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Have you ever considered how Comic Book or Graphic Novel scriptwriting can help your writing career?
- Do you think your novel or film screenplay could be adapted into a graphic novel?
- Does your project have a Transmedia element that could include a digital or webcomic?
What you will learn
In this unique workshop, #1 New York Times Bestselling List and Eagle Award winning comic book and graphic novel screenwriter Tony Lee takes you through a step-by-step process to turn your idea into a comic book or graphic novel. Learn the steps you need to take to get yourself published, in a revised for 2021 version of his acclaimed one day masterclass.
About Tony Lee, the course presenter
With over thirty years experience as a professional writer, and almost eighteen years worth of experience as a comics creator for both UK and US publishers. Tony has worked in all areas of the industry, from DC to Marvel, and Image Comics to Titan Publishing. And with his new career emerging in film and TV screenwriting in both the UK and the US, Tony has written for BBC One, ITV Studios and Amazon / Audible among many others.
This is your chance to learn from a master in writing for multi-formats. Everything comic books and graphic novel scriptwriting is discussed. At the same time Tony will be discussing other medias such as film, TV, audio and games.
Who should take Writing for Comic Books and Graphic Novels
If you have a story and aren’t sure which format to use, this is the class for you.
This class is designed for storytellers seeking to maximise the audience reach utilising multiple formats including graphic novel scriptwriting allowing the writer to maximise revenue.
About the day
10:00: Introduction
Get the context of the course.
10:15: It’s Not The Easier Option
What stumbling blocks a writer can find in their way when moving from screen to sequential art storytelling.
- Why scripting comics isn’t ‘easy’ – and why a comic of your screenplay won’t sell your screenplay
- Comparison: Screenplay / Novel / Script, using an example
- Visual Thinking and why it’s great – the original spark of an idea
- The ‘Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda’ moment
- Who? What? Why? When? Where?
- Why ‘working backwards’ helps you move forwards
- Storytelling: The characters – what do they want? Why do we care?
- Storytelling: The conflict – protagonists and antagonists
- Storytelling: Keeping the reader invested over time
- Describing your characters – how will an artist know?
11:45: Writing The Story
Now you have the initial idea, it’s time to build on that frame.
- Comparison: Anthology / One-shot / Mini Series / Ongoing / Graphic Novel / Web Series
- The High Concept / Elevator Pitch
- The restraints of a comic script (length, page turn etc)
- The importance of the full synopsis
- Chekov’s mantelpiece rule – and why it’s vital to comics
- The rising act structure
- Subplots and supporting characters
- Is your story all it can be – the joys of hindsight
- Devil’s Advocate – does your idea stand up to scrutiny?
13:00: Break
Your chance to network and form new alliances with like minded screenwriters and filmmakers.
14:00: Writing The Script
Now you have the story, we now master the dos and don’ts of scripting it.
- The full synopsis – the ‘treatment’ for comics
- Breaking it down: Scene by scene
- Breaking it down: Page by page
- Comparison: Full Script / Plot-Art-Dialogue (‘Marvel’ style)
- Know your comic terms – the language of the comic script
- Types of panel / how many to a page
- The Temporal Flux of Panel vs Time
- Dialogue: Why a writer should always letter at least one page.
- Comparison: Screenplay dialogue / Comic dialogue
- Action Versus Spoken Word
- Adaptations of existing material
- Licensed Properties and Preexisting Characters
15:30: The Industry
Now you have your script, what do you do with it?
- Self Publishing: finding an artist.
- Self Publishing: Percentage or Page Rate
- Getting known: Webcomic / Vanity Press / Small Press
- Conventions / Networking – the dos and don’ts
- Submitting to the established comic book companies
- Know your target – does your story match their style?
- How much does an agent help a comic creator
- Selling yourself rather than your story
16:30: Graphic Novel and Comic Book Live Ammo!
Students pitch their ideas in front of the class to get individual feedback.
End of Play: Online networking
Grab a beer or a glass of wine and settle down in your living room to mingle and create online.
About presenter Tony Lee
Few creatives have more credits than Tony Lee.
He is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and Eagle Award winning graphic novelist and screenwriter. He has licenses under his belt for a vast array of iconic properties. These include Doctor Who, Star Trek, Superboy, 2000AD, Spider-Man, X-Men, Battlestar Galactica, Shrek, Wallace and Gromit, Megadeth, Robin of Sherwood, Joe Satriani and Ozzy Osbourne.
Tony also works in television, film and audio. He has written for BBC One, ITV Studios and Amazon UK / Audible among others. As script consultant he works with both US and UK producers and studios as a go-to ’script doctor’.
With thirty-five plus years experience as a professional writer, and with two decades in comics, Tony has created stories in pretty much every medium to date.
In 2010 Tony Lee became a #1 New York Times Bestseller for his graphic novel adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. In 2014 his Doctor Who / Star Trek Graphic Novel ‘Assimilation Squared’ reached #2, and in 2019 his full cast audio drama of Dodge & Twist was #4 in the New York Times Audiobooks Bestselling List.
He also writes prose novels under the pen name “Jack Gatland” and since November 2020 has racked up several Amazon #1 Bestsellers, almost half a million book sales, a hundred and twenty million page reads on Kindle Unlimited, and over thirty-thousand five star ratings.
