COVID, Creative Writing, and Comics

Experimenting with Procreate

UPDATES

It’s been a while since I’ve posted—and I have been busy with school since then. It takes up most of my free-time—time that I would normally use to develop projects or even just spending it on family. I know that having a degree will help me, but I'll admit, it's been rough from time to time. While I find my literature classes interesting, they can be taxing. That said, I'm gaining new tools in my repertoire and I believe it's improved my writing.

Work has been… well, work. Thanks to COVID and the lockdown, we’re serving a reduced and specific purpose and our team has shrunk considerably. Working from home has advantages and disadvantages… lack of social contact has really affected me the most, though. I miss casual contact with coworkers as well as making new friends from simple proximity and conversation. It’s a hard deal… but deal we must. I've known many people who have had the virus- many have suffered, and I just found out that a family friend passed from it.

Lockdown has given me a chance to rewatch all my favorite comic book movies, and some new shows such as WandaVision.  Everytime I see that Marvel Studios open my hair stands on end. It inspires me to create!

 

WHAT'S HE COOKIN' NOW?

As I have been writing, I’ve been eyeing some of my shelved comic book projects. I love comics, have a fair-sized collection, and if you’ve been reading this blog you’ll see I’ve flirted with it for a very, very, very long time. I wanted to be a comic artist early on, but wrestled with my slow development and short attention span, and discovered other avenues of artistic expression. But, things come full circle and I am back at home, while being at home, and writing the first issue of my new comic line.

Joseph Crowfoot will return!

 I am planning on making this title my flagship piece. The plan is to create six issues that can be compiled into a graphic novel, but if I can garner some interest, I will definitely submit it to some comic publishers. We’ll see if I can cut the mustard on it. Regardless, this is my calling- it combines all my previous passions for storytelling, visuals, drawing, design, cinematic sequentials, it simply has it all.

I’m experimenting with some technologies- such as using an iPad and Procreate (see the main image above), but I’m also working traditionally. I will say that my emphasis is on story—front and foremost.        

So… when can you plan on seeing something? I know I announce projects and then they end up dying. Not this one. I plan on sticking to it because I’ve had this character for many, many years, and have even talked about it in passing. Without delving into any spoilers (I want to finish the first comic- no point in spreading empty hype), I will tell you this: it’s occult detective series who happens to also monster hunt; it will reprise Joseph Crowfoot from Corner of the Mind’s Eye—the main character from my first feature film attempt. He’s not the lead character but will be a regular in this new series, and he will have the same powers. This is the same character, but 15 years later, so he’ll be about 53. Here's a clip from one of our rehearsals on the COTME set: 

I'm excited for this series because I have the first few books planned. I am working vigorously on the script to meet my self-imposed deadline of February 21st, at which time I'll start the art. Much of the character design is finished- like I said, I have been working on this for years. The lead character is female, and very, very capable. 

It comes down to this: I need a finished product to act as, well, a product to sell, and to double as my portfolio for my career. Yes, I am going to school for creative writing, but that ties right back into this, comics, my first love. However, like I had mentioned above, I want something to show- PAGES to show, no empty hype! I expect that my skill will improve each issue. I am looking into distribution avenues including self-publishing. 

In the end, I want to entertain you. The trick is doing the work.

 

 

I’ve surrendered to My Calling, and now I’m happy.

Drawing, filmmaking, writing. Drawing, writing. Filmmaking, series-producing, writing. Writing. Writing. Writing. 

Writing. 

I love to write. I have done it every single day since I was eleven years old. At my eighth-grade parent/teacher conference, my English teacher—Mrs. Stewart—told my mom “His creative writing reminds me of my own writing when I was in college.” The caustic would berate her ability, but I truly believe this was a complement.

Why didn’t I pursue writing as a vocation?

Fear.

Fear of ridicule, of rejection. Silly things like caring what other people thought of me. Guilt and a sense of duty to “find a paying job” that Put-Food-On-The-Table-And-A-Roof-Over-My-Family’s-Head. Paradoxically, laughably, I chose the path of a visual artist to do that. I ended up sliding into paying banalities the likes of: production artist, production video, marketeer… skill-based but about as interesting as the flat side of a thumbtack.

