Volume 32 Number 7 Issue 384 December 2019 a WORD from the EDITOR This Was a Very Hard Year with a Some Bright Spots. Here
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Volume 32 Number 7 Issue 384 December 2019 A WORD FROM THE EDITOR November 10, 2019 Officers: Juan Sanmiguel, Pat Russell This was a very hard year with a some bright spots. Members: Steve Cole, Arthur Dykeman, Steve Grant, Harry Here is the Worldcon report. One of the bright spots Parkhurst for this year. I forgot to bring my camera to the Hugo ceremony, and I did not think the pictures from my phone were good Pre-talk: enough for the report. We discussed the Bartrek trend at conventions, and the We also have the winners of the World Fantasy microbrewery craze in Orlando. Steve mentioned the “Wilhelm Awards. scream,” a sound-bite generic scream from a film in the late 40s or Sadly we lost Dorothy Fontana and share my thoughts early 50s that is now found in almost every action and SF film on her. made in the U.S.. (The first storm trooper shot in the first Star Next month’s issue will have some end of the year Wars film gives a “Wilhelm scream.”) lists. We will find out what was big in science fiction and fantasy books and films. There might be some reviews. Convention: Happy Holidays. Michael’s report covering OASIS from 2013-2018 is still in the research stage. Juan gave kudos to David Lussier, Arthur, and Walter for watching the OASFiS book sale table at Necronomicon Events convention while he participated in panels. $83 was raised at Necro. Holiday Matsuri Steve C. mentioned that former OASIS con attendees December 13-15 at Franhurst con wondered if there was ever going to be another Orlando World Center Marriott OASIS con. Juan said there are 3 choices for any future OASIS 8701 World Center Dr, convention: 1) to have one. 2) to have a Relaxicon instead. 3) to Orlando, FL 32821 not have one, and we will put in a bid to host a convention (Deep $70 3 days South con, for instance). Hotel rates are just getting steeper, Juan Guests: Wendy Powell (voice actor) said, and the club has been dipping into the savings to put on the Brandon McInnis (voice actor) conventions, since they don’t break even or turn a profit. Steve G. Ray Chase (voice actor) wondered if we could partner with the Trekkers or Whovians to Robbie Daymond (voice actor) put on a group convention. Harry, as an active Seminole Chamber Max Mittleman (voice actor) of Commerce member, offered to work on finding a reasonable J. Michael Tatum (voice actor) hotel for future OASIS cons. Juan will email him the details of Cynthia Cranz (voice actor) Leah Clark (voice actor) (Continued on page 2) Yaya Han (cosplayer) and others holidaymatsuri.com Comic Book Connection December 13-15 18410 SE Hwy 42 Weirsdale, FL 32195 No admission fee mentioned on website www.thecomicbookconnection.com OASFiS Event Horizon Vol 32 Issue 384 December 2019 Published Monthly by the Orlando Area Science Fiction Society (OASFiS). All rights reserved by original Authors and Artists. Editor: Juan Sanmiguel, 1421 Pon Pon Court, Orlando, FL 32825. Subscriptions are $12.00 per year and entitle the subscriber to membership in the Society. Attending Memberships are $25.00 per year. Extra memberships to family members are $6.00 per year when only one newsletter is sent to the household. To subscribe or join OASFiS, send a check or money order to: OASFiS, PO Box 592905, Orlando, FL 32859-2905. To submit Articles, Artwork or Letters of Comment to the Event Horizon, send them to the Editor's address above or [email protected]. For additional information, call our Voice Mail at (407) 823-8715. OASFiS is a state chartered not for profit corporation whose goal is the promotion of Science Fiction in all its forms. All opinions expressed herein are solely those of the Author(s) and in no way represent the opinions of the Society or its members as a whole. Page two December 2019 December OASFiS Calendar OASFiS People Holiday Party and Elections Sunday December 8, 2019 12:30PM at Patty Steve Cole [email protected] Russel’s House (email Patty Russell at bearinthe- Susan Cole 407-275-5211 [email protected] or Juan at sanmi- [email protected] [email protected] for more detailed directions). Arthur Dykeman 407-328-9565 [email protected] Sci Fi Light Steve Grant 352 241 0670 Taking Break for the Holidays!!! [email protected] Mike Pilletere [email protected] To contact for more info: David Ratti 407-282-2468 OASFiS Business Meeting 407-823-8715 [email protected] Juan Sanmiguel 407-823-8715 [email protected] what is needed from a hotel to put on a successful con. The next Patricia Wheeler 