Comic-Con
SAM: Storytelling Across Media®
San Diego Comic Convention presents a one-day symposium for aspiring writers and artists, as well as professionals, interested in the art of storytelling. Admission is included with the purchase of a Comic-Con Museum® ticket.
DATE:
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time:
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Location:
Comic-Con Museum
2131 Pan American Plaza
San Diego CA 92101
Cost:
Free with Comic-Con Museum admission
TICKETS:
ADMISSION:
Seating in all symposium events is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.
NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL COMICS CONVENTION
There is no Exhibit Hall but there will be panels and signings. SAM® is all about storytelling, through a series of talks about how to tell a story in various media, including comics, sound and music, costuming, gaming, and movies. It explores the similarities and differences in telling stories through different media and focuses on the craft of telling a story through creator lectures.
THE PANELS – FEATURED TOPICS:
SAM: Storytelling Across Media focuses on storytelling through a series of panels that cover the art of storytelling across trending topics and in diverse media, encompassing comics, sound and music, costuming, gaming, and movies.
Storytelling in Film: Making a Green Movie from Recycled Film
11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Beth Accomando (Cinema Junkie podcast host, Film Geeks SD programmer) and Mike Davis (filmmaker, Dead, White and Blue, Hot Heat Hawaii) discuss how to make a 100 percent green movie using only recycled footage from stock footage and public-domain films, repurposed with a brand-new storyline and dialogue. Davis aims to show filmmakers that they don’t need a big budget when they can take advantage of the free material waiting to be repurposed. The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
Storytelling in Sound and Music
12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Explore the art and craft of storytelling through sound and music with film and television composers. This panel examines how composers translate story, character, and emotion into music, from developing a project’s musical identity to shaping individual moments through score. Hear how creative choices, collaboration, instrumentation, themes, and sound work together to support the story and create a lasting emotional impact. Featuring Erica Porter (The Passenger, Drip Like Coffee), Ludek Drizhal (composer, Starbright), Matt Novack (founder and lead composer, Spacecat Music & Sound), Nadeem Majdalany (director, composer; La Pandora’s Box), and Philip White (Spa Weekend). Moderated by Kaya Savas, founder of Film.Music.Media. The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
Storytelling in Costuming
1:00 PM–2:00 PM
Alex Sinclair (DC Comics, Marvel, Image Comics colorist), Theo Tiedemann (motion picture actor, costumer), and Jordan Munn Hughes (actress, animator, makeup artist) discuss the many remarkable ways costumes convey story and character, from the printed page to movies, theater, cosplay, and throughout history. Moderated by Chad Edward Evett (award-winning cosplayer and budding costume designer). The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
Storytelling in Comics: Visual Storytelling and the Importance of Color
2:00 PM–3:00 PM
Alex Sinclair hosts a panel on the importance of visual storytelling in the comics medium. He will present examples from some of the industry’s best comic book artists, demonstrate how color is a vital part of the storytelling collaboration, and discuss his process and techniques. The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
Storytelling in Games: More Than a Game: How Actual Play Reinvents Modern Storytelling
3:00 PM–4:00 PM
Tabletop role-playing game actual play has transformed tabletop hobbies into a global entertainment phenomenon, bringing dice-rolling adventures to a whole new audience through game mechanics, engaging characters, and collaborative storytelling. Experts in the tabletop gaming field share behind-the-scenes insights into planning and performing professional actual play. The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
FAQs:
Questions may arise as you prepare to join us. Whether you’re seeking information on event ticketing, or specific event details, we’ve got answers for you.
What is SAM?
Storytelling Across Media (SAM) focuses on storytelling through a series of panels that cover the art of storytelling across trending topics and in diverse media, encompassing comics, sound and music, costuming, gaming, and movies, taking place on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Where does SAM take place?
SAM is held in Comic-Con Museum and admission is included with the purchase of a Comic-Con Museum ticket.
Comic-Con Museum
2131 Pan American Plaza
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-546-9073
Parking?
Paid parking is available near the Museum and throughout Balboa Park. The closest Balboa Park parking lots to the Museum are the Pan American Plaza Lot and the Federal Lot. However, the use of public transportation or ride shares is strongly encouraged.