Digital Comics Club: Week 9

The next step after coming up with your story is to turn that story into a script! Let’s look at the same story written in two different ways, with the help of our DCCS mascot Bob* and his alien friends.

 

Writing a Script: Version 1

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This first script is simple. We are in a street, then something happens, and a character is annoyed about it! Who is the character? What does the street look like? What exploded?! It’s up to Bob to make these decisions.

 

Writing a Script: Version 2!

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This script tells us more about what we’re seeing, when we’re seeing it, and who it is happening to! Bob can still decide how things look, but he has more of a sense of what the mysterious writer is asking for.

Is one script better than the other? As usual, the answer is NO! 

It comes down to what you are comfortable writing, and who you are writing it for. Are you happy to let future-you decide how something is going to look when you start drawing, or do you want to describe it in writing first?

OR, are you writing a script for someone else to draw? Do you trust your artist to go wild with their imagination, or do you want to give them more direction? Maybe you could write a script for someone in your household to draw using our template below!

 

DCC-Week-9b

 

*Bob was designed by Emily, a veteran of our older group!
The above images (unless otherwise stated) are by Rebecca Horner.

Caitlin’s Intern Web Comic Episode 5 (and a wee cheerio!)

Here is the final instalment of our collaborative web comic, produced by the incredibly talented Rebecca Horner!

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Well, that’s my two week internship here at DCCS over! The time has flown by and it’s been an amazing experience. Over the past two weeks I’ve been introduced to the world of comics and in particular the busy world of Dundee Comics Creative Space. Thank you to everyone who has allowed me the chance to interview you, and especially thanks to the DCCS team and artists for never saying no to a photo shoot! I’ve worked with Rebecca Horner, an amazing artist, to produce this collaborative web comic detailing my time here – thanks Rebecca for never complaining about my lack of artistic input! I’ve also had the chance to sit in on some of the workshops that go on here at the Space – both the after school Comics Clubs with young people, and the workshops that are happening in partnership with a group from Advocating Together; the finished product of this project will be a comic about tackling disability hate crime, and I can’t wait to see it! No two workshops are ever the same and I’ve had the chance to see just how incredibly creative the Comics Clubbers are, and to enjoy some classic cheese jokes (what’s the best cheese to hide a small horse with? Mascarpone!). I’ve learnt some valuable life lessons from Damon – mainly to always always keep note of your passwords, and that a Snickers a day is a necessity – but I’ve also learnt about graphic design, and our finished products were the DCCS posters and leaflets that are now distributed throughout the libraries and community centres of Dundee! Keep an eye out for them folks! Anyway, I’ve really enjoyed my time here so thank you for having me – but you’re not escaping me and my incessant posting that easily! I’ll be back in the Space regularly to keep up to date with what’s happening and hopefully to keep broadcasting information about DCCS over social media. But for now, Caitlin Mitchell, signing out!

Oor Elvis

Elvis has left the building – we’ve sent our finished mini Oor Wullie sculpture out into the world as part of the Oor Wullie’s Bucket Trail. He will be appearing in Central Library but might be going on tour as well. We held a competition with our younger group of Comics Clubbers (aged 10-13), and then they voted for the one they liked the best. The winner was Cole Lawson with his Elvis Presley design. Well done Cole! Oor Elvis looks just braw!

After-school Comics Clubs launching Tuesday 1st March

Are you an aspiring artist or writer who dreams of creating the next Desperate Dan, Ms Marvel, or Jake and Finn from Adventure Time? Then come along to Dundee Comics Creative Space next week for the launch of our after-school Comic Clubs!

The first Comic Club will take place at the DCCS workshop studio in the Vision Building, Greenmarket, from 4.30-6.30pm on Tuesday, 1st March. The Club will take place each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The workshops are free and open to all, whether you are an artist, writer or simply interested in learning about comics, and regardless of previous experience. All materials will be provided. Tuesday’s club is aimed at 10-13-year-olds, and Wednesday’s is for 14-17-year-olds, while each Thursday will be a book club night where all participants are invited to bring along comics to discuss.

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Comics Club participants can work on projects with the in-house comics experts or on their own creations with help from the team. The first 10-week block of workshops will see the youngsters work towards a publication and exhibition of the comics created in the space.

DCCS Coordinator Damon Herd said, “Comics can be about anything – space battles, superheroes, fantasy, even journalism and true life stories. We welcome all styles of comics here at DCCS.”

DCCS02 Dave Gibbons

 

Watchmen co-creator, and DCCS patron, Dave Gibbons said at a preview event “From the time I was seven years old I just wanted to do comics. If I’d had access to people who knew how to do comics, and were happy to share the knowledge with me, I think I would have got into the business a lot quicker!” That’s what we are trying to create at DCCS – somewhere that young people can be inspired and helped to follow their passion and realise their talent.

Art Director Phillip Vaughan added, “We have a really exciting team of facilitators working in the space and they are keen to start working with young comics creators in the community, and to welcome anyone with an interest in comics.”

Contact Damon Herd at d.herd@dundee.ac.uk for more information.