powder War), Scott Lynch (The Lies of Locke Lamora, Red Seas Under Red Skies) and Laurence Schoen, founder of the Klingon Language Institute. {led by Tom Womack}
28. Workshop: Filk with Franklin Gunkelmann: Learn a song in German! It'll be fun!
29. Are blogs the new fanzines?: And what will be the new blogs? The panel discusses how and why fans communicate, and the effects of technological change on style and audience. Are you a Web 2.0 lifelogger or an artisan handcrafting paper magazines - or both? {Mike Scott, Flick, Bridget Bradshaw, others TBA}
30. Where's my McGuffin?: after you have adventured through the Wild Woods and the Murky Mountains and defeated the Evil Wizard, you may find yourself rewarded with a Plot Object. Or maybe you'll pick one up along the way. But are they really worth all that effort? The panel discusses which are must-haves and which are destined to gather dust on the mantelpiece. {Duncan MacGregor, The Bellinghman, Phil Nanson, Senji}
31. Discussion group: CJ Cherryh: Cherryh is a prolific writer with an enormous range. Her background in psychology, history and linguistics allows her to create uniquely alien worlds, ranging from the easily accessible Chanur space operas to experimental works like the solipsist Wave Without A Shore. This discussion group ventures into the marvels of Cherryh's alternative worlds. {led by Ian Jackson}
32. What is this "filk" thing anyway?: A gentle introduction for beginners and the filk-curious. New, old, or just plain confused, the panel answers all your questions. No experience required.
33. The revisionist's dilemma: New editions of existing games and settings appear regularly. One gamer's sacred cow in the old rules is another's pet hate, so do you "fix" or "keep", and how do you decide? {Chris Pramas, Nicholas Caldwell, John Dallman}
34. The lion, the witch and the bookshelf: What ingredients make up the classic children's books? When you re-read your childhood favourites do you smile or cringe? The panel recommends books to grab the imagination of the next generation. {Rae Streets, Caroline Mullan, Farah Mendlesohn, others TBA}
35. Lost in translation: How does one go about the tricky job of translating a book or song into another language or medium? What challenges do SF and fantasy traslation in particular present? {Ian Watson, Franklin Gunkelmann, Ozzy}
36. GoH interview: Jo Walton Interviewed by Owen Dunn.
37. disLocations launch: We are delighted to host the launch of Newcon Press's new anthology, disLocations, edited by Ian Whates with the help of Ian Watson. disLocations includes stories by Pat Cadigan, Chaz Brenchley, Hal Duncan, Brian Stableford, Andrew Hook, Adam Roberts, Amanda Hemingway, Andy West and Ken MacLeod. Ian and Ian will read from disLocations and Newcon Press's previous anthology, Time Pieces.
38. Discussion group: Tigana: A discussion of the themes in Guy Gavriel Kay's Tigana. {led by Hilarita}
39. Concert: Sib Machat: You'll never look at film subtitles the same way....
40. Corporate dystopia: Much of modern SF has turned away from the idealistic view of the new frontier, and is more concerned with humanity either staying on an overcrowded Earth under the yoke of powerful corporations, or colonising the new frontier with company towns. When did we become so disillusioned with the future and why do we enjoy reading about it? {Duncan MacGregor, Dave Clements, Edward James, others TBA}
