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Background info
If you didn't want to read all of that, I'll sum it up for even the most ADD-addled individual:
- I'm looking for artists who want to work with me on the comic. Specifically, I'm looking for an artist who'll work with me on the next chapter.
- YOU WILL BE PAID: Half of what the site earns through Project Wonderful over the time period in which Chapter 6 is posted (week of first page to week of last page). It's not much but it's not nothing either.
- I am very picky, but if I don't take you on now I might still take you on for a future chapter.
How am I going to figure out who I'd like work with?
Glad you asked!
Below I've written a one-page test script. It contains elements that relate to Chapter 6 without (hopefully) giving away too much of the story. It also leaves stuff open for interpretation, which I feel is important in making this thing work. All you have to do is draw the page scripted and send it to me at ndwlfwd@yahoo.com. (Please, no huge graphics files. I'm on dialup here).
***** Test Script *****
Four panels. I suggest a windowpane arrangement, but more power to ya if you can come up with better.
1)(Exterior of a ruined castle, rising up above a stand of dead trees. In terms of style, think maybe more 'Tim Burton' than 'Textbook of Gothic archiecture'. But surprise me.)
2)(Inside the throne room of the castle, Fiona Apple - got up like the bastard child of Harley Quinn and, I dunno, Edward Scissorhands - lounges on a disused throne.)
Fiona Apple: Maid! I say, maid!
3)(Maid walks in, half of her engulfed in flames)
Maid: I'm sorry mistress. I can't serve you right now. I've spontaneously combusted, you see.
4)(The fire spreads, surrounding the both of them. For some reason, they've both somehow changed into fancy elaborate dresses.)
Fiona Apple: None of this makes any sense!
Maid: Avocado!
***** End Test Script *****
I know, it's dumb, but I'm paranoid about giving away too much. I think y'all can still have some fun with this though.
So remember, all you need to do is draw the above script and send it to me at ndwlfwd@yahoo.com. I'll be taking applications from now until May 7th. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone can do!
If you didn't want to read all of that, I'll sum it up for even the most ADD-addled individual:
- I'm looking for artists who want to work with me on the comic. Specifically, I'm looking for an artist who'll work with me on the next chapter.
- YOU WILL BE PAID: Half of what the site earns through Project Wonderful over the time period in which Chapter 6 is posted (week of first page to week of last page). It's not much but it's not nothing either.
- I am very picky, but if I don't take you on now I might still take you on for a future chapter.
How am I going to figure out who I'd like work with?
Glad you asked!
Below I've written a one-page test script. It contains elements that relate to Chapter 6 without (hopefully) giving away too much of the story. It also leaves stuff open for interpretation, which I feel is important in making this thing work. All you have to do is draw the page scripted and send it to me at ndwlfwd@yahoo.com. (Please, no huge graphics files. I'm on dialup here).
***** Test Script *****
Four panels. I suggest a windowpane arrangement, but more power to ya if you can come up with better.
1)(Exterior of a ruined castle, rising up above a stand of dead trees. In terms of style, think maybe more 'Tim Burton' than 'Textbook of Gothic archiecture'. But surprise me.)
2)(Inside the throne room of the castle, Fiona Apple - got up like the bastard child of Harley Quinn and, I dunno, Edward Scissorhands - lounges on a disused throne.)
Fiona Apple: Maid! I say, maid!
3)(Maid walks in, half of her engulfed in flames)
Maid: I'm sorry mistress. I can't serve you right now. I've spontaneously combusted, you see.
4)(The fire spreads, surrounding the both of them. For some reason, they've both somehow changed into fancy elaborate dresses.)
Fiona Apple: None of this makes any sense!
Maid: Avocado!
***** End Test Script *****
I know, it's dumb, but I'm paranoid about giving away too much. I think y'all can still have some fun with this though.
So remember, all you need to do is draw the above script and send it to me at ndwlfwd@yahoo.com. I'll be taking applications from now until May 7th. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone can do!
I'm the new guy
So, I don't want you to change to a different artist. Does that make your life harder? Probably. Do I understand how a different artist changes the story and you're interested in the dynamic? Absolutely. But you brought these characters to life, which is something the other comics I've read this month lack, even if some have great artwork. They're alive and you gave birth to them.
Kurt Vonnegut made you respect responsible writing. You're responsible for these kids, and if you do find a new artist, you'd better be able to trust them with your babies. If I had a scanner and half the talent you have, I'd volunteer for the job just because I don't trust anyone else. There's something magical about this book. and I've been reading comics for 25 years.
Gavin Williams
gavin_strider@yahoo.com
Re: I'm the new guy
Thanks for the praise, and for sharing your concerns. I understand how important it is to find the right artist, which is why I devised the test script. I'm looking for more than just visual quality, and I have no qualms about drawing the thing myself if I can't find someone who isn't as close to perfect as I deem possible.
I can't make any guarantees how well things will turn out and I can't predict how readers will receive anything I do. All I really have to guide me is my own vision and judgment. I hope you can trust them to stay the course; Gravity wouldn't be what it is without them, and they won't change even if I'm not the one at the pen.
