Each year the Hollywood studios increase their presence at Comic-Con in San Diego. Below are some of the vfx and animation feature and shorts highlights.

Thursday, July 26

1:30-2:30 pm
Blade Runner and More -- Syd Mead will be on hand in person to recall his experiences while working on the motion picture BLADE RUNNER and to introduce his newest DVD release: VISUAL FUTURIST: THE ART & LIFE OF SYD MEAD. The DVD takes the viewer behind the scenes and beyond the images he created for this film as well as Tron, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, private 747s, games, yachts, cars, and a seemingly endless list of major design projects around the world. Syd looks forward to entertaining questions and providing his unique perspective on topics of design for the film industry. Joining him will be Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The making of BLADE RUNNER, the definitive book on its subject. Paul will add his own anecdotes about BR's creation while divulging new details about his brand-new Second Edition Future Noir, due for publication in late 2007. Room 6B

1:30-3:30 pm
Paramount Pictures -- Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, and Nickelodeon Movies present a bold new vision for the future of adventure. Be here for a one-of-a-kind presentation put together just for the fans at Comic-Con as you get a look at such highly anticipated films as BEOWULF, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES, STARDUST, HOT ROD, IRON MAN, and the next installments of INDIANA JONES and STAR TREK, plus a few surprises. Appearing in person: JJ Abrams, Neil Gaiman, Roger Avary, and SNL's Andy Samberg. Hall H

3:45-5:15 pm
Lionsgate Special Preview Panel -- An exclusive behind the scenes look at Lionsgate's biggest upcoming releases: Peter Fonda (GHOST RIDER) AND Ben Foster (X-MEN: THE LAST STAND) discuss a modern take on the classic western with a special preview of 3:10 TO YUMA; Jessica Alba (FANTASTIC FOUR), Dane Cook (EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH), and director Mark Helfrich take you behind the comedy of GOOD LUCK CHUCK; horror master Clive Barker and the cast of MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN take you on a terror trip through hell; and director Darren Lynn Bousman (SAW II, SAW III), Tobin Bell (SAW I, II and III) and the filmmakers of SAW IV invite you to play a game in the cruel and deadly world of Jigsaw. Hall H

4:45-5:45 pm
Spotlight on George A. Romero -- George A. Romero (NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD) is the undisputed master of zombie genre films, and Max Brooks (WORLD WAR Z, ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE) has written the best-selling zombie novels. Join these two titans of the undead as Max sits down for a personal interview with George, talking about everything zombies. Room 6CDEF

6:00-7:00 pm
FANBOYS -- FANBOYS is an uproarious comedy that follows a group of young friends on a cross-country quest to break into Skywalker Ranch and see STAR WARS: EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE before it is released. FANBOYS is a Weinstein Company presentation being released in theaters by MGM on Jan. 18, 2008. Stars Dan Fogler (BALLS OF FURY), Chris Marquette (JOAN OF ARCADIA), and Kristen Bell (VERONICA MARS) join writer/director Kyle Newman and producers Matt Perniciaro and Dana Brunetti for a Q&A session. Room 6CDEF

Friday, July 27

10:30-11:30 am
Pixar Animation Studios' Short Films Collection: Volume 1 -- Join three of Disney-Pixar's most talented filmmakers, Ralph Eggelston, Oscar-winning director of FOR THE BIRDS, Andrew Jimenez, Oscar- nominated co-director of ONE MAN BAND, and Katherine Sarafian, producer of Pixar's newest animated Oscar-nominated short LIFTED, for a discussion about the Studio's acclaimed short films. Q&A session to follow. Room 6CDEF

10:30 am -12:30 pm Warner Bros. -- Warner Bros. presents a sneak peek at some of its upcoming major film releases.

* In the supernatural thriller ONE MISSED CALL, people receive terrifying cell phone messages of their own final fatal moments. Stars Edward Burns and Shannyn Sossamon will be on stage to introduce film footage and answer questions.