Collaborating

I'm stepping into new territory in collaborations. I just put ads out on comicfoundry.com and digitalwebbing.com looking for an artist to split rights and profits with. I even set up a new email address for submissions, submittogonzo@yahoo.com. This is new for me because I have never given up rights to any creator owned properties I have in the works. I've given share of profits, of course. I've even worked with a co-writer/editor of sorts before, and I listen to my artists if they have ideas not only about scenes and stuff, but also about direction of the characters, etc. But never have I attempted to go into a full co-owned venture with my stories or characters. So that would beg the question, "Why now?"

Well, I have thought about going this route for some time. One of the chief reasons is right now I can't afford to pay an artist of the caliber I want the price they charge. The thing that jumpstarted me on this was coming across an outstanding artist who obviously spends a LOT of time on details. He hasn't done any pro work, so I thought maybe I'd get lucky by approaching him. Unfortunately his rates were way too high for me and there's no way. And usually I would complain about this sort of thing with non-pro artists, but this guy is really good. Cary Nord gave him compliments!

So as this revelation hit me, that it was going to be a while before I could pay an artist up front for anything, the idea of the rights issue came back to me. I stewed over it for two days and even talked to my mother about it. My mother read the concept of the story I'm considering doing this on and really liked it. Now you have to understand and know my Mother. She won't tell me whatever I do is good. As a matter of fact, she's my hardest critic, especially on my art and singing. She is blunt and to the point and will tell me like it is, whether I like it or not. So I trust her opinion with this stuff.

Anyway, after we talked I came to a couple of conclusions. First off, the realization that I'm not published yet cemented in my brain. Granted, I do have a Platinum gig, but it's not my story. And it's not published yet either. So that was the first thing, which I'll elaborate on in a sec.

Secondly, my story is a really good concept, but we came to the conclusion that in today's market while it has the potential to be a moderate success, it's probably not going to be the next Men In Black or anything.

Now both of these factors tie back into the reason I've hesitated for so long on this type of arrangement. See, I am very guarded with my work for a number of reasons, as any writer should be. But I've always had this idea in my head that if I gave up rights to some property I really believed in I would potentially have obstacles in doing what I want with the property, and I wouldn't get the majority of profits from the property. Both are huge things to consider. But with the two factors stated above realized, with this story it's a gamble I'm willing to take if it helps me get my name and work out there, which would in turn open doors for me to do the more viable properties I believe I have developed.

Now of course all of this assumes I'm good enough to actually have greater than moderate success, which I believe I am, again, as any writer should. So it's all subjective, and yes, I am a little paranoid and possibly overprotective of my work, but I don't really see that changing.

But I wanted to get a really good artist on this project, and I wanted to be able to give something back aside from a percent of profits. I wanted them to feel like it is as much their project as it is mine. I also wanted to expand my horizons a bit and collaborate on the characters. Not only their looks, but their personalities, and the direction of the story. I wanted it to be a true collaboration in all senses of the word. So I'm going to be picky about who I work with of course.

Normally I design at least the rough sketches of my characters being an artist as well. This is just something I enjoy doing. But in the past year I've had a few unique takes on my characters from some really great artists, and this totally inspired me to give up a little of the control in that area.

At any rate, that's what I'm doing with this project, which is the same project I mentioned a few posts earlier. That's all I can really say about it at this point, but it's a cool concept. It's not totally original, then again nothing really is. But it takes things in a different direction and casts them in a different light than I've personally seen done. So hopefully it will appeal to people. And to Artists! We shall see.

B-Out