Re: I'm the new guy
I have this eerie sense of deja vu when I'm reading your work, especially when they were in Hell, something about this book just strikes a chord. I have not enjoyed a comic this much since I was a kid just starting out on my dad's collection. So keep up the good work, I guess.
Gavin
p.s. my cousin and I are discussing starting an online comic of our own, once I get a scanner. Any advice?
Re: I'm the new guy
Re: your own comic ... never, ever forget that you're pretty much working for free. In which case, if you feel strongly enough about a creative decision, don't let anyone stand in the way of making it happen. I'm pretty sure some people will be pretty unhappy with me if I stop drawing my own comic; that's a risk I'm willing to take, because I feel it'll be so much the better for it.
Your comic is your freedom. Don't sacrifice it.
Re: I'm the new guy
I personally find it easier to write ten pages in a day then to draw one, so I understand why you would want an artist that can be dedicated to illustrating your words. Your art suits the book perfectly so far, but I do understand where you're coming from.
My only question is, what's your hurry? Robert Heinlein once wrote that if you are one of the rare individuals capable of creative thought, don't rush it. Ideas give birth to themselves in time. What's wrong with writing like mad for a while, until you have time to draw? Granted, I'll have to wait longer for the next chapter, but might it not be better for the wait?
These characters and this story are vibrant and elemental, they're not going to fade away just because you can't post a few chapters until grad school is over. Why not wait? I spent seven years writing my first book and so far one year editing it, because I want it done right. Maybe that's crazy, but until I'm satisified I don't want to try publishing it. You have a comic worth really publishing, so why worry about not posting it on the internet?
I'm not just being some dumb fanboy, I'm a genius level IQ university graduate with a background in English literature and half a masters degree in theology (long story). I grew up reading great books and great comics, and Gravity is great writing. Don't sacrifice it just to speed up how often you post.
It's your vision and your judgement and you know what you're doing. Maybe there's an artist who will do your book justice. But what if that artist was always you?
Re: I'm the new guy
I admit that I *am* in a rush ... but that's because there's so much story I have to tell. The reality of the situation is that I really don't know how much longer and I'll be able to keep this up - so while I can, I want to get in as much as possible. It may be just an internet project, but it's still exposed to an audience, which is ultimately what makes it worthwhile (ideas are powerless until they are heard).
As for me being the perfect artist ... I've actually had to sacrifice some of the things I wanted to convey because it involved drawing things I can't draw, or draw well. I don't like having to bow to such limitations.
Re: I'm the new guy
However, the point I have been trying to make all along is that this is NOT "just an Internet project." You have something worthy of being called art here, in the best sense. Some web comics have better art, but I'm not filling up their blogs because they don't have your writing, characterization, humour, subtlety, originality (combined with relevant pop culture references) etc. etc. or art that uniquely suits the story itself.
I grew up with comics and never felt the need to write Chris Claremont and beg him not to leave X-men, though nobody writes them better. I've had a minor Superman obsession since I was two and never complained even when DC was rumoured to be killing him back with Doomsday. Image comics started off amazing and seems to have dramatically changed, and I don't really care. But this comic is worth writing about and talking about, and I don't even know why I'm so passionate about it.
So don't call it "just an Internet project." Find someone you can collaborate with on this puppy and slam dunk it so I can tell my grandkids I used to pester the famous writer of Gravity back when he was just starting out. There's a reason you don't have "dumb" fans.
Gavin Williams
p.s. thanks for all the interesting dialogue, aside from my wife this has been the most intelligent conversation I've had in three years. Part of the "long story" of why my masters is only half finished is that, for financial reasons after one family crisis after another, I work in a hot dog factory. Thankfully, I might be going back to school in September. But in the meantime, this has been the closest thing to an in depth discussion and it is appreciated.
Re: I'm the new guy
Re: I'm the new guy
I personally find it easier to write ten pages in a day then to draw one, so I understand why you would want an artist that can be dedicated to illustrating your words. Your art suits the book perfectly so far, but I do understand where you're coming from.
My only question is, what's your hurry? Robert Heinlein once wrote that if you are one of the rare individuals capable of creative thought, don't rush it. Ideas give birth to themselves in time. What's wrong with writing like mad for a while, until you have time to draw? Granted, I'll have to wait longer for the next chapter, but might it not be better for the wait?
These characters and this story are vibrant and elemental, they're not going to fade away just because you can't post a few chapters until grad school is over. Why not wait? I spent seven years writing my first book and so far one year editing it, because I want it done right. Maybe that's crazy, but until I'm satisified I don't want to try publishing it. You have a comic worth really publishing, so why worry about not posting it on the internet?
I'm not just being some dumb fanboy, I'm a genius level IQ university graduate with a background in English literature and half a masters degree in theology (long story). I grew up reading great books and great comics, and Gravity is great writing. Don't sacrifice it just to speed up how often you post.
It's your vision and your judgement and you know what you're doing. Maybe there's an artist who will do your book justice. But what if that artist was always you?
Gavin
Murrr...
Re: Murrr...
I'm an artist, but I haven't drawn in a while, and I'm afraid I don't have much time to come up with something (I work slow)
I'll try to get something in, though. This sounds like a really fun project, and it would be ridiculously awesome to be chosen.