41. I rolled vs law, and the law won: Your character has been hauled in front of the local magistrate, or is being sued for return of that valuable old book. Or maybe has to prove that she - or it - has rights rather than being available for sale, or even burning. Whatever's happened, it's courtroom time; Simon Bradshaw looks at whether there's more to gaming legal proceedings than rolling against Fast Talk.
42. Discussion group: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Was the Deathly Hallows a fitting finale to the series? Will there ever be another Harry Potter book? (It goes without saying, there will be spoilers for the Deathly Hallows so don't turn up if you don't want to hear them.) {led by naath and hazyjayne/Sarah}
43. Concert: Franklin Gunkelmann
44. World-building: Whether writing fiction or RPGs, one of the essentials for a good story is a convincing setting. If your scenes are held together with gaffa tape and string then the reader/player will soon find the holes in them. How do you go about making a world stand up to scrutiny? {Jo Walton, Michael Abbott, Owen Dunn, Phil Nanson}
45. GoH interview: Ian Watson Interviewed by Clare Boothby.
46. Instaband rehearsals: See Instaband sign-up sheet.
47. Who's Who?: Doctor Who returned to our screens in 2005 after a long absence, and the holiday has done wonders for his ratings. How has this peculiarly British character changed since 1963, and what does each generation's Doctor tell us about ourselves? {Owen Dunn, DougS, Judith Proctor, others TBA}
48. Brunner's four futures: Next year will be the fourtieth anniversary of Stand on Zanzibar. The panel discusses this and three more future worlds described by Brunner: The Sheep Look Up, The Jagged Orbit and The Shockwave Rider. All four describe the state of the world in the early twenty-first century. How plausible do these worlds look now? {Jo Walton, Caroline Mullan, Edward James, Ian Whates}
49. GoH interview: Chris Pramas Interviewed by Sheila Thomas.
50. RPG auction: A chance to grab a bargain or sell old games on to a new home. See the Programme Book for more information.
51. Down with trilogies!: Lots of modern fantasy comes in comforting, escapist series of three (or more) big fat books, challenging little but the strength of your shelves. The panel asks how things got this way, and identifies books which break the mould. {Duncan MacGregor, Tom Womack, others TBA}
52. Military SF: Is MilSF just today's space opera? Is there room for real SF in among the ranks and exploding spaceships, or is it doomed just to be Hornblower with rockets - and does that matter if we enjoy it anyway? Is David Weber just writing a Mary-Sue in his own universe? {David Damerell, rmcf, Henry Proctor}
53. Filk circle: RPGs: Songs about RPGs.
54. Free-for-all readings: An informal opportunity to share your favourite stories. Bring along a (very) short story or extract (no more than 4-5 pages as a rule of thumb) to impress, entertain or delight the audience. Alternatively, just come along and listen.
55. Open filk: Friendly, relaxed, bardic, continuing into the night, very late, possibly even into the next morning.

