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This weekend in Washington, DC creators of color will gather for the third annual Creators Summit.

The yearly summit is hosted by Color Vision, an empowerment organization striving to improve fairness and equity in creative industries. The women-led platform provides support for women of color with training, mentorship and resources to gain access to equal opportunities in employment, business, and higher education.

Boasting a line-up of more than 40 speakers and support from household names like Uber, Capital One, the summit promises a day of inspiring panel discussions, insights on breaking into out-of-the-box industries, mastering branding and monetization Strategies and more.

One highly anticipated panel discussion will tackle new approaches to networking in the 2023 workspace, where many offices operate on a virtual or hybrid model.

“We know that 70% of all jobs are not published publicly, and 80% are filled through personal and professional contacts,” says Mia Hall, Color Vision founder. “So in a time when we’re seeing many changes in creative spaces from layoffs to months-long strikes in Hollywood, we want to equip women with best practices to grow their contact list with intention.”

To address this need, Hall and her team created the “Talk to Me Nice: The Art of Networking” panel session. Ahead of this summit, featured speakers preview their networking tips and philosophies.

Angel Gregorio, Founder, Spice Suite emphasizes the importance of first believing in yourself in the quest to form impactful relationships.

“Networking is ultimately about confidence. You have to have the audacity to step into rooms where you are amongst leaders. As a professional, it’s the path toward ascension.” 

This weekend in Washington, DC creators of color will gather for the third annual Creators Summit. 

The yearly summit is hosted by Color Vision, an empowerment organization striving to improve fairness and equity in creative industries. The women-led platform provides support for women of color with training, mentorship and resources to gain access to equal opportunities in employment, business, and higher education.

Boasting a line-up of more than 40 speakers and support from household names like Uber, Capital One, the summit promises a day of inspiring panel discussions, insights on breaking into out-of-the-box industries, mastering branding and monetization Strategies and more. 

One highly anticipated panel discussion will tackle new approaches to networking in the 2023 workspace, where many offices operate on a virtual or hybrid model. 

“We know that 70% of all jobs are not published publicly, and 80% are filled through personal and professional contacts,” says Mia Hall, Color Vision founder. “So in a time when we’re seeing many changes in creative spaces from layoffs to months-long strikes in Hollywood, we want to equip women with best practices to grow their contact list with intention.”

To address this need, Hall and her team created the “Talk to Me Nice: The Art of Networking” panel session. Ahead of this summit, featured speakers preview their networking tips and philosophies.

Angel Gregorio, founder of Spice Suite, emphasizes the importance of first believing in yourself in the quest to form impactful relationships. 

“Networking is ultimately about confidence. You have to have the audacity to step into rooms where you are amongst leaders. As a professional, it’s the path toward ascension.”

Fellow summit speaker and communication strategist Whitney Stringer recommends going the reciprocity route. 

 “Consider going into any networking opportunity with a spirit of giving first. The best relationships are two-way relationships, so be ready to offer a resource or a connection, before you even ask for something or a contact referral. 

 Finally, The Black Hair Experience CEO Alisha Brooks highlights the importance of prioritizing relationships in addition to skills. 

“Networking is one of the most powerful tools you can use in business.  Opportunities don’t always happen based on what you know but more often because of who you know.”

To learn more career gems like these, the Creators Summit takes place Saturday, September 23 at the Washington, DC Marriott Marquis. Register here.

RELATED CONTENT: ForbesBLK Summit Will Bring Together Black Entrepreneurs, Business Leaders And Creators In ATL

Based on a chapter in Stephen King’s 1983 novel, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines acts as a prequel to the 2019 remake and delves into the story Jud Crandall (John Lithgow) tells Louis Creed (Jason Clarke) about “that Baterman boy.” In the film, writer-director Lindsey Anderson Beer (Sierra Burgess Is a Loser) and co-writer Jeff Buhler (Pet Sematary, Jacob’s Ladder) show us the origins of Jud’s iconic wise words of warning, “Sometimes dead is better.”

Warning: Some spoilers ahead for Pet Sematary (both 1989 and 2019 adaptations, and the novel).

It’s 1969, and young Jud Crandall (Jackson White) can’t wait to leave the small town of Ludlow, Maine. Shortly after he and his girlfriend Norma (Natalie Alyn Lind) hit the road to start a life elsewhere, a bird slams into the windshield, forcing them to pull over. Adding to the startling inconvenience, they come across a dog looking worse for wear. From here, it’s all downhill for the lovebirds and their fellow Ludlowites. 