All of the experiences he’s gained from all of these mediums come to force during this one day, unmissable talk.
Additional resources
Did you know?
- Raindance members save 20% on this course?
You can join online >HERE< and start saving immediately - This course is FREE for our HND, top-up BA and postgraduate/MA/ students
- You can book a free 1-1 consultation about our full-time degree courses HERE
- The Raindance Guarantee: If this course fails to meet your expectations, let us know at the break and we will make a full, 100% no-questions-asked refund
- We don’t teach ‘filmmaking’ at Raindance. At Raindance we make filmmakers.
Question: “I’ve done a filmmaking course in London like this before. How is this course different?”
Answer: There are multiple filmmaking courses in London or online like this one. Mostly curriculums like this one encompass just one of these 3 key essentials: Repetition-based, immersion-based, or mastery-based. The curriculum on a Raindance course actually encompasses all three categories. At Raindance you get a well-rounded experience as you develop your filmmaking career.
In short, Raindance courses are different. They offer more high value information in a short period of time at an unbeatable price. In short. Raindance filmmaking courses really, really work.
Not to mention that the presenter Tony Lee’s experience is very unique and rare. He shares over two decades of knowledge gained from a wide variety of projects he has been totally involved with.
He shares his experience working as novelist, screenwriter, audio plays and creating comic books and graphic novels for the giants of publishing.
Question: “Is this Raindance filmmaking course for me?”
Answer: Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker, a mid-career professional seeking a creative outlet or a veteran creative industry professional looking to re-invigorate or re-tool, or someone just curious about the film industry, I can tell you this. Raindance tutors are different from most other filmmaking courses. They have condensed decades of experience into hours with our courses. A Raindance course has content for every single level. We have had so many beginners take this course and absolutely love it.
We have also had amazing filmmakers learn valuable lessons from Raindance and are still using these techniques and tips today! There is no doubt that whatever career or job you currently have, or what level you are at, you will gain insight and knowledge which you will be able to apply.
To top it off, there is no other film school in the world that offers such a range and breadth of filmmaking course and which operates a top-tier international film festival like Raindance.
Question: “Am I in your online classes on my own?”
Answer: Not at all! It’s easy to think of our online courses as being delivered to you in solitary confinement.
Firstly, our on-line courses are delivered in person and in real time. They are fully interactive giving you the ability to interact with the presenter and your fellow classmates. You will also have access to a unique after-class followup email with additional resources. Some classes have weekly homework assignments. In addition, Raindance operates a private Facebook group that encourages creative collaboration and brainstorming. We also hold monthly networking sessions in our international hubs and in multiple time zones.
Some of our most successful alumni got started in groups like these just taking to like-minded people who shared the same goal: to make movies.
Question: “I’m terrible with tech, can I still do this?
Answer: Tech and equipment can be confusing. Our online courses are delivered on Zoom. We have written tutorials and videos that explain how the software works.
As for our in-person and hybrid classes, our tutors and presenters will walk you through the technical details in a way that’s designed to keep everything very simple and easy-to-follow. If you feel you need specialist help we have a fully trained assistant who can guide you through the tech until you gain the confidence to take control yourself.
Question: Are you going to be offering this class in person once Lockdown is over?
Answer: We plan to continue to offer online as well as in person. In fact, we have been offering hybrid film training since 2013.
Question:: “What if I don’t have the time?”
Answer: The future is starting now. You need to choose if you want to stay where you are now, or explore your creativity. If you don’t have the time to prepare for the future, to gain new skills to thrive in our rapidly changing world then you need this course more than anyone.
Let the staff at Raindance led by the founder Elliot Grove help you create a learning environment where time is an asset not a burden!
Question: “Am I ready for this?”
Answer: If you’re asking yourself this, I bet there’s been something in your life that you didn’t do because you didn’t feel like you were ready. Honestly, with anything new in life you’re never going to feel Our founder, Elliot Grove always says it’s time to get ready, aim and fire. Your action is going to feel uncomfortable at first. But on the other side you could well be at the very next level.
Plus if you jump in and it’s not for you, just let us know within 30 days and we will issue you a full refund.
The risk is on us and we are totally cool with that. We have the best people in the game giving you world class education. If you’re willing to put in the work and follow a plan we have laid out, you got this.
Question: I hate email help desks…
Answer: … We’ll stop you right there … so do we. If you have any questions, call us Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm. +44 207 930 3412 Or email Courses@raindance.co.uk with your contact details and availability so we call call, Skype or Zoom you back
Question: How much experience do I need for this class?
Answer: Past attendees have come from a wide spectrum from complete novices and emerging filmmakers to industry professionals. It is designed to be an introductory course. And inspirational too.
Is there an age limit?
We recommend 16+ but we have have had 12 – 15 year olds when accompanied by a parent or guardian. The oldest participant was 74!
Question: What do you recommend as a followup?
Answer: Raindance offers a range of writing, directing and producing part time courses. Over 37% of our full-time students have opted for a HND, BA or MA Raindance course following this class.
Ask a question about Raindance full time film degree courses: email filmschool@raindance.co.uk
Happy filmmaking.
