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 eachother outside of the project and have positive chemistry and mutual understanding
EDIT: clarify - you both have a working relationship that involves familiarity with eachothers practices and previous co-working
- you are going in as equals, with equal control and ownership of the project EDIT: equal defined as a 1:1 split of creative control and ownership, all decisions being consensus between the two parties, recognition of no superiority or hierarchy between the two parties
- there is an open discussion about royalties and rights that places both parties as equals EDIT: again, 1:1 split of royalties and control of rights unless otherwise mutually agreed, provided the above point is true.
- you are at equal points in your career
- you take into consideration eachother's goals, and work to incorporate them into the project
- there is an open discussion about expectations, that takes into consideration each individual's life outside the project
- both parties have moderate and matched experience in their fields (ie both have at least dabbled in comics before)
- if you havent worked together before, the project is short with a conceivable deadline EDIT: short here defined as no longer than three months, no longer than 50 pages, with a recommended length being 20 pages
- you are enthusiastic about the project
EDIT (added later):
- you both want similar things out of the project
- you can communicate well with eachother
- you both are involved and interested in eachothers work in the project
- both parties are willing to take constructive criticism on their contributions and compromise to benefit the project
- both parties are assertive in what they want and need
warning signs:
- a writer is asking for an artist, but has no finished pieces of writing under their belt
- a writer is demanding very high standards of art, especially if displaying no standard or experience of writing
- you havent read any of their writing before, and no sample is shared
- a writer is asking for an artist to draw their very precious and personal project
- a project has no conceivable deadline
- a project is long-term (especially for inexperienced writers) EDIT: long-term defined here as longer than 6 months, longer than 100 pages
- a project is advertised not as work for free, but 'split the profits' (showing a naivety abt webcomic business, which in general is a warning sign)
- any hopes of potential later payment without a concrete business plan
- anything like the phrase 'paid in exposure' - especially if the writer has no platform to speak of
- a writer asks for an artist on the forums, but doesnt interact otherwise and is an unknown entity
- youre not enthusiastic about the project
EDIT: added later
- a writer imposes strict deadlines despite providing no compensation
- all cold &/ open calls for collaboration should be met with some degree of scepticism
- any one party is too attached to their own ideas to compromise
- any one party is passive, aggressive, or passive-aggressive in how they communicate
- a writer accepts an artists offer without a thorough discussion of the project and getting to know the writer
- after approach, the artist quickly moves on to a crowdfunding campaign
- either party rushes into crowdfunding without proper research and planning. this displays difficulty in planning and a naivety about the business of comic and crowdfunding
- either party has a history of plagiarism
extra note: in any free collaboration, discuss royalties and how potential profits would be split, and have something in writing so they cant leave you in the dirt in the unlikely event they get snapped up by a publisher.
does anyone have any point to dispute / anything to add?
if we could create a complete list or guide or smth, i think it could be a really useful resource to be able to pull out in later discussions, or to have accessible to newbies, similar to this thread: