I'm a biomedical major looking to work with animals someday, but I have always wanted to be a strip cartoonist. I'm thinking of taking some art classes after I get out of my current school (the science major's schedule is far too hectic to take them now). Should I even bother pursuing this? I hear it's extremely hard to catch a break.
2007-02-22 04:43:55 · 4 answers · asked by Rachel Bz. 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Comics & Animation
It's quite difficult to get syndicated - very few comic strips artists ever retire, so there's very little turnover on the comics page and thus little demand for new strips. However, the internet has provided an alternate distribution source and there are many well-respected strips that exist only on the web, and several examples of online artists that have moved into mainstream comics or comic books.
2007-02-22 07:57:35 · answer #1 · answered by JerH1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The syndication are always on the look out for new talent, but you need to be as good or better than the guys already occupying the space. The main thing the syndication look for is a great story line. If you can hook the reader with the story, then even a poorly drawn toon will make it. Sometimes, partnering up with some one who is a good writer can make the difference in getting your foot in the door with the big boys.
You can talk to your local paper or campus paper about running your strip, but it doesn't carry any weight with syndications who distribute toons nationally. They look at your toons at face value and make their own decisions. The web is a good source to post and get feed back from a broader audience, and maybe someone at the syndication will take notice (don't count on that), but again, syndications do their own searching.
What ever you do, be sure to copyright any characters you develop with the Library of Congress before publishing or submitting any work. Protect your investment!
2007-02-23 23:16:33 · answer #2 · answered by firelt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure it's very competitive to break into the professional market. Don't let that stop you from pursuing it. You may want to start with a campus or local paper. That will give you a chance to perfect your strip and give you some exposure.
Good luck.
2007-02-22 13:15:41 · answer #3 · answered by fdm215 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are any good at cartooning, you could start by drawing something for the local community newspaper.
Have some fun here:
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/comic/index.html
2007-02-22 12:54:45 · answer #4 · answered by $Sun King$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