Transmedia

Creating a graphic novel is a tricky thing if you don't have your book already formatted as a comic book script this needs to be the first thing you do. Gone are the Stan Lee days when a writer/story guy will simply pitch the idea to the artist who then goes on to format the story into a finished comic book page. There are people on freelance sites such as Fiverr who can reformat your novel into a comic book script, it might be pricey but unless you know how to do it yourself that's likely what you'll need to do. With an actual comic script you can then get an artist, generally they look for a pay-per-page rate, and most expect some substantial upfront capital to get started. You'll also need to find an artist that's all-singing all-dancing meaning they can do pencils, inks, coloring, and the lettering too unless you want to hire a team which is what is more typical these days as artists all specialize in one discipline or another.

Lately the comic book industry has been collapsing as more and more political messaging has led to the traditional readership being alienated and there isn't a substantial new base to take over, most ventures, therefore, rely on Kickstarter to get funded and now also to get the story out to readers as the primary sales method. It's a good thing to go for if it's part of a wider strategy, but just a heads up- it'll likely not make money.

I see. I think I'll work on adapting it into a video game, then (nothing big and 3D like today's games, a 2D game reminiscent of the days of yore with a balance between gameplay and story). Thank you.

In retail, we have things called "loss leaders" products that are sold at such a low price they either bring in no profit or actually cost revenue to actually sell. The purpose of them is not to make money but to bring customers INTO the store who then go on to spend more than just that single item. As someone who is also working on a transmedia project, I view comics as a loss leader. It'll cost money, I'll likely never see that money come back from that side of the project but the point of it is to create a brand that draws in an audience which will, in turn, lead to more revenue coming in from other arms of the project that are profitable.

What I said wasn't meant to put you off, and I'll be honest I don't see how a 2d video game adaptation would be any more profitable but the focus shouldn't be profit. If your primary asset is your novel then the purpose of the game or the comic is to point the audience to the book.

Hey, Ian Buchanan! Have you used the Stage32 Pitching Guidebook? https://www.stage32.com/sites/stage32.com/themes/two/pdfs/happy-writers/... My two cents - start with the anchor (whatever single platform will connect all other platforms) and then use the other platforms as a secondary selling point towards the end or even after they ask questions. Also, consider having multiple pitches for different situations - 90-second elevator pitch, 5-minute verbal pitch, 1-page pitch document, 20-30minute pitch, 10-20 pitch deck.

Multiple pitches is a great idea, I'd never have thought of that! I'm lapping up resources on the subject just now so I'll be sure to check out everything Stage32 has to offer!

I agree with @Kay. Have a few pitches ready. Transmedia is an “Eco System” of an idea for multifaceted platform, some artists build up social media fans and self publish novelettes before even pitching to executive room.

Hi Ian Buchanan - I change my pitches depending on the research I find on the producer I wish to pitch to. In addition, before you pitch make sure you have the other elements readily available in case they ask for it. Pitch Deck, Sizzle Reel, Bios, and always know what your connection to the material is, this is key as all producers always ask this. Best of luck.

I'm working on it. I hope we'll all be able to put our heads together and make this work.

Rick use your smartphone, go online and get a head mount for it. It works quite well.

Friends, how do you assess the prospects of 360 camera movement during the shooting? It is believed that it can cause nausea. On the other hand, the static camera it will limit dynamics. What the views would be?

Gentle camera movement and no shaky cam. It also helps to have something stationary in the frame (as if looking through a car window). However, we have found that calm camera motions are fine. Even fast camera motions if the newest objects are far work (think of a helicopter shot).

Thanks Greg! Do you have some own example? I saw the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-XZhKqQAHU&index=2&list=FLdk3unrgNeZwO1... Is there full CGI on green, or real time shooting too?

page art

DUDE, this is SO COOL! I'd love to unpack this a bit...

1) Where are you in the process of the screenplay? Do you need feedback for your next draft? Or are you in a position to pitch it to producers? Even submitting it to contests to get attention and accolades can help to fund.

