Saturday, February 7, 2026
Schedule and Break Out Session Descriptions
| TIME | SPEAKER & LOCATION | SESSION INFO |
| Registration 9:00—9:30 a.m. |
McNair Hall (Morris Cultural Arts Center) | Registration |
| Opening Keynote 9:30—10:30 a.m. |
Sandra McCracken Belin Chapel |
Opening Keynote with Q&A |
| Secondary Keynote 10:30—11:30 a.m. |
Craig Detweiler Belin Chapel |
Keynote |
| Lunch Break 11:30 a.m. —1:00 p.m. |
Lunch is not provided for attendees, but is available for purchase at the nearby Pillars shopping center off of Fondren/59 SW FWY. | |
| Breakout Session I 1:00—2:00 p.m. |
Katie Morton Belin Chapel |
Animation Production at Pixar |
| Jane Scharl, Jennifer Hartenburg, and Timothy Bartel, PhD Dillon I |
Poetry & Revelation In this session three poets explore the connection between sacred scripture and the sacred act of poem-making. God’s special revelation in the Bible both gives us insight into the poetic calling and also invites us into a conversation in which we can respond and interact with the sacred text through poems of our own. Bartel, Hartenburg, and Scharl will incorporate readings from their recent respective poetry collections as they reflect and interact with each other on the poet’s craft. They will discuss how poets can approach theological and biblical topics with appropriate piety and fidelity, how the Bible can help train the poetic eye to detail, and how poets participate in a prophetic practice of revelation. |
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| Kristin Dulaney Dillon II |
Crash Course in Book Publishing
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at big publishing houses? This workshop offers a short crash course in traditional trade publishing, from manuscript acquisition to printed books in the market, highlighting the different departments who play a role in that process. It will also explore the role literary agents play (spoiler: a very important one!). With her 22 years of publishing experience, Kristin Dulaney will share insights about the current state of the market and about the roles she’s played in children’s publishing bringing a book to international audiences and taking a book property to the big screen.
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| Breakout Session II 2:15—3:15 p.m. |
John Whitmore Belin Chapel |
Not the Whole Story: The Strategic Purpose and Process of Game Narrative In modern game development, narrative is more than just a story—it is a vital artistic element that provides player context, establishes direction, and defines the overall emotional experience. This session explores the co-dependent relationship between storytelling and the practical realities of production. We will examine how external factors like game structure, technological constraints, marketing requirements, and budget limitations shape the final narrative. Attendees will learn the importance of building flexible, iterative stories that support player agency and highlight key technical features while navigating the inevitable changes of the development cycle. |
| Josiah Nelson Dillon I |
Writing for Film/Television | |
| Van Garrett Dillon II |
Writing: An Interdisciplinary Approach Participants will learn how to create narratives based on their personal interests. Additionally, they will explore writing territories, survey model texts, and discover writing possibilities in various genres. Informative and informal, this presentation will allow writers and artists to learn in supportive, productive, and engaging ways. |
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| Closing Panel 3:30—4:30 p.m. |
Josiah Nelson, Jane Scharl, John Whitmore, Van Garrett, and Craig Detweiler (Moderator) Belin Chapel |