Recently, an incident shook the complacency from my life. I learned that my position was evolving from being production-driven to curation-minded. I would no longer be “creating” items, but managing vendors instead. This infuriated me at first, but intense soul-searching lead to a realization: “This is an opportunity to re-assess everything I am.” 

“First thing’s first,” I told myself, “I need to go back to school.” My experience alone has been enough to garner jobs, but today’s reality is different. In order to compete in the job market, I have to have evidence of my ability. I need a degree. Ironically, I work for an online university—but it does not offer anything that interests me. 

“If I’m going to do this, it needs to be something that will keep me engaged.” The search began. Illustration and filmmaking were out, I knew that. I knew it was time to come forward with who I really am.

I’ve always written stories, but I had to assess what my weaknesses were; I’m ashamed to say it’s a common malady… I lack proper education in grammar. I know my tenses are all over the place, I have a vague idea what participles are, and I think I use semicolons correctly 50% of the time. Then there’s active voice, split infinitives, etc. I’ve taken it upon myself to learn, but I need guidance. I started looking at writing degrees.

There are plenty of writing programs out there. At the risk of sounding like a testimonial, it needs to fit my schedule—that means most brick-and-mortar schools are out (even the ones with online classes, since they’re taught at specific times). It needs to be non-profit, and it needs to be inexpensive. It didn’t take long to find one that matched my needs perfectly.

I applied and was accepted to Southern New Hampshire University’s Creative Writing program. My previous credits from Community College allow me to start out as a Junior. And further, this path will open up future opportunities with my career while I hone my craft at night.

However (and this is the best part), NOTHING WITH WHAT I DO IN MY SPARE TIME WILL CHANGE. I will still write, but now it will be with intention, with focus, and with pride. I have hundreds of stories that I have told. Once I’m confident in my ability, I’ll WANT to share them… just give me time to edit them first. 

“But Juan, what about your drawing? What about your films?”

Yeah- what about them? 

I’ll likely have the urge to draw once in a while or pick up a camera… but it will be on a whim, for nobody else, and for comfort. I won’t resent doing those things anymore because they aren’t important to me… or rather, they aren’t important for the wrong reasons. 

So here it is, 2020 is a new year. A new decade. I’m coming out as my TRUE self because I have finally accepted my calling.

10 Video Standards of Quality and Intentional Practice

A couple of years ago, a workshop was arranged to address an issue that arose in my absence.  My team was challenged by a manager to create a list of ten standards of quality video. While we corrected the issues, this exercise was an excellent way to solidify my thoughts on what I strive for in my video-making.

Interestingly enough, many others had similar types of standards. I thought I’d share my take on it:

10 STANDARDS OF QUALITY VIDEO

• Clarity: all aspects; from writing to execution. Clarity means that the video is free from distraction—which may arise from poor writing (confusing, lacking conviction, obscure/esoteric language) to poor execution (distracting audio, anything unusual that takes away the attention from the message). Ironically, poor video quality is the most forgivable violation. People forgive a bad picture, the will not tolerate bad audio, and will lose interest from poor writing. (Amateur vs professional)
  
  
  
• Visual Design: utilizing composition, camera placement, camera involvement (observer vs addressed), graphic design (color palette, text usage and movement, illustration/photos/animation) is an entire list in and of itself. Visual design doesn’t necessarily need to be pleasing, but it should support the content of the work).
  
  
  
• Accessible: Aside from clarity, it needs to be accessible to the impaired.
  
  
  
• Editing: there are two types of edits- invisible and intentional. Most of what we see online is intentional- edits for edits sake. It’s almost like visual poetry, or a slam cut to a loud graphic to keep your attention. However, the more you scream, the less you listen. Invisible edits do not attract attention to itself; it keeps the cognitive load to a minimum where the viewer can passively assimilate the information on its own merit. Invisible edits support the content as it is meant to not detract from it. 
• Intentional editing:
  https://vimeo.com/7366368
• Invisible editing:
  https://medium.com/applaudience/invisible-cuts-a-new-trend-in-video-editing-b858ede7403d
  
  
• Engagement: clarity is the gateway to engaging video. Engagement can be interesting content, interesting delivery, a highly desirable aesthetic, or a personable narrator. Engagements holds a person’s attention.
• Example:
  https://youtu.be/RLykC1VN7NY
  
  
• Connection: Relates contextual content to subject knowledge, deepening understanding. Connection invites the viewer to be an active participant in parsing the information, giving clues and fostering engagement. In the narrative world, mysteries are popular because it invites the viewer into solving the puzzle. Featured journalism uses storytelling, informational “tools” to educate the viewer and allow them to find the context of the information and relate it to the issue discussed.
• Example:
  Malcolm Gladwell
  
  
  
  
• Informative: A clear, engaging video can be devoid of any relevant information. A broad example of this is network/cable television… most entertainment. The opposite would be the evening news- dry exposition of information and facts. Documentaries often try to marry the two extremes.
  
