Does Format Really Matter?
Someone was asking about script punctuation the other day, so I figured I’d compile that info in a quick article here… before I start I should probably address why format […]
Technique
Off Panel Bubble Direction – TIP
Something I’ve noticed a lot lately, folks delivering muddy bubble placement direction for characters off panel. Usually, this comes on an exterior Establishing Shot. For example, the panel description details […]
STOP Zooming – TIP
For the love of God, there is no “zooming” in a single comic panel. Stop. Just stop. You have closeup and extreme close up. If you want to actually zoom, […]
Kill Your Continuity Panels – TIP
As I’ve said before, comics are all about showcasing KEY scenes that express fundamental elements of the story (I refer to this as having weight, the more relevant the scene […]
Always Use Courier! – TIP
Or any fixed-width typeface… One of the first things I do EVERY TIME someone sends me a script is; Select All Change Font Courier Change Font Size 12 Select Paragraph: […]
Beware of Panel Dopplegangers – TIP
Every once in a while I see a script where the writer has something like; Panel 1: yadda yadda yadaa Panel 2: Same as panel 1 BUT “slight change that […]
One Face, One Emotion – TIP
You’re probably familiar with one of the 10 comic writing rules (#2 in the book), “A single moment in time, a single action per character.” Don’t forget this also applies […]
A Lesson in Visual Writing
I recently came across this panel description in a script posted to a public forum. “Twelve rebellion members were trekking through the jungle. One young member was struggling to keep […]
Pacing Dialogue to Reveals
One of the new things I discuss a bit in the digital edition of the Writer’s Guide is keeping dialogue and art in sync. This is particularly important when it […]
Breaking Bubbles – TIP
When I first started out in comics a million years ago, I thought the letterer held total mastery and control over dialogue placement. I thought the writer’s job was to […]