To script or not to script comics...?

jasonjason
edited July 2006 in Comics
Kazu Kibuishi just posted something on his blog about scripting out comics versus drawing page thumbnails alone.

I know there are some people here who are more writers than artists and write scripts for others (like, <shamelessplug>my brother</shamelessplug>), but I'm curious...

Artists, do you write out your scripts, just do the thumbnail method, or just start straight in on the drawing?

Writers, do you ever provide your artists with layout breakdowns or scribbles...or use thumbnails to block things out as you're writing?

Comments

  • mariomario
    edited June 2006
    Though I've tried my damnedest to change this, I make most of the substance of each comic on the spot. I've got a general sense of the plot laid out in my head (plus several key moments in the story laid out in great detail), but almost every punchline is made up as I sprite the comic. Not proud of it, but that's how it is. Unfortunately, it seems to work well for me.
  • HamelinHamelin
    edited June 2006
    When I write comics for My (in general), I wrote them like I would write a script for a play, then she'd just fill in all the details and change the dialogue a bit to better fit what she drew.
  • deku12345deku12345
    edited June 2006
    When I thought of concepts and ideas, I'd right them down and do a comic about them later. However, generally I would make up most of the dialogue on the spot.
  • brucebruce
    edited June 2006
    Well, for my new comic (Which you'll see in a few days ;);)) I've scripted out the basic plot of it, and the key moments, I will then script each individual comic, since I find it easier to work from a script, so it doesn't dictate it exactly, so you can have the dialogue, but work in the art/emotions on the fly.
  • stefstef
    edited June 2006
    I actually do both-- sometimes I write a line and build from there, and sometimes I need to make thumbnails to figure out whether all of the content will fit properly. For what it's worth, I never start writing a comic without having a good idea of how it'll look-- the script and the layout are generally a package deal.

    How about you, Jason?
  • ElliottElliott
    edited June 2006
    I just quit making comics. It's way easier
  • stefstef
    edited June 2006
    I CAN'T HEEEEEEAAAR YOU, ELLIOTT
  • X'o'LoreX'o'Lore
    edited June 2006
    I just never started. But in all seriousness, I could sit and write a lot easier than I could sit and draw. It's really hard for me to just sit and draw stuff. Of course I think the style of the comic makes a big difference. With a simple comedy/gag stip I could see just sitting down and making stuff up on the spot working quite well. If I was going to make something more serious, I'd definately script it out first. If possible I'd probably think about a proper layout to convey the story too (maybe sketching it out). Some people limit themselves to certain panel templates though, so they'd end up changing things just to fit that (which I'd hate to do. I like to at least try to think outside the box...).

    EDIT: Blast it Elliott! I forgot to put a period at the end. I blame you 'cause you did it first!
  • ElliottElliott
    edited June 2006
    Stef wrote:
    I CAN'T HEEEEEEAAAR YOU, ELLIOTT

    No really, it's great! Instead of writing comics, just get fatter and more depressed!
  • stefstef
    edited June 2006
    Elliott, I can tell you from personal and current experience that one can get fatter and more depressed while still writing comic scripts.

    But back to the matter at hand! We don't have too many people on the forums who just write, or just illustrate. I remember when I used to illustrate someone else's work that it kind-of sucks when they lay out strict pages. You often end up with a lot of crammed dialogue to resolve. Thumbnails resolve that in a way, though they take away a lot of the artist's creative control.
  • ElliottElliott
    edited June 2006
    I would RATHER just write...I really hate drawing. Or at least I really hate doing anything but doodling. I think of myself as a writer; I haven't thought of myself as a cartoonist (or whatever) in years.
  • mjc0961mjc0961
    edited June 2006
    deku12345 wrote:
    When I thought of concepts and ideas, I'd right them down and do a comic about them later. However, generally I would make up most of the dialogue on the spot.

    That's usually what I do. I have one on my monitor right now about Wind Waker, but I don't have the script or anything. I need sprites too, but that's an entirely different ball park.

    I also have these little papers I made up where I drew six boxes so I can kind of decide what I'm going to put in each panel. I just started doing it, so I can't really say if it's helped a lot or not yet.
  • brucebruce
    edited June 2006
    Hey Elliott, which comic did you used to do?
  • ElliottElliott
    edited June 2006
    www.room931.com
  • BehemothBehemoth
    edited June 2006
    "Issue 294: Issue 295 Coming in September 2008"
    It better, or else you can expect a very stern email come October 2008.
  • ElliottElliott
    edited June 2006
    Did I say 2008? I meant September Never.
  • HamelinHamelin
    edited June 2006
    You should take over Q's comic and manhandle it as a change of pace.
  • hlavcohlavco
    edited June 2006
    September Never? Geez, maybe I should repost my StV fancomic I made last summer. You know, just to hold 'em over. It might be a bit of a wait.
  • kirbykirby
    edited July 2006
    I have 2+ pages of script for my sprite comic
  • BehemothBehemoth
    edited July 2006
    Congratulations! Next step: make the comic and show us....please.

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