  
  
• Noteworthy: Bringing a noteworthy element separates the content into something memorable and significant. An unusual attempt or delivery not only keeps the video engaging but gives the viewer a touchstone to recall it later. If the video reaches the other standards, it will entirely help shape their thinking. 
• Example:
  TED talk, rise and fall of Incan empire https://youtu.be/UO5ktwPXsyM
  
  
• Challenging:The content should challenge the viewer and invite them to compare different approaches and ideas that contrast their own thinking. However, there is a danger to fall into an opinion camp and skew the information to influence thinking. 
• Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B5ub9bzwcU
  
  
  
• Invites Discussion:This one is a cheat- if all the other standards are met, the viewer/student will invite discussion with peers or the uninitiated.

INTENTIONAL PRACTICE

This is outside of the scope of the above standards list, but is important none-the-less. Intentional Practice is taking items that you have learned in a Youtube tutorial or a book on the subject, and applying it to a made up project.

5x5s: VIMEO used to have 5x5 video challenges. While they’ve mostly fallen to the wayside, I still think it’s a powerful took to keep in practice- much like how an illustrator uses a sketchbook to draw. If you’ve never heard of a 5x5 video challenge, it is simply this: Five 5 second clips strung together in an experimental narrative or comparison. The end video should be 25 seconds, and should use only the audio that was recorded with it. Purists eschew text, but I like the idea of anything goes- it’s experimental.

The purpose of the 5x5 is to train your eye for aesthetics and visual composition. It keeps you active on observation, shooting, and editing. Here’s my first attempt:

The 52 Week Video Challenge: Some others have decided to create a 1-2 minute video weekly. I plan on starting this challenge in January- a clean run. My hope is that it will improve my shooting and production style, and create a body of work. I think the hardest thing will be coming up with content each week- so there is a huge amount of diligence. It’s a perfect challenge for where I am right now.

-->

Self-applying Salt in Old Wounds

Old angst used for good.

A few days ago, I had a long conversation with my day job manager, Marc, who is also my mentor and friend. Our chat went to discussing those who we would consider our personal Nemesis. His was a narcissistic old professor he had while he was in college. The dude sounded like a real deuchbag, but Marc persevered. Mine, no less deuchy, was a former friend and business partner from ages (read 'DECADES') ago.

We both got worked up as old memories surfaced and we told our war stories of betrayal and disgust. It's easy for old wounds to open up especially when they're so deep as they happened so young. After our chat, the rekindling of old anger dredged up the motivation to work on some projects. Applying salt to an old wound is not healthy, but it is effective.

However, the poison faded quickly- the thought of drinking in more toxic memories to feel powerful conjured many a cautionary tale. They ARE old wounds, but they HAD HEALED. My former acquaintance had actually given me a gift in the form of a life-long lesson: he serves as a template as a type to avoid. It has worked time and time again... and come to think of it, as recently as six months ago.

Would I ever want to be a friend of this "old Nemesis" again?

No.

He had contacted me ten years ago and I tried, but I walked right into the same vat of manipulation and abuse. I doubt he's changed. I'm certain it's been played over a million times as he presents himself as a victim- most narcissists do. But, while I'm not "over it" (and likely will never be), the vigor of old wounds has faded. I can talk about it freely now without the sting- and that is indeed positive.

Still, it serves as a way to stimulate the creative process. Creative acts pull from personal experiences, and I used those feelings constructively. It provided energy to kickstart productivity- and served me well when I filled a dozen pages in my sketchbook last night. By 9pm, I was mentally and physically exhausted.

I have the opportunity to help with a new video project- a docuseries that will involve travel throughout the outback of the intermountain west. I had taken on this project because I love adventure and for the same reason I tapped into old angst—experiences are the truest building blocks to create something new.