If you’re familiar with any version of Pet Sematary, then you know the tale of Timmy Baterman (Jack Mulhern), a casualty of the Vietnam War (WWII in the book) buried by his father Bill (David Duchovny) and resurrected by the “sour” land. Timmy’s story is one that has provoked curiosity for years, and to see it finally fleshed out is exciting. King tweeted his seal of approval, noting the filmmakers made some changes but still delivered a good adaptation: “The screenplay takes a few liberties, but it’s a fine story. David Duchovny is excellent. The secret, as always, is caring about the characters.”

In an interview with IGN (which is pretty spoiler-y, so read at your own risk), Lindsey Anderson Beer revealed some of the changes she made to the Pet Sematary lore, namely the indigenous curse and a Wendigo.

Referring to Jud’s childhood friend Manny (Forrest Goodluck) and his sister Donna (Isabella Star LaBlanc), two newly invented characters, Beer said, “Central to subverting the trope of the ‘mystical Indigenous’ was creating POV characters who were Mi’kmaq…I deeply believe that underrepresented groups need more say in their own stories.”

Diehard King fans (and fandoms in general) notoriously do not like big deviations from their beloved source material. Switching up the established mythology is a risky move but Beer’s reasoning behind it makes sense. 

Bloodlines mostly focuses on Jud learning that not only is there something incredibly wrong with his old friend, but there are also evil forces in the woods. The older townspeople of Ludlow, including Jud’s parents Dan (Henry Thomas) and Kathy Crandall (Samantha Mathis), manage to keep dark secrets for a long time, though they fail to be subtle since they like to communicate through uneasy glances.

Finally learning the truth affects Jud’s relationship with his father, but with a zombie-like cannibal on the loose, there’s not much time to dwell on it. 

Jackson White is a good choice for a young Jud. He’s a strong lead able to balance the protectiveness and vulnerability of the character, which we also saw in Lithgow. White also works well with King adaptation alumni Thomas (Desperation, Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep) and Mathis (Salem’s Lot, Under the Dome).

The legendary Pam Grier plays Majorie, the mailwoman mentioned in King’s novel. She’s a more fleshed-out character than before, being a part of the town secret-keepers. However, Grier was underused and not given enough to do, which is a shame because her casting is likely a big draw for some movie-goers. 

The most memorable performance comes from Jack Mulhern as the undead Timmy. The actor gives a subtlety to his madness that’s more chilling than something more feral. His character is at the center of the story, but we don’t get enough time with just him and his grief-stricken father.

Bloodlines owes a lot of its eeriness to the setting, the kind of rural atmosphere that makes you feel like you need a shower. It’s not Texas Chainsaw Massacre level, but characters are almost always sweating. Rarely do the bees and flies stop buzzing, so to say the crystal-clear sound design was effective would be an understatement. Nothing is more unsettling than the sound of Timmy’s bones cracking with every movement. Thankfully, the scares aren’t as obnoxious and Blumhouse-y as the trailer depicts.

I wouldn’t say either adaptation of Pet Sematary is thrilling. We go from a relatively happy family trying to feel at home on their new property (despite creepy cemeteries and a dead pet), to a family suffering immense grief after a child’s shockingly tragic death. Bloodlines brings a different kind of horror, one that lives in the seconds of fear and panic felt right before the horrific accident. They both pack their own uniquely effective punch. 

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines tells the Jud Crandall backstory fans of the novel have wanted for years, expanding his character beyond the mysterious old man who makes contradictory decisions and delivers exposition with doom-laden warnings. While I’m not sure it’ll live up to their expectations, it’s still an intriguing horror film worth watching.

Aside from a couple of visual references and callbacks, it’s not necessary to watch the 2019 remake before you check out the prequel. But it’ll make for a good double feature.

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines premiered September 23, 2023, at Fantastic Fest, and begins streaming October 6 on Paramount+.

