What a great group.
For those that have missed out I've been teaching a Visual Storytelling workshop series through the
Community Classroom at McNally Robinson Booksellers (Canada's largest independent bookseller!) What has happened is nothing short of amazing. A group of dedicated writers and artists have crafted a story and are illustrating that story as you read this. The whole process is intended to produce a work of visual narrative ( comics!) that McNally Robinson will then produce on their Espresso Book Machine. We are in uncharted waters here, and while I may be at the helm these students are keeping the ship on course in a way that is making me rethink what is possible through collaboration.
So we have embarked on a bit of an experiment in visual storytelling. A story written and illustrated by 20 people ( maybe more, maybe less when all is said an done.) Below are some notes for those storytellers to help guide them along in the process during the seven days between this class and the next.
Rope of Sand is well on it's way. Here is a purposed Page One. It sets our scene and allows for each of you to have a 2 page spread. ( Though some of you have taken on more than that...)
Page One: As discussed this will be a three panel page. Two small panels across the top, then a larger panels taking up the bottom of the page.
Panel One: From high up in the desolation of a rocky mountainside we look out over the expanse of an immense desert at night. A tiny speck of light tells us a campfire burns in the distance.
Caption: Wind and Sand may divide a land.....
Panel Two: Closer now to the fire, we see it is at a desert oasis. Tall palm trees, lush vegetation. A lush contrast to the great sand sea. Caravans from many parts of the desert have gathered. We can tell there is a crowd around that fire. Their shadows dance as the fire roars.
Caption: ... but it may unite its people.
Panel three: A great collection of travelers and traders have gathered around the fire. Young and old, male and female. One of them stands before the others.
Storyteller: "Travelers. Brothers. Sisters. Husbands and Wives. Daughters and Sons. It is time again to share."
Storyteller: "We have shared in the journey to reach this place, We have shared in it's food. we have shared in the water of this sacred place...Let us now, as is our custom, share in words the story of how this place came to be."
Storyteller: "Who shall speak first?"
Writers. Remember that your task is to craft your portions of the tale to bring out the benefits of this the narrative structure. Rope of Sand is a tale recounted by many people over the course of the night. Feel free to write more of the pages than those assigned. You may find that certain beats work with your style and pace. Also bear in mind that the writer's job in illustrated mediums like comics is not to just retell what the pictures are saying but to strive for juxtaposition and clarity. "Brevity is the soul of wit"
This is a
story cycle, like
The Canterbury Tales or
1001 Nights. Yet in our version a short section of the tale is recounted by a different teller every few pages. In this way the various story elements have the ability to
flow more easily, because the narrative breaks are due to the changing of the storyteller as the tale unfolds.
Artists. Stick to it. This is hard work for you too. Six panels over two pages seemed easy at first, but now that you are in the thick of it I can feel your tension. Remember. Stick to the beats. The beat should have the most detail. Remember to leave room for the words. The rule we are using is 1/3 words 2/3 art for each panel. Try to stick to it. ( This also makes you job easier when you do.)
Artist and Writers should both bear in mind that process is the key. Making the work teaches you the most about how to make the work.
