Helllllooo Artists!
My name is Buddy Scalera and I write comics. And I want to write more, which is why I need you.
I am always working on new proposals for comic book stories. Some of them are mini series ideas, some are graphic novels, and others are ongoing stories.
I am constantly on the lookout for new talent.
But before we go any further...this is indy work that I am talking about here. These are (unfortunately) non-paying gigs. (Note on no-pay work.)
If it's a paying gig from Marvel or DC, they probably already have their artist selected.
Do you want to break in as a penciler? Well, then you have a better chance if you have a published book to hand an editor. That shows the editor that you can complete a project.
If you are looking to build up your portfolio and you don't need to get paid at this time, then maybe we can do a project together.
Here's what I am looking for:
-
3-5 pages of sequential art (website links are cool too)
-
no pinups
I like:
- Good storytelling
- Good page layout
- Artists who stay within the panels
- Artists who know how and why to break the panels
- Good anatomy
I do not like:
- Manga
- Layouts where I can't tell what panel to look at next
- Layouts where I can't tell what's supposed to be happening
Since I have several projects that require artists, I am looking for a variety of styles. Please send me samples.
Here is my contact information:
We all work free from time to time. Most of the free work we do is in school. Once we graduate, we want to get paid. Fair enough, I figure.
But sometimes when you want to break into a crowded field like comic books, you have to prove that you can do the work. And you need to prove that you can deliver what the publisher wants. This is, after all, how they make money.
If you show them that you have value, they will pay you for what you do. Yehaw. Awesome.
But if you go to a convention, you can see from the huge lines at portfolio review that there are a lot of people trying to break in as artists and writers. (Hey, comic books are a fun way to make a living!)
Getting a comic book published is a great way for you to stand out from the crowd. At a convention, you are not standing on line at portfolio review, you are sitting behind a table signing books. After the con closes, you are hanging out with fellow pros talking shop. Believe me, this is how I did it.
Doing a complete comic book for no pay is not anyone's idea of a fun time. But when you are done, you can look at your accomplishment.
(Or you can go back and stand on line and hope that someone likes your portfolio.)
So you really want to break in and do comics? Then do some comics. Either do one with me or do one with your friends. Just do it. If you really love comics, and you want to make them. Stop talking and start doing. JUST DO IT!
(And if you actually do it because you read this, please email me or send me a copy.)
But if you're a good artist and a hard worker and you honestly want to break in, please send me your portfolio. I write fun stories.
And if we don't manage to work together on THIS project, then keep building your portfolio, and keep in touch with me. You never know when I will need your style and talent.
Seriously. KEEP IN TOUCH!
Thanks,
Buddy
Scalera
buddy@buddyscalera.com