407-832-1428 OASIS would be the first weekend of June. [email protected] There was some discussion of possible guests of honor for future Any of these people can give readers information about the cons, and also how to make a convention draw more fans. Juan club and its functions. To be included in the list call Juan. mentioned Jeff VanderMeer packed a room during his talk at Rollins College, and Sara and another author from Pakistan packed a room at the Shakespeare Center for their talk, and these are the type of people we are trying to reach. Steve C. pointed out that only a few key characters know about the timeline out these were one-talk events, and they couldn’t be compared to changes, so that didn’t determine whether the boyfriend was an an SF con. There was talk of asking a self-published author to be important sympathetic male character. the GOH, but Juan says the author must meet the SFWA requirements to be an OASIS GOH. Steve Grant has been rereading Charles Stross, and he recommends his Laundry Files series. It is Lovecraftian in a Nominations for the OASFiS Board are being accepted for 2020. humorous way, and though main characters change twice in the As usual, the final vote and tally will be at series, it transitions beautifully from one book to the next. He the OASFiS Christmas Party on December 8th from 12:30 pm -4 also recommends The Rivers of London series by pm at Pat Russell’s house, at 1550 Ormond Ave, Apopka, 32703. Ben Aaronovich. The main character, Peter Grant, a wizard, sees Juan nominated Pat for Secretary, Michael Pelletier for the British police in a sympathetic light, and works well with Treasurer, and Tom Reed for Vice President. Steve C. nominated them to solve supernatural crimes. Steve is also looking forward Juan for President. Juan will be emailing the nomination link this to the 5 new Star Trek series airing soon, week so other members can send in nominations. especially Picard and Below Decks. He mentioned the “Tribble” episode on Short Treks as one to catch, too. (He thinks the CBS Juan is still researching prosective dates for the streaming subscription is worth it. Arthur cautioned that 2020 Oasfis Picnic. He is also looking into using the Central streaming will be like cable soon, and not all the shows promised Branch Library in Seminole County for future meetings, since will be available). parking and meeting room fees are an issue at Orange County libraries. Pat told him a Seminole County resident would need to Juan is reading Who Killed Sherlock Holmes?, the 3rd book in book the room, and there would need to be availability (the one the Shadow Police series by Paul Cornell (who also meeting room gets booked up to 6 months in advance), but that wrote Doctor Who episodes). He also announced that Glenda C. there is no cost. Harry offered to be the resident to book the Finkelstein’s husband, a long-time SF fan, died this year. Also, room (Pat is not a resident), and he will investigate other no-cost the OASIS 2019 GOH, Adam Troy Castro, was nominated for meeting spaces to hold monthly OASFiS meetings. Steve C. said the World Fantasy Award for his novella, “10 Things She Said he would consider meeting at Brick and Fire Pizza again, since While Dying.” parking is better, and the food is good. Harry enjoyed watching the movie Alita, Battle Angel. He felt Culture Consumed the CGI effects merged well with the live action. Arthur Steve C. just finished Annalee Newitz’s The Future of Another mentioned that this movie is based on a popular anime and Timeline, set in a world where abortion is not legal. He manga series. He said CGI is a tool, and its use is not a death described how in this world, the Comstock Laws, named for sentence to good filmmaking. Anthony Comstock, who felt even contraception was obscene, Harry also enjoyed the world-building aspect of Aquaman, and and should be outlawed, were in force. Comstock even got felt, along with Captain Marvel, that this movie represents the himself appointed as a postal inspector so he could open mail best Marvel movie out there now. There was more discussion of and monitor those who were pro-abortion. Steve said he enjoyed favorite movies, and where they were filmed (Raiders of the the novel, but there was only one sympathetic male character: Lost Ark and Star Wars were filmed in Tunisia). Steve G. felt Saul Bloom, who was a historically-famous activist. Juan felt the the best Godzilla movie was filmed in Japan –the current Shin boyfriend of the protagonist, though flawed, grew in his Godzilla one in 2016 – because it reflected the political and perspective throughout the novel. Steve C.