Fortunately, I was able to pull it off through acknowledging that the audience knew most of what I was saying, and that I could take it as read. It helped that one of the movies I was discussing had been discussed in detail the presentation before mine, so I could take that analysis as read. I got the paper down to 16 pages, and was able to complete my presentation within 20 minutes. Go me.
Unsurprisingly, the thing most people wanted to talk about for my presentation wasn't my brilliant analysis of the influence of both Conservative Christian and the emergant neo-Pagan cultures on each of the films in the presentation, but instead of the Barbie and Ken "Together Forever" Arthur and Guenivere dolls whose picture and description I used to open my presentation.
So that's over, and I can enjoy the rest of the conference in peace. I've already bought too many books (McFarlane Press had a 50% off sale), including "Mr. Sorkin goes to Washington," which looks like a fun analysis of The West Wing
Oh, and the Buttery, my crash space for my Boston trip? It's very Massachussetts. Seriously, I don't think Lovecraft could describe it any better. I'm currently writing from the guest room, on the top floor of the 3 story house, while the barren trees outside softly scratch at the skylight.