Sunday 12 August

Dealers' Room open 9:30am-4pm.

Meals
breakfast: 8am-9am (for those who have booked accommodation in the college)
lunch: 12.30 - 1.30

60. Feedback session: An opportunity to bend the committee's collective ear.
61. Filk room opens: One Shot signup sheets posted (if there any spaces left).
62. Imaginary books and imaginary authors: From The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy to Calvino and Borges, by way of the Necronomicon and the Book of the New Sun, the panel unlocks the mysteries of books that never were. Where do they come from, and why do they appeal so strongly to our imaginations? {Jo Walton, Duncan MacGregor, Ian Whates, others TBA}
63. Discussion group: Talking to aliens: Having solved the problem of crossing interstellar distances to meet intelligent aliens, how do SF writers deal with the problem that they are unlikely to speak English? What might alien languages be like, and how can they be represented in a work of fiction? {led by Marisa}
64. Knitting & sewing circle: Bring your stash (still wool - Ed.) and curl up for some hangout time with the naturally crafty filkers.
65. Throwing down the gauntlet: Players crave the excitement of the "close-run thing" where their characters "win" by the skin of their teeth. A discussion on setting such challenges for one-off scenarios and maintaining the challenge across extended campaigns. {Chris Pramas, Nicholas Caldwell. Marcus Rowland, John Dallman}
66. Robots!: Robots: what are they? (is there a simple concise defnition of what a robot is?). Where are they? (what are the latest applications of robot technology?). Rae Streets enlightens us.
67. Build a better boardgame: What makes for an interesting, replayable boardgame? The panel recommends favourites and describes the elements that make them so. {Sebastian Bleasdale, Judith Proctor, Roger Burton West, Alex Roberts}
68. Instaband rehearsals: See Instaband sign-up sheet.
69. Battling romance: "And then I kissed her." "Hey, ref - don't I get a roll to resist?" How do you handle things when one of your gaming party wants to become more than Just Good Adventurers? This can be more challenging to play than a fight to the death, or can be "just a bit of fun". {Bridget Bradshaw, Kari Maund, Madeleine Eid, others TBA}
70. Not the Hugos: the panel discusses this year's Hugo novel nominees (Michael Flynn, Eifelheim; Naomi Novik, His Majesty's Dragon; Charles Stross, Glasshouse; Vernor Vinge, Rainbows End; Peter Watts, Blindsight) and try to decide which is most deserving. Extracts available at the Nippon 2007 site here: 2007 Hugo nominees. {Tom Womack, Mike Scott, Simon Bradshaw}
71. Creating characters workshop: Characters turn up bringing their world and plot along with them. Where do they come from, how can you get more, and how can you make them more three dimensional? {Jo Walton}
72. Gaming and the final frontier: SF RPGs are the poor relations of fantasy in terms of popularity. Why? More importantly, how do we make SF gaming work as well or as easily as fantasy? {Chris Pramas. Marcus Rowland, Phil Masters, Roger Burton West}
73. An audience with Professor Yaffle: we are delighted to welcome the distinguished Professor Yaffle, made famous by his guest appearances on the BBC's Bagpuss programme, and his colleagues. Prof. Yaffle has kindly offered to put his considerable classification skills at our disposal. If you have an object which your aunt gave you which you don't know what it is, please bring it along to this session and Prof. Yaffle will endeavour to enlighten you. {Ian Watson, Owen Dunn, Hilarita}
74. Eye of newt and toe of frog: do you prefer your magic fiddly and detailed or sweeping and woolly? Are your secret powers learnt from dusty tomes or drawn from the trees? Are pointy hats really necessary? The panel discusses how to make magic believable, and the best way to turn you into a pig. {Neil Taylor, Mike Figg, Kathy Westhead, naath}
75. Instaband performances
76. Bid session + the future of Unicon: Unicon and BRScon are both run by volunteers; without volunteers they will not be run. Please consider offering to help run the next BRScon in 2009 and/or the next Unicon whenever that may be. Let the committee know if you'd like to offer your services. Followed by a Unicon Steering Committee meeting, open to anyone interested, to discuss the future of Unicons and whether any charter changes are necessary to keep them alive.
77. Live-action Nethack: Be careful! New moon tonight. Come and help re-enact the classic game of dungeon exploration, dry humour, and endless stupid deaths. Dressing up as an @ sign optional.
78. Things would be so different if they were not as they are: Whether choosing a branching point or transplanting historical events to a fictional world, the panel discusses how to treat alternat(iv)e history convincingly and sensitively. {Jo Walton, Kari Maund, Farah Mendlesohn, others TBA}
79. Concert: Marilisa Valtazanou
80. Get a (Second) Life: Virtual worlds and massively multiplayer online RPGs like Second Life, Everquest and World of Warcraft are big business. WoW alone has more than 8.5 million players worldwide. So what's the appeal, and which virtual worlds are worth a visit? {Fluffymormegil, Colette, The Bellinghman, Mongoose}
81. Closing ceremony: That's (almost) it, folks. Join the committee as we thank our guests and (hopefully) announce the next BRScon and Unicon committees.
82. I'm sorry I haven't an SFing filking LARPing clue: We present the antidote to convention panels. Our teams will be given silly things to do, with Franklin Gunkelmann setting some of them to music.
83. Dead dog party: If you're staying at New Hall on Sunday night, or just don't want to leave yet, please stick around, be sociable, and help us drink up any spare beer....
84. Dead dog filking: Last chance to get it out of your system!

This programme brought to you by Manuskript, Iron Maiden and Bassett's Invisible Men Fruity Babies.