[CLOSED] Looking for an artist for a story to collab for [unpaid] [CLOSED]

[Sonya123]

I'm sorry but what do you mean?

[VibrantFox]

Hi everyone! I've been reading a lot of the discussion threads lately on collaboration and was inspired by a particular post to write this. It started as just a reply, but it got to the point where I think it deserves its own thread. I don't remember where I saw it, but someone implied that a writer paying an artist doesn't make them a team? Or that it's somehow different when payment is involved? (as in, you're strictly paying for a service and it's cut and dry you're still the owner/creator/…

So I see a lot of (unpaid) offers/requests to find a collaborator, and most of the time it seems like they go unfilled. For those of you who are in a collaborative relationship with someone, how did it start? Also while we're at it what advice do you have for working with your collaborative partner? Anyone working with more than one other person, how do you do that? I've got two budding collaborative projects right now. One with a friend who I've known for years, we've always tossed ideas…

in light of recent discussions, i thought itd be useful to compose a list of good signs and warning signs for collaboration for all to use, in hopes of protecting new artists from bad decisions and guiding new creators in how to set up a healthy collaboration. EDIT: this is a loose guideline, and should not be used as a check list. every collaborative relationship is unique and discretion is advised. here's what ive got for good signs (these arent all necessary, but are all pros): - you know…

[MiniSheepPencil]

I'm seriously getting tired of this (UNPAID) trend...

[Penni]

Well, I have seen artists willing to collabs for free, for the experience or whatever reason.

I can see how that unpaid work and be infuriating for most artists. It is a lot of work and time on the artist's part but if someone is interested and willing to do for free then that's their decision.

They are being upfront about the situation, and there have been other resources provided to provide more information. As long as each side is being respectful then that's fine, isn't it?

I will say that as the person offering the collab, please research on what to expect from an artist and how to work with them properly. Also, likely many of them will want to be paid, so expect that or prepared to be patient for someone who may be interested in working for free

[MiniSheepPencil]

I get the sentiment, but still, I don't think we should be promoting such behavior on a forum where a lot of inexperienced artists and writers seek genuine opportunities. When you emphasize it being a paid/unpaid project you already attach a professional feel to it thus, reading a post like this feels like nothing but ignorant spam.
(on a side note, this really looks like just another visionary with no detailed information)

To top it off the user has not even been on the forum for more than a few hours and not engaged in anything else but this particular type of subject. Should we let it slide just because it seems innocent and ignorant on the surface?

[Penni]

I just hate to see another thread get overrun with negativity and whatever else. I totally feel people who want to collab should be educated on both sides. Maybe they don't know any better and maybe they do.

I dunno, I feel there's a lot of bitterness and all more and more collabs are showing up and making it worse.

but yeah @oracledinie, I agree with @minixira there is a lack of information or even examples of your work. An artist wants to know what your abilities are too.

Collabs are a lot of work and as Mini said, there are people here looking for real opportunities for advancement and compensation for their time and skill. Educating yourself on how collabs work and what the artist is expecting is important. (I encourage you to read what @VibrantFox provided)

[Karebear]

I can see where you are coming from with how it can seem like spam and be annoying. However, I have to agree with Penni it is up to the artist and writer whether they want to take on a job that is either paid or unpaid. And I think by someone including this is the title it is also helps writers and artists decide on what projects they want to take on. For instance, if I was an artist (which I am not) and I read someone's post and got really interested in it and wanted to work on it but then got to the end and saw that it was unpaid I could feel a little upset. But at the same time there are writers, like myself, that unfortunately do not have funds to be able to pay the artist but are willing to give up a lot of rights to our work. For instance I have seen some writers, including myself, be willing to give up any revenue earned by our writings, give the artists permission to use on their personal sites to earn revenue, even help promote the comic and artist to increase the artists revenue. I think I have even seen a post where a writer was willing to give up full rights to their writings to the artist,. because it would be unpaid by the writer, just so the artist would make money. At the end of the day I do believe it is up to the artist and writer to decide if they want a paid or unpaid project. Plus there can always be negotiations behind the scenes of some type of compensation for both parties involved.

When you look at both sides it is hard to see what side is worth more "value or money" for the project created together because both sides include a lot of difficult work. It is hard on a writer to come up with a story, keep interest in it, keep the story straight and understandable. Then an artist would need to translate that work into drawing it out and all the important parts that come with creating the actual comic ( again I'm not an artist so I do not know fully what it entails so I don't want to act like I do and list out things artists do and be wrong). There are people in both categories that want to be paid for the work and efforts because this can be how they support themselves or they want to do it for free as a hobby to gain experience.

I also have not been a member of this forum long and the only topic I have engaged in is collaboration, I could be ignorant in stating my opinion and if I come off as rude and offensive I apologize. To some degree though we could just be so passionate about wanting to get our ideas out of our head and into an artists hands that we can get a little rushed. At least I know that is the case for me, I want to help people create their worlds that I tend to get a little excited and be blind to what is going on around me.

