Comics, cosplay, and conventions have become defining icons of today’s popular culture.
Join TEDxFSCJ for Unmasked, an adventure event exploring the themes, identities, and fandoms that define nerd culture.
Hosted by The Short Box podcast’s Badr Milligan and Cesar Cordero, we will look behind the mask in discussing how this culture functions at once as lifestyle and marketplace; how comic books and TV intersect; how comic culture empowers minority storytelling; and how comic-cons and e-sports have reinvented community and belonging.
Speakers include:
Li Hoang, e-sports photographer
Zack Kaplan, comic book writer & Jacksonville native working in Los Angeles
Max Michaels, co-producer of Ancient City Con and Jekyll Comic Con
Ann Marie Scarpinito, cosplayer
Ryan Paul Thompson, founder of GAAM (Games Art And Music)
Arrive early so you can tour our interactive pre-event exhibits. Hosted by FSCJ Guild of Geeks, our pre-event experience will feature a behind-the-scenes look at GAAM Founder Ryan Thompson’s livestreams, interviews with The Short Box podcasters, and a digital media journey through cosplay spaces and places.
Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m.; our event will start promptly at 7 p.m.
Seats that go unclaimed by 6:50 p.m. may be released to individuals on our waiting list.
Speakers
Li Hoang (@HelloItsLi)
Li Hoang is an internationally published model, senior director of esports for GAAM (Games, Art and Music) and a photographer renowned for her portraits. Currently residing in Jacksonville, Florida, Li is a self-taught visual artist specializing in capturing natural moments in time.
Zack Kaplan
In three short years, Zack Kaplan has emerged as a breakout voice in comics as the creator of three sci-fi series. These series, ECLIPSE and PORT OF EARTH from Image Comics and Top Cow and the LOST CITY OF EXPLORERS from Aftershock Comics, are currently in TV development with Robert Kirkman’s Skybound Entertainment, Amazon Studios and Universal TV. Zack received his master’s degree in film and TV writing from the prestigious USC film school and taught screenwriting at the International Academy of Film and TV in the Philippines.
Max Michaels
Max Michaels, co-producer of Ancient City Con and Jekyll Comic Con and Jacksonville native, began his journey in 1992 when he first published MOVEMENT magazine. What began as an independent magazine focusing on the music and arts scene has grown into an international publication. Over the years, Michaels has expanded his portfolio beyond magazine publishing into gallery exhibitions of his rock and multimedia photography, club & nightlife promotions, music and talent management and film production.
Ann Marie Scarpinito
Ann Marie (Ms. Valentine) has poured her heart and soul into cosplay for almost 20 years with characters including Jill Valentine, Nathan Drake and Cortana. The recipient of numerous awards such as “Most Cutting Edge,” “Best Individual,” “Best Craftsmanship,” and “Best Journeyman,” Ann Marie has made a name for herself creating panels for various fandoms, providing leadership to guide the course of cosplay contests at events such as GAAM and CEOtaku and supporting her favorite esports players and streamers.
Ryan Paul Thompson (@GAAMRyan)
Ryan Paul Thompson, GAAM Founder and video game lover, has worked with a team of wonderful people and with companies such as Nintendo, Sony Santa Monica, Volition, Iron Galaxy, Capcom, Microsoft, Naughty Dog and many others. Together they have created multiple events to promote gaming, the arts and “Do Good” culture with the GAAM Show, GAAM Gladiators (an esports event), Retro GAAM Nights, art and cosplay exhibits, The Nerd Market, GAAM Live (a livestream show about gaming culture) and more. He also enjoys working out, drinking, and loves his yorkie, Tobago.
Hosts
Cesar Cordero
Cesar Cordero is a published broadcast journalist, podcaster, comedian, musician, graphic artist and has proudly served in the military for over 9 years. Since 2012, he has co-hosted the award-winning "The Short box" podcast. Along the way, he has managed to interview some of the most fascinating people in Jacksonville. In 2018, Cesar channeled his love of broadcasting in forming “Jax Podcasters Unite!," the official podcaster hub of the First Coast. Cesar knows it's the Bold City that made him and responsibly uses the power of laughter to uplift and engage the community.
Badr Milligan
Badr Milligan is a project manager by day and a podcast enthusiast by night. Since 2012, Badr has combined his passion for comic-books & pop culture with his natural fascination with technology to co-create and host the award-winning podcast, “The Short Box.” He has claimed the 904 as home since the age of five after immigrating to Jacksonville from Morocco. Badr is an FSCJ alumnus and veteran of the Florida Air National Guard, using both experiences to currently run his own small business, The Short Box Entertainment company. In 2018, he helped form the “Jax Podcasters Unite!” group, a fast-growing collective of podcasters and broadcasters who meet quarterly to discuss the podcast industry and encourage collaborative solutions.