Lake Balboa, CA – Daniel Pearl Magnet High School PTSA announces their Second Comic and Games Convention (PearlCon 2017) to be held on campus at 6649 Balboa Boulevard in Lake Balboa on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm.

Middle School and High School students and their parents from throughout the west San Fernando Valley are invited to come and enjoy the excitement and fun of superheroes, wizards, and warriors in a family friendly atmosphere.

“I am very pleased that we are able to host such an exciting event,” said Stephen Schaffter, one of the faculty members planning the event. “This is a unique event for a unique school.”

“We are using this event as a fundraiser for our school,” Schaffter explained. “Since the majority of families do not have the means to help finance activities at the school, our hope is to raise funds to support our basic operation as well as fund specific projects such as sending students to national journalism conventions, purchasing equipment for use by our newspaper and filmmaking students, and providing more resources in our library.”

The cost is $5.00 per person, which includes admission to all areas and events. Snacks and Papa John’s pizza will be available at a moderate price throughout the day.

Last year’s inaugural Convention saw participation by local stores such as DJ’s Comics and Fire & Dice Games. There were also presentations by local comics and animation talent.

This year, the scheduled speakers include:

• Dan Povenmire, television director, writer, producer, storyboard artist, and voice actor associated with several animated television series, best known as the co-creator of the Disney animated series Phineas and Ferb
• David Zuckman, owner of Obscure Reference Games and the lead designer of Overlords of Infamy;
• Brandon Jarrett, Television & Film Composer/Music Producer/Song Writer;
• Vance Kotrla, an Emmy Award-winning producer and director;
• Mark Landry, writer/creator of the graphic novel, “Bloodthirsty: One Nation Under Water”
• Gabriel Yeganyan, a concept designer and artist in the entertainment industry specializing in the creation of immersive environments
• Kelly O’Leary, a special effects makeup artist;
• Pasquale Antonelli, a VFX production manager;
• Joshua Cordes, Animation Supervisor for Avatar, 300, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and The Incredible Hulk;
• Eric Dean Seaton, television director, producer and graphic novelist.
• Melissa Howland, a Film Critic/Writer/Host/Actress and LA Editor for We Are Movie Geeks. She is also a judge for The Geekie Awards and the St. Louis International Film Festival.
• T Norton, Animator for Nightmare Before Christmas and Robot Chicken

This year’s event promises to be even more exciting and fun than last year, with new events and sponsors to be added.

DPMHS is the smallest comprehensive public high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Located in the San Fernando Valley, its student body reflects the diverse spectrum of ethnicities found in Southern California. A Title I designated school, DPMHS is competing for ever decreasing federal, state, and district funding.

“I want this to be a fun activity that everyone will want to attend,” said Schaffter. “Last year’s event was amazing; I want this year’s PearlCon to be even better.”

For further information, contact the Convention staff at [email protected]