2) If you're looking for help with crowdsourcing/financing, you can reach out on the Fundraising Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/fundraising) and/or check out Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers by Stage32's CEO RB (https://www.amazon.com/Crowdsourcing-Filmmakers-American-Market-Presents...)

3) The 3D rendering is a fantastic addition to your pre-vis! Have you considered putting together a trailer? If it's something you can do on your own, then potential investors will have greater faith that you can continue to put it together for a feature or series.

1) Where are you in the process of the screenplay? Definitely looking to get some feedback on this new draft although I think I’ll begin submitting to producers unless there’s any major problems. If it were up to me I’d keep tinkering with it for years- I’ll never be 100% happy with it but I think it’s as good as it’s ever going to be. This is my jest screenplay so I’m looking at all angles- definitely interested in some contests. 2) If you're looking for help with crowdsourcing/financing, you can reach out on the Fundraising Lounge Thanks I’ll check that out! 3) The 3D rendering is a fantastic addition to your pre-vis! Have you considered putting together a trailer? If it's something you can do on your own, then potential investors will have greater faith that you can continue to put it together for a feature or series. I actually hired a guy to come up with a pre-vis trailer- I got conned out of $700 unfortunately. (never trust a guy called Anay Bose BTW). But a pre-vis trailer is something I think I should definitely get done.

*jest = first ... sorry autocorrect

Awesome! I would recommend coverage, or if you have a selection of writing peers you can get notes from, that works too (although I like to do both for good measure).

Dude, I'm so sorry about your trailer! If you're doing an animatic, I would recommend my friend Alex Gray: https://www.alexgrayfilm.com/

His Desert Hawk animatic is my fav: https://vimeo.com/98971659And it might go faster if you already have the assets built - it's worth checking out!

Those who can and have time are illustrators, but they cost. I was once attached to one of the best illustrators at my homeland who back then did a lot of work for French publishers. His price (this is 20 yrs ago) was 100 euro / panel.

You can get pretty decent artists for around $150 per page for a completed page (coloured/inked and lettered). Higher-end artists are around $200 per page.

Thanks for that super-helpful information, Ian Buchanan! Would you know if that includes revisions by chance? When you said "completed page," my producer brain said, "oh, so $50 at signing, $50 at the rough draft, and $50 at completion", but I wanted to confirm. LOL!

Yeah I think that’s something that can be negotiated with the artist. They’ll work on some thumbnail sketches to get some page layouts in order before going into the main pencils, you’ll likely have some collaboration at that point. After they’ve done the final pencils you’ll be pretty much locked in, they’ll NOT like changing finished pencils so revisions at thy point... likely off the table

I'm eager to see how it ties into SPIDER-MAN 3 and DR. STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS. This feels like the era where the cartoons I grew up are going to come into the picture a lot more. Madame Web and all that fun stuff. Plus Vision and Wanda only get development in the crossover films so it'll be nice to see how they evolve here and if Wanda finally just officially 100% drops the Russian accent she's been gradually losing since AGE OF ULTRON haha.

LOL! You noticed that erosion of accent, too, huh? Yeah, that's definitely something I'm looking forward to as well - Marvel has been really great about those ties!

Hey Scot never heard word “Polyglots” before. Hee hee can call myself something new!

Mike Disa's courses here on Stage 32 were excellent and I'm in the process of adapting my screenplay to Podcast format. What have been your experiences?

Sweet! Mike Disa is hilarious, isn't he?! I find that table reads are really helpful to help determine what language may be needed to help paint the active picture and designate additions - pauses, greater action descriptions, cadences and pauses, etc.

Maybe a case study would help? Like Good Omens was a narrative podcast before they made it into a limited series (of course, based on the book).

Hey, Rebecca D Robinson! Did you see there is a member starting a podcast/Audio Storytelling collective? This is the post he put in the Composing Lounge, but he's looking for all types: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/composing/Composers-Wanted-Audio-Storytel...

We had our first zoom recording session today across two continents! It went well, but slowly! We have outstanding acting quality - most everyone is in England and France. I'm in the Western US, Director is in Montreal and a narrator is in Melbourne, Australia! It's quite an adventure!