Step 1: The first stage in a typical comic book story is the story synopsis. Write a brief (approx. 25 word) summary of the story. This should only give us a general idea of the story and not any specific details of character or scenes.
Next, choose a scene within the story and write a (approx. 25 word) synopsis of just that scene. Since you'll only be illustrating one page of the comic, you won't have enough room to draw an entire scene. Choose only the amount of action you feel you can illustrate sequentially over 5 to 8 panels on a single page.
Take a sheet of regular printer paper (8.5" x 11") and draw quick thumbnails sketches of the action in each panel of the page you will illustrate.
Remember to leave room for word balloons/narrative boxes. You may want to jot down dialogue in rough form in the margins.
Remember: thumbnails are small rough sketches, usually not more than basic shapes that only you can really understand. They are a way for you to 'think on paper' as you figure out what will go where in each panel composition. DON'T spend a lot of time drawing detailed drawings at the thumbnail stage!
Here's an online resource you can use as reference of what your thumbnails should look like:
Thumbnails example
Bring your thumbnails, story synopsis and scene synopsis to class with you on Tuesday August 3rd.
Also bring your completed comic strip assignments and rough work (for those who have not yet handed that work in)>
Any questions or work you'd like me to look at ( send in jpeg format) to leifpeng@gmail.com or reply to the mocomotion email I sent you. You can also leave a comment here on the class blog if you think your question and my answer might be relevant to the other students.
Thanks guys - see you on the 3rd!
Leif :^)
P.S. Scroll down to see a couple of examples of successful student work for this assignment from last semester.
