U9 Lesson 5, 6 & 7

 Lesson 5, 6 & 7

Writers/Pencillers

Some of the most influential and popular writers/pencilers/colourists include:

• Stan Lee
• Jack Kirby
• Bob Kane
• Will Eisner
• Osamu Tezuka
• Alan Moore

How can you access comics?

• iPhone comics
• Desktop/Laptop comics
• Tablet Comics
• Physical, paper comics

E-comics

How is the comic industry catered for tablet users?

Comics are now formatted in a way which can be uploaded onto the internet, in a way where readers who are reading on tablets and phones can just scroll down and red each panel

How has the medium been adapted to e-readers and the screen sizes and resolutions?

Nowadays a lot of comics are either scanned, or just drawn digitally and printed out. Digitally drawn comics are simple to upload to online platforms with the right resolution and canvas size. This way people reading online can easily scroll and read the comics they want to.

What popular apps are recommended for reading comics?

Webtoon, Dc Universe, and Marvel Unlimited

Conventions

Comics use images and drawing to depict emotions, actions, text. Essentially everything that we see. Emotions are depicted by the looks that are drawn on the characters faces, if they’re sad their eyebrows are drawn in a different way than if they were happy. Movement is represented through words and motion lines, for example ‘Whoosh’ with some lines drawn representing wind. Ans then sound is represented with words as well such as BANG.

Scripting

• The format for a comic script is very different to a film/TV script
• You must state what is happening on the specific panel using words to describe the picture and then the dialogue that would feature in the comic
• You need a title page and then you describe the acton for each panel and each page

We can think of cartoon style as existing on a linear scale

Character and setting may be similar or different in hoe lifelike they are

Because a comic strip is a sequence of frames similar to a filmed sequence of shots it uses film conventions: Use of shot distances and angle.

Direction: Left-right, top-bottom (In western culture)

Black and white, or colour

Comic strip structures

• Micro-Structures: inter-frame relationships: shot-reverse shot, repetition, contrast, Q/A, non-sequitur, flash-towards, flashback
• Macro-structures: Narrative structure: Comic strip narrative structure is often similar to that of mainstream film and television e.g. Todorov’s narrative stages `equilibrium, disruption of the equilibrium, reinstatement of the equilibrium), utilises Propp’s Character types (hero, heroine, villain, helper etc)

Panelling

The use of panels is really important. You need to state why you are making these choices and link it to the comic conventions and the intended effect on the audience. You will need to justify your use of panelling alongside screenshots and justifications.

Focal Points

A social point is a technique used to draw the attention of a reader to a key moment within a story. You can have multiple focal points throughout your comic storyline.

Activity

The problem with panel 5 been a focal point is that its the same size as almost all the other panels, meaning it doesn’t stand out on the page. It would be better if panel 4 was the focal point as its larger and stands out compared to the others.

Synopsis of the plot:

What kind of format?:

What genre?:

Characters - 1 main, 2 additional. What are their relationships?

Main character:
Generate a range of ideas that will develop into your final character (Features, unique traits, backstory)

Target audience?:

Storyboard the first 8 panels:
Camera angles and shots

Appropriate bubbles

Panel breaks

Props

Locations/Background

Colouring

Script