“They were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think If they should.” Those were the immortal words of Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) in the classic blockbuster Jurassic Park. Well, we would usually agree with the good doctor, except in this case. Because Wizards of the Coast making Jurassic Park-themed Magic: The Gathering cards? We’re of the opinion if you can make them, then you totally should. Because the newly revealed Jurassic Park cards, part of their Universes Beyond crossovers, are pretty darn cool. They’ll be a part of The Lost Caverns Of Ixalan, revealed at the 2023 Las Vegas MagicCon. You can check out images of the new cards below:

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Among the cards included within the Lost Caverns Of Ixalan packs are ones featuring characters and creatures from the beloved ’90s film and its many sequels. These arrive just in time for the Steven Spielberg classic’s 30th anniversary. At a MagicCon panel, Wizards revealed three new cards from the Jurassic Park line, together with a new “stamped” variant with the Jurassic World logo embossed over the card. The three revealed cards were Dr. Ian Malcom/Chaotician, listed as a “Legendary Creature.” (We agree, he’s a pretty legendary creature). Then there’s the Indominus Rex/Alpha from Jurassic World, and a “Welcome To…/Jurassic Park” double-sided Saga card.

These Jurassic Park/Jurassic World cards are the beginning of an overall partnership between Wizards of the Coast and NBC Universal. Does this mean we’ve got Fast & Furious and Minions cards coming our way too? Who knows, who ever saw these Jurassic Park cards coming? Stranger things have happened. The Lost Caverns Of Ixalan launches November 17, with the Jurassic World cards contained in booster packs, collectors booster packs, and bundles.

The post JURASSIC PARK Cards Bite Into MAGIC: THE GATHERING appeared first on Nerdist.

The St. Louis Independent Comics Expo (SLICE) has happily invited Bulgilhan Press, Bianca Xunise, and Cassi Mothwin as special guests to headline the 2023 show. Bulgilhan, Xunise, and Mothwin will participate in a panel discussion, exhibit their work, and lead lectures as part of SLICE’s programming lineup on the day of the expo.

The expo weekend kicks off with an opening night panel discussion featuring Bulgilhan, Xunise, and Mothwin on Friday, October 13, 6–8 p.m., at the Hi-Pointe Theatre. SLICE president Steenz will moderate the conversation. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

The expo takes place the following day, October 14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., at the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries. Programming for the day includes screen printing, poetry writing, button making, and live figure drawing. Bulgilhan, Xunise, and Mothwin will also lead lectures on small press publishing, BIPOC punks in comics, and solo role-playing games, respectively. SLICE is seeking volunteers to help out on the day of the expo, and those who are interested may sign up on SLICE’s volunteer form.

Bulgilhan Press is a small press comics publisher making new and self-indulgent comics by excellent artists with unique visions and voices. Bulgilhan is owned by Zachary Clemente, who previously worked on the organizational committee for the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE) and currently serves on the Board of Directors for an arts nonprofit organization—the Boston Comic Arts Foundation—as the President and Chair. Bulgilhan’s recent publications include Far Distant by A Liang Chan, Die Horny by Rebecca Mock, and Stray by Molly Mendoza.

Bianca Xunise is an illustrator, writer, and educator based out of Chicago, Illinois. With two Ignatz Awards under their belt, Bianca’s storytelling primarily focuses on the joys and plights of being Black in the 21st century. Bianca enjoys being a voice for those who march to the beat of their own drum and hopes that their comics are comforting to those who feel like they don’t fit in. In 2020, Bianca became the first nationally syndicated nonbinary cartoonist (and the second Black woman) when they joined the comic strip Six Chix in 2020 as their first Black creator. Xunise has also collaborated with Vogue, The Washington Post, The Nib, and Believer Magazine.

Cassi Mothwin is an award-winning tabletop RPG designer, writer, and illustrator. Her game designs include Tangled Blessings, a journaling-based magic academy horror adventure; What Crooked Roots, a collection of folk-horror roleplay encounters for 5e systems; Clean Spirit, a standalone game that helps players deepen their connections with existing characters; and her award-winning output, The Sticker Game, a science fiction interactive audio drama that engages your unused sticker collections. Her game designs span genre but are united by a throughline of emotional depth and a focus on player introspection.

SLICE is St. Louis’s premier annual indie-print showcase, bringing together writers, artists, poets, and printmakers from St. Louis and beyond to showcase their self-published books, comics, zines, magazines, poetry, and more. As a nonprofit organization, SLICE supports St. Louis’s small press community through workshops, artist meetups, and expositions to foster independent print culture in St. Louis. SLICE, formerly the St. Louis Small Press Expo (STL SPEX), returns after a three-year hiatus and has led a variety of community-focused programming in 2023 in the lead-up to the expo.

For more information and announcements on upcoming workshops, the SLICE 2023 exhibitor list, and more, visit SLICE’s website and follow SLICE on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.

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The post SLICE Announces Special Guests & Programming for 2023 Expo appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.