2000 AD Online Forum

You guys always seem to know the answers...

so here's the question.
What should I do with my life? I'm nearly finished as a student and I want to do something creative, like write or design or draw...
How do I get started doing any of these things?!!?
I know the obvious is to get a full-time job and do them in my spare time, but...AGH! It's all so frustrating and crazy.
lol

Anyone help...preferably looking down at his hands in a maudlin way.  Medievil style if possible...

Cheers,
WoD.

short term: look at porn
long term: what did you study?

If at all possible, don't go into journalism. Avoid it, literally, like the plague.

Options:

1. Maybe trying temping for a bit to get some cash and give yourself more time to think about it? (warning: don't stay too long or you'll never be able to leave)

2. Think about some kind of post-grad or post-uni qualification.

3. Sell your body.

B-TEC in Multimedia Production,

I want to go on and do something decent rather than end up in an office or anything (no offence if anyone here works in an office)

Multimedia Production? If you're proficient in something like AVID editing then you could always try and gets into documentary film making? Obviously, wherever you start it'll be from the lowest rung but it's a fun job with not too much lifting ...

i no how you feel i dont want to end up in an office or a factory either. im currently looking for a band.

Well, I'm central Somerset, if anyone here is around there and an artist/writer/works in a comic shop let me know

i live around minehead and thats in somerset to.
krackers is a good comic shop im in there all the time its in taunton behind boots.

Aye...I have seen Krackers, and it is indeed a good comic shop. But I'm looking for something ... not in Taunton. Tis a grotty place. There's a tiny little comic shop in Bath that rocks, and there's about three in Bristol that are very groovy.

...hmmm...maybe I could work in a comic shop

Feel free to take or leave the following...

If you want to get paid for being creative, the thing you need is a Portfolio. This often causes a 'Catch 22' situation - how can you create a portfolio when no-one gives you any work?

Firstly, the thing with a lot of creativity is that you can just do it - it doesn't actually cost very much to dance, draw, act or write etc., and you don't need anyone's permission. Just get on with it.

However, this is often prone to distraction, laziness and the realities or 'proper' work. Also, by doing your own thing you don't learn about the process either.

So, something to try (at least, this is what I did) is to approach local charities and volunteer to do illustration, leaflets, logos, graphic design and that kind of thing. Simply - charities are willing to take a chance, as it won't cost them anything.

Indeed, most will bite your hand off, and some will even offer to pay expenses for printing or travel etc.. This way, you'll not only be being creative, but you'll also be learning the process of dealing with opinions, pesky printers and meeting deadlines etc..

Most importantly, you'll see your creativity and portfolio come to life in the real world, rather than have your designs confined to the insides of a hardcover A3 book.

It will all make you attractive to employers or potential paying Clients.

M@

woo...good idea, thanks

if you want to be a writer try the writers bureau
im starting to do it in my spare time and its really good. the reason i mentioned krackers is because some comic artist go in there quite a bit. the one i see the most is henry flint
and if you ever see him you could talk to him about portfolios and getting work published

ooo...the Flint, eh?

Interesting, I shall have to go there more often

yeh i think he lives around taunton ive seen him a couple times whyll up there with my aunt.

Really?

Is he very noticable or does he just walk around Taunton a lot?

ha

i only no what he looks like because ive met him three times. he looks like a normal bloke

I did wonder...

because sometimes artists look like the things they draw ... by jaysus let's hope we never find out what McMahon looks like

cha

Well, I actually don't know of McMahon looks like this ...



But apparently he's sponsored the bench at Hole 11 of Morley Field Golf Course along with his band, Hera's Olive. Their debut CD is available through all major music outlets, apparently.

Shakara, a good way to build up your portfolio would be to do some small press work.
For, say for example, Futurequake, or something.

If you're looking to create a portfolio from scratch ask folk who do the job you want or similar to send you copies of the design briefs they work to - I'm sure there are some boarders who could help here?

Then work on these - especially those that don't inspire you intially 'cos these are more the norm than the "cool" assignments. Getting something great from a dud brief is a real achievement.

People are always interested to see and can tell a lot more about your work with stuff generated from a set of guidelines rather than just self generated - though these pieces are important too.

Good luck.

And don't let it grind you down.

Thanks guys, all the comments have been a fantastic help, got my spirits up no end!

If you are looking to get comics work then look around for Spec' scripts.  Most publishers will have  one kicking around for you to follow, and I am sure that you will be able to find older ones (they eventually publish the story) kicking around the net.

Again, others here may be able to point in the right direction...

Dan

...I was thinking of submitting stuff to the fanzine or something

You could send a few samples to the following address:

Futurequake@aol.com

Good luck!!

For more details, check out http://www.arthurwyatt.co.uk/futurequake/

or

Link: See here

Groovy groovy, thanks a lot

Also, if you're looking for a writer/artist, there's no need to be confined to looking locally, like some corn-chewing double-chinned redneck yokel.  For a start, the board is swimming in talented artists.  And Jared.
There are a few good writers on here, too.
And Jared.

Seriously, though, quite a few fanzine contributors have done so from a distance - probably after meeting up on this messageboard, if the credits on Futurequake and Solar Wind are anything to go by.

Okay, here's a question for on-the-board artists. What's a good pen for inking?
Inking is the one thing I need to get better at, and I'm not quite sure which pens are good for it?
and no one say "Indian Ink" because I hate that shod

Shak:

I use those ?2.50 ish drawing pens from Smiths (.1 for the close work, up to .5) then I use a variety of felt tips for the chunky stuff.

The thing to watch with cheap pens is that the nibs deform quite quickly; I tend to use a pen per strip (5 pages) as after the last page the line is starting to become too thick for me. The pens from Smiths last longer, but not that much longer.

Bolt-01

Tanks a lot, there board of knowledge lol

You're actually better off buying a box of inking pens from online retailers if possible.  You save more money in the long run - but it'll still put you back about 20-30 quid.
The Edding profipens are good, but you need to practice, and the 0.1 is too thin for drawing at a3 size for reproduction into smaller sizes (ie; for comics), but the 0.3/0.5s are great for sketching with.

Link: Nice pens.

ooh...shiny