I recently watched a concert of Ed Sheeran singing “Thinking Out Loud” when the camera panned to the person playing the piano and it turned out to be Chris Martin from Coldplay and the song finished with a duet. I sat there thinking, “Wow, that really worked.” Collaborating with another comic artist to create a story is similar to musicians playing a song together. They both need teamwork, balance, and chemistry in order to be successful.
The idea of collaboration in webcomics has been discussed on the Quackcast (Episode 103, Episode 106) before with Banes and ozoneocean sharing their experience of working on their tag team comic, Bottomless Waitress. I have worked on team projects in both a school and work setting and there are a certainly levels of highs and lows when working with other people.
PROS
-an exchange of fresh ideas
-each person brings their own perspective
-work is divided, so less work (50/50 is ideal in theory)
-utilize strengths (writers work on script, artists work on design)
-the art becomes a unique fusion of two different styles
CONS
-initial conflict of not seeing eye-to-eye
-extra time needed to discuss ideas
-micromanaging, one person might want to control all aspects of the project
-one person is willing to put more effort into the final project
-unbalanced contribution (20/80 or 40/60)
-final product is trashed because it did not meet the standards of the entire team
Working in a group takes a bit more effort than working solo on a project. Sometimes, it is impossible to avoid working with other people, which reminds me of the time I was asked to design a mural for an elementary school (pictured above) that never came to fruition. The most upsetting part of that whole experience was the lack of communication between key people involved that could have saved me the ten hours of freetime that I spent working on the design. I guess I am still bitter about it.
Love ‘em or hate ’em. Collaborations can be really fun if done with the right person.
Links on Collaborations:
Quackcast Episode 103 - Beginning a Collaboration, A Single Step
http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/quackcast/episode-103-beginning-a-collaboration-a-single-step
Quackcast Episode 106 : Real World Comic Collab - Part 2
http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/quackcast/episode-106-real-world-comic-collab-part-2
QUACKCAST CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED
VAMPIRE (AND WEREWOLF) CAST!
http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/forum/topic/177364/
The the month of October we're doing halloween!
This Saturday we will chat about Vampires so please quickly tell us about webcomics you like with vampires!
You can also mention movies… even Twilight.
Oh, and Werewolves.You can includes those but mainly VAMPIRES in webcomics.
http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/forum/topic/177364/
.::.
What's Quacking?
Do you have any original art to contribute to our stock image database, announcements, community projects, ideas, news, or milestones to report? Please leave general comments below or send a PQ to kawaiidaigakusei. Email me at kawaiidaigakusei(at)gmail(dot)com.
Collaborations
kawaiidaigakusei at 12:00AM, Sept. 28, 2015
4 likes!
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Banes at 4:35PM, Sept. 28, 2015
That's a great looking mural kawaii! Maybe you can use it somewhere else. Wait...you already did! I've found most collaborations difficult, just as you explained. Maybe I just didnt work through the initial challenges. I think I could be better now...though time has become the real obstacle lately. Yet another great, thought provoking post, thanks!
fallopiancrusader at 3:25PM, Sept. 28, 2015
I think the key ingredient for successful collaboration on a webcomic is for everyone to feel enthusiastic about their role in the endeavor. I collaborated with a writer on a webcomic once years ago. The story-writing craft was really good, but the genre and concepts ended up not being interesting to me at all. I followed through on my commitment and finished up the chapter, but then I bailed out. I just couldn't muster up any enthusiasm to work on content that didn't interest me.
bravo1102 at 12:40PM, Sept. 28, 2015
I would love to collaborate with anyone. My problem though is I can take the work in another direction with crazy ideas. I still wish I could find someone willing to edit my scripts. I really need someone to look over my shoulder and rein me in, correct my tortured grammar and cut, cut,cut.
tupapayon at 7:38AM, Sept. 28, 2015
That's one of my worries: not being able to deliver on time and causing delays... I just hate being that guy... also, I think the team should have a decision maker from the beginning... and everything should be put in clear terms, what the expectations are, time, etc...
KimLuster at 4:22AM, Sept. 28, 2015
I've contemplated asking someone to be a colorist for my comic, but some of the cons definitely matter - mainly creative control!
usedbooks at 3:13AM, Sept. 28, 2015
I've been asked to collaborate both as a colorist, artist, and writer on separate occasions. Every time I was part of a collaboration, the other person vanished after a couple pages or delayed things way too long. I had high hopes. They were good projects, but I go nuts to not have a maintained schedule. I won't do it again. I was flattered to be asked, but I learned my lesson. :P (Granted, they were people I didn't know at all prior to the projects. Maybe having someone you've known a while or even in real life would be different.)
Ozoneocean at 12:23AM, Sept. 28, 2015
Great newspost Kawaii! I'm glad you were able to post it :D