However, I do agree that posts like this should have more details into what is going on with the idea. At the end of the day I think it is the responsibility of both parties to come to an mutual agreement, and if it is not something liked by an outside opinion then it is okay because it should only matter to the parties involved.

[Sonya123]

What I was hoping for is for an interested party to ask about my work in private. Why? Bcuz I've been told that it's not wise to post ur whole idea online for risks of ur work being copied or taken by someone else. I totally understand what u were trying to say though.

[Sonya123]

I'm not looking for someone professional . Anyone that has free time can come along. I'm an artist myself but I'm just not confident in my art that's why I'm requesting an artist. I'll re-edit my post for clarity

[Sonya123]

Would u prefer that I don't specify paying or not?

[MiniSheepPencil]

@oracledinie

Nope, @Penni & @Karebear already explained in great detail of what you need to be aware of when offering a collab and @VibrantFox provided you the links on further details on the subject. Make sure you check them out if you have any questions

[Sonya123]

Alright. I understand. Thanks

[Sonya123]

What do you mean, though?

[Sonya123]

I get it, though, I've a victim of copied work and I've been told to avoid posting my whole idea online. I get why people will be fraustrated with this kind kind of post.

[Drewbie]

Just that these threads get flooded with negativity a lot

[silverraven0]

The thing is bud, ideas means pretty much nothing in this industry because you cannot copy right ideas. What an potential artist need now is an example of your existing writings you've done before. If you have wrote something, link it down so people can see your writing style and ability. If you have not written anything before, you'll probably will have lower chance for getting artist because what they need is a capable writer to help direst them with the story board they need to make, so having a writing ready is very much okay here.

And what make people became more negative here is probably the 100 chapter you state there.

For starter, I suggest you to at least just make a short comic collab, form one chapter to 5 for first timer. Having 100 For first timer doesn't do good for you.

Some more information you need to place up here : how many pages or panels per episode, genre, general idea or summary of the story (like I said, idea mean nothing much), art style, you wanted, how long this collab will last, paid or unpaid or split earning or other means of payment and some more talk about yourself. You're a total stranger so it might be good to talk of your writing a bit.

[WriterLinXiaolong]

Hello!

I feel like I jumping in for the discussion so I'm doing it. Whatever I write after this is not meant to offend anyone so if I accidentally did so, I apologize in advance!

Although I'm not sure if you are a writer, artist or both, I still feel that the post is lacking enough information to get the attention of the artist. Offering a collaboration is the same as offering work, be it paid or unpaid. You are asking for the artist's services so they have the right to know what kind of work they will be getting into.

If this is to be compared with an advertisement, then all the information the customer (in this case the artist) have is only that the story will be black and white, and it could last over 100 episodes (don't think that's enough to grab their attention at all. They'll probably just take a glimpse then walk away). But, what about the genre? Some artist may not be able to work well with a certain genre. Then, the art style? The length of each episode? Will the format be your generic manga style or is it going to be the scrolling webtoon style?

Also, here is the thing... I believe writers should have a sort of portfolio too like how artist do! To be very honest, I have no idea about comic making until like a week or two ago. I have always thought the novels I did should be enough for the artist to know of my work, but I was very mistaken! What artists wants to see are SCRIPTS!!

Scripts helps them figuring out the scenes and details for the panels. So, as a newbie author I am, started to study script writing for few hours before trying. And oh boy, was it hard... One paragraph of your novel that is not even 100 words could go for 2 pages!

Anyway, I'm getting derailed so going back to the portfolio. As I've said, I think writers should have at least one or two scripts on their portfolio if they plan to get an artist to collaborate. It doesn't have to be an existing work or something you plan to work on! It can be just a short script of a short story just so artist can get an idea how you write the script! After all, just like how writing style differ from one author to another, so does script. At least I believe so.

I think I have shared everything that I wanted to share. Lastly, I hope you get the collaboration you ask for! Wish you the best of luck!

Sincerely,

Lin XiaoLong.

[rokudoku]

a bit advice here, better start from oneshot comic first. especially if you dont have any experience in collaborating.
Actually, it's better if you waiting for comic contest from publisher, artist will prefer to collaborating for that instead of 100 comic chapters without any goal whatsoever.

and yes, you need a writing portfolio, you can upload your writing on tapas or wattpad. I had several bad experience from asking writing portfolio in private and end up to be begged and got swored by people i messaged just because their stories is not on my liking, so it's better to put your writings on platforms so artist can see it without any pressure.

[Tanako]

i'm pretty sure everyone already explained so i wont go in further. short answer is, you are asking for way too much work for no pay what so ever. 100 episodes? wow. you say you are an artist so i'm sure you know what just drawing 1 episode feels like. and if you are going to ask for samples from the artist, you have to make sure you as well, have a sample to share.
good luck.

[djwaglmuffin]

There's nothing necessarily WRONG with unpaid work, especially if said artist/writer has a monetary cushion and has the time.

But even then, I'd still expect to share rights to the story/art and any future success it may bring ie...if it eventually starts to bring in royalties. (for example)