CHUD.com Community › Forums › ARTS & LITERATURE › Comics & Anime › What May Be A Stupid Question
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

What May Be A Stupid Question

post #1 of 16
10/6/06 at 5:11pm
Thread Starter 
I've been reading a lot of comics lately in preparation for writing my own. I also recently read Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics and in it they show how a single panel can be partitioned to make it seem like more time has passed. Basically, what I mean is a panel of two characters talking will have one person cut off from the other into one section with their word balloon, then the other person talking will be another section with their word balloon.

I understand this is done to show the passage of time, but isn't it unnecessary to do this? I think just having the panel not be divided with both word balloons conveys the passage of time sufficiently. Why do they do it like this? Can anybody give me some insight 'cause I'm really confused by the use of this technique.

This is how I think it should be...



This is how it usually appears...



I re-iterate...Why do they do it like this? Sometimes I can see the use, but most I don't.
Reply
post #2 of 16
10/6/06 at 5:57pm
I really can't answer that. But I do want to say that if this sample is any indication, I can't wait until your comic comes out.
Reply
post #3 of 16
10/6/06 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalyn
I really can't answer that. But I do want to say that if this sample is any indication, I can't wait until your comic comes out.
Great! Now I've set the bar for myself higher than I could ever achieve!
Reply
post #4 of 16
10/6/06 at 6:06pm
I think you might have missed part of Understanding Comics. He also has examples of time passing within the frame.
Reply
post #5 of 16
10/6/06 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by PodBayDoor
I think you might have missed part of Understanding Comics. He also has examples of time passing within the frame.
I got that part, what I'm referring to is how the partition doesnt break up the pacing at all in this scene, does it? I mean, you read the top one and you read it how a conversation like that would go. Same thing with the bottom, so why partition it that way? I've seen it just like my example several times.

The example I remember from the book was a party shown in one panel, and then partitioned into several. That one made more sense to me 'cause it divided the actions people were taking from the reactions, so is this just the same thing only applied to conversation? And still, the question remains, why is it necessary to do this? Considering we read things left to right, does it really change the pacing of events or the flow of the story to cut the panel into several? I don't see how.
Reply
post #6 of 16
10/6/06 at 6:54pm
To me, their definitely seems to be an extra 'beat' of time in the second example. You could also convey this though by adding more physical distance between the characters. There are always multiple ways to achieve anything in art.
Reply
post #7 of 16
10/6/06 at 7:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Ellis
To me, their definitely seems to be an extra 'beat' of time in the second example. You could also convey this though by adding more physical distance between the characters. There are always multiple ways to achieve anything in art.
I thought that was what it is, but I dunno...I've seen it used several times where a beat in-between dialogue doesn't work at all. It's like the example of having several small panels of the same thing, like a person's reaction, or just one big panel. I prefer the several smaller 'cause when I interpret the page, I take each panel in one at a time. If it were just one panel, although larger to convey the longer passage of time, it's easier to just skip over it like not much time passed at all as you just process the one image.

So in conclusion, either way works? Or am I some sort of amateur for writing my comics like this?
Reply
post #8 of 16
10/6/06 at 7:05pm
Amateur? I don't know. But your dialouge leaves a lot to be desired.
Reply
post #9 of 16
10/6/06 at 7:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll
Amateur? I don't know. But your dialouge leaves a lot to be desired.
It's a work in progress.

Seriously though, I hope people realize that was just an example I whipped up in paint to illustrate my point.
Reply
post #10 of 16
10/6/06 at 7:52pm
Making Comics might be a better source for you.
Reply
post #11 of 16
10/6/06 at 8:30pm
Maybe try it this way:

First Guy: "PLOO!"

Second Guy: (first bubble) "..." (second bubble, attached to the first) "WHAT?"

It throws in a little space, and indicates the second guy's puzzlement at being forcefully instructed to ploo. As does the hilarious expression on his face.
Reply
post #12 of 16
10/6/06 at 8:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by detonathor
Making Comics might be a better source for you.
Yeah, I'm picking that up next time I'm at a book store.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul McCartney
Maybe try it this way:

First Guy: "PLOO!"

Second Guy: (first bubble) "..." (second bubble, attached to the first) "WHAT?"

It throws in a little space, and indicates the second guy's puzzlement at being forcefully instructed to ploo. As does the hilarious expression on his face.
My god. Such thoughtful analysis of a cheap cartoon I threw together in about a minute.

You guys are either the best people on the planet...or the lamest...my money is on best.

I also forgot to mention you guys have inspired me to actually shape this stupid thing into some sort of story. I shall post the results when they are ready.
Reply
post #13 of 16
10/6/06 at 10:15pm
Either way works, but if you're doing multipanel strips(like a "Sunday six panel" strip, I don't know the official name) it may improve your strip to use both. It kind of helps with the monotany. I like to think in film terms. The "shot" with both guys is kind of like an establishing shot of sorts, then you can do the other shots, and maybe use close ups or something. To each their own. Like I said, they both work.

Because I'm bored...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalyn
But I do want to say that if this sample is any indication, I can't wait until your comic comes out.
Hehe, agreed.
Reply
post #14 of 16
10/7/06 at 9:32pm
Wow.

What have I done? What have I unleashed on this Earth?

I'm scared the comic I made last night won't live up to the hype...

Here goes nothing...


EDIT: Argh. This is Smeagol, of course.

Also, the copyright information...comic and 'Plam!' copyright Andrew Carson, 'Ploo!' copyright Adrian Smith
Reply
post #15 of 16
10/7/06 at 9:42pm
Alan Moore, eat your heart out.
Reply
post #16 of 16
10/7/06 at 9:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chavez
Alan Moore, eat your heart out.
Good! You could tell what I was going for with the piece!
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Comics & Anime
CHUD.com Community › Forums › ARTS & LITERATURE › Comics & Anime › What May Be A Stupid Question