(Washington, DC) A talented and imaginative team of writers have created the script for the Opening/Closing and Hugo Awards Ceremonies at DisCon III, the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) in Washington, DC., December 15-19, 2021.
The writers’ room is led by head writer Marque Franklin-Williams and joined by Jason Marcus, Holly Moyer, Danielle Nicki, Ian Maddox, and Tilly and Susan Bridges.
Writers’ rooms are used in Hollywood to create scripts for shows. They work by creating a space for a variety of voices and allowing each writer to play to their strengths, guided by a head writer with a clear vision. This year, the writers’ room will work on all three ceremonies, creating an overall arc and consistent voice for the convention.
“I am giddy about having a writers room work on the Hugo ceremony, especially one that’s packed with so much talent. These are all working professional writers who are also fans,” said Mary Robinette Kowal, DisCon III Chair. “The script they have created will take us on a wonderful journey that lifts up fandom and the work that we celebrate at Worldcon.”
“I grew up immersed in fantasy and science fiction novels. To contribute to a celebration of genre fiction, like the stories which inspired me to write in the first place, is an incredible way to close the circle,” said Marque Franklin-Williams. “To do it with this talented writer’s room and DisCon III’s amazing team is an honor.”
Marque is a television and film writer currently based in Los Angeles who has worked across a wide spectrum of material. He was most recently staffed on the Starz show Outlander and Leverage: Redemption for IMDb TV, among others. In addition to other accolades, Marque was awarded the Sloan Screenwriting Grant for his historical screenplay, Recognizing Morgan.
“I’m a real fan, and it’s an absolute honor to be writing the Hugos with such a talented team,” said Jason Marcus.
Jason Marcus is a writer and comedian from Boston whose writing blends realistic characters with absurdist premises to explore the uniquely human experience in ways that are universally relatable. Among his accolades, Jason is a fellow of the Native American Showrunner Program and an NBC Late Night Writers Workshop alum. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, their twin toddlers, and a pug named Macho Man.
“I’m delighted that Mary Robinette Kowal and her cat invited me to join this insightful team. It’s a treat to spend time with such excellent humans (and cats, chihuahuas, etc.) sharing our love of the genre and its fantastic fans,” said Moyer.
Playing the singing rooster in her fifth-grade school Robin Hood play ultimately led Holly Moyer (she/her) into the fandom, a doctorate in late medieval and early modern English literature, and a television drama writing career. She specializes in fantasy, science fiction, and historic stories about diverse characters struggling to do the right thing against great odds.
“I am beyond excited to get the opportunity to write for the Hugo ceremony! Writers are my favorite people, and I am thrilled to be able to participate in celebrating them in this way,” said Danielle Nicki.
Danielle Nicki is a television and feature writer who enjoys creating stories centered around women of color with interesting and diverse life experiences not often seen on screen. And recently, Danielle was named one of the International Screenwriters Association’s Top 25 Writers to Watch in 2021.
Ian D. Maddox is known for his work on Warehouse 13 (2009), Battlestar Galactica (2004) and Warehouse 13: Grand Designs (2012). He has worked as a script coordinator and freelance writer for shows all across the sci-fi spectrum — most recently, Lovecraft Country.
“Marque Franklin-Williams had a great vision for the ceremonies right from the start, and as fans of all things sci-fi, we’re honored that we were invited to contribute,” said Tilly Bridges.
“While in the writers’ room, we really enjoyed the in-depth discussions about fandom, inclusivity, and Mary Robinette’s amazing cat,” added Susan Bridges.
Tilly & Susan Bridges are a married trans woman/cis woman team who writes fun, hope-fueled sci-fi, with blue sky imagination and a sprinkle of comedy. They’ve been making award-winning scripted podcasts since 2004 via their production company Pendant Productions, winning multiple Parsec Awards and Audio Verse Awards for excellence in speculative fiction podcasting. They also write comics and for the Star Trek Adventures roleplaying game.
The Opening/Closing and Hugo Awards Ceremonies at DisCon III, the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), will be available online.
DisCon III is the third World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) held in Washington DC, USA. Worldcon is the annual gathering of science fiction and fantasy fans, writers, artists, musicians, and other creators from across the globe. DisCon III will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC, on December 15-19, 2021.
Worldcon originally focused on and still has a strong emphasis on science fiction and fantasy literature but has grown to include genre television, movies, animation, games, and other popular media as well. It has truly become the world’s fair of science fiction and fantasy fandom. No other event brings together fans and creators, regardless of genre or medium, under one big tent with the intimacy of Worldcon.
DisCon III is sponsored by the Baltimore-Washington Area Worldcon Association, Inc. (BWAWA, Inc.), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Maryland.
First held in New York City in 1939, Worldcon moves around the globe, held in a different city and organized by a different volunteer organization each year. Previous DC-based Worldcons were DisCon I in 1963 and DisCon II in 1974.
“World Science Fiction Society,” “WSFS,” “World Science Fiction Convention,” “Worldcon,” “NASFiC,” “Hugo Award,” the Hugo Award Logo, and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Trophy Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.
For more information on DisCon III, Worldcon, and how to become a member of the 79th Worldcon, visit http://www.